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IDC Ecco Personal

Points the way, literally

Operation is very simple. Stand in the area you want to able to find later, press the lock button and then one of the three location buttons and you are done. To get back you press the ‘return’ button and the direction and distance of your destination is shown on the fob’s screen.

IDC Ecco Personal Pocket GPS locator

Works in a car, but better suited to pedestrian use

The arrow-based display is quite sensitive and is quick enough to adjust its direction as you move along and the unit also tells you if you are going the wrong way. The unit is reactive enough to work on the move say in a car or a boat, but as there are more accurate and sophisticated mapping and location devices available for both of those options, the unit is really best suited to users who are on foot.

The unit is quoted as being accurate to within 10 metres, which, again, is a little conservative. We found it could get quite a bit closer than that. The Ecco’s biggest flaw however, is the difficulty it has in getting a signal in built up areas. The unit works well in the great outdoors and would be a good companion for walkers, horse riders or even drunk revellers trying to find their tent in the middle of a festival. Yet in the town, it struggles and really only ends up being frustrating as it often cannot find a signal.

Verdict

In the great outdoors the Ecco does provide and an accurate return path. However, the Ecco is not an urban lover and does not provide reliable enough performance to be a real option for the town. Price wise it just squeaks into the acceptable bracket for those who would get a decent level of use out of the product. ®

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IDC Ecco Personal Pocket GPS locator

IDC Ecco Personal

Not much of an urban dweller and a bit pricey too. You'll need to use it a lot to get your money's worth.
Price: £70 RRP

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