Send a simple text message to the Stray Star GPS Tracker to get a live location whenever you need one – clicking on the instant reply text will take you straight to the location on Google Maps.

You will see an actual satellite view of the location - which makes it easier to locate the person if in a more rural area.

Other relatives or carers can also text the tracker's number for a location which is useful if they're involved in a search or just need reassurance.

To learn more about the location texts, click here (opens in new tab). It's very easy and simpler than it sounds!

Log into a website to see the live location of the dementia tracker as it moves - and where it's been

The GPS Tracker can continually upload its location to a webpage & app – which makes tracking even easier. It can also be useful to see what path the person takes if they go wandering. We provide a step-by-step guide with the GPS Tracker on how to get set up for online tracking, and it takes just a few minutes. Some customers find this easier than texting the GPS tracker for a location. You can share your login info with anyone else who might want to use the online tracking (relatives or carers).

Free to set up and use - only pay approx 50p per month for data costs

If you choose to have a free SIM pre-installed in your device, then it only costs about 50p per month for data use from your pay-as-you-go credit (or included in the £6pm unlimited texts-calls-data goodybag).

The GPS Tracker uses a SIM card (think of it like a small mobile phone) - this is how it's able to transmit its location information to you via text or online data uploads. It also means you can have two-way conversations, or receive text alerts if the person wanders too far, has a fall, or presses the SOS button.

We pre-install SIMs from GiffGaff – a popular SIM network who use the O2 network. We recommend you check first that coverage for O2 is good for your area - if not, you can also install your own SIM (the dementia Tracker is not locked to any particular network).

You can choose to add the free pre-installed SIM to your order at the shopping cart stage, after clicking buy it now.

Activating the SIM is easy - a full step-by-step guide is given on the welcome sheet with the Tracker. You will create your own online account with GiffGaff, giving you full control.

Ongoing SIM card costs

You will need to add £10 of pay as you go credit to the SIM when activating the SIM, but will also receive another £5 free credit on top.

Your own ongoing SIM card usage is the only thing you'll pay for after buying the device, as you would with a mobile phone. We pre-install GiffGaff SIMs as they offer great coverage, have no minimum contracts or lock-ins, and allow you to flexibly switch between Pay As You Go credit or an all-inclusive £6 per month 'Goodybag' depending on your usage. The initial £15 (£10 paid when activating, £5 free on top) normally then takes months to dwindle down.

Briefly, it costs:

• 10p each time the device sends a location or alert text
• 25p per minute for any outgoing calls (e.g. SOS)
• approx 50p per month if using online tracking (the data packets are tiny)

Texts and calls to the Stray Star GPS dementia Tracker will be included in your own mobile's minutes/texts, so won't cost anything from the Tracker's SIM credit.

There are no more ties, subscriptions, fees or charges to pay us.

You aren't locked into a contract with the SIM provider.

Setting up online tracking is free.

You can also read more about SIMs and Ongoing Costs here. 

The inbuilt rechargeable battery has a number of modes, which can be selected at any time via text message.

Default Mode (approx 3 days): The GPS chip locates itself whenever the device moves (using the inbuilt motion-sensor). It can then readily provide a location when you request one via text. Because this mode means that battery usage is dependent on motion, the more the device moves, the faster the battery will drain. This is the most common mode used.

Power Save Mode (up to 7 days): The motion sensor is disabled, so the GPS chip “sleeps” until a location request is made by text. It is always available to receive your location text requests, other function-setting texts and phone calls. However, because it sleeps until you ask it for a location, it really does help for it to be outside when you locate it as it needs to get a fresh location (it hasn't been updating itself). This isn't ideal if its likely to be indoors a lot, or on transport.

Charging

The supplied USB magnetic clip-on charger (or optional magnetic charging cradle available as an add-on at checkout) takes just a few hours to restore full battery life.

When the device falls below 15% battery level, an LED will flash on the device, and will send an alert text to up to five carer's numbers.

Can the battery be replaced?

The battery also isn’t hard-wired in, like other devices. They're excellent quality and should last for many years, but should you ever need a replacement, this can be easily arranged.

For such a small and light device with GPS and calling technology, the battery life is outstanding.

Anyone with the dementia Tracker's unique phone number can make a location request – your phone number doesn’t need to be programmed into the device beforehand. This makes it very easy to get started – and very simple to share access with other family members.

Up to five different numbers can be set up to receive a combination of text alerts and/or emergency calls. These alerts could be for SOS, falls, geofencing or low battery.

One of the emergency numbers can also be assigned to the outgoing call button.

If you set up online tracking, then anyone with the username and password to your online tracking account (free to set up and use) can log in to see the location. You can also share a “This is where the Tracker currently is” bookmark URL which doesn’t require a login, so anyone you share the link with can see the current location of the Stray Star GPS Tracker.

One of the main concerns for customers is whether the person at risk of wandering will be willing to wear or carry it. Fortunately, the Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker comes with plenty of options.

By default your package will include a good quality lanyard strap for wearing the device around the neck like a pendant, as well as a metal key fob for attaching to keys.

An optional ankle velcro carry pouch is available as an extra at the Shopping Cart stage for £9.99, which allows the device to be worn on an ankle or arm.

There is also an optional wrist strap (again at the Shopping Cart stage to add to your order) for £9.99.

Difficult to switch off accidentally

A problem with other GPS dementia Trackers is that they can be switched off accidentally! That won’t happen with the Stray Star Dementia Tracker – because you have to press the power button and SOS button together to power-down the device.

Hidden SIM card

The micro-SIM card is installed inside of the device – not via an external slot.

This is extremely useful to know if you are planning to use the device for asset (theft) protection, or safeguarding children for example – because there is no way of knowing that the device is able to send/receive texts or phone calls.

Discreet LEDs if needed

The LEDs can be switched off (and on again) via a text message. So for whatever reason, you can make it appear as though the device is switched off when actually it's working perfectly normally.

The LEDs are discreet anyway – they are very small.

Disable the SOS and Call button

If the person you’re caring for is liable to press buttons on the dementia tracker accidentally, then you can disable the SOS and call button, but STILL receive text alerts for low battery, geo-fencing or any other alerts you set up.

It will vibrate if called

If you call the device for a two-way conversation or to listen via the mic, then it will vibrate (or ring twice depending on a setting) before answering automatically. 

The Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker can tell you when someone strays too far – and also exactly where they are. It’s useful for all sorts of situations – knowing if a vulnerable wanderer leaves their street or area, if your child leaves school, or even if someone enters an unwanted area.

With a simple text command, you set a radius from wherever the tracker happens to be when the function is set (e.g. at the person’s home). If the dementia Tracker then strays beyond that set limit, then an alert warning text is sent to the three alert phone numbers.

You can also set the geo-fence to alert you if it goes into the area, rather than out of it. So if the person wanders to a place that’s dangerous or unwanted in some way – then you can set a function whilst they are there that will tell you if they go back there.

When a geo-fence is breached, a single alert will be sent to the alert numbers (up to three), which includes the location link. When the person then returns back into the safezone, the geo-fence automatically starts again. So if they stray too far again, you’ll get the alert again.

Up to three different geofences are able to be set simultaneously, with up to three different carers being alerted if any are breached.

Note: We recommend a minimum of 50 meters for geofences. This is because overnight when the tracker is indoors, the signal accuracy can reduce as satellites go out of and into view again. This can cause false alarms unless the geofence is big enough. Geo-fencing can’t be used to know if someone has walked through their front door for example. However, in good conditions or when outdoors, the GPS accuracy is within a meter – and this GPS dementia Tracker is particularly accurate with an incredibly strong signal.

When the SOS button on the Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker is pressed, it will send an SOS alert text with location information to the phone numbers which have been pre-set by text message (up to five numbers which can also be landlines. These are set, and can be changed any time, by sending a text message to the Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker).

The GPS Tracker will also call the alert numbers, in turn, until someone answers for a two-way conversation. The carer will know to expect a call, because they will have already just received the text alert moments before.

The tracker holder can press the SOS button if lost, confused, or in any trouble. 

The SOS button can be disabled without losing other alerts

An elderly person with dementia or Alzheimer's may not be capable or inclined to use this function – if that's the case then the SOS button can be disabled on the dementia tracker without losing other alert functionality (e.g. geofence, fall or low battery alerts).

The dementia Tracker can also work as a fall detector. If the wearer is at risk of falling (e.g. elderly or at risk of stroke), then this function will be essential. It can be set with a varying level of sensitivity to detect a fall.

If the dementia tracker detects an impact, it will beep for ten seconds, during which the wearer can cancel the alarm with a button press (to prevent false-alarms). If they don’t cancel the alarm, then after the ten second warning period an alert text will be sent to up to three different people.

You can also set the device to call the carers in turn, as well as texting them. This is useful if the person has dementia or Alzheimer's or is particularly at risk of falling.

The button on the side of the Stray Star GPS Dementia Tracker can be programmed to call a specific number when pressed – or, the number can be left blank if you want to prevent this (a person with dementia, Alzheimer's or elderly may not be capable nor inclined to use this optional function). This allows the wearer to call someone whenever necessary at the touch of a button. The speaker and microphone then allow two-way communication just like a mobile phone. Be aware that the volume can't be controlled on this - a person who is hard of hearing may not be able to hear you properly unless holding the GPS Dementia Tracker closer to their ear.

The GPS tracker can also receive phone calls from anyone who calls it. This allows carers or relatives to be able to speak to the GPS Tracker holder, for example to offer reassurance or convey information. When called, it will make an audible sound to the wearer, before answering calls automatically, with both the microphone and speaker enabled. This is set via a prior text message setting.

You can also set the device to only answer calls from authorised numbers. This prevents any accidental calls from confusing the wearer.

Functions that Trigger Automatic Call-Outs

If there are numbers set to receive SOS Alerts, then they will be called in turn if the SOS button is pressed - until someone answers (answerphones will allow the call sequence to continue). The Fall Alert function can optionally also be set to call the alert numbers if triggered - but you can also set this function to only text instead.  

Remote Listening

A function can be set via text message, that makes the GPS Dementia Tracker answer calls with only the on-board microphone enabled. This allows the carer to listen to the surroundings, for example to check on the whereabouts of the person. 

Hanging Up a Call

The wearer of the GPS Tracker can hang up a call at any time by pressing the SOS button mid-call. 

We're always upfront and honest about suitability and usage of our device.

GPS accuracy can occasionally reduce or be lost altogether if the device is far indoors (e.g. an apartment block, large residential care home, shopping mall, underground carpark) or in a vehicle. When outside it will pick up again, but if the signal is not available it will report the last known location with the relevant time and date.  

As the GPS Dementia Tracker uses a SIM and relies on mobile networks to make and receive texts, there may occasionally be brief periods where the network is lost (as with any mobile phone, e.g. if there is a local mast tower fault). Therefore, relying on the GPS Tracker shouldn't encourage a situation where a person would be in danger without it - it should be used as an assistive aid only for situations that can't easily be prevented (e.g. where wandering would have occurred anyway).

After our SSL-secure cart and checkout pages, you will receive an email confirmation with details of your order. We’ll soon send a second email to let you know its on its way (these are the only automated emails you'll get - no  endless marketing or newsletters!)

You’ll then receive your GPS Dementia Tracker via Signed For mail. We do our best to dispatch orders as soon as possible, often they arrive the next day.

Inside you will find a welcome sheet explaining how to activate the pre-installed SIM card, with simple step-by-step instructions that only take a few minutes. You’ll then have the unique phone number for your new tracking device.

Also inside the box you’ll find the main manual.

There are clear instructions for everything you need to know – but if you do get stuck – no problem – we’re here to help.

If after a brief trial you decide that its not suitable for your needs or situation, then again just get in touch and we’ll arrange for a return. Otherwise we’re confident you’ll find it exceeds your expectations and delivers that much wanted peace of mind.

We care about our customers and want you to make the most of your Tracker!

As well the device's manual detailing it's various functions, you'll also have access to a dedicated information portal with more details, tips and interactive troubleshooting. If you still get stuck at all, you can contact us there for assistance where we'll be happy to help.

We frequently receive great feedback from customers. It's not always easy getting used to new technology, and having a helpful person to talk you through things (no remote call centres!) can be hugely reassuring.