| August 2022 |
All kinds of devices are sold as GPS trackers, from dog collars and tracker bracelets for people with dementia, to black boxes plugged into trucks. If a keychain pendant the size of a 2 cent really uses GPS, why are other devices the size of a bread box? Why do some need to be plugged into cars, while others can run on batteries for months?
GPS uses a network of satellites orbiting the earth to determine position. Basically, each of these satellites transmits a signal. Special receivers use the signals they receive to triangulate their position relative to the satellites. If a device finds its position through the satellite network, it is a GPS device. If it uses another way, such as triangulating its position relative to broadcast towers, it is not a GPS device.
However, many people use GPS as a general term for anything that indicates position, and this leads to some confusion. Some people are also confused because GPS can be used for many different things. It is often used to calculate directions (this is called GPS navigation). GPS tracking is when the device shares its location with external receivers. (Read more about the difference between GPS navigation and tracking here.) GPS is even used by computer networks to establish a common clock between many different devices. No matter how the information is used, if a device gets its data from the satellite network, it is a GPS device; if not, it is not GPS.
Many GPS trackers are quite ultra-small. One category of GPS trackers are what are known as wearables. These are devices that are meant to be worn. Some trackers are as small as a wristwatch. These can be used by hikers, seniors and hunters to share their location in case of an emergency. Some of these trackers even have a button that can broadcast a request for help along with their position, usually over cellular networks.
Other GPS devices are slightly larger - smartphone size - so they are not portable. However, they include a screen so they can act as both a GPS navigation device and a tracker. Many wearables call themselves GPS units, but they are not. Pendants to find your keys, for example, usually use a Bluetooth connection.
It is important to know exactly how a tracking device gets its location information. For example, some pet collars may use GPS and others a Bluetooth connection. If it uses Bluetooth, you must be within 250 feet, often less, to receive the tracking information. Other devices use transmitters to determine their positioning. While this can be an accurate system, it is not GPS!
However, there are many advantages to non-GPS systems. For example, they can make a wearable lightweight. They also have better technology for tracking small items. GPS trackers report position relative to satellites at an accurate address level. That's fine for a car, but you probably want to know exactly where your keys are in the house, not that they're somewhere in the house!
Most GPS trackers are designed for cars and larger items like boats or trailers. They can still be quite small. Many draw power from the car, so they don't need big batteries to work (although a backup battery is a good idea). There are basically three types available: plug-in, wired, and battery-powered. Typically, these tracking devices take the information they collect and use a mobile connection to share it. Remote users can then access the GPS tracking data through a cell phone app or through a secure online management application.
There are GPS trackers that literally connect to a port on a car. Since the mid-1990s, all cars must have a connection called the OBD II port. This is where mechanics plug in their computers to get information from the car's sensors. This port can also provide power and data to a GPS tracker. Plug-in trackers are small, very easy to install and can tell if a car is on or off. This allows them to choose between active and sleep modes (which report data less frequently to avoid draining the car battery). It also allows them to send an alert when a vehicle is turned on or off. Plug-in models are a good choice for both personal and business users.
Fixed-wired GPS devices are connected directly to a vehicle. This can be done because a car does not have an OBD II port. For example, older cars do not have an OBD port and diesel trucks use a different OBD standard that may not be compatible. Hard-wired GPS trackers can also be hidden. Because they are not attached to the OBD port, they can be placed anywhere under the dashboard. However, if installed correctly, they still have all the benefits of the plug-in style. In some cases, a wired unit can offer users more flexibility than a plug-in model. Wired GPS trackers are usually used by business owners to track work trucks, but not always. A family looking to track their diesel truck or hybrid car may also find that a wired unit is their best option.
Battery operated GPS trackers are independent of a vehicle's power system. They will have their own long-life battery as their power source. Like any other tracking device, they broadcast their location to external receivers. To conserve battery life, they may not report very often. Typically, vehicle-mounted wired devices report once a minute when the vehicle is moving, and once an hour when it is not. Battery-powered GPS trackers often report once every 15 minutes after detecting motion and once every four hours when at rest.
These battery trackers are often used on trailers, cargo bins, dumpsters or even construction equipment that are often placed or parked unattended somewhere. The batteries are often very powerful and can operate for months (or longer) without recharging. They are larger than plug-in units and are often designed to be bolted in place.
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