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• Is Mr Hawk a hardware or software product?
• What's special about Mr Hawk?
• Can I use Mr Hawk out of NZ?
• Is Mr Hawk suitable for fleets of assets?
• Does the TrimTrac Locator operate in different configurations?
• I've heard that SMS is a very expensive way to communicate- is this true?
• What is the Trimble TrimTrac GPS Locator?
• What is unique about the TrimTrac locator?
• Does the device only work outdoors?
• Does the device work inside a moving vehicle?
• Does the TrimTrac locator require installation?
• What wireless network standards does TrimTrac support?
• What geographic areas does the device cover?
• Why does TrimTrac use GSM SMS instead of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)?
• What kind of power does the device require?
• How long do the batteries last?
• What are the TrimTrac locator's power requirements?
• Can the TrimTrac locator use external power?
• How durable is the TrimTrac locator?
• How accurately is the device able to report location information?
• How frequently can the device report position?
• How big is the TrimTrac locator and how much does it weigh?
• What are the default configurations for my TrimTrac?
  

Q: Is Mr Hawk a hardware or software product?
A: Mr Hawk is web based software but is closely integrated with the Trimble TrimTrac GPS Locator which is hardware.

Q: What's special about Mr Hawk?
A: There is very close integration with the Trimble TrimTrac GPS Locator that makes it valuable. The TrimTrac has unique features that set it apart in the market. Those features include both battery and power options. They also include a motion sensor, the ability to change configurations, SMS messaging, discrete form factor (small and no external antenna) etc. Mr Hawk also acts as a communications router forwarding alert messages to nominated people so they can take action. It is easy to use and simple to set up and enables users to use it for the purpose intended.

Q: Can I use Mr Hawk out of NZ?
A: Yes. At this stage Google Earth would be used which does not have great detail but is useful for certain applications. The current map database down to street level is for NZ only but map bases for other countries can be offered.

Q: Is Mr Hawk suitable for fleets of assets?
A: Yes – the service is as good for one vehicle as it is for 100. Each TrimTrac can be configured separately and reports and alerts for each can be managed efficiently.

Q: Does the TrimTrac Locator operate in different configurations?
A: Yes it does. There are a number of variable settings for motion reporting, frequency of reporting etc that can be set for the TrimTrac. A Configuration is a group of these settings. Where a Configuration is to be used more than once it can be saved and then given a name for the users convenience. Since Configurations are usually associated with a particular use Mr Hawk enables you to send different Configurations to a remote TrimTrac by SMS to change its behaviour.

Q: I've heard that SMS is a very expensive way to communicate- is this true?
A: That would be true if the amount of communication was large. When the number of messages is low then it is cheaper. There are notes in other FAQ relating to the advantages of SMS relative to GPRS. The TrimTrac is designed for particular applications and for these SMS is better and cheaper.

Q: What is the Trimble TrimTrac GPS Locator?
A: The TrimTrac locator is a new, low-cost tracking device for asset management including consumer automotive monitoring and recovery applications and services. It combines enhanced GPS autonomous positioning detection with GSM wireless communications reporting.

Q: What is unique about the TrimTrac locator?
A: All of the TrimTrac locator's functions are integrated on one printed circuit board. The functions share a central processor unit (CPU), enabling the TrimTrac locator's low cost, small size, power conservation, and increased reliability.

Q: Does the device only work outdoors?
A: No. The TrimTrac locator supports enhanced GPS that enables it to often work in places where traditional GPS may not.

Q: Does the device work inside a moving vehicle?
A: The TrimTrac locator's enhanced GPS sensitivity enables it to work reasonably well inside of a moving vehicle, even when it does not have a clear view of the sky. The device is usually able to obtain location fixes when it is inside packages, glove boxes, under seats and in some cases, car trunks.

Q: Does the TrimTrac locator require installation?
A: No, the device consists of a self-contained package that requires no external connections unless a vehicle adapter module is used.

Q: What wireless network standards does TrimTrac support?
A: The TrimTrac locator supports GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications). GSM is the standard for digital cellular communications in much of the world.

Q: What geographic areas does the device cover?
A: The TrimTrac locator will work wherever there is a GSM signal. This is typically in most urban areas, inland coastal waters and along major highways. See VodaFone's Coverage Map. If your SIM card supports roaming you can use it anywhere in the world that has GSM network coverage.

Q: Why does TrimTrac use GSM SMS instead of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)?
A: TrimTrac is intended for use in applications that require the periodic sending and receiving of relatively small amounts of data, with an emphasis on low power consumption by the device. GPRS is better suited for applications that involve real-time, two-way communication and the transfer of larger amounts of data (as might be required by an application such as high- end commercial fleet management, for example). GPRS has disadvantages relative to SMS for the uses for which TrimTrac is intended. In particular, GPRS' coverage area is not as extensive as SMS. It would also create a greater drain on the device's power, and would increase the cost of the device. SMS is a better fit than GPRS for the TrimTrac locator's target applications, as it offers better coverage, improved power conservation, and minimizes the device's cost.

Q: What kind of power does the device require?
A: The TrimTrac locator uses 4 common AA alkaline batteries. For permanent vehicle installation, the device can be ordered with an optional Vehicle Adapter Module that enables it to tap into 12 Volt (DC) vehicle power. The Vehicle Adapter Module includes a standby rechargeable battery so that in the event that vehicle power is lost, the TrimTrac locator can continue to report its position for a limited period of time.

Q: How long do the batteries last?
A: The TrimTrac locator's four AA batteries are designed to last up to 90 days under typical operating conditions with good GPS signal strength and with up to 10 position fixes and reports per day.

Q: What are the TrimTrac locator's power requirements?
A: The TrimTrac locator is a self-powered device that enables monitoring for situations where it is not possible or convenient to tap into external power. Because it integrates all of its functions on a single board using a common CPU, it conserves power more than alternative devices. Furthermore, it conserves power by reporting location only when the device is in motion or is polled for a current position. The TrimTrac locator automatically reports its battery power level with each position report so that an application using the device can remind the user when it is time to replace the batteries.

Q: Can the TrimTrac locator use external power?
A: Yes, via the optional Vehicle Adapter Module.

Q: How durable is the TrimTrac locator?
A: The device consists of a sturdy, water-resistant molded plastic casing with all of the required antennas inside. It is designed to fully support the needs of consumer automotive monitoring and recovery applications and services.

Q: How accurately is the device able to report location information?
A: The TrimTrac locator's position reports are typically accurate within approximately 10 meters horizontally although GPS accuracy is always expressed in terms of statistical probability and for critical position requirements a user should familiarize themselves with the parameters.

Q: How frequently can the device report position?
A: The default report frequency is approximately every 15 minutes while the device is in motion. The maximum update frequency is approximately 2 to 3 minutes depending upon how the TrimTrac locator is configured and environmental conditions such as GPS and GSM signal strength. However, it can also be programmed to send reports based on user-defined time ranges whether in motion or not.

Q: How big is the TrimTrac locator and how much does it weigh?
A: Its dimensions are 143.3 mm x 76.2 mm x 36.7 mm. It weighs 205 grams without batteries, or 300 grams with 4 AA batteries.

Q: What are the default configurations for my TrimTrac?