GPS Car Tracker Facts, and Fiction

Global Positioning Devices (GPS) are always Classified into two groups. (1) Data Loggers (2) Real time Transmitters

Data Loggers only signal between the device, and the Satellites above storing the results within its own memory. The results are Longitude, and Latitude Information that's Imported into a computer via (USB) at a later time, or Date after the device has been recovered from the target vehicle.

Most GPS devices can travel for 30 - 40 Driving Hours on the same batteries. The software in the computer allows the user to view the travels that the device tracked. The Time, Date, Position, Time spent at a location, and speed.

The GPS car Tracker will retain the stored information for a period of time even if the trackers batteries have gone dead, but always try to make sure that does not happen or there could be a chance the information could be corrupted or lost.

Applications: Family driving habits, Employee monitoring, Equipment rental, etc.

Real Time Tracking Devices transfer the gathered Longitude / Latitude Data across the GSM, or CDMA Networks. The GSM, and CDMA Network is the same Network your Cell Phone works across, but your GPS Tracker only uses the Data side of the system not the voice. The transferred Data is usually sent to a Web Server that the host operates for a fee.

All Real Time Trackers have some sort of Plan / Service / Agreement, or Rates for the operation of the device, and Transfer of Data to you the user. Plans Defer depending on the Company that runs the service for each different device, so make sure you understand the Agreement for operation depending on the Unit you choose.

Real Time is the way the service is described, but there is always a window of time between the device the transfer of the Information, and the User receiving the Data. This Window of time will depend on the device , and service packages , settings and Limitations of each different unit, so ask for the Transfer speed if that's important to you.

Fifteen Seconds is about the fastest transfer you can hope for in a Real Time unit these days, but remember if you choose a rate that reports every 15 seconds your power source will not last long.

A One minute transfer is the normal, or average transfer rate offered by most devices.

The batteries' life for a Real Time Tracker is between three to four days up to two, or three weeks depending on the amount of movement the vehicle travels, and the rates the device has been programmed to report on. These programmed report times are called pings.

FACT :

1. Real Time Devices have fees relating to the service package chosen.
2. There is always a delay of some type, or period of time for the user to receive updated information from the devices last report.
3. The faster the transfer rate is the faster the power source is used up.
4. Tracking Devices need to be placed in areas under a vehicles Front or Back bumper or behind the front grill for the best results.

Applications: Obtain current location including map and full street address, time, date, speed.