Have you ever wondered how shipping companies always know where a package is? Or how you could find your car in a huge parking lot, or worse, in the event of theft? The answer lies in a small piece of technology. In this article, you will discover exactly what a GPS Tracker is, what it is used for in everyday life, and how to choose the perfect model for your needs.
Table of contents:
1 - What it is;
2 - What it is used for;
3 - What types there are.
What is it?
What is it used for?
The greatest benefit is that it shows you its location on a map. In other words, it indirectly lets you see the location of objects, people, and animals through an app that you can use on common electronic devices such as your cellphone, tablet, or PC.
The real magic happens when the app uses the GPS Tracker's location to enable additional features that increase the level of control and awareness for the person using it. The most common ones are:
- Virtual Fences to receive alerts when the device enters or leaves specific areas;
- Speed Alerts to receive notifications if the vehicle exceeds a preset speed;
- Route History to see a visual reconstruction of the route directly on the map.
Its use therefore allows you not only to see where it is, but also what it is doing and what it has done. At this point, it is easy to understand why these devices are used by transport, shipping, and rental companies, as well as private individuals. The biggest difference lies in the objective: some need to know when, for example, the van arrived at its destination with the goods, while others simply want peace of mind knowing that their motorcycle is still in their garage.
What types are there?
There are obviously different types of GPS Trackers, and they vary according to their field of use and how they are installed:
- With a magnetic base: this is one of the most flexible options for covering different types of use. The magnetic base allows it to adhere firmly to all metal surfaces, so it always has built-in batteries to ensure a certain operating period. It is often used to monitor vehicles such as cars and motorcycles or shipping containers, and therefore to help combat vehicle theft because it is easy to hide, or simply to monitor your own assets. One important clarification... this device does not prevent theft, although it can alert you very quickly that the vehicle has moved; its main purpose is to increase the chances of recovering the vehicle after the theft has occurred.
- Battery connection: designed exclusively for vehicle tracking, it is highly effective because it connects directly to the vehicle's battery, so you do not have to worry about recharging it. It is mainly used for basic vehicle monitoring, as it is easier to find because it is connected to the vehicle's battery. WARNING: these trackers can also be hidden very effectively inside the vehicle, making them extremely difficult to find, because they can be connected to any cable that draws power from the vehicle's battery. Therefore, it is enough to connect it to the positive and negative terminals of the vehicle's electrical system, whether it is a car, motorcycle, or van.
- OBD port connection: its greatest advantage is its ease of use. It is installed directly in your car's OBD port and draws power from the electrical system, so it is always ready to operate. It is very effective for showing you the vehicle's location and keeping you updated in real time on what is happening. It is not the solution to consider if you want to prevent theft of your vehicle. It is simply too easy to find.
- With a solar panel: very similar to the magnetic tracker, it is used in large vehicles such as trucks, tractors, and boats. Since it draws power directly from the sun, it offers extremely long battery life and is very easy to install. It is mainly used for basic vehicle monitoring and is the ideal solution if you want long-lasting autonomy and do not want to modify the vehicle's electrical system.
- Tracker for vehicles and people: this is the versatile all-purpose device, very flexible for every type of use but not exceptional at anything. It is usually very small and primarily used for people and motorcycles, but its biggest limitation is battery life. You have to make compromises. If you want continuous tracking, it consumes a lot of battery and lasts only a few days. It makes much more sense for monitoring people such as children and elderly individuals, or travel luggage, because it easily fits in backpacks, bags, and travel equipment.
Conclusion:
Until a few years ago, satellite tracking systems were complex and expensive tools reserved only for large transport companies. Today, as we have seen, the technology has become accessible and, above all, incredibly easy for anyone to use. So, if you too want to protect your most valuable belongings while always knowing where they are, you now have the right tools to choose the GPS Tracker that best meets your needs.
Our solution:
All our devices are configured and equipped with a global SIM card already installed, with 5 years of tracking included, allowing you to view the location in real time without a monthly subscription: