GPS Tracking Device Reviews

Driver using a portable gps unit that is mounted to the windshield.  The blank screen includes clipping path.

GPS (Global Positioning System) tracking devices are an incredibly accurate and precise method of keeping tabs on people or property, whether out of concern for an employee's whereabouts or the safety of loved ones, or to guard against property theft. Using a network of satellites, a GPS can pinpoint an object or person's location to within a few feet. While virtually all GPS devices are accurate, their features can vary greatly.

What type of GPS tracking device should you buy?

The first decision you need to consider when shopping for a GPS device is whether to buy a battery powered or a wireless unit. Battery-powered models are the ideal choice if you require a portable device that is easily transported from one vehicle to another, covertly installed underneath a vehicle, or used to track an employee or loved one. The other option is a wired tracker, installable in under 30 minutes, and perfect for monitoring distant people like a son or daughter in college, or a business needing to track a large fleet of vehicles.

Monitoring your tracking device

The next consideration is whether or not you need immediate feedback on a person or vehicle's location. Real-time trackers can provide a device's location instantly via an internet connection, and are used to determine if someone has gone outside a predetermined zone, or if a vehicle is speeding. This feature requires a data package from your cell phone provider, usually for a small monthly fee. GPS loggers, on the other hand, only give you historical location information once you retrieve the device, and plug it into a computer for download. These trackers are only useful if you need to know where something or someone has been, not where they are currently.

Base your decision on which model of GPS tracking device to buy on your intended use, and whether the features match that purpose.

When shopping for GPS trackers, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of competing models and features you can find in stores and on the internet. Just keep in mind what information you need the device to provide, look for the features best suited to that need, and find the best tracker for you or your company.

base which model of GPS tracking device to on your intended use
by Trevor McKeegan, Electronics writer

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