GPS (Global Positioning System) technology enables us to determine our exact location anywhere on the globe.

GSM (Global System for Mobilecommunications) enables us to reliably transmit information in almost every populated portion of the planet.

Together, GPS and GSM give us a new possibility — the possibility of remote tracking to location of any target over enormous distances without maintaining line-of-sight contact.

We’ve all seen detectives on television “tailing” a suspect, but few of us appreciate how difficult that can be. A proper surveillance setup requires at least three separate surveillance teams. That’s not quite how it’s portrayed by Hollywood!

Several companies now manufacture small GPS receivers which also incorporate GSM modems. These devices are capable of recording their locations and transmitting them over the GSM network.

Attach one of these devices to an automobile and you can always know exactly where that automobile is. Some of these devices are so small that they can also be used to track your pets or your children.

San Jose Navigation and LAIPAC Tech are two of the leading vendors in the location field.

San Jose’s GC-101 is only 64.66mm long x 43.19mm wide x22.81mm high.

LAIPAC manufactures the S-911 MicroConvert, which is hardened specifically for use under vehicles and even comes equipped with a super-strong magnetic mount.

Depending upon your viewpoint, these technologies present either a cost-saving opportunity for law enforcement, a cool toy for geeks, or a major threat to personal privacy. The most important point though is that, no matter how you feel about them, these devices are here now.

Both of these devices can be found on eBay. The GC-101 can be found for as little as $429, while the S-911 is slightly more expensive at $510.