GPS tracker-what is it and how does it work?

An alarm is a necessary measure to protect a car from theft, but alarm alone is not enough: criminals have learned to turn it off faster than the owner can respond to an alarm. Therefore, more and more often, along with the alarm system, drivers are installing a GPS tracker-a device that tracks the location of the car, its route and speed.

Even knowing that a tracker is installed in the car, the hijackers will not be able to quickly find and remove it, which means that in order to find a stolen car, the rightful owner will only have to look at the screen of a computer or smartphone. A special program will show where the satellites have "tracked" the beacon. The GPS beacon can be installed on any type of transport, but in order for it to work as described, it must be correctly selected, installed and connected.

How the GPS tracker works

Any tracker model consists of a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is based on the Jeepies global satellite system. It receives a signal from satellites in low-Earth orbit, and thus determines the exact coordinates of the object. The GPS system itself is free and can work without the Internet: you do not need to pay for accessing a couple of dozen American satellites, but cellular communication or GPRS may require payment-such communication formats are used by the transmitter. The function of this module is to transmit the signal received by the receiver to your computer or smartphone.

Also, the design of the tracker includes an antenna and a battery. The antenna can be internal or external, that is, hidden in the device body or located outside. Battery-powered models are called self-contained, but there are also devices that connect to the car's electrical system, or universal models that allow you to choose the type of power. The best option is a stand-alone or universal model. Such a tracker can operate on battery power for years, is easier to install and harder to detect by an unauthorized person.

The simplest GPS informer is used by hikers and conquerors of wild spaces: it is a simple device with a special chip that receives satellite signals. The device decodes the signals into geographic coordinates, but in order to determine the location, the tourist additionally needs a map with a navigation grid. Vehicle GPS trackers for cars are more complex, their readings cannot be decoded using a regular map, so you need special software that will convert the signals into a route map or speed readings.

How to choose a GPS tracker for your car

When choosing an accurate GPS tracker, pay attention to what software it works with and what satellites it addresses. The best option if the device uses not only the American satellite network, but also GLONASS. Of course, it must be compatible with the operating system that your smartphone, tablet or laptop uses. Although most developers of navigation software try to adapt programs for all current operating systems, releasing versions for Windows, Android and iOS, there may be exceptions.

Things to consider when buying a tracker:

Tracking sensitivity. This characteristic determines whether the vehicle can be tracked in the presence of interference. To achieve good sensitivity, choose models based on A-GPS (do not confuse with AGPS cellular communication system!). They remain highly accurate even with strong interference.

Memory card. There are GPS trackers on sale with and without built-in memory cards. The memory allows you to save information about the route and location of the car for a long time. But this does not mean that its maximum volume is needed. Consider your own conditions and tasks: a large amount of memory is used, as a rule, by corporations that track the movement of their goods and couriers.

Temperature mode. Most tracker models are designed for temperatures up to minus ten. Pay attention to this parameter if the operating conditions are harsh and the temperature may drop below the specified mark.

Functions and purpose of the GPS tracker

The basic functionality of an auto tracker is to determine the exact coordinates, time and speed of movement. This is enough for tracking traffic or protecting against theft, but the basic set of functions can be expanded by coordinating the work of the tracker with security systems.

Additional features of the GPS tracker:

Fuel consumption control.
Fixation of temperature data in the passenger compartment and body.
Locks actuation indication.
Warning about object leaving the allowed zone, etc.

Each additional feature is reflected in the cost of the hardware, so the greatest demand for advanced functionality is from commercial enterprises. Private car owners use GPS trackers with standard functionality, especially since they play the role of an alarm beacon even without being connected to the on-board power supply, which is necessary to expand the capabilities of the device.

Where are GPS trackers installed

The location and type of installation depend on the power supply. Security and monitoring systems require connection to the on-board network, so they are mounted under the dashboard. But self-contained devices with their own battery are more flexible in choosing the place of installation: they can be mounted behind a radio tape recorder, next to the glove compartment, or anywhere else.

There are no special requirements for the location of stand-alone models: they have a case protected from dust and moisture, and the only thing to remember is the maintenance and repair of the GPS tracker. It is advisable to mount the "beacon" in a place where it can be repaired without dismantling. You may need to change settings or recharge the battery, and this will be easier if the GPS tracker is located in an accessible location. On the other hand, you need to strike a reasonable balance and avoid pinning your hardware in plain sight so that the hijackers won't spot it.

How to mount a GPS tracker

In order to connect the equipment to the on-board system, it is better to invite specialists, but autonomous models are easy to install, you can cope with this without the help of professionals. Most often, hardware or adhesive tape is chosen for installation. If the surface is plastic, choose a tape that will not damage the material. You can also install a "beacon" on screws or self-tapping screws-the case usually has holes for them. Depending on the chosen installation location, wiring may help to secure the GPS tracker, but then you need to additionally secure the wiring itself.

Wired models are not so easy to install: you need to connect at least four wires to the on-board computer, among which there will be an alarm output wire. This alarm cable is connected according to the principle: the red coil to the positive terminal, and the black wire to the negative terminal. If the GPS tracker is part of a general security system, the alarm cable can be omitted.

To use the system, it is not enough to install it-you need activation. How to activate the GPS tracker is written in the instructions for it. The most common way: an SMS is sent to the device with the text specified in the instructions. After that, the installation can be considered complete.

How not to buy a fake

On the market you can find a GPS tracker made in Ukraine, Russia, China, USA, European Union. Models from Western European manufacturers are considered the best, but buying the first device that comes across, on which it is written that it is made in the EU, is not worth it. You can really be sure of the high quality of European electronics. Provided that you find it: the market is flooded with counterfeits, and at first glance it is difficult to distinguish an original product from an imitation. Even if you open the case, the fraud will not be obvious: Asian businessmen have learned to imitate even the filling.

A fake GPS tracker gives out only its operation: already in the first days of operation, you can notice inaccuracies in the readings and errors. The only way to insure yourself against counterfeiting is to contact reliable, verified, certified sellers.

How much does a GPS tracker cost?

The cost depends on the brand, technical properties and functionality. The wider the functionality, the more expensive the equipment. A good import system costs from UAH 2 thousand and more. But if you are looking for an autonomous device that does not need to be connected to an on-board computer, be guided by the price in the region of 4000. Autonomous models usually do not have very wide functionality, but they effectively cope with their main task: determining the location of the car. So, from the point of view of machine safety, the investment is fully justified.

On sale you can also find budget models costing up to 2 thousand. If you want to save money, read the description and reviews carefully. Budget models may have shortcomings in their work-for example, small errors in determining the coordinates, but at the same time they catch the signal well regardless of external conditions, and they are not afraid of interference. For many car owners, this is a much greater advantage than being able to determine the position of an object to the nearest centimeter.

And the last thing: the GPS tracker partly duplicates the functions of the on-board computer. It determines the location, allows you to plot routes and navigate the terrain. But the on-board computer does not cope with the main task of this equipment: ensuring safety. "Beacon" allows you to track the car if it was stolen, and in addition, it can act as an alarm, giving the owner an alarm signal that the car has left the parking lot. And for business owners, it even gives the opportunity to remotely control the parameters of a vehicle, and it's not just about trucks: the equipment successfully works on river and sea vessels, aircraft and motorcycles.

You can buy a GPS tracker in Kiev, Kharkov or Odessa in the online store 130.com.ua at a bargain price with delivery to any city in Ukraine.

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Looking for a quality and the best GPS Trackers? This rating of GPS Trackers is made on the basis of such parameters as: high demand with positive feedback from our customers, high-quality manufacturing — absence of factory defects and service calls, and official warranty and post warranty support in Ukraine.