The main functions and selection advice
GPS monitoring devices used in business allow to optimize route maps, reduce fuel costs, exclude the use of corporate vehicles for personal purposes and boost a fleet’s overall performance. In a private transport tracking devices are installed for car searching in case of theft. In this article we will look at some points to pay attention to when choosing a GPS-tracker.
Basic device settings
Location accuracy
The accuracy of locating depends on the technology of extracting coordinates. The most accurate are two-system GPS trackers GLONASS / GPS. Such devices first focus on the car specific location and then send a signal to the satellite system which, in its turn, provides a bigger chain of satellites. So you get the accurate vehicle coordinates even if it is located on a narrow city street or is in the forest zone.
Apart from this, a LBS-navigation for collecting signals from cellular communication stations can be applied. It helps to track the car approximate location in such cases when there is no satellite signal. The function can be highly useful for locating cars which are left in an underground parking or outside the satellite network zone.
GPS tracking devices have GLONASS / GPS antennas and LBS-navigation installed. Besides, a number of devices, for instance, “Concox GT02” supports A-GPS technology (Assisted GPS) that accelerates the time taken for a cold start and thus, works as an alternative communication channel. As a result, the coordinates are determined much quicker after the launch. A-GPS also significantly increases sensitivity to weak signals which is especially important when moving in “dead zones”.
Data transfer
GSM and / or GPRS module is installed into GPS-devices. With the help of a GSM sim card a tracker transmits information to the owner’s portable device. This way, with the GPRS protocol support it is possible to track the car from one’s phone or tablet.
The devices are additionally equipped with flash memory which stores the route information when there is a poor GSM signal. As soon as the connection is restored, the data from the USB flash drive is sent to the data center, where you can always get the route map for the desired time period.
Queclink GV55 Lite is a compact size vehicle GPS traker with a built-in G-sensor for motion detection. The internal antennas of Queclink GV55 Lite also makes it easy to install. It works with multiple GNSS: GPS, GLONASS and others. Assisted GPS is also attached.
Installation method
Devices can be divided into three types according to the method of installation. There are portable ones fixed by magnets or placed in a car interior or cargo; GPS tracking devices installed into the diagnostic port connector; GPS-trackers with wired connection to the in-vehicle network.
Thus, we can distinguish the following groups as to the installation method:
On-board network connection
Trackers of this kind are installed behind decorative panels at any suitable point. The installation work can be carried out at the service center or independently by following the manual instructions. They are universal and suitable for any car type. Besides, they are generally equipped with many other additional functions. For such functionality you can consider the models “Teltonika FMB920“
GPS-tracking devices are equipped with a wireline system for the purpose of the in-vehicle network connection; most of the modules have a backup battery for offline operations.
GPS-tracking devices are equipped with a wireline system for the purpose of the in-vehicle network connection; most of the modules have a backup battery for offline operations.
Installation into the diagnostic port connector
Such models are installed directly into the OBD2 diagnostic connector. It takes one minute and does not require any additional tools or special skills. Thus, trackers can read the fuel level and other vehicle data just from the on-board information system.
Such GPS-trackers are suitable for cars with a diagnostic connector. For example, cars (yom from 1996), small commercial vehicles (yom from 2004), trucks and tractors produced in the late 2000s.
Portable trackers
- GPS trackers with magnetic mount– GPS trackers of this type are placed outside a car or a freight container: on its bottom or put together with the cargo. Two neodymium magnets hold the tracker and secure its fixed position during driving. As the magnets power is strong it will require a considerable effort to remove it. For example, “Meitrack T355” model are equipped with magnetic mounts of this kind. There is also a touch button that signals in case of the tracker detachment.
- Small-sized beacons – the tracking device “X-Keeper Invis Duos” can be hidden in the car interior and used to locate a stolen car
How to choose the best GPS-tracker for your tasks
GPS-trackers differ according to: the way of installation, the size, additional functions. Such differences are worth considering in order to choose the device that best suits your needs.
Personal car
GPS trackers are used in personal cars to quickly track a car in case of theft. Accordingly, the requirements for the trackers are as follows:
- Compact size so that you can hide it in the interior;
- The absence of external antennas and a self-contained power for intruders not to become aware of the device presence;
- Extra-long working time on a single charge and a high accuracy in determining the vehicle coordinates.
If you hide the tracking device inside a car it is almost impossible to detect it even using a radio scanner. It operates on regular batteries with which the device works in the interval mode for two years.
In case of emergency, the tracker is remotely switched to the continuous data transfer mode. If a car is locked in a garage its approximate location will be shown with the help of LBS technology.
Only want to involve a route tracking function and don’t need to hide the device? Then, any non-portable models will suit you. Such models have a great variety of functions; this allows to easily choose a tracker according to individual purposes.
Fleet optimization
To boost the fleet profitability it is crucial to have a constant control over fuel consumption, exclude cases of fuel draining by employees; track vehicle routes as well as know a transport operating time and mileage.
For such purposes, GPS trackers connected via a diagnostic connector or a wired system are suitable. Though, there is a nuance to be taken into account:
Tracking devices powered through the diagnostic connector or a wired system read data from the car on-board system and are easily installed and repaired. Other devices connected to the in-vehicle network are also able to accurately determine the coordinates and make route maps, but still require sensors to read a number of parameters.
Here are the main functions trackers are equipped with:
- Fuel control – such devices can read information about the tank filling and fuel drains and report about its consumption;
- Mileage and engine hours – it helps to determine the mileage for the specified period; shows how many kilometers the car drove for one trip; keep information about the vehicle working time (“engine hours”).
Tracker “Galileosky v7.0” has the most complete functionality. It is connected to sensors for the purpose of: reading CAN bus related data; obtaining information from the diagnostic system (fuel level, operating time, engine condition, axle loads, etc.); determining the interior or refrigerator temperature as well as reporting on special mechanisms operating time and condition; setting a remote lock and engine start. Other GPS-trackers also have additional functions.
For working offline we recommend to take a look at devices connected to the vehicle’s network with a backup battery which is quite small but still enough for a work in a back-up mode for five hours like “Wonde Proud M7” tracker. This allows to obtain information about the car coordinates even with the ignition off or when the battery is removed.
Cargo transportation
If you need to get a control over the trucks routes for a few days we advise long-run GPS trackers with magnetic mounts and a powerful battery:
- “Wonde Proud M7” with magnetic mounts – works on a single charge from 45 hours to two years depending on the mode, 5400 mAh battery.
- “Meitrack T355” with magnetic mounts – works on a single charge from 120 hours to two years, battery capacity – 7400 mAh.
“X-Keeper Invis Duos” GPS- tracking device can run on conventional batteries power for up to two years. Such model is suitable for valuable cargo tracking as it is easily fitted into a container of any size and signal in case of an accident or cargo fall.
To improve battery life and save energy portable trackers are equipped with an energy-saving system and can operate in two modes:
- Continuous – when it is always turned on and transmits information at short intervals. In this case, the device operates for 45 hours or longer on a single charge; it signals only when driving, while parking it goes to sleep mode.
- Interval – the device gives signals at certain user-set time intervals: each 15 minutes or 1 time per day. The operating time on a single charge depends on the data transmission frequency and ranges from 1 week to 2 years.
Track driver performance
There are other functions used to control the fleet’s driving. Such functions allow to contact the driver and track his behavior on the road.
For example, the GPS tracker “Queclink GV300W” can be equipped with the following functions:
- Driver identification –a person has to attach a special electronic iButton key to the tracker to start driving. Without it the engine just will not start. So, two tasks solved: protection against theft and shifts record keeping.
- Driver voice communication can be used when the speaker and microphone are connected.
GPS-trackers installed into a diagnostic port connector allow to evaluate a variety of engine performance parameters, including the driving performance. The functionality range of “Queclink GV500N” includes a driving assessment according to the 0 to 100% rating scale.The device shows a level of driving aggressiveness and indicates any traffic rules violation. In case of an accident, it sends a special signal. The system also transmits data on engine operating errors and its operating conditions, for example, how well the vehicle is warmed up before driving.
