FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
Brochure A. General information: 1. How do I know what version of Lasso to purchase? There are basically 3 versions of the Lasso product. All versions have integral GPS capabilities. GPS and motion sensing- This compact device uses Satellite GPS to locate current position and report it to a web site or cell phone when scheduled by the user. The 3 axis motion sensor will detect of the Lasso device is being moved and can be made to wake and report position. GPS with environmental sensors and I/O- This version of Lasso has the GPS features described above along with a Humidity sensor, Barometric Pressure Sensor and Temperature sensor. The location and environmental data will be reported to a web site or cell phone when scheduled by the user. The Environmental sensor can be used in warehouses, factories or as weather transmitters to convey environmental information. GPS with industrial sensing- This version of Lasso has the GPS features described above and industrial sensor input capabilities not found in any other Asset tracking device. The industrial sensor inputs can accept strain gauge signals, load cells to measure weight, thermocouples for temperature measurement, and pressure sensors. 2. Why to you have Lasso devices that have GPS and integral sensors? Most Asset tracking devices are only capable of reporting position. The patent pending Lasso product line has optional integral motion, strain, temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity sensors for those applications which require more than asset tracking capabilities. The sensors use special algorithms to determine engine rpm, idle run conditions and other parameters. 3. Why is the operating cost of Lasso lower than similar devices? Lasso uses a novel communication method which is high speed, secure, and ideal for this type of telemetry application. This excellent communication method also happens to have lower operating costs than alternative methods. 4. Will Lasso work in other countries? The Lasso product line is configured to work mainly in the US. Special arrangements can be made between the Customer and Lasso Technologies for use outside of the US, such as trucks that need to travel into Mexico and Canada. 5. Will Lasso work in the wilderness? The Lasso product will attain GPS satellite information in the wilderness but will not be able to communicate position unless it is within a few miles of a cell tower. Confirm coverage by observing the coverage map before considering wilderness applications. Up to 5000 positions, date, status, and time are retained while outside of cell coverage and will be downloaded when cell connection is re-established. 6. How long is the battery life? Battery life can be as long as 6 months depending upon usage. The Lasso device can be made to sleep for hours and use virtually no power then wake at specified periods to accomplish tasks. You configure how often Lasso should sleep if you wish to save battery power. Of course, battery life is not an issue if Lasso is externally powered. A message will be sent if the batteries need recharging. 7. What is the Environmental Lasso device capable of doing? The Environmental Lasso has external Humidity, Barometric Pressure and a Temperature sensor for use as a remote weather sensor, warehouse, warning if extreme humidity/temperature/barometric pressure conditions exist. 8. Do I need to be near a cell tower to get reception? Yes, an acceptable cell tower connection is required to transmit location and sensor information to the web page or cell phone. Up to 5000 positions, date, status, and time are retained while outside of cell coverage and will be downloaded when cell connection is re-established. 9. Is Lasso waterproof? Some Lasso versions are not waterproof such as those meant for personal use, shipping, mounting inside of a piece of construction equipment, or SOS versions. The environmental, truck and trailer versions are meant for harsh environments. 10. Who do I call for customer support? Contact Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 for customer support, questions, returns, repairs, or to have your Lasso equipped with special sensors. 11. I can communicate with Lasso but it won't report position. Lasso uses relatively large GPS antenna with very high gain SirfStarIV technology in order to obtain location, often even indoors. If position cannot be achieved and the Lasso device lights are flashing, move the device outdoors and try to obtain satellite location. You can tell how many satellites Lasso sees by the number of times that the Satellite light flashes. 12. Why does Lasso seem to acquire satellite data so quickly? The Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is a Department of Defense satellite based navigation system made up of 24 satellites circling the globe at about 12,000 miles from earth at 7000 mph, and circle the globe every 12 hours. The GPS receiver has five to eight satellites in view at any time. Each satellite continually transmit data about its location and the current time. GPS receivers receive the overhead satellite information and use triangulation and precision timing to determine location. 3 or more satellites must be in view for the GPS unit to determine position. GPS technology must know the precise location and timing of the satellites which are currently overhead at any specific time. The SirfStarIV technology constantly listens for this satellite position data, even while sleeping. This data helps the GPS circuitry to more rapidly lock on to specific channels and frequencies to eliminate hunting for irrelevant signals after the device comes out of a sleep mode. This improved focus helps increase sensitivity and indoor operation. 13. Can I use Lasso in my luggage? Lasso can be used in luggage for tracking but no device is approved for shipment on Aircraft which transmits radio frequencies. Therefore, Lasso should not be used on luggage which will go on aircraft. B. Product Information: 1. What do I do if I need to have my Lasso repaired or modified for other types of sensors? Contact Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 to discuss the sensor modifications you need and obtain a Return Authorization number if necessary. You will receive an email with shipping instructions. 2. How do I turn the Lasso on and off? Press the ON/OFF button on the Lasso faceplate to turn if on or off. There will be a few seconds delay when turning it off as Lasso de-registers from the cell tower. 3. How do I connect external sensors such as load cells, and pressure sensors? Consult Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 to help with choosing a sensor for your application. Your Lasso will be configured remotely by the factory to properly display the sensor data you need in convenient units. 4. How do I see the Lasso position and data? Go to lasso.com, register, configure your Lasso device and choose to review the current position of the Lasso device. In addition to seeing a map with position, use the web page to configure reporting position to an email address which will have an integral map embedded in the email. 5. What are the LED lights for? The LED lights use minimal power to convey when the GPS circuit, Cell circuit, is on. The Satellite LED will flash depending upon how many satellites the Lasso device observes. Also, charging status is represented by the LEDs. 6. What do I do if I receive a low battery signal? Lasso will send a low battery indication to the web page or cell phone. Should this occur, the device should be recharged. 7. How do I attach a solar panel for external power? Solar panels are available an external waterproof connector to readily allow the Lasso devices to be used in place of power adapters. Since Lasso is battery powered, these solar panels allow Lasso to be charged during the day and still operate at night. Consult Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 to help with choosing an appropriate Solar panel for your application. 8. Do I need to be near a cell tower to get reception? Yes, an acceptable cell tower connection is required to transmit location and sensor information to the web page or cell phone. Up to 5000 positions, date, status, and time are retained while outside of cell coverage and will be downloaded when cell connection is re-established. 9. How can I reset the Lasso device if it won't respond? The Lasso device can be 'rebooted' if needed. This would be necessary if you accidentally command a very long sleep time and don't want to wait for it to wake or other reboot situations. On the underside of Lasso is a small hole marked Reset. Use a paperclip to press a reset button under the hole. The lights will begin flashing after the reset. Also, you can turn the device on and off to recover from deep sleep. 10. How do I install Lasso in my vehicle or asset I want to locate? Lasso can be temporarily place anywhere within your vehicle. Lasso will last several months if you only need occasional position or sensor data in which case external power is not needed. Consult with the installation manual for permanent installations. A cigarette lighter, solar cell, and 12V-5V adapter is available for full time power. Observe the satellite light to make certain that it is still flashing once you place the Lasso device. The satellite light will flash the number of times for the satellites that it sees. If it flashes 7 times, it sees 7 satellites. 3 is the minimum to obtain position. Clearer access to the sky will typically allow Lasso to see more satellites and improve position acquisition times. C. Billing Information: 1. What is the warranty period? Lasso is protected under warranty for 1 year from date of purchase as long as the device is not subjected to abusive treatment. 2. How do I stop my service? Contact Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 to stop service. 3. What are the charges per month? Review the Services web page to determine which offering is best for you. 4. What do I do if I change my home address? Contact Lasso Technologies at 866-392-0923 to change your home address. 5. What are billing methods? Lasso uses Paypal for billing. Paypal also allows for credit card payments. We do not keep credit card information at Lasso Technologies. If you prefer not to use Paypal, please call Lasso at 866-392-0923 for alternative payment methods. 6. Can I have more than 1 Lasso on my account? Yes, you may have many under your account. Search functions throughout the Lasso.com web site allow you to search for a specific Lasso under your account.