Have you ever lost something? Of course you have. If it had a James Bond-like Zoombak GPS device in it, you would still have it.

Ideal for purses, kids, older relatives, cars and other things that tend to “wander off,” Zoombak personal gps devices are tiny, waterproof hardware products — a little bigger than a matchbox — that you can locate from any personal computer and from some smartphones.

How Does Zoombak Work?

Zoombak makes two main devices , designed for different applications. (One version is also available re-furbished, and versions sold online can differ from those sold in-store.) The original Zoombak is better for tracking your purse or your kids, while the eZoom can be installed permanently in your car. All of the Zoombak devices let you track your Zoombak in real-time, and they also all allow you to set alert zones. Zoombak can alert you via email or text if your Zoombak leaves from or arrives to a “safety zone.” Zoombak can even be armed from a smartphone to notify you if your car moves — a security benefit the company says could reduce your insurance premiums.

The in-store version of the car-ready eZoom allows you to install your eZoom into your car permanently. The original Zoombak devices also with car chargers for on-the-go monitoring, however.

Along with these devices, the parent company of Zoombak, Securus, also offers products specifically designed for pets (the SpotLite, which attaches to a dog collar) and for the elderly (the eCare, which includes voice communication).

Although the company doesn’t advertise this, Zoombak devices can easily be used to track someone without their knowing, especially because the owner can receive discreet alerts when someone goes in or out of a “safety zone.”

Zoombak’s Drawbacks

Zoombak devices are virtually useless if the person you’re tracking has an iPhone. That’s because Apple now offers the “Find My iPhone” application, which allows you to locate your iPhone, iPad, iTouch or Macbook laptop using a web browser — in much the same way Zoombak does. The additional features mentioned above don’t apply to this Apple app, but if you’re just trying to find out where someone or a purse is, you can do it for free with Find My iPhone.

Another drawback for the Zoombak is the fact that it has to be charged every three or four days, or every 150 times you locate the device from your computer. Like a cell phone, it can be turned off and on, but it loses power when it’s on in standby mode.

The original Zoombak can be purchased refurbished for $60 and a new one will cost you $80. The eZoom costs $100. All of these options require you to pay monthly service fees of $20, though you can save money by purchasing annual service ($15/month) or bi-annual service ($13/month) packages.

What do you think of Zoomback GPS locators? Would you buy one? Share your thoughts below.