Comparing GPS Tracker Features: What To Prioritize In Your Buying Decision
Owning a vehicle has become a part of today’s world. Today, millions of people own cars or trucks for either personal or business use. To protect yourself and your assets, you need a proper GPS tracker installed in them.
GPS trackers and location devices have become an integral part of our society and are still gaining popularity daily. These devices have become so advanced that now you can know the location of your loved ones and vehicles with just a simple click on your mobile or computer.
But do you know that buying a GPS tracker isn’t an easy task? Every GPS tracker has their function and can be utilized in various ways. On top of that, there are various options available in the market, and thus, it becomes very difficult to choose the correct one that suits your needs.
Ultimately, you wouldn’t want a tracker that isn’t ideal for your needs and only becomes a hindrance instead of becoming a solution. Read on to learn more about GPS trackers and their features and what you need to prioritize before making the correct decision.
How Do GPS Trackers Exactly Work?
GPS trackers are devices that use the global navigation system to pinpoint a particular location. To collect the position and direction data, GPS tracking devices connect with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). These devices function by broadcasting signals and connecting to satellites through which they can detect the location of objects by using geographical positions.
When you use a GPS tracking device, it receives the data and pings those satellites. These satellites then identify the position and approximate distance of the object via latitude and longitude.
What Are The Different Types Of GPS Tracking?
GPS tracking can be classified into two groups i.e., personal and asset tracking.
Personal Tracking
Personal tracking is something that most people may have encountered in their lives. Most people use personal tracking to pinpoint the precise location of another person or an object. Personal GPS trackers are mostly used to monitor something valuable or keep tabs on family members or loved ones.
Personal GPS trackers are also used to find the best route to destinations by people who are on a tour. These devices can be used in various ways suited to an individual’s needs.
For example, you can attach a tracker to your kid’s school bag when they are going on for hiking. The GPS tracker will allow you to monitor your kids and let you know whether they are safe or not. People can also use personal GPS trackers to track their pets by attaching them to their collars.
Asset Tracking
Asset tracking is mainly used by companies to keep track of their valuable physical assets. These may include trucks, machinery, office equipment, etc. Business owners use asset tracking to find any objects of value that are stolen or lost.
Asset tracking works by assigning unique IDs to physical components, which operate in tandem with software to keep track of them. Warehouse firms that employ GPS asset trackers to track their inventory and prevent theft are a common example of asset tracking. To keep track of what they have and where they have it, they may employ radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or a barcode inventory system.
What Features To Prioritize When Buying A GPS Tracker?
GPS trackers have various features that suit the unique needs of everyone. You need to compare these features and see which of them are suitable to your requirement and then by the device.
Here are the features that you can compare to choose the right GPS tracker for your needs:
The Devices Need To Be Affordable
The GPS tracker you are buying should be affordable and doesn’t require a huge sum of money for the device and installation. Whether you are buying for your personal use or business purposes, you need to ensure that the cost of equipment and the subscription doesn’t exceed your budget.
There are also times you need a GPS tracker for a short period. In cases like this, don’t buy subscriptions that last for a long time, like a year. It’s best to choose a monthly subscription in cases like this.
The Tracker Needs To Be Of Good Quality
You may have seen GPS trackers that are dirt cheap and provides various function, so you may want to buy them. But be warned that these GPS trackers are mostly made of cheap electrical components. They have weak signal reception, less accurate coordinates, can be unstable, and, at times, may require restarts.
Such devices are not good and can hamper your needs, especially if you are planning to use GPS trackers for your business. You need to be careful about all these fake GPS trackers available in the market. Only contact a well-known GPS tracker manufacturer if you want genuine devices with a proper guarantee or warranty.
The Device Should Be Compatible
When you are buying a GPS tracker, you need to ensure that the device is compatible with your requirements. Nobody wants a GPS tracker that is used to track people to track their business vehicles.
For example, if you are buying a GPS tracker for your vehicle, then you should ensure that the tracker is compatible with your model. The GPS tracker should be able to collect all the necessary information, and you won’t have trouble using all the various features of the device. Also, the device should not affect your vehicle’s performance.
The GPS Tracker Should Have Notification Features
When choosing a GPS tracker, be sure that it offers real-time notifications and alerts. Passive devices will leave you with no other option other than monitoring people or vehicles until they reach their destination. Compared to them, GPS trackers with real-time tracking features help you monitor them even from remote locations without the need to be always present.
With real-time tracking, you will always receive notifications and alerts through mobile or computer, as these trackers offer you options to set up notifications as per your need. You can then plan your next step by checking the notifications.
The Tracking Device Should Provide Proper Security
As technology has advanced, the threat to security has also become much greater. Nowadays, cyber security has become a major concern. If a hacker gains access to your GPS tracking operator, you will have to face various problems. These people can track your loved ones or vehicles and can harm them.
Excellent security needs to be the main feature of the GPS tracker you will buy. You wouldn’t want hackers to gain access to sensitive information, so ensure that you enquire with the GPS manufacturer whether their device supports SSL encryption or not.
The Device Should Provide Offline Connectivity
There is a need for a device that can function in offline mode if you don’t want to lose any type of travel data. So make sure that you check with the seller to know if the GPS device supports offline networking or if the travel information is collected even when it’s not connected to the Internet.
Preferably, your devices must be able to collect trip data even while not having an internet connection and further upload this information to the servers once it gets connected.
Conclusion
In today’s world, you will surely benefit from a real-time GPS tracker. However, it becomes very difficult when there are so many options available in the market. The above-mentioned features will help you narrow down the list and choose the right device for your needs.
FAQs
Do GPS Trackers Really Need An Internet Connection?
No, strictly speaking, GPS trackers do not need an internet connection. They receive information via satellites to collect and store the data. An internet connection is only required when you want to view the data remotely.
Do GPS Trackers Function All Around The Globe?
Yes, most GPS trackers can operate anywhere around the globe, thanks to satellite technology.
Read Also:
