In the contemporary society, one cannot mention society without the aspect of technology. All the activities that we undertake in our day to day life have been made easier and secure through the use of technology for instance the use of smartphones. You probably know that the GPS tracker is one of the developments that has greatly boosted the aspect of security. This contemporary creation is a real lifesaver in the war against theft and is an ideal companion for car owners and businessmen. In this article we will discuss on how GPS trackers work, why GPS trackers are effective and how it can be a good protection against theft.
Table of Contents
Understanding GPS Trackers
What can a GPS tracker be defined as?
GPS tracker is a chip or a device that employs the GPS technology to establish and or monitor the location of an object. These devices are compact in size and can be hidden in cars, bags, clothes and even on the persons. The information of the position of the GPS tracker is then passed to a receiver in most cases through the mobile networks for real time tracking and control.
Here is a Brief Explanation of how GPS Trackers Work
GPS trackers function in a manner that they access signals from a number of satellites that are in the earth’s orbit. Therefore, calculating the time of the signal that is transmitted by the tags to the tracker one is able to determine the location of the device. This information is then transfer to a central server that process this information and then present it in form of an application in a smart phone or a website.
Benefits of GPS Trackers
Real-Time Location Tracking
It is also important to distinguish the real-time tracking of the object’s location as one of the main functions of GPS trackers. This feature is quite useful specifically on the event that the item gets lost or even stolen since the owner is in a position to establish the location of the lost item as well as aid the police in the recovery of the same. Individually, it is quite comforting to determine the position of one’s car at any given time and also know the current position of the car.
Geofencing Capabilities
Geofencing is a technique by which the users are allowed to draw a fence around a specific location. When the tagged item gets to these boundaries an alert is generated so that the owner can be informed about the movement. This feature is quite helpful if one has a business dealing with the management of fleets, or a parent who is worried about the driving of teenagers. To the enhancement of the security aspect in my locality, geofences that have been created around my locality have been of great assistance since I am able to receive a notification whenever my vehicle is relocated.
Theft Prevention and Recovery
The major aim of many investors when purchasing the GPS trackers is to deter theft and recovery in case of theft. These devices are very effective in the sense that they give the exact location of the stolen property and hence increase the rate of retracing the stolen property. I remember a friend who once had his car wrongly left in a parking lot and the car was stolen; with the help of the GPS tracker installed, the police were able to apprehend the car within a few Hours. Such success stories therefore go to prove and show that GPS trackers are indeed very important and very useful in fighting theft.
Additional Features
The contemporary devices that are available in the market today have other features such as speed notifications, tampering indications, and driving habits analysis. These features make the vehicle more secure, and at the same time offer useful information on the use of the vehicle and its maintenance. For example, the tamper alert on my GPS tracker has prevented possible theft attempts several times notifying me as soon as possible when someone attempted to tamper with the device.
Selecting the Proper GPS Tracker
Factors to Consider
Below are the factors that one should consider when choosing a GPS tracker for a vehicle; the battery life, installation process, subscription charges, and the functions available. Choose the tracker that has long battery life or the one which can be connected to the car power source so that it does not need frequent charging. Also, do not forget the price for the subscription to the cellular network service as these fees may also influence the TCO.
Quality and Reliability
First, it is necessary to select a good-quality and efficient GPS tracker of a well-known manufacturer. Cheap solutions are available in the market but these are usually not very accurate or very durable. Purchasing a tracker with good reviews and a good build quality will guarantee that the device will have correct tracking and will also hold up well. In my experience, splurging a bit extra for a good brand has proved fruitful in terms of the product’s durability and TWS earbuds not dying on me unexpectedly.
Real World Uses for GPS Trackers
Personal Vehicle Security
For the car owners with only one car, GPS trackers are the simplest and works the best in preventing car thefts. These devices offer real time location data and alerts to would be thieves hence can be said to have played a very big role in deterring the thieves. Being a frequent business traveller, I find it very comforting that my vehicle is protected and that I am able to track its location at any time.
Fleet Management
Firms that have fleets of vehicles can benefit from GPS trackers a lot. It not only assist in tracking down the stolen cars but also assists in the efficient management of the fleet since you are able to track the vehicle movements, routes and the behavior of the drivers. Talking to some of the fleet managers I have met, they have been able to notice enhanced efficiency and therefore low fuel consumption due to the use of GPS tracking systems.
Protecting Personal Belongings
GPS trackers are not only used for vehicles, these can be used in almost anything that needs protection such as luggage, bicycles, and even pets. For instance, I have a tiny GPS tracker which I attach on my bike to check on it when it is left behind. The sense of comfort that I can easily locate my bike in case it gets stolen is something that cannot be priced.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Privacy Concerns
Even though GPS trackers provide numerous advantages, there is the matter of the invasion of privacy to take into account. The problem with unauthorized tracking is that it is a violation of an individual’s right to privacy; therefore, these devices should be employed in a legal manner. It is recommended that people should be told and asked for permission when they are being trailed by their cars or properties.
Legal Regulations
Laws on the use of GPS trackers also differ in different areas. It is advisable to be conversant with the laws of the area you are in to avoid flouting the law. For instance, in some areas, one is not allowed to install a GPS tracker on a car that they do not own without the owner’s permission. Failure to the following regulations will not cause any legal problems to you.
Conclusion
GPS trackers have come to the market as a gadget that can help in preventing theft in this generation. Due to the real-time tracking, geofencing options, and other features that these devices offer, they can be considered as an efficient means of protecting vehicles and individuals. So, based on the real-life cases and own experiences, one can conclude that purchasing a reliable GPS tracker is a wise move. For individual use, for car tracking or for the protection of property, GPS trackers provide an effective and a simple method of increasing security.