When you think about keeping your car safe, you may think about investing in a car GPS tracker to get total peace of mind when you are at work, at home or out and about. Whatever your reason for wanting one, a GPS tracker is sure to provide you with the peace of mind you need.
The only problem with investing in a GPS tracker for your car is that there are so many different options to choose from that you may find yourself spoilt for choice. Rather than just opting for the first one you find, let us tell you more about GPS trackers and what to look for so that you get the best result for your individual needs.
Understanding How a GPS Car Tracker Works
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) offer the technology needed to receive signals to over thirty different satellites that are currently orbiting the planet in order to get positioning data sent back to you. GPS is owned and managed by the United States government and is one of the most popular systems available, although the EU, Russia and China all have their own versions too. Read more background on the in-depth Wikipedia entry.
The GPS receives the radio signal from the satellite and can source your location using the distance your car is from the three closest satellites. This then provides you with an accurate location that you can use to find your car.
The great thing about GPS trackers is that they can be used in real-time, allowing you to check on your car at any point of the day or night and locate it if it is ever lost or stolen, allowing you to recover your vehicle quicker than ever before. It’s also great if you own a fleet of cars and want to monitor your employees when they are out and about or if you have lent your car to friends or your kids and want to check that they are safe.
How To Find the Best GPS Tracker
Once you have decided that a GPS tracker is what you need, then it is time to think about the model that will work best for you. To begin with, you will need to work out what you want to mainly use it for – personal use for one or two cars or business use for multiple cars.
Next, it’s time to think about the features you need. From GPS accuracy to being able to get notifications to your device if your car is ever moved without your knowledge, there are lots of options to choose from. Some devices from companies such as TrackerTeam even provide you with driving reports to allow you to check that your car has not been speeding, the length of trips taken and any stops that are made on the way.
Then, with the use and features decided, you then need to consider the budget you have available for the GPS tracker. While you should not feel pressured into buying the most expensive device on the market, opting for a tracker purely based on the lowest price will leave you wanting. GPS trackers do vary in price significantly as each device is designed for a specific need. Rather than paying more than you need or getting a device that doesn’t do what you want, take the time to find the devices that work for your individual requirements. Indeed many people opt for trackers that are connected to monitoring stations that will alert the owner of vehicle 24/7 of their vehicle moving without their consent.
How To Install a GPS Tracker
When you think that you have the best device chosen, do not buy it until you are satisfied with the installation process. Many GPS trackers from companies are now wireless, allowing you to place them anywhere in your car so that they are not removed or stolen and enabling you to take them with you when you change your car.
However, there are also OBD options that plug into your onboard diagnostic port where they are powered by the car, reducing the risk of the tracker running out of battery life without you noticing. OBD devices are also removable when you switch to a new car, but they are also easy for a thief to find and can result in your car not being found if it is ever taken.
Shop Around for the Best Solution
When it comes to making your final decision, take the time to look at as many different options as possible and check out all the features that are offered. You will find that one or two GPS trackers stand out, and you can then do some more research on this before deciding which to buy.
No matter what you end up choosing, it is important to consider your car safety, especially if you rely on it for family commitments or work, as it could be the difference between stopping a crime in motion and losing your car forever.
If you are worried about the prospect of having your car stolen, want to monitor the people driving your car or need to reduce your insurance premiums, then you should consider installing a GPS tracking system.
The market leading GPS trackers not only alert you when someone takes your car without permission but allows you to share real-time location information with the police in order to get your car returned quickly, with the least amount of damage. Most GPS trackers also provide you with notifications about your driving and are well known by insurers who will be pleased to offer you a discount for installing one.
Once you have your new GPS tracker installed, you can contact your insurance provider and update your details so that your insurance remains valid. Your provider will discuss the impact of your installation on the total price of your cover and offer you a lower annual or monthly premium, saving you cash when you need it the most.
