Technology has played an imperative role in making our lives easier and efficient in several areas in today’s fast-paced world. The GPS tracker is one of these wonders that has become quite common today. If you’re worried about the safety of family members, need to monitor valuable possessions, or want to open up the world, a GPS tracker can become an essential tool that allows you to fulfill these aspects to perfection.
In this post, we will be providing a complete beginner’s guide on GPS trackers. We will learn about the technology, its functionality, and how to use these devices in different situations effectively.
Understanding the Technology – Types of GPS Trackers
Before going into the usage of GPS trackers, it is essential to know what they are and how they work. The letters “GPS” stand for Global Positioning System. It is composed of a worldwide network of satellites orbiting around the Earth. A GPS tracker detects these signals to determine their position and then shares the information with a central server or on your phone. Here are some of the more frequent types of GPS trackers are:
1. Personal GPS Trackers:
Personal GPS Trackers provide information about a specific individual. It can track children, elders, and others requiring protection. The innovation is also incorporated in various mobile applications that track and monitor the moment of a user.
2. Vehicle GPS Trackers:
They are employed for tracking the placement or movement of vehicles like cars, trucks, and ships. These devices are primarily used in fleet management, automotive security, and also for monitoring the driving behaviors of young or novice drivers.
3. Asset GPS Trackers:
They are used to follow up on valuable commodities such as equipment, cargo, or animals. With an asset tracker, you will remain aware of where your assets are and prevent them from being lost or stolen.
4. Fitness GPS Trackers:
They are tailored for fitness enthusiasts and athletes, allowing them to monitor their exercise schedules precisely. It presents figures concerning the distance covered, average speed, steps covered, and heart rate.
How to Use a GPS Tracker?
So now the essence of GPS trackers is clear, let’s discover some tips on their practical usage. We’ll split down their utilization into three basic scenarios:
1. Personal Safety and Family Tracking
If you want to look after the well-being of your family, personal GPS trackers would make an excellent instrument. Here’s how to use GPS trackers:
- Purchase a dependable personal GPS tracker: Find the different options and select the perfect gadget. Consider its functionality characteristics like battery life, processing speed, and sending alerts or signals.
- Set up the GPS tracker: Set up the device according to the manufacturer’s manual and connect it to an online portal or a mobile app. You must charge the tracker and insert a SIM card if it is a cellular-based device.
- Activate Geo-fencing: You can locate specific places on a map with the provision of Geo-fence. This technology is helpful, especially when taking children to school or monitoring a relative’s journey.
- Share access: When tracking another user, you should share permission to access his/her tracker’s location. This aspect can be fulfilled by connecting your tracker to a web or mobile-based application. The technology provides real-time updates, and you can establish alerts in case of events like the tracker exiting a predefined area.
2. Vehicle Tracking and Fleet Management
Here’s how to use GPS trackers efficiently for vehicle monitoring and fleet management:
- Select the proper GPS tracker: Select a GPS tracker for your needs, like personal car safety or tracking of companies’ vehicles. It should possess features like live tracking, speeding notification, and geo-fencing for practical application.
- Install the tracker: The installation of most car GPS trackers is easy because they majorly connect with the car’s OBD-II port. Ensure to follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines carefully to complete the installation process.
- Set up alerts and reports: Set up your GPS tracker for alerts on specific events such as the illegal movement of cars, overspeeding, or the need for repair. Some trackers are very informative and allow car owners to scrutinize the overall performance of a car.
- Monitor vehicle activity: Log in with the provided mobile application and monitor the movement of your vehicle throughout. This could help protect your car’s security and efficiency if you manage a fleet.
- Improve driving behaviors: Similarly, if you use the GPS tracker concerning personal cars, you can monitor your driving habits and improve safety practices while driving.
3. Asset and Valuables Tracking
Get a GPS tracker for your valuable possessions. Here’s how to use GPS trackers effectively:
- Choose the proper tracker: The type of GPS tracker you’ll need could be determined by the size and value of your asset. They should ensure the product has properties like long-lasting battery life and a strong case for outdoor use.
- Attach or position the tracker: Attach the tracker to an asset or a valuable item. While some trackers are tiny and can be easily hidden, some require a larger installation. To outsmart potential robbers, hide the tracker.
- Configure alerts and geo-fencing: Update notifications on motion or prohibited use. Geo-fencing could have additional advantages if stored in specific areas such as a storage facility or construction site.
- Monitor remotely: Individuals may monitor the tracker’s location using the connected app or online site.
Conclusion
GPS trackers emerge as valuable tools that provide us with safety and comfort, helping to ease our minds by offering additional safety features. Suppose you are worried about the security of your family members. In that case, GPS trackers are the perfect answer for personal assets such as cars or safety assets that are being shipped from foreign locations.
Understanding the effective use of GPS trackers would be essential. With a few right choices of GPS device, sound setup, and proper data monitoring, this technology can be beneficial and make our lives simpler and safer.
