1. What is AccuTracking, GPS tracking, cell phone tracking?

AccuTracking is the online tracking service using your Motorola iDEN phones to track the current location of your mobile clients. It helps you monitor and manage any fleet like trucking, snow plowing, delivery and sales.

The definition of GPS from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is “a navigational system using satellite signals to fix the location of a receiver on or above the earth’s surface”. GPS tracking can be used for locating children, vehicle or other targets. Cell phone tracking uses either communication network or GPS to locate a cellular phone. AccuTracking uses GPS.

2. How does AccuTracking work?

The AccuTracking system includes two parts:
1. The AccuTracking client software installed on your Motorola iDEN phone;
2. The web site (http://www.AccuTracking.com) that provides phone location mapping and other trip data monitoring online.

The client turns on the phone, runs the AccuTracking client software, the program will report the client location periodically to the server. You can then view the client location and the collected data online.

3. Is my phone supported?

Supported phone models: Nextel iDEN i325, i355, i730, i733, i736, i760, i830, i833, i835, i836, i850, i855, i860, i870, i450, i560, i265, i710, i415, i285, i605. Blackberry 7520, 7100i.

4. Will this work in my area?

AccuTracking only works in Nextel coverage area. Check coverage map here.

5. Can I use AccuTracking outside of United States?

AccuTracking has not been tested outside of US. However some users in other countries have used our service successfully: Amigo/MIRS ( Israel), Telus (Canada), Nextel (Argentina). See our forum for details.

6. Will it work in the trunk, indoors, underground?

It varies on vehicle make and models. It does work on many cars but you should always test with your vehicle.

Because the phone picks up GPS signals from the satellites like other satellite systems (DirectTV for instance), it won't be able to get positions while being indoors, underground or in tunnels. However, when used in car/truck, you can put it behind the windshield above the dashboard, it should be no problem getting positions. Keep in mind, your phone GPS chipset needs to "see" the satellites to work.

7. Where is the free service?

After more than two years of running, the free service has stopped accepting new user registration starting March 2006, for the consideration of system capacity and performance. Existing free users can continue use the service here. A paid service (starting $5.99 per month) is offered with a richer featured version and enhanced service.

8. How much does it cost?

9. What data plan is required? What's the minimum requirement to use AccuTracking?

You need a supported Motorola iDEN phone and a data plan (or equivalent network plan if outside of US). You don't have to order a public IP address for your phone in order to use AccuTracking. For regular Nextel phones: unlimited data access plan; for Nextel boost phones: "web features" need to be activated; For Blackberry: Nextel Data Service Plans.

If GPS is blocked on your phone, AccuTracking won't be able to get location information. On your phone press the menu button, select "GPS"->"Privacy"->"Unrestricted" (on i730/i830/i860/i710: "More..."->"GPS"->"Privacy"->"Unrestricted"). This will allow Java programs to access the GPS chipset.

Take the phone to an open area with a good view of sky. GPS usually doesn't work indoors and doesn't work well in downtown streets surrounded by high buildings.

10. I don't want to go though all the installation and service plan activation stuff. Is there a ready-to-use AccuTracking system?

There is a AccuTracking Starter Kit available with pre-installed software on a pre-paid boost cell phone. The Starter Kit works in USA only in the Nextel boost phone coverage area.

11. Will my position be automatically sent out once my phone is turned on?

No. Only after you run the AccuTracking program on your phone.

12. What data is sent out? How big is it?

Since v1.4, the data packet includes coordinates (latitude/longitude), speed, heading, altitude. Each sending is about 60 bytes.

13. Can I adjust the data sending intervals?

Yes. You can choose to send data every 1~9999 minutes, or you can manually send. To change the sending interval, on main AccuTracking screen, press the menu key (the key with the popup menu icon) on the phone keypad, select "Setup...".

14. How do I force sending data manually?

From the menu, select 'Send', the program will acquire the current position and send to server, despite of the sending interval value set in 'Setup'.

15. How to use the external display on iDEN i730/i830 phone?

(i730/i830/i860 only) To use the external display: with AccuTracking running, close the phone flip, press the menu button (the button with the small square on it) until you see the external screen reads 'AccuTracking', then press the 'speak on/off' button.

16. What is "Unit ID"? Where to get it?

Each phone is identified by an ID. When you run the AccuTracking software for the first time, it'll ask you to enter the ID. You can generate Unit IDs from your account "Manage Units" page.

17. What's hot GPS? What's the drawbacks of hot GPS?

With hot GPS, the software keeps GPS chipset from cooling down between fixes, thus keeps it 'hot', resulting in quicker position fixing. Hot GPS will drain more battery power (about 50% more).

To change the hot GPS setting, on main AccuTracking screen, press the menu key (the key with the popup menu icon) on the phone keypad, select "Setup...".

18. What is Smart Sending? Should I enable or disable it? How?

When the phone stands still in one place for a while, most GPS data are redundant - the same data within the margin of GPS signal error. Smart Sending will save your Data Access Plan bandwidth in that it only sends data when your data is "fresh". For a typical client that is not always moving, Smart Sending option can reduce the network usage significantly.

Smart Sending is enabled by default and should be always enabled unless you need the redundant data report.

To change the Smart Sending setting, on main AccuTracking screen, press the menu key (the key with the popup menu icon) on the phone keypad, select "Setup...".

19. Virtual compass shows no direction?

A virtual GPS compass is different from the traditional magnetic compass. GPS compass needs you to move to determine the direction. When standing still or moving too slowly (< 1 mph), the virtual compass will display a message 'N/A. No speed'. Just move faster, the compass will show direction.

20. I want my friend to view my position with a restricted account, how?

Go to 'account info' and click 'Manage sub-accounts'. You can create 'view-only' accounts.

21. I want to embed my live GPS location info into my own web site.

Go to 'Manage Clients' page and click 'Show Sticker' under your client name. The HTML code will be generated for using on your web site or online signatures. Follow the instructions of the sticker page.

22. How can I remove/delete/close my AccuTracking username/account?

Please email support@accutracking.com and include your user name, registered email. Your account will be removed in 24 hours.

24. When logging into the forum, it says my username or password is incorrect.

Forums and Tracking page use separate databases for users. You'll have to register in the forum. http://forums.accutracking.com/profile.php?mode=register

25. I see "Cannot connect" message on the phone screen.

The message indicates the phone cannot contact server to send the GPS data. You should check the phone data plan.

26. I got "Data corrupt" error on the phone.

This indicates the phone can talk to the server but they don't understand each other. Uninstall and reinstall the phone software will solve this problem.

27. I cannot see my phone location online. Got "no data" page.

First make sure your data plan is activated. Then take the phone outdoors with a good view of the sky. Wait till the phone displays your latitude and longitude, and displays "sent TIMESTAMP". Your position should be online now.

28. How do I set the AccuTracking to auto start when phone powers up?

On most iDEN phones, you can set power up applications under "Menu" -> "Settings" -> " Personalize" -> " Power Up" -> "AccuTracking". For other phone models, please refer to the phone's manual.

29. I got false geofence alert emails/SMS.

Due to the fluctuation of the GPS signal, you should not set your geofence too small. Recommend radius >500 feet.

30. Where can I get help?

If you have any questions, please visit our forums. It's the most effective way to get answers as well as communicate with other users.