AngelSense GPS is MADE for Children with Special Needs

AngelSense is the only personal GPS tracker designed exclusively for children with special needs. With “Runner mode” and how AngelSense puts together paths of your child’s whereabouts it seems they have a pretty good knowledge of kids like ours. That’s because the device is the brainchild of the parent of a child with special needs and much of their support staff are parents of children with special needs. For children that are prone to wander AngelSense is really the best GPS solution out there.

2 Devices, 1 Mission

AngelSense offers two different devices, GPS 1 and GPS 2 as they call them. GPS 1 looks like a small modular unit. GPS 2 is an altered LG smart phone. They offer both devices because one runs on AT&T/T-Mobile networks and the other runs on Verizon. So if you live in an area that has better AT&T coverage you’d be smart to choose the GPS 1. Although the GPS 2 is reported to have a better actual global positioning signal.

Another thing to consider is that the LG smart phone is bulkier and heavier than the lighter, smaller GPS 1, but the phone offers more potential too. AngelSense is already exploring ways to track children indoors where global positioning data is generally less dependable. The smaller unit doesn’t have the capacity to track children indoors.

AngelSense sent me both units at my request, but this review is for the LG smart phone unit, the GPS 2. And no, you cannot access it directly and type on the screen, but then again you don’t need to.

The Features

Transit

No other personal GPS tracker recognizes and brings to your attention when your child is in transit. This is a great feature! Why don’t other trackers offer this? From a technological standpoint it’s not that difficult to recognize that when a unit is moving at speeds over 10 MPH it must be in transit whether by bicycle, automobile or bus. The people behind AngelSense are smart! And the information is presented in such a way that you can see the route and direction of travel in addition to the location, which updates much sooner when in transit. This is a big-time feature!

Magnetic Attachment System

No other GPS unit uses a similar attachment system. AngelSense uses rare earth magnets and magnetic fasteners to secure the pouch/device to fabric and it cannot be removed without the magnetic “key.” And they offer a special belt for the unit if you need that. This attachment system is pure genius, especially if your child has sensory issues and may be prone to remove a GPS device.

Accurate, Timely GPS Location

Yes, AngelSense has proven to be accurate. I’ve tested it. What’s more, it updates location data with a frequency that’s appropriate given whether the device is at rest, in transit, or attached to your child who’s walking around. When it’s moving quickly AngelSense will update the location more quickly. That’s just what the doctor ordered!

Runner Mode, Etc.

Runner Mode is something that does a few things; it can alert the authorities, send out alerts to others whom you’ve chosen, show you the direction and direct path to your child’s location and allow you to listen-in. I know, that’s a lot to swallow. These features are completely configurable by you. You can pick and choose what you want runner mode to trigger. For example, you don’t have to alert the authorities every time your child darts away. But the feature is there if you find the need for it.

AngelSense does what I call automatic geofencing. Geofencing itself is a common feature in many similar products, but automatic geofencing is something different that no other GPS tracker offers. The unit notices when your child is in an “unfamiliar” location and gently prompts you to name the location or to dismiss the alert. It’s a wonderful system that I like very much.

FYI – Geofences are invisible areas/boundaries you set and name. But AngelSense creates them and handles them in a different manner. When you name a geofence location you can then set and receive alerts and also see in the history view when your child is at the location you’ve named.

• Free iPhone and Android app, as well as web portal access
• Runner mode
• Ability to listen-in
• See route of travel while in transit
• Fantastic battery life
• 3G cellular signal (not 2G)
• Automatic geofencing
• Non-removable wearable system
• $20 purchase price and $40/month thereafter
• Online support, live chat and toll-free emergency number
• 2 different units

Does it Have Flaws?

AngelSense doesn’t have many flaws. I am a very big fan though it’s not the unit I chose for my own son. No single GPS tracker is hands-down best for everyone and none are without flaws or things they could improve upon.

I find AngelSense cost prohibitive at $40 per month. For me that’s a deal breaker and it’s more than twice the monthly price of AngelSense’s nearest competitor. However, my son is not prone to wander and he has no problem keeping a device on him. If he were a runner, I would absolutely and exclusively use AngelSense. Its features just can’t be beat! You could easily argue that the extra cost is worth it when you consider the many benefits. And AngelSense is much less expensive in terms of up-front cost for the unit.

Among its downfalls is the size/weight of the GPS 2 unit, the lack of discernible audio from the Listen-in feature, and the aforementioned comparatively high monthly cost.

I understand why they’ve chosen to use the smart phone. It allows for more capability, increased features. But it’s a trade-off. It may be a worthy trade-off, but it’s still a larger and heavier unit. As such, it’s not as convenient.

I can’t attach the GPS 2 to my son’s basketball shorts without compromising something. If I attach it inside his front pocket then the front pocket flaps around like crazy with the weight of the unit, making it sorta awkward to do much more than a slow walk. If I attach it to the small of his back then it’s surely a little uncomfortable and also the listen-in feature is further hindered. And if I attach the unit to his backpack then the unit’s not on his person where I prefer it to be.

The listen-in feature allows you to phone the unit and hear what’s happening on the other end. It’s basically a one-way phone call. Talk all you want on your cell phone, it cannot be heard by anyone wearing the GPS unit. The thing is; every time I listened-in I couldn’t tell what anyone was saying or doing on the other end. It gave me no discernible audio. I guess this shouldn’t be a total surprise because the device is tucked inside a rubber sleeve (I jokingly call it AngelSausage) which is then placed inside a soft fabric “sock”, and then inside my son’s clothing or backpack. Audio is too muffled.

Now, you should recognize that listen-in is meant to be used in the circumstance when you cannot locate your child because some environmental factor, usually being indoors, is prohibiting a good GPS signal and therefore preventing you from locating your child. In that case, you can listen-in and, based on the sounds you hear, possibility get a better idea of your child’s whereabouts.

For example, maybe your child is lost within the labyrinth of Home Depot. You can listen-in and maybe you hear people talking about mixing and comparing paints and yacking about which color they’d like to have adorn their bathroom. That might give you an inkling that maybe your child is in the paint department. Of course, when you can’t hear anything then listening-in isn’t too helpful.

You can configure alerts, naturally. But I found it to be confusing and many times I’d get multiple alerts even if I told AngelSense to stop alerting me. It irritated me, but not to the point where I needed a punching bag. One day I did kick the neighbor’s dog however (kidding!). The makers are aware of this confusion and are working toward a resolution.

AngelSense Makes Lots of Sense

Bottom line: If you can handle the $40 monthly price tag AngelSense certainly gives you plenty of value for your buck. Transit, magnetic attachment system, runner mode… Wow. And you’ll definitely know where your child is located at all times. In all honesty, AngelSense stands head and shoulders above its competitors. The app is nicely designed and easy-to-use. AngelSense will most assuredly give you that extremely valuable peace of mind.

UPDATE: I am currently reviewing the GPS 1 unit. So far it’s showing to be every bit as fantastic as the GPS 2.