I'm researching technology from the 2000s for a screenplay and need to understand how someone could track another person's location over a week or two. I'm looking for methods that could show a history of movements on a map, ideally reflecting both urban and rural areas in the USA between 2000 and 2010. This could involve hidden devices in cars or tracking via phones. Any insights into how accurate these methods were or how they functioned would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Getting accurate tracking was tricky since consumer GPS was just getting started. OnStar systems in cars were one option, but not great for covert tracking. Alternatively, you could have someone follow the person and report back, which could add some excitement to your screenplay!
The tech in the early 2000s was mainly about developing dedicated GPS units, which were available but didn’t usually connect to phones. Movies often depicted high-tech RF trackers, but those were more fiction than reality. Realistically, hiring a private investigator to follow them could fit your story well.
Back in the 2000s, GPS technology was emerging but still pricey for most consumers. There were GPS devices that worked through cellular networks, but they were bulky and expensive, often costing thousands. That said, you could find LoJack systems that were used for vehicle recovery—those weren't real-time tracking, though. If you were looking for a phone solution, something like a Blackberry might have worked, but would still be limited in functionality compared to today’s devices.
Thanks, that's helpful. Do you know if those trackers could provide a map view on a computer? I'm trying to picture how she would see the subject's movements.
That's an interesting angle, but I need something a bit more discreet. Any thoughts on using a tracker from a spy shop to install secretly?