GPS Buddy Connect

With the GPS-Buddy CONNECT you'll enjoy the advantages and benefits offered by tracking and tracing. As a stand-alone product, the GPS-Buddy CONNECT transmits real-time information, so you know where your vehicle is at any given moment. Your vehicle's location, speed and status is transmitted to the GPS-Buddy website every 60 seconds - providing the most accurate data ever!

Whether you choose to use the GPS-Buddy CONNECT as a stand-alone unit or pair it with a Garmin GPS, you'll need a
GPS-Buddy Web-based Data Service Plan to let you monitor your vehicles activity, anytime, anywhere.
With this GPS-Buddy Web-based Data Service Plan you enjoy always-on' wireless data-transfer capability for real-time connectivity to the GPS-Buddy CONNECT device. This allows you to see updates to your vehicle's location, speed and status every 60 seconds, reflected on the GPS-Buddy website.

These GPS tracking devices may not be used to violate the privacy rights of others, or in violation of local, county, state or federal statutes. GPS tracking may be illegal in certain states. We strongly advise you to find out if a GPS tracking device is legal in your state before using one. In no way will GPS-Planet, Global Store Direct, LandAirSea Systems, Inc. or its subsidiaries, dealers or partners be held responsible for inappropriate or illegal use of these products.  IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF ANY LAWS APPLICABLE TO THE AREA OF INTENDED USE OF A GPS TRACKING DEVICE.  There is a NO RETURNS policy on all tracking devices.

The information is then available on the Internet via your online account. View all data at any time, anywhere, on any PC (or PDA) with Internet access. No plug-ins or updates needed.  Click Here to login to a live demo of the GPS-Buddy in action.  User name: gps-buddy-boston  Password: demo617  

Screen Shots

Plug & Play - How it works

• The GPS-Buddy CONNECT has a smart red swing-out connector that fits in your Cigarette Lighter Adapter(CLA). The GPS SiRFstar III receiver/antenna that comes with each GPS-Buddy CONNECT can be placed on the dashboard.
• Vehicle activity data is transmitted (every 60 seconds) with a pre-activated mobile data card, already installed in the GPS-Buddy CONNECT.
• If there is no coverage in a certain area, the data will be stored automatically and transmitted when coverage is available again.

With a GPS-Buddy CONNECT subscription you can see and talk with your vehicle!
Every 60-seconds, the GPS-Buddy servers receive information about your vehicle's location, speed, and status. The information is then available on the Internet through your online account. The data may be viewed at anytime on any device with internet access.

You need a GPS-Buddy web services subscription.
This subscription let you track online the vehicle movements in real-time and access the historical activity data.  Included in the GPS-Buddy subscription is the monthly cost of the mobile data card.  Currently the subscription is $24.95 a month from www.GPS-Buddy.com

Easily linked with in-house management software systems
The GPS-Buddy API provides an interface with your software applications. This makes it possible to display vehicle activity data on your internal software. Providing e.g. tailor made reports or sending job details from an existing customer or call management software package.

The GPS Buddy Connect will work great by itself, but if you add a compatible
Garmin GPS unit you get even more features!

When paired with the GPS-Buddy CONNECT, your Garmin GPS becomes a tracking, tracing and two-way messaging system. Not only will you always know where your vehicle is at any given moment, but you can communicate with the driver in real-time.   It even works when the Garmin GPS device is off!

The separate GPS SIRFstar III receiver that comes with each GPS-Buddy CONNECT provides uninterrupted vehicle activity data.

• Communication similar to text-messaging
• Drivers may use their Garmin's touch-screen keyboard to send a message or to record notes about their location. Similarly, you can communicate with the drivers by sending messages that will appear on their Garmin screen.
• Even new locations may be sent and the driver will receive turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to the new destinations.
• The GPS-Buddy software is factory installed on all these compatible Garmin™ models:

Just connect your Garmin's cigarette lighter plug into the GPS Buddy Connect using the appropriate cable, and the software will pop up on the Garmin's screen, ready to use. Make sure you have updated your Garmin™ Navigator with the latest firmware to ensure optimal results.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where can I view my new GPS-Buddy Connect's location and history?

• Before you can access your Connect's information on the GPS-Buddy Web Services, you need to register it. You will then receive a personal and secure login ID and password to access the members only area on GPS-Buddy's website (http://www.gps-buddy.com)
• To register your Connect, please visit http://www.gps-buddy.com/start , or click on the “Register your Connect” icon on the main GPS-Buddy website

Is there a limit to how often I can check my Connect's location or view vehicle history on the Web Services?

• The One Year Web Services subscriptions provides unlimited full-access

How long can I access reports of my Connect's location information?

• The data of your Connect is stored for minimum 24 months. You can instantly access all the reports of your Connect (such as day reports, drive reports, visit reports, communications reports, mileage monitoring and many others) for up to minimum 24 months back in time, for any duration you wish (daily, weekly, annually,…) on the web services

Does my Connect continue to track when GPRS is not available?

• When the data connection is temporarily unavailable (GSM LED blinking green or temporarily red), but the GPS LED indicates accurate GPS fix (GPS LED green), the Connect will continue to log vehicle information in its internal memory, and will send the data when a data connection is available again. Poor data communication capabilities may occur in areas with poor GPRS coverage, or when crossing national borders.

My Connect is online, but I cannot see the latest data on the web services?

• You may not have gotten a valid GPS fix since the Connect got online. Check your GPS as described in the GPS Receiver section of the FAQ.

I plugged my Connect into my vehicle's cigarette lighter socket, but it interferes with my normal driving movements, or prevents me from using my vehicle's control systems normally.

• You can adjust the Connect's position to best suit your vehicle's cigarette lighter location, by rotating the Connect's innovative swiveling plug. The plug's movement is restricted to a 90 degree angle.
• To avoid damaging the swiveling system on your Connect, make sure to only plug your Connect in or out in its straight position, and by pulling directly on the swiveling plug. Make sure to never rotate the plug beyond its intended 90 degree angle; permanent damage to the Connect's electrical components may occur.
• You can place the Connect in an alternative compatible 12/24VDC auxiliary power outlet, if you vehicle has one.
• If you cannot place the Connect in such a position that it allows normal driving movements and normal access to your vehicle's control systems, you may need to install the Connect in a different location, possibly using the Connect's optional installation kit.

I would prefer not to install my Connect in my vehicle's cigarette lighter socket.

• You could install the Connect in any location inside your vehicle, possibly even in a concealed location, using the optional GPS-Buddy Connect Vehicle Installation Kit. Please contact your dealer for more information.

I am experiencing a problem not described in this FAQ, or the solutions did not help.

• Please contact GPS-Buddy Customer Support on support@gps-buddy.com

How do I turn on my Connect?

• Your Connect needs to be plugged in to a vehicle's cigar lighter socket to turn on.

How do I turn off my Connect?

• The Connect will automatically switch off thirty minutes after you unplug it from the cigar lighter socket.
• To turn off your Connect immediately, press the reset button on the side for two seconds, until the GSM LED turns red. The Connect will turn off within a few seconds.

I have plugged in my Connect, but my Connect does not function correctly (GSM light stays red, and GPS or NAV LED do not light up when I connect the external GPS or Garmin? Navigator)

• Your Connect's battery needs to be charged. Please refer to the instructions below to charge the battery.

How do I charge my Connect's internal battery?

• Plug the Connect into the car cigar lighter socket with the engine running for at least two hours
• Do NOT connect the external GPS or Garmin? while charging
• While charging, the GSM LED should be lit (red or green). If the GSM LED is off, it means that your Connect is not being charged. Probable causes include:
  1. The Connect is not properly inserted in the vehicle's cigar lighter socket, or the socket does not provide an adequate fit for the Connect's plug.
  2. The car cigar lighter socket is not powered. Many vehicles only provide power when engine is running.  Please turn on the engine.

• When the battery state of charge is very low, the Connect may feel warm while charging. This is quite normal, but should not last for longer than 30 minutes. If the Connect feels warm to the touch for longer than 30 minutes, disconnect it for at least 15 minutes until cool, and repeat the battery charging procedure

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GPS LED stays off.

• Make sure you have properly inserted the GPS receiver all the way in the mini jack connector on the Connect.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions.

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GSM LED is red.

• It is normal that it takes up to 20 minutes to get the first GPS fix with new GPS receivers, or if you first use the GPS receiver at a completely different location ( for example in a different country) since the last time it was used. If you haven't travelled a long distance, however it should not take more than 3 minutes to get a valid GPS fix, indicated by a green GPS LED.
• It is also completely normal for the GPS LED to turn red momentarily when passing through an area with poor satellite visibility; such as in tunnels, under bridges, in underground parking areas or metropolitan areas with tall highrise buildings.

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GSM LED stays red.

• Make sure you have placed the GPS receiver in clear view of the sky, preferably on the middle of the dashboard or attached to the windscreen with the suction cup.
• In some vehicles, the windscreen design may interfere with GPS signal reception. In this case we recommend that you place the GPS receiver in a different location in the car. The base of the GPS receiver is magnetic, so you can safely place it on the roof of your vehicle for optimal results.

I have plugged in my Garmin™ Navigator to my Connect, but the Garmin does not get power. The NAV light is not lit, and the Garmin? shows the message “The serial device is not responding.”

• Make sure the data cable is properly connected to the Connect and the Garmin?.
• The car cigar lighter socket may not be powered. Many vehicles only provide power when engine is running.  Please turn on the engine.
• The Connect may not be properly inserted in the vehicle's cigar lighter socket, or the socket does not provide an adequate fit for the Connect's plug.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions

I have plugged in my Garmin™ Navigator to my Connect and it gets power but it is not connecting. The NAV light is not lit, and the Garmin? shows the message “The serial device is not responding.”

• Make sure the data cable is properly connected to the Connect and the Garmin.
• Disconnect the Garmin™ Navigator from the Connect, and switch it off. Then connect the Garmin™ Navigator back to the Connect and wait a few seconds.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions.

Is there a limit for messaging or other communications?

• No, all data traffic – including messaging and all other communication features in the GPS-Buddy software on the Garmin? – are included in your Web Services subscription. A one-year unlimited full-access subscription is included with all new Connects.

Do I have to connect the external GPS when I have connected a Garmin™ Navigator?

• Some Garmin™ Navigator models can feed their GPS information to the Connect. These models are:
  • Nüvi 600-series (only with software version 4.20 or higher)
  • Nüvi 700-series
• When connected to any of the above models, the Connect will automatically receive its GPS location information from the Garmin™ Navigator if the external GPS receiver is disconnected.
• It is recommended to always connect the external GPS to ensure continuous accurate data, especially when your Garmin™ Navigator is switched off or disconnected.