Earlier, we posted about the DIY cheap GPS tracking service Mologogo, you can get a cheap $60 pre-paid boost mobile phone, register on the site, download a Java app and you’re pretty much done. The phone will transmit your position to server (Uses Rails, Linux, Google Maps) and you/your friends can view where you are at in real time. I’ve hacked up tons of solutions to do the same thing, and this is simplest and cheapest (pretty much free if you have the phone, or $60 if you go pre-paid + 0.20 / day). Here are some photos and screenshots of the service in use…
Starting up, took the dog for a walk.
Choose the app.
It’ll display the memory.
And then find the satellites. You can also hit prefs and this is where you’d enter you log/pass you registered on the service/site as well as other items, like sending, type of map, etc.
Here I am, it shows where you are, and how many minutes ago you were there, it will also show friends if added on the site.
Another ping – let’s look at it on the server.
I went a few places in Seattle, and it worked great.
Satellite view.
This was on my way to Radioshack to buy a serial cable, again.
So there it is, register on the site and check out the Wiki for more information. If you need a fun or low cost way of tracking things, it doesn’t get any easier.
One other note, it does use a data plan, but it’s free if you have a phone and dataplan. With prepaid it uses .20 a day (20 cents) for wireless web, but thats for unlimited points. Not bad at all.
54 thoughts on “DIY GPS tracking with Mologogo – review”
Comments are closed.
I think I’ve been to that radio shack ;) …was it the one on university or the on in the UV?
sure was – it still carries parts, one of the last ones really around here it seems.
For Seattlites… Did you get the Boost locally, and where? I’m ready for some cheapo GPS lovin’….
this tracking feature gives me hope for a device i can leave in my car and which will send me warnings in the morning on street sweeping days so i can go move my car, rather than get a ticket.
i’m hoping my post provides inspiration to a programmer. personally i’d would pay for a service, software or device that did this. as long as it’s cheaper than what i pay the SF dept of parking and traffic annually.
Does this work only in areas with full PCS service, or will it work in any area simply with digital phone coverage? What about the Sprint network vs. Nextel network? Thanks!
How about battery life with it running?
Nice GPS app for the Boost. “Where you at?!?” Not bad for the price, but will people really use this everyday?
http://www.tracelogic.net
Just got a i415 at Target for $30. Not bad for a Java enabled GPS receiver. Fanciest model (i875) includes MP3 player, camera and BlueTooth.
jeepx.blogspot.com
Just got an i415 at Target for $30. Not bad for a Java enabled GPS receiver. Fanciest model (i875) includes MP3 player, camera and BlueTooth.
http://jeepx.blogspot.com
Yea, that $30 i415 deal at Target….over. Went by there tonight after work today. Associate came over and scanned barcode, yep. $60!!! She said the sale probably ended Saturday. Funk! Sucks to be me. Any sites out there where I can keep an eye on the price of this phone? I would love to pick up several of these for $30.
Yea, that $30 i415 deal at Target….over. Went by there tonight after work today. Associate came over and scanned barcode, yep. $60!!! She said the sale probably ended Saturday. Funk! Sucks to be me. Any sites out there where I can keep an eye on the price of this phone? I would love to pick up several of these for $30.
Yea, that $30 i415 deal at Target….over. Went by there tonight after work today. Associate came over and scanned barcode, yep. $60!!! She said the sale probably ended Saturday. Funk! Sucks to be me. Any sites out there where I can keep an eye on the price of this phone? I would love to pick up several of these for $30.
I would love to try this out, but live in the UK and dont seem to be able to find the i415 here.
Does anyone know if this phone can be found here under a different name, or if it is tri-band and can be used here?
Josh
if you buy a prepaid phone do you pay 20 cents a day only on the days you use this service??
Seems like a good price. GPS Tracking
this service is cool, but i use close2me.com instead. i’m not down with having to use a crappy and bulky motorola phone just to use mologogo.
this service is cool, but i use close2me.com instead. i’m not down with having to use a crappy and bulky motorola phone just to use mologogo.
I have been looking for a way to protect myself from being tracked by GPS Tracking and I have found that the GPS Counter Tracker works very well to stop real time gps tracking.
Pretty neat
wow that’s a pretty good deal. The only thing is that you gotta pay fees for the service.
Thanks for the info. u r a freaking genious darlin. Saved me years of broken heart and headaches. Thank You doll!
Called boost today, they don’t have any idea what a data plan is, so nope, you don’t have to pay 20 cents a day since they don’t offer it, sorry.
check out iTag.com
http://www.itag.com
it will do the same gps tracking
if you leave the app open how often does it update? if you leave the app open does it use your 20 cents a day or only when you log in?
Nice well illustated article.
I have some posts about gps tracking, you may want to check them out at I promise they will be helpful, thanks.
nice article do you really want all your friends to know where you are. if not find a data logger at http://www.airtightvideo.com/gps-tracking-systems.html and keep the info for yourself and not broadcast it.
GPS tracking unit is a device that uses the Global Positioning System to determine the precise location of a vehicle tracker, person tracking, kids tracking and other. More details : http://www.anodecorp.com/.