Track your lost luggage for insane amounts of cash

Deep in the hidden corners of the internet you occasionally run across little gems like this August 2007 article from the Times Online talking about a spy device designed for tracking cars via GPS technology. It turns out that this little goodie is also an excellent tool for finding lost luggage in a jiffy:

Within moments, the gadget’s global-positioning system (GPS) has acquired three satellite signals, triangulated its exact position and transmitted it back to the PDA. A map pops up, and within 15 seconds – faster than a weary BA clerk can say “Your luggage isn’t lost, sir, it’s merely been mislaid” – a flashing red dot on the screen says your bag’s in Limassol.

The good news is that it apparently does work. The bad news is that the now re-named Potratrak device still costs three arms, your left toenail, and an eyelash.

The company that makes the device, Spycatcheronline, recently created an option to rent the Portatrak (warning: their site loads at geological speeds), but it’s not much of a deal - you have to buy it at full price, and they refund you the difference of the rental cost when you return it.

All in all, it’s a pretty snazzy device, and I’m sure it would be fun to see the poor baggage clerk’s face when you tell them where their handlers put your bag, but I’d guess it’s probably not worth the cash for most travelers. I know it’s not for me.