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LOK8U NUM8-PINK Child Locator GPS Watch

nu·m8 (pronounced new-mate) is the world's first and smallest GPS locator device specifically designed with children in mind. nu·m8 is a watch that conceals GSM and GPS modules that enable you to locate your child, whenever you feel you need to know, via the internet or through your mobile phone (SMS/Text).

Give Your Kids Freedom... and You Peace of Mind nu·m8 is the first GPS locator that actually locates your child not just the device through a unique and patented mechanism. Unlike other devices, nu·m8 can not be forgotten in a bag, lunchbox or jacket. Should the nu·m8 watch be removed unexpectedly, you will receive an email and / or SMS alert. When you register your nu·m8, you indicate the mobile number and email address that it will respond to. Once nu·m8 is on your child's wrist and activated, you can locate them anytime in two ways: 1) Using the customer portal at Lok8u.com and view their current location on a map, OR 2) Receive their location via text message using your mobile phone. You can also set pre-determined "Safe Zones" for your child to play in. Should they move out of this area you will receive an alert to inform you this has happened. nu·m8 utilizes GPS and GSM technology to locate your child indoors, outdoors, in the US as well as globally. nu·m8 requires a monthly subscription to the Lok8u pinpoint services in order to send unlimited location requests--via the web or your mobile phone.

	Know Where They Are Simply connect to the lok8u customer portal from your PC or text message from your mobile phone to locate your child, anytime, anywhere.
	Instant Alerts if Removed If the strap of your child's nu·m8 is opened without your authority, an immediate alert is sent via SMS and email to warn you this has happened.
	Set Your Own Boundaries The "Safe Zone" feature allows you to easily set your own defined area by time and day. An immediate alert is sent via SMS and email to inform you if your child strays outside this area.

What's in the Box
nu·m8 GPS Watch (Pink), Desktop Charger, Instruction Guide

$179.99

User Reviews about LOK8U NUM8-PINK Child Locator GPS Watch

First, look at the dates for the other reviews. A lot of the problems have been corrected.

After almost 2 months of dealing with Lok8u, I've probably become an expert on this watch. Like others, I was very excited about the possibilities of this technology, and I've been waiting for it for about a year. I read all of the negative reviews, but I'm usually pretty good with electronics so decided to give it a shot (and Amazon's fantastic return policy makes it easy). Here is what I've learned:

From what I gather, this is a fairly small company that is very dedicated to improving upon their product and service. Everyone has always been very friendly and easy to work with.

I experienced a lot of problems the other users report with the watch, set-up, website, customer service, etc. But then, about 3-4 weeks ago, a guy named Rudin (goes by Rudi) started working with them and he is the man. He is probably the best tech support/customer service rep I have ever worked with (and I've dealt with too many). He's made everything a lot easier. They will now set-up and test a watch before they send it out to you. Their price is the same as Amazon's, and their return policy is just as easy (I sent 2 watches back and forth to them with no problems, and they paid for Fed Ex each time), so it's simple enough to try for yourself.

Having said that, the watch is a little big for a little kid, and a somewhat bland. It doesn't do anything as a watch except tell time.

The website is a little slow and klunky, and does not work well with Safari or Google Chrome operating systems (need Internet Explorer), but I assume they're working on this.

When you get a watch that works, it's really very good. Either via their website or a text message from your phone (only 1 phone can be set up as the contact), you get your child's location in 1-2 minutes. The text message on the phone gives the address and latitude/longitude, and on my iPhone I simply pressed on that and a map came up with the location marked. It does alert you if the watch strap (which locks) is broken or unlocked. You can also set up "safe zones" on the website (easy to do, you can draw out any shape on a map) and the watch will alert you when your child leaves that zone. The alerts are via email and text.

The battery life isn't great (but they say they are upgrading that soon). You can't leave it on "live track" (which updates the position every few minutes) all day, but that's really not necessary anyway.

It does not always work well indoors, but works fine in a car.

Customer service is only available Mon-Fri during EST business hours (annoying). They were also horrible at returning calls/emails until Rudi started there. Since then, he kept me updated on everything he was doing and was always available and quick to get back to me.

The irony of all this is that I can't get a good signal for the watch at my home or son's school (making it about useless for me). I live in a rural area and the watch uses a GPS signal (which was fine) but also a T-Mobile cell phone signal (I guess for the texts). The T-Mobile signal was poor and unreliable (there is a way to set the watch to read out the actual signal for you in terms of numbers, not bars like on a phone). I brought the watch to the nearest small city and it worked great there. Lok8u quickly gave me a full refund for the watch and the yearly subscription fee ($198). I plan on keeping up with the technology of the watch and also the local T-mobile signal and trying again.

Overall, I really would recommend trying the watch out for yourself and seeing what you think. It's easy enough to do with no real risk except wasting some time if it doesn't work out. I would call the company directly (1-888-423-1887) and ask them to send a watch that has already been set up and tested. I do believe this company has been listening to the complaints and working hard to improve the (previously multiple) problems. They've got a potentially life-saving product that is a great idea, and I'm hoping that Lok8u and their watch are successful (and no, I don't have any relationship with them). -- Getting better, almost 5 stars

I experienced every single problem that others on this review board experienced, plus I am getting double charged the monthly fee because of the initial set up problems with the web site and registering 2 watches instead of just one. To summarize:

1. One of my watches did not start up at all (it just defaulted to 11pm and could not receive any directions).
2. I could not get the time correct on either watch once they both did get the signal (the software update fixed the non-functioning watch).
3. My cell phone triangulation put my kids in Mississippi (we live in Chicago). The software update fixed this problem.
4. Could never get a GPS signal, so accuracy was only 1000 meters-1400 meters. Had to "train" the watches by leaving them outside on 2 min live track. Took several days, so be patient.
5. Shipped without wall chargers (so I have to use my computer to charge them).
6. Could not get second watch registered and then got double charged on it once I finally did (for consecutive months).

I have called customer service at least 8 times, talked to 4 different people (some helpful, some not), and slowly each problem is being addressed. I basically have to start over each time I call, but I am down to just problems 5 and 6 now. In the end it is (probably) worth the hassle for the peace of mind on field trips, play dates, etc. The watches are very large (my 3 year old will only wear it for about an hour), so I just put them in my kids' coat pockets for now. I looked at several locator devices before going with this one, and I think this is the best protection without spending loads of money on the device and monthly fees. Since the technology is so cutting edge, I am willing to cut them some slack and recommend the product, but I hope they learn from their mistakes. I am prety sure a majority of the operational problems are related to the difference in size between the UK and the US, but it seems like they are getting a handle on them.
-- Patience finally paid off.