Directed Adds GPS Tracking To SmartStart System

By Lisa Johnston On Jan 24 2011 - 6:01am

LAS VEGAS — Directed Electronics announced plans at International CES to upgrade its SmartStart system, which lets users send remote-start and door-lock commands via cellular from iPhones, BlackBerrys and Android-based smartphones.

The latest iteration, called Viper SmartStart GPS, adds real-time GPS tracking and can be added to any Viper security or remote-start system. It’s scheduled to ship in the first quarter at a suggested $299.

Under Directed’s SmartStart GPS basic service plan, a vehicle’s location, speed and direction can be seen in real time on a map displayed on a smartphone or on a PC’s web browser along with the vehicle’s speed and direction.

Other plan features include the ability to notify Facebook friends of the vehicle’s location via messaging and one-touch check-in, a speed alert that notifies when the vehicle has exceeded the specified speed setting, and a lockdown alert that sets the vehicle location and provides notification if the vehicle leaves that spot.

Under the Smar tSt a r t GPS premium plan, users get the same features plus a SmartFence feature that lets users create a secure zone around the vehicle and alert the user if the vehicle leaves that zone. In addition, a Hot- Spot feature lets users create a prohibited zone. The vehicle will notify users if it enters the forbidden area.

Plan pricing was unavailable.