Are there any microchips that I can put in stuff I own to track it?

An RFID tag will not work, as it has to be in an RFID interrogation field to respond.

A GPS locate-my-spot and report by cell unit would work, as long as there is a dead space big enough to hold it and you can make a battery pack good enough to last a week or so. You can also parasite off the cam battery, but often those cambats are out of the unit to charge.

There are some of those that are quite small.

you would have to google it and find them. they will cost $500 -$1000

Yes, You can add a RFID (radio frequency identification) chip to the device, such as that which are now being added to laptops, hospital IV Pumps, patients and mobile assets to insure security and improved productivity.

Do you wish to track the camers in a specific geographic area, or simply anywhere?

If you need more details simply drop a email over to: dreilly@rfid4u.com

An RFID chip can only be used if you have a secure perimeter that interrogates all RFID chips as they try to leave and has a lookup table of what is allowed to leave and with whom.

For example, a laptop may leave, but only with it's owner. A piece of OR equipment can leave with a maintenance tag to be fixed etc.

The person with the camera wants to be able to track his camera/etc if it is stolen far from any RFID field.

The advantage of RFID is they are tiny, the disadvantage is their minuscile range due to the fact that they are powered only by the external interrogation field. The interrogation field can be expanded to cover larger areas, but this is usually only done for warehouses and some yards.

I think a little more information is required if you want a reasonable shot at a decent answer. Is the camera in a case or not? Are you trying to keep it from leaving your studio, or are you mobile at a job site? Better input = better output!

they make active RFID tags with their own battery power - limited time - but they radiate limited distances and they may not fit on your gear. If the stuff is really valuable, buy some insurance and reduce your risk by not bringing too much with you that you loose track of it. Create clever carry cases with extra pockets or hire people you trust, ask them to hold onto extra items when your not able to secure the parts yourselve. Low jack has some new items to look at too. You know the system hooked up to police centers using GPS. Again, large items only.

Some crazy ideas:

If you are close to the device:

1. Place a RFID inlay or tag to the Camera (or whatever)... You can get and RFID Reader with you. With a microcontroller you can ask for the inlay/tag as ofen as you wish. When the Reader will not find the inlay/tag... a sound alarm can be activated to let you know somebody stoled it.

If you want to locate it "Where is my --- camera?"

1. You will not find something small (Unlest you develope it or request somebody to develope it).

You will not find something in the market for what you are loking for... but some design compannies can make something for you.

Saludos!