GPS Tracker is small transmitters that allow you to track the real-time location of people or items which are essential to you like children, elderly parents, motorbikes, cars, and even overseas cargo packages.
Once the tracker is placed, you can view the location of your valuables using a PC, tablet or even a smartphone.
Before you buy a GPS Tracker, many things should be considered. There are five main factors while considering the quality of a GPS Tracker:
- Real-time tracking
- Design
- Monitoring capabilities
- Availability of tech support
- Pricing
But you may check some online options to enable you to understand the product and its specifications in a better visual way.
Logistimatics Mobile-200 GPS Tracker
Logisitmatics Mobile-200 GPS tracker contains a new and unique feature. By calling the tracker’s phone number, you can audio monitor – attend to what is happening at your car’s location. This feature is convenient if you see your car parked at a questionable location and want to know what is happening before taking action. Audio monitoring is quiet at the tracking location.
- Rechargeable battery
- Ability to call tracker’s number for live audio
- A magnet for vehicle attachment
- Data showed on the mobile app
- 30-day warranty
- $14.95 monthly subscription
- Real-time driving data
- 30-second refresh
- SIM card
- Size: 3.34″ x 2.28″ x 1.14″
- Weight: 7.1 oz
- Battery: 6000 mAh lithium-ion
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10 days active battery life for 30-seconds updates
Amcrest GL 300 GPS Tracker
Amcrest delivers customizable bundles of features and abilities under its GPS Pro service, including real-time tracking, regular updates, GeoFence, and more. The premium services also allow you to manage trip data and alerts. For example, the tracker can collect mileage, battery life of the device, location history, and more for 30 days, easily accessible on its app on your choice of instrument. In addition, alerts can be customized and are available via text, email, and push notifications.
- Updates every 60, 30, 15, and 5 second(as required)
- No contract
- Size: 3” x 1.5” x 1”
- Weight: 3.52 Oz
- Real-time tracking
- Geofence capability
- 2G and 4G compatibility
- 10-14 hours battery life
- Location history up to 30 days
- Cost $39.99
- Battery: Li-Polymer, 2600 mAh
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-12 days active battery life for one minutes updates
- 2 weeks battery life on sleep mode (no activity)
Americaloc GL300 Mini Portable GPS Tracker
Americaloc GL300 is a portable machine that can track almost anything you desire. It has a rechargeable battery that ensures up to 14 days with one-minute updates. The slim and compact design makes it comfortable to fit in seat pockets or anywhere in the vehicle. Besides, you can use it to enjoy discrete tracking. So next time your teen picks up the keys for an adventurous ride, you can observe them easily.
- Accurate location
- Long battery life
- Worldwide coverage
- Size: 7” x 1.51” x 0.92”
- Weight:24 oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Keeps a track record history up to 1 year
- Can be converted to a Wired device if required
- No Contract
- No activation or cancellation fee
- Real-time Alerts
- Geofences
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-14 days active battery life with one-minute updates
MOTOsafety GPS Tracker
MOTOsafety GPS tracker for automobiles works on a cellular network and records data every 60 seconds. The GPS provider asserts buyers can avail of up to a 30% discount on their insurance premium based on the end-of-the-day report on driving habits.
- Sends a daily report card and route replay data
- Geofence, real-time alerts for speeding, idling, off-hour use
- Costs $22.99 per month (no activation or cancellation fees)
- Size: 1″x 1.75″ x 2.1″
- Weight: 2.08 Oz
- Plugs into car’s OBD2 port
- Reports data every 60 secondsBattery: NA
- Battery Type: Internal
- OBDII trackers work as long as connected to the cars OBDII port.
Optimus 2.0 GPS Tracker bundle
Optimus 2.0 tracker for GPS of cars also performs excellent for tracking assets and dependent family members like teenagers, small children, the elderly, and pets. Its app can be downloaded on any Android or Apple device. You can effortlessly access the app and look into data like parking history, distance traveled, and more.
- Create alerts, geofences, and driving reports
- Notifications via email or SMS for tracker movement, and more
- A full charge lasts 1 to 2 weeks
- Customizable report frequency
- Costs $19.95 per month
- GPS tracker with magnetic case
- 4G LTE connectivity
- Water and weatherproof case
- Size: 3″ x 1.5″ x 1″
- Weight: 3.3 Oz
- Battery: Lithium Polymer batteries
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2 weeks active battery life with 1-minute updates
Mastrack MA-OBD Classic Plug-in Car Tracker
Mastrack is the most excellent GPS service provider in the fleet and asset enterprise, and their MA-OBD Classic Plugin governs the GPS tracking market. The GPS tracker can be effortlessly installed in the OBDII port of any vehicle with flawless 4g LTE coverage. This asset tracker is twice as one of the best GPS trackers for cars in the present market due to its compact design. In addition, it can be discreetly concealed in your vehicle, with installation taking only a minute.
- Waterproof, Weatherproof, and sturdy design
- Compatible with all devices
- GeoFence set-up and alerts
- Real-time location tracking
- Aggressive theft and accident tracking mode
- Affordable costing @ $85
- Market-leading manufacturer
- Easy installation
- Reliable 4G and wireless connectivity
- Customizable preferences for alerts and notifications
- One-year warranty of the device.
- No contract, no hidden charges, cancel anytime
- Size: 1.2″ x 2.7″ x 4.1″
- Weight: NA
- Battery type: Internal
- OBDII trackers work as long as connected to the cars OBDII port.
Bouncie GPS Tracker
Bouncie caters to the GPS tracking requirements of individuals as well as fleets. Their GPS trackers for cars are valid within a few feet of the actual location and update every 15 seconds. The GPS service provider also delivers accident notifications and roadside assistance. In addition, the companion app, once set up with the tracker, helps in unlocking credentials to real-time driving insights providing speed, acceleration, hard braking, and idle time data.
- Data showed on a mobile app
- Lifetime warranty as long as you have an uninterrupted subscription
- Size: 1.75″ x 1.87″ x 1″
- Weight: 1.28 Oz
- $8 monthly subscription
- Real-time driving data
- 15-second refresh
- Connection to OBD-II port
- Battery: NA
- Battery Type: Internal
- OBDII trackers work as long as connected to the cars OBDII port.
Accutracking VTPlug
Accutracking’s VTPlug is one of the GPS trackers that still supports 3G networks and 4G. So as soon as it is plugged into your car’s OBD 2 Port, it can start transmitting relevant information to you through its companion app. The app can be downloaded on any mobile or tablet of your choice, enabling admission to location and other data all-round the clock.
- Engine diagnostic data
- Reports
- 30-day online history
- Lifetime warranty
- Size: 2.5″ x 2″ x 1″
- Easy to install. Plug & play
- Geofence alert
- Speed alert
- Engine idling alert
- Harsh braking/acceleration/turning alert
- Weight: 2.1 Oz
- Battery: NA
- Battery Type: Internal
- OBDII trackers work as long as connected to the cars OBDII port.
Family1st Car GPS Tracker
The GPS tracker’s small size fits the purpose of discreetly installing it in your car, where it is not visible. With an uninterrupted 4G cellular and internal Wi-Fi connectivity, the Family 1st robust GPS tracker for vehicles can be integrated with Alexa, making it easier to access location and other information. In addition, this portable car GPS tracker is compatible with mobile, laptop, tablet, and other devices, allowing you instant and constant connection and access with your car.
- Integrated With Alexa
- Lifetime Warranty
- GeoFence
- Mobile App, Tablet, and PC
- 24/7 Tech Support
- Most Cost-Effective Device
- Lowest Monthly Subscription
- Indoor Tracking Using Wi-Fi
- 4G Cellular Technology
- Instant Alert and Notification
- 2 Weeks Active Battery Life, 6 Months Sleep Mode Battery Life
- Best for teenage and elderly drivers
- Size: 2.8” x 1.8” x 1.1”
- Weight: 3.60 Oz
- Battery: 2400 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2 weeks active battery life with 1 minute update
- 6 months sleep mode battery life at one update per day
PRIMETRACKING Vehicle GPS Tracker
Tight in size, the Primetracking Personal GPS tracker gauges only 3” by 1.5”. However, its consolidated size makes it incredibly comfortable to conceal and is also a substantial contender on our list for the best GPS trackers for cars in 2022. The device is operative in the U.S, Canada, and Mexico and can work on various cellular networks.
- 24/7 customer support
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Size: 1.57″ x 1.05″ x 3.07″
- Weight: 2.24 Oz
- Remote, Real-time GPS Tracking
- 4G LTE Connectivity
- Desktop and Mobile compatible apps
- Small size yet sturdy
- Battery: 1 Lithium Polymer batteries.
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2-week active use battery life with 1-minute updates
Real-time Tracking Features
Real-time tracking is the reason behind a GPS Tracker. Real-time GPS tracking is different from tracking device. Some tracking devices do not provide the ability to manually message the tracker, allowing to know exact location at any given time, and others only provide a location update at pre-defined intervals.
Besides, there are multiple satellite-based tracking systems in orbit, launched by different nations and contributed to the public free of charge, like GPS for the United States, GLONASS for Russia, BEIDOU for China, Galileo for EU. All positioning systems consist of 20 to 30 satellites in orbit, and a tracker that connects to multiple positioning systems to deliver accurate location anywhere on the earth.
- Location Update intervals: Short update intervals uses battery faster than longer ones. Short update intervals result in an exact route for previous trips, while longer update intervals are suitable for checking the location of a tracker, maybe once or twice a day.
- Multiple Satellite Systems: A tracker which can connect to numerous satellite systems delivers improved location accuracy, and time-to-first-fix is very fast.
- International Use: GPS Trackers takes the help of a SIM card for a cellular connection to upload the location data to the platforms. A tracker having a global roaming SIM card can be tracked anywhere on the planet.
Design
It’s essential to choose a tracker that is sleek and simple enough to be understood and used, yet durable in extreme conditions. GPS Tracker will be considered ideal when it has SOS button for emergencies, the battery should last at least five days, and must have a rugged design and water-resistant.
- Panic button: An SOS button provides the user to notify a pre-defined contact in case of emergency instantly.
- Battery life: GPS tracker should have at least five days of battery life when it’s set at 30 seconds for updating intervals.
- Ease of use: A tracker with many buttons should be avoided as they are confusing. A tracker should stay online and send out location details without disruption. A good tracker should have 2-3 buttons and must not need an initial setup.
- Hardware quality: A GPS tracker should have quality buttons, an easy-to-access charging port, and it should be built using durable material.
- Water-resistant: Water-resistant Trackers will be able to withstand occasional water splashes without damaging the internal wiring or chip. A rubber charging port cover is necessary.
Monitoring Capabilities
Monitoring a GPS Tracker is done through either a PC or smartphone or tablet. Some GPS Trackers might not offer a mobile-friendly app, one of the easiest ways to locate tracker without having access to a PC. An ideal GPS Tracker must be pre-configured to upload location to a web-based tracking panel that can be accessed using an internet-enabled device.
- Web Tracking: Locate tracker through a web portal provided by the manufacturer. This is a standard solution for GPS tracking. The best web portal should be user-friendly, easy to access, and it should provide useful features such as geofence zones, route history, alarms and usage reports.
- Mobile APP: IOS and Android apps make it much easier and faster to track and locate the tracking device. Notifications for speeding, geofence zone in/out can be displayed instantly on a smartphone if a tracking app is installed.
- Geo-fence Zones: Geofence is the best features for tracking the elderly and kids. Geo-fence zones are digital fences those can be drawn on the map to get notified whenever the tracker moves in that declared zone.
- Route History: Tracking platforms record, store and display the location to view taken routes on the map. The route data must be stored in the tracking platform for at least one month.
Technical Support
Many manufacturers offer phone support directly and others via email or live chat. Tracking devices are advanced devices that need at least basic tech knowledge; make sure the manufacturer provides start-up assistance and support while you learn how to manage the device.
Warranty
Manufacturer warranty is necessary for at least 1 – 2 years. Make sure the manufacturer provide returns for faulty items, and the device will operate properly without causing problems.
Pricing
Prices for the tracking devices vary. Depending on the brand, international coverage, associated services, design, GPS chipset, and battery life. GPS Trackers need a cellular service and software service. They, therefore, come with a service fee.
- Tracker Costs: Be sure to be aware of the features you’re getting for the price you are going to pay.
- Monthly subscription costs: Many manufacturers do not include the cellular (SIM) costs in the service fee; therefore, it is advisable to inquire about what exactly is included in the payment.
Conclusion
The advanced technology that allows tracking any object on the earth by using satellites has been offered to the public for years. By using a GPS Tracker for tracking the loved ones, you will have the peace of mind of knowing on seeing they are safe all the times. You can log-in at any moment to locate a child on the map to ensure his safety, and you would be able to do this using a smartphone. There are many tracker models on the market, so make sure you go through a buying guide before purchasing.