GPS trackers help keep tabs on your car's whereabouts or how your cars are doing if you own a fleet of vehicles. You can also monitor how a driver is behaving on the road, if he/she is adhering to the road rules. Gps tracker for car safety has numerous benefits and is worthy of installing in your vehicle. There are various types of GPS trackers to choose from, and we look at them below.
Categories of GPS Trackers
GPS trackers are classified into two distinct categories, namely active trackers and passive trackers.
1. Active Trackers
They are also known as real-time trackers. They are known for sending GPS data continuously to the user via phone or computer such that you can monitor your car throughout. It is the perfect type to monitor a new object or an unfamiliar person. It allows you to know more details about them regularly, considering you know nothing about them or their performance on the road.
A learner in driving can be cautioned about overspeeding, sudden breaking, or rule flaunting to prevent accidents and keep the car's condition good. These trackers are easy to install. They require you to plug it into the diagnostic port, subscribe to your preferred service, and begin tracking. All information will be sent to your phone or computer for quick access.
Advantages of Active Trackers
- Vehicle tracking is continuous, unlike passive trackers.
- The GPS data is sent directly to your computer. This means you don't need to transfer the tracker from the car to see the details on your computer.
- It's easy to recover a stolen vehicle due to the constant tracking updates.
- You can receive every piece of information as long as you have a stable internet connection.
Disadvantages of Active Trackers
- You must subscribe to a service to receive GPS data.
- You can only receive real-time data from the trackers.
- The tracker must be plugged into the diagnostic port to function.
2. Passive Trackers
They are also known as GPS loggers and gather information just like activity trackers. However, they don't send the data but retain it in the memory card or hard drive until you need the information and access it there. These types of trackers are common in fleet management, where receiving constant updates of all vehicles can be too much for the owner to follow up.
They keep records of the vehicles' positions, the drivers' speeds, fuel consumption, and any other data that the owner wants to track. You don't need to plug the tracker in your car, but you must connect it to your computer to retrieve the information.
Advantages of Passive Trackers
- They are easy to use, and no installation is required.
- No subscription is needed to receive data, making them cost-friendly to all users.
- Data is kept in the device, so no link is needed to access it.
- Most are made of weather-proof materials, so you can place them outside your car.
Disadvantages of Passive Trackers
- They don't relay real-time data; hence recovering a vehicle is difficult.
- They are not compatible with all computers, and you must connect them to one to read the data.
Conclusion
Both types of trackers monitor vehicles and have different benefits and drawbacks. Choose the tracker that fits your budget and offers the best tracking solution for your car.