Orange County Register

Albert Rodriguez holds Ecco, a tiny GPS device that fits on a keychain and helps you get back to any location.

Albert Rodriguez is hoping to bring GPS to everyone.

He has developed a handheld GPS device that’s so small it can fit comfortably on a keychain.

It’s called Ecco and goes for $99.99. There are no subscription fees and the device will help you get back to any locations you set.

“We think it’s going to be a huge Christmas gift,” said Rodriguez. “I think it’s going to do well this first season out…it’s not just for the high tech person.”

Ecco is made by Rodriguez’s company, the Tustin-based IDC Design Corporation. The device has an internal compass and communicates directly with satellites to get accurate location data that can get you within 10 feet of a location. Turn it on and within 30 to 60 seconds it acquires a satellite signal. Users set their current location (up to three at a time) and then leave. When it is time to head back, just turn it on again and Ecco points the way. It works up to 9,999 miles away.

Here’s a video of Ecco in action:

Ecco can be used to find a car parked in a busy lot like at a sporting event, when traveling in other countries or to help someone find their way back to a campground after a long hike. It has a small but very readable display that points you in the right direction and tells you how far away you are from your destination.

The device can be charged using a USB connection. This means it’s compatible with many standard chargers and can be plugged into a computer, car or wall. One charge of about an hour can last a couple weeks. The trick is that the device doesn’t stay on the whole time - it goes to sleep when you aren’t using it.

Ecco is currently for sale at Amazon and should be available on the Best Buy Web site within a couple weeks. You can also get it at the IDC Design Corporation Web site here.

I’ve got a demo unit from Ecco to test out. Check back here at www.ocregister.com/irvinebiz tomorrow for detailed photos and information about how it works.

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