GPS Tracker Selection – Ten Quick Tips

7 Mar 2013

10-tips-for-selecting-gps-tracker

Our 10 Tips For Selecting A GPS Tracker:

1.  Identify what you are tracking. A vehicle, person, equipment, powered asset, etc.

2.  If you don’t have an internal power source, like a vehicle’s battery – you’ll need a battery powered device.

3.  Hardwired/Vehicle powered trackers, also known as black boxes, are usually installed under the dash of the vehicle, out of sight. There are even gps trackers that can be plugged into your vehicle’s on board diagnostic port – usually located on the driver’s side compartment of the vehicle. The greatest benefit of a hardwired gps tracker is that they require no maintenance – once properly installed operation is automatic, this is probably where the the term Automatic Vehicle Locate or AVL was born.

4.  Battery powered tracking devices will at some point and time require you to retrieve the device and recharge the battery. Advantages to a battery powered gps device are that they can be deployed quickly. They also work well when people tracking, like having a tracker in your child’s backpack.

5.  Most real-time, live devices have a SIM card built-in which transfers location information and other pertinent data back to a central server. There are costs associated with these trackers – wireless airtime, support, servers, etc. and that is why there is typically a monthly fee for using such a device.

6.  Not all GPS tracking platforms or systems are created equally. The biggest mistake you can make is purchasing a tracker purely based on cost. Companies selling tracking devices should make a demo available, prior to purchase so you can see how you will be viewing your gps tracker. Don’t ever purchase a tracker without looking/using the back-end platform.

7.  The back-end tracking platform. This is important, as it should be easy and intuitive to use. You shouldn’t have to become a computer scientist to use the system.

8.  Satellite Maps. A good system will have satellite imagery, a map view and the ability to zoom in very close to whatever you are tracking.

9.  Basic platform features you should look for:

Speed Alerts

Zone Alerts

Update Speed – How fast does the unit update its position on the platform?

Ignition Alerts

Historical Route Playback – Can you at anytime do a playback of where the vehicle was at any given moment?

For business users – vehicle idle times, reporting start/stop times, route deviation alerts, after hours driving alerts, aggressive driving report, dispatch and routing, a maintenance module for oil/tire and engine hour monitoring, and finally vehicle mileage reporting. If weather conditions are a concern, real-time weather overlays could be important for driver safety/routing.

10.  Support and Service. How easy is it to get contact support with the company you are considering purchasing your tracker from? Are you placed on hold for extended periods? Sent through telephone prompt hell?

Here are some popular trackers available at LiveViewGPS:

Live Trac EZ – OBDII Vehicle Tracker, plugs into port on vehicle and tracking is instant – Powered by vehicle.

Live Trac G5 – A great piece of hardware matched up to the Live Trac platform.  Three wire install – connect to power, ground and ignition.

PT-10 Battery Powered – Live tracking has never been so easy.  Activate, charge and track.

LiveViewGPS provides businesses, consumers and government entities with gps trackers and systems. We’ve successfully assisted consumers looking for child, elderly, teen and everything related to personal tracking. We’ve also provided countless businesses and organizations with reliable affordable and effective trackers and systems. Feel free to contact us and speak to a GPS tracking expert – we are here to help! Our direct office number is 661-294-6805.

 


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About Live View GPS

We specialize in real time GPS tracking systems. GPS tracking, GPS monitoring and management for vehicles, assets, equipment, property and persons. Whether your needs are consumer or commercial based, personal or business related we have a cost effective GPS tracking solution for you. Locate in real-time and on demand vehicles, people and property from any web based computer. View these locations on our systems integrated maps. Our GPS devices are the real deal, they are tested and proven, they work.