If the potential for getting lost is a reason for not venturing into the outdoors, it’s time to let go of that fear with the Cerberus tracking and alert system from Briartek. Named after the three-headed guardian dog of Hades, Cerberus is a three-part system that works in conjunction with your smart device to keep you from getting lost and get you help when you need it.
The first component is the CerberLink, a unit that communicates via the Iridium satellite network (or, through a smart device, via cellular or Wi-Fi when it’s available) that tracks your location; sends quick messages to people you have designated (or drop “breadcrumbs” as to your whereabouts); receives alerts, such as weather and even the latest info about a place you’re traveling in; and activates a distress mode when needed. The CerberLink is ideal to carry with you when you venture into places that removes you completely from civilization.
The second component, CerberTouch, is a free downloadable app for smart devices running iOS, Android, and BlackBerry. When connected to the CerberLink (via Bluetooth), CerberTouch offers the same utilities mentioned before, but information is displayed on your touch-screen instead of the CerberTouch’s limited display. Plus, you can display all messages on your device’s map via Google Maps. The beauty of this app is that it doesn’t require the CerberLink to work. When you don’t need satellite access, CerberTouch will use your device’s cellular or Wi-Fi capability to send messages, receive alerts, and drop breadcrumbs. Since it’s free, all smart phone-toting adventurers should have this app downloaded.
The last part of the system is the CerberCenter, or the brains behind it all. The Web-based CerberCenter server is how messages are sent and received to and from CerberTouch and CerberLink. In an emergency, the CerberCenter’s concierge service will attempt to establish a two-way communication with you through either of your devices, however, Briartek makes it known that this feature is not a 911 or rescue center.
Check out Gizmag’s impressions of the product, which also compares it to other similar devices and services. The CerberLink costs $499 to $799, depending on the plan (Briartek also offers rental options). Even if you don’t plan on getting the system or your sojourns into the wild are rare, the free CerberTouch is a nice app to have loaded on your device should you ever find yourself lost.