At the shopping cart stage, you can choose to add a free pre-installed SIM to your Stray Star GPS Elderly Tracker order.

We install micro-SIM’s from GiffGaff – a popular and growing SIM network in the UK who use the o2 network. We recommend you check first  that coverage for o2 is good for your area.

A full step-by-step guide is given on a welcome sheet with the GPS Tracker on how to activate the SIM (you will create your own online account with GiffGaff when doing so). When you activate the SIM with £10, you will also receive another £5 free credit on top.

If you wish to use your own SIM – for example you have a different stronger network for a rural area, or you have a SIM lying around with credit that you want to use – then you can install your own. Full instructions are given on how to install your own SIM. The elderly Tracker is not locked to any particular network, and we only pre-install SIMs to make life easier.

The costs are very cheap – please read more about SIMs and Ongoing Costs here. 

Please see the full page about SIMs and ongoing costs here.

Briefly though, it costs:

• 5p each time you receive a location text
• 15p per minute if any outgoing calls (e.g. SOS)
• 5p per megabyte of data (amounts to 10p per month if using online tracking as the data packets are so small) 

For £5 a month, you can have a very good inclusive package deal, so you needn't ever go over this amount.  

Texts and calls to the GPS Elderly Tracker will be included in your own mobile's standard text/call rates. 

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

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

Setting up online tracking is free.

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

Default Mode (3-4 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 10 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. 

Hibernation Mode (up to 30 days): The elderly Tracker’s GPS and mobile phone network will be disabled, until any motion is detected. Then, it will wake up for a set amount of time - e.g. 20 minutes or an hour. If it keeps moving, it will stay awake, but after the time window, if its stationary again then it will hibernate. This means that overnight for example, the GPS dementia Tracker will be stationary and not use any unnecessary power, until it moves again in the morning. If it remains stationary all the time, then it can remain sensitive to motion (whereupon it can then activate and send a text message) for up to 30 days (this is only really useful for asset protection – locating stolen equipment, camera bags or cars for example).

Charging

The supplied USB charger (or optional 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 three 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 elderly 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 four different numbers can be set up to receive alerts. These alerts could be SOS, geofencing, low battery or movement alert. A fifth number can be assigned to the outgoing call button.

Two people can receive all alerts, including emergency (SOS) and non emergency alerts. A third can receive just emergency alerts, and a fourth can receive just non-emergency alerts (e.g. low battery). If the third and fourth recipient phone numbers are the same, then they will receive all alerts like the first two phone numbers - but it just allows for that extra bit of flexibility if needed. 

A fifth number can be set to be called if the outgoing call button is pressed (which can also be a land-line).

This allows you to configure the alerts so people receive only the alerts they need.

It also means that the outgoing call button and SOS button can be disabled without losing other important alerts (e.g. geofencing, fall alerts or low battery). 

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 Elderly Tracker comes with plenty of options.

An optional 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, belt (via a loop on the back - the strap can be taken off), or even upper arm.

Included in the box for your Stray Star Tracker is also a good quality lanyard cable so it can be worn as a pendant, and a small keyring loop so it can be attached to a keyring.

Difficult to switch off accidentally

A problem with other GPS elderly Trackers is that they can be switched off accidentally! That won’t happen with the Stray Star Elderly 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.

Discrete LEDs if needed

The LED’s 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 its working perfectly normally.

The LED’s are pretty discrete 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. 

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 Elderly 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.

GPS signals are available all over the world - the only limitation is cell network coverage, frequency band (850 or 900), and 2G/3G availability.

We pre-install GiffGaff SIMs (more info here) for UK customers, which have very cheap international roaming rates, and no roaming fees for EU, so they're ideal for local holidays.

However, this elderly tracker is a 2G device only, and therefore will not work on some networks in Canada, Australia, NZ or the US. These countries are pushing heavily towards 3G devices. Fortunately, we have a 3G version of this device now available – click here for details.

For more information about 2G and 3G and which one you think you might need, click here.

Our 2G devices are on the 900 band (UK, EU, Eastern territories). Our 3G devices can be either on the 900 band (areas above) or the 850 band (Canada and US). Therefore, you cannot have a device that works in both the UK and US, as the countries are on different bands. 

If you are not sure, please get in touch and let us know your situation. 

We deliver anywhere in the world.

You can send a simple text message to the Stray Star GPS Tracker to get an instant reply with location coordinates – clicking on the link in the text takes you straight to the location on Google Maps.

If you have a mobile phone without internet, you can also receive the location as a street address, which you can read directly on your phone (be aware that street addresses require the tracker SIM to use data - but this only costs £1 per month!)

To learn more about the location texts, click here. Its very easy and simpler than it sounds!

The Stray Star GPS Elderly 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 elderly 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 elderly Tracker is particularly accurate with an incredibly strong signal.

When the SOS button on the Stray Star GPS Elderly 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 three 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 Elderly 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. Please be aware that a voicemail will count as an answered call, so you will need to either delay the voicemail kicking in, or arrange the numbers so that someone more likely to answer is called first.

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 elderly tracker without losing other alert functionality (e.g. geofence, fall or low battery alerts).

The elderly 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 elderly 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 Elderly 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 Elderly 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 (if a voicemail/answerphone kicks in on the carer's phone, this counts as being answered). 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 Elderly 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. 

It will vibrate briefly before answering automatically. 

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. 

Log into a website to see the live location of the elderly tracker and where it has been

This is an optional feature that you can use. The GPS Tracker can continually upload its location to a website that you log into – which makes tracking even easier. E.g it can also be very useful to see what path an elderly 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.

A 30 day history of the GPS Tracker’s movements

When you log in, you can view the last 30 days of the GPS Elderly Tracker history. You can select by date to see the tracker’s movements. Each point on the map carries a date and time, so you can see exactly when and where it went.

A free service - only pay 10p pm for data costs

Most other GPS Elderly Tracker companies charge for online tracking – up to £30 per month subscription. We give this feature for free! So take advantage while you can. If you choose to have a free SIM pre-installed in your device, then it only costs about 10p per month for data use from your pay-as-you-go credit (this is because the data packets are very small).

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 Elderly 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).