Features to Look While Buying the Best Tracking Device:
Nowadays the word “tracking” is very familiar to everyone and it’s like a mobile game that you need to play every day as like your regular feeding. If you’ve ever used a smartphone with tracking navigation, then sure you’ve seen the technology in action.
Understanding the different features is essential for finding the best tracking device for your requirements. Please don’t go for shortcuts and if the wrong type of system is chosen subsequently all your effort going in vain. But, you don’t have much time, “Right!!!!!!!” No Worries; we’ll get to those in a short time which we made after spending a lot of hour’s research with about a hundred items and it’s pretty simple once you get it down. Let’s have a look:
What is Tracking?
Let’s think about an e-commerce website, where they used some special script to identify their customer activities like where they stay and which products they are looking for. Based on that record they offer some promotional activities to their customer and ultimately it increases their sale. The technical term of that special script is called tracker or tracking. Generally, the same concept has been applied for tracking any individuals or objects (e.g. car, animal, equipment, asset, etc.) with the help of some specified technology called GPS.
What is GPS?
The GPS (Global Positioning System) is a navigation and positioning tool that helps us to locate any specific object or individuals with the help of 30 plus satellites placed in a different portion of the world. There are three main components that interconnect with one another in GPS i.e. GPS satellites, GPS receivers, and Sophisticated Computer Software needed to transform the indications and figure the geographical location of the user.
Initially, GPS was developed by the Department of Defense in 1973 which was originally designed to support soldiers & military vehicles, aircraft, and vessels in precisely determining their locations worldwide. Today, GPS is everywhere and therefore the practices of GPS have expanded to incorporate both commercial and scientific use. you may get some details about it on our blog ( History of GPS ).
What is GPS Tracker?
A GPS tracker, referred to as a worldwide positioning system tracker uses indications from satellites that are actively working together and gain the specified information about the position of a specified object and its location. Basically, GPS Tracking tracks three separate data sets: positioning, navigation, and timing.
Why do you need the Best Tracking Device?
The purpose of looking at a tracking system may vary depending on an individual’s needs or circumstances. It may be used to accumulate efficiency and safety for avoiding some unfortunate situations. A clear idea of one’s need can save time and money in the long run where it will reduce your stress for making any decisions. Research has shown that the below points are the possible reasons for using any tracking device.
1. Managing a fleet of vehicles.
2. Looking for a trace of your child’s activities.
3. Trying to keep records of your new pet.
4. Monitoring activities for elderly persons.
5. Keep active tracking while you go for adventurous tracking.
6. Need to trace your urgent shipment.
7. Need to monitor some suspicious movements.
Types of Tracking Devices :
Based on their tracking technology we can classify them into three types and that are active trackers, passive trackers, and on-demand trackers. In this section, we will discuss all of them in brief.
1. Active/Real-time/Online Trackers
The active tracking system will continue transferring data through satellite broadcasting. That means you will get real-time information at the click of a button by a website app. You can see where the device is at the exact instant, and you can backtrack through its journey to see where it has been.
Active trackers can also be set to sound an alert when a vehicle moves away from an allocated route, stays at a location longer than predicted, or is fast-moving or driven in an unsafe manner. Active trackers are primarily used for fleet management purposes but are also excellent for security purposes. The main drawback is that most Active GPS trackers have some monthly subscriptions attached which they need to pay for access to the satellite systems.
2. Passive/Offline Trackers
On the other hand, a passive tracker will not transmit data continuously. It will remain connected to the GPS satellite network above the earth and also it will store all the movements internally. That means you have to physically unplug the device from your vehicle and hook it up to your laptop or tablet. Then you can download the information for a complete history of the movements of the vehicles by some dedicated application program provided by the manufacturer.
The main drawback is that you cannot get real-time information and you can’t locate a missing device. The good point is that it’s always available and you can collect these devices at usually low cost. And in most cases, no monthly subscription charge will be there.
3. On-Demand Trackers
On-demand trackers are installed on a vehicle but remain inactive or sleeping mode until and unless it will be activated by the user remotely. User needs to login to their website with their individual credentials to activate the tracker. You can identify the vehicles shown on a map along with speed and heading if the vehicle is in motion.
Once tracking is activated, the vehicle may be tracked for up to 24 hours. On-demand trackers cost is a little bit less than other tracking devices but there is an additional cost every time that the tracker is activated. That cost you can be paid on a pay-as-you-go basis or annual service plans.
Which will be the Best Connection for your Tracking Device?
First of all, your best tracking device needs to be able to connect to the global positioning system with some specialized connection. The most fairly common technology is 3G, and it should be more than enough for your requirements. The next one is called 4G, which improves on its predecessor in speed and quantity of data transmission. Some trackers can also use LBS which works with local cell towers and Wi-Fi to ensure coverage, and cut down on expenses.
But even with these, you’ll need to obtain a SIM card from a service provider for the unit to function. Many providers add a subscription-based service fee on top of this which is like hidden subscription costs. So, your actual connection may be different based on your requirements.
Think about Installation and Portability
Another big attention is how challenging or expensive the implementation of your Tracking solution will be. Some choices offer a plug-and-play setup, while others will need advanced installation. Most of the renowned companies suggest some preferred installation agents, do the installation themselves, or certified some mechanics employed by the customer’s company to do the installation work where a number of sensors to be integrated inside your vehicles. That’s why it is advisable to select the best tracking device that offers ease of both installation and maintenance.
In addition to the hardware inside your vehicles, you’ll need to appraise the software you’ll use to run it. Are you considering something that will only track reports while you’re at the home office? Or do you need to be able to access real-time data via a mobile your mobile phone or tablet? If you want to be able to do both, be sure to look for a solution that offers app-based data you can access through a phone or tablet. A lot of products available in the marketplace. Think and select perfectly that suits your requirement and also offers ease of operations.
Ease of use
Most of the GPS tracking software can discover vehicles, set up routes, and give directions to assigned destinations. It also delivers information on vehicle diagnostics, maintenance tracking, and safe driving behaviors. So, the next factor to consider is how tricky the software will be to use. There are some very complex software applications out there, so choose one with a simple, intuitive dashboard. Many vendors provide in-person or virtual demos, so try one before making a promise. Others may require you to attend offsite training seminars or some online webinars in order to learn the ins and outs of your new solution.
Powerful App
Think before selecting any Tracking Device which should be compatible with an app on your smartphone. Alternatively, you should be able to access a dashboard on your PC to interconnect with the unit. The best devices out there offer support for both ways of interacting with the tracker. This flexible solution can be seamlessly incorporated to fit your everyday management style. You can check our next research on how to choose the best tracking app in another section for a detailed view.
Tracking Performance | Data Refresh Rate
Receiving the correct location of the vehicle from the tracking device is an idle method to identify its performance. The location accuracy of a device depends on a number of factors such as the GPS satellites, signal strength, atmospheric condition, satellite geometry, and receiver quality, and features related to the data refresh rate.
The positioning of the device also plays an important factor while accessing the accurate location of the vehicle. Hence, the devices equipped with advanced gadgets with updatable software support perform well enough and provide accurate location data in real-time.
Device Size | Compact and Lightweight Design & Storage Capacity
Hidden GPS trackers can be fixed almost anywhere on a vehicle, especially on the outside. If you think to keep it somewhere where it’s exposed to the elements, the right case is a must. Typically, weatherproofing is a good investment to guard interior electronics. A built-in mount, like a magnetic one, is also supportive of easy installation. Some trackers have a quality case built into the device, while others offer a case separately.
Depending on why you are obtaining the GPS Location Tracker, you will most probably want it to be small and compact. For instance, a Car GPS Tracker can be bigger than a GPS Finder for pets, for obvious reasons. Besides, GPS trackers that are attached to your personal belongings and equipment must be small enough that they are not visible, particularly if they are stolen.
Comfortability
Always try to look for the best tracking device that provides the most comfort to you and escapes you from any distress. If you had the bad habit of sweating on your wrist, then get a tracker strap with breathable material.
Getting a comfortable tracker is also important to help you track your sleep habits. Trackers also note how much you’ve moved around during your sleep. This helps you know whether you must change your sleeping position for a better night’s relaxation.
Hardware Quality
Hardware quality is an essential issue when it comes to the best tracking devices. There are a vast number of low-quality tracking elements in the market. You should be very careful before buying a GPS tracker and prefer high-quality, water-resistant, heat-resistant, and impact-resistant devices. Depending on the vehicle type, your tracker needs to have the ability to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions. Don’t compromise price when it matters about hardware quality and longevity.
Coverage Range / Place
The more often GPS position location is required normally the more the cost will be. Some devices permit you to “ping on demand.” This feature may seem like saving at first but usually comes at an extra cost.
For many fathers and mothers, it is very important to know when their child enters or exits a specific area such as school grounds, someone’s house, rooftop ground, or garden or a specific address, etc. So it is important to find a device that will notify you every time they enter or exit a specific location and that is often called a geofence). Look for features regarding geofence notifications, like how will you be notified when a geofence is entered/exited by text, email or call). To fulfill your above condition, you need to find a tracking device which coverage range is good and can deliver the signals frequently without any interruption.
Affordable Price & Subscription
Price is the first thing you should think about because only you know what your budget is for a tracker today. Yes, of course, you want the lowest price possible and a fantastic deal (I will tell you all about those in my blog) but sometimes the cheapest option may not be the best option for you and your device. Most trackers will also entail a monthly subscription fee or contract. This charge usually includes GPS tracking and special features unique to each tracker and plan.
Look for those best tracking device company that gives you the selection to withdraw your subscription at any time. Avoid companies that try to lock you into yearly contracts that you may be left paying after you no longer have/need the device. Monthly subscription charges normally range anywhere from $5 to $15 per month. The more expensive monthly service charges typically offer other features in addition to GPS tracking such as audio observing capabilities.
The last thing you want is for you to be locked into an agreement even if something goes wrong with your device.
Free and Urgent Customer Service
When purchasing any best tracking device you have to think about its customer service performance and it is important to find a vendor that will support your efforts to optimize fleet performance. Sure that not all GPS tracking providers offer the same customer services. How will the provider support you and your employees in learning the nuances of the new system? Are their training services live and on-demand so your team can learn at their convenience? What kind of customer support do they offer to ensure any issues are resolved as quickly as possible?
Look for a vendor that can offer 24/7 bilingual customer support seven days a week. A quality software provider has role-based support and training services so that they are also able to deliver immediate answers and better service to the clients.
Urgent Alert Notification
The way in which you get alert when it comes to your device leaving the safe zone is also important. If you’re looking for a GPS tracker for use with a loved one, such as elderly parents or a young child or pet, then it’s worth considering something with additional features more in line with a personal alarm. The 4G Ultra Slim GPS Tracker is a good example: it not only has geofencing and 4G tracking but it’s also equipped with an easy-access SOS button in case of any emergencies.
Battery life
We can say any electronic device is good if their life of batteries is long-lasting and giving a long backup. When a tracking device runs out of sufficient power backup, the tracking stops. So, try to choose the best tracking device by considering their type of battery capacity.
Most modern GPS trackers come with a built-in battery which lasts usually around 15-20 hours in GPS mode. However, there are some models that offer you the option to use AA batteries to power them. Furthermore, some models can have a certain amount of their features work without a GPS signal furthering the battery life.
Since the trackers with rechargeable internal batteries don’t last too long, it will be a good idea to consider carrying an external battery pack. Or you can go with other models in which battery backup is long-lasting and no need to charge the battery frequently.
Durability
If your GPS tracker is going to spend its life exposed to the elements, you’ll want something that can stand up to rough conditions, such as Kid trackers, Small children are not always as mindful or gentle with electronics so you want to keep durability in mind when choosing the best tracking device for your child. The device could potentially be dropped, left outside, and/or exposed to weather and moisture in the care of a small child. For these reasons, you will want the best tracking device that can take a few licks and keep on tracking.
Theft Prevention
Theft prevention is another great feature built-in GPS system. Most of the companies also prefer to implement GPS systems into their vehicles due to this facility. As the Real-time tracking system continuously updates the position of the vehicle, it is easy to find out the misplaced vehicle. In comparison to Passive systems, Real-time systems are faster due to their live data updates facilities. Installing the best tracking devices on vehicles will allow you to trace and locate them in case your car is stolen by someone. There are already several reports of recovered stolen assets, thanks to GPS technology. But, hiding the asset tracker is important. Some mount to the frame of the vehicle, others on top out of sight.
Waterproof
The next thing that you will have to focus on is to find the best tracking device that is water-resistant. It is one of the most important things that you should keep in attention when you are buying any GPS tracker.
Kids are always getting their hands dirty, which means the device needs to clean up regularly. You will face some difficulties at that time because few GPS devices are totally waterproof; an excellent tracking device should be able to handle incidental water and splashing.
Also if you are planning to install your GPS tracker outside of your car then water resistance is an essential feature to consider. If placed outdoors, the tracker is constantly exposed to water, moisture, and dust. So if you choose a GPS tracker that is not water-proof won’t last long.
Warranty | Guarantee
A well-known reliable company may more likely offer better brands to keep its reputation and clientele. So try to go with some best tracking device companies that are committed to giving their after-sales service i.e. warranty and guarantee. Warranty details are a nice indicator of how much the manufacturer trusts the product. The Brand name and manufacturer may also be a pointer of a system’s quality and durability while buying any best tracking device. There should be the availability of warranties, ease of exchange, and accessibility to assistance in the event of manufacturer’s faults or any other issue that may arise
Security
When you are using any tracking device please make sure you have to know all about its security concern. This means you need to go through the level of security the trackers provide. Say, for example, the tracking device gathers a huge amount of your personal data which you are not ready to share with others. Therefore you need to think about the encryption technology which most of the best tracking device vendor offers in their service. Your main intention should be to safeguard your data or information that does not fall into the incorrect hands.
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