GPS Car Tracking Systems

    

GPS car tracking or vehicle tracking is often used for covert tracking of the driver in the car. We will not look to this kind of applications, but rather the business variant for which GPS asset tracking would be a better name. Cars, trucks, trailers, railcars, containers and boats can be tracked, using GPS car tracking.

 

The market for GPS vehicle tracking systems is considered as one of the fasted growing markets for GPS applications. There are many levels of sophistication, but what all systems have in common is a GPS receiver and software to put the tracking results on a map. The differences in mapping programs are huge and it is very difficult to judge in advance how well these software solutions will perform.

 

Two main categories of GPS car tracking solutions are the ‘passive’ systems and the ‘real time’ systems. Passive systems store the gathered data in their internal memory and the owner has only access to the data when the unit returns to the base. Real time systems send the data at regular intervals to the manufacturer’s database and the user can read these through a website. Other systems can deliver data directly to the user’s cell phone on demand.

 

We have distinguished five categories of GPS vehicle tracking systems and will look in further detail to different brands and models.

 

Passive GPS car tracking systems

Data is transferred to a desktop computer through a cable(RS232)

GPSTracking Technologies has 4 passive GPS car tracking models in their program. The TravelEyes 2 Plus is for monitoring the travel activities of private vehicles. It is smaller than a deck of cards and keeps records of locations, mileage, destination and speed. Includes trip planning feature and a complete US map with street names and Reports Software. The Shadow Tracker Jr. is designed for small company fleets. The Shadow Tracker Performer has more memory and the Shadow Tracker Pro is DGPS ready and has 2 MB of memory.

 

LandAirSea delivers the Past Track, a non-real time GPS data recording and analysis system. For applications such as employee theft (property or time), reckless driving or analyzing your routes, Past Track is the perfect solution. To review the recorded data, you simply pull the memory card from the GPS unit and upload it to your computer with a standard compact flash card reader. Memory cards are now available that can store 5 years of driving data.

 

The GPS Cube from CommLinx Solutions Pty Ltd is a miniature GPS data logger / tracking system measuring only 63 x 57 x 35mm and powered from a single 9V battery. By using careful power management combined with a movement detection system it gives up to one week of typical tracking using a standard 9V Alkaline battery and up to one month using a 9V Lithium battery. Transfer of logged data is performed using the supplied infrared adapter (requires free RS-232 serial port) and the software supplied allows downloading and configuration of the unit.

Data is transferred to a desktop computer via a short range radio link

CTi has developed a passive GPS car tracking device that does not need operator intervention. The data you need is automatically transmitted by short range radio frequency from the device to the Base Station when the vehicle is back at your base area. You can playback the data on the CTiGPS-2000 tracking software and Exception Report Software.

Real time GPS car tracking systems

Data is sent through a cellular phone network to vendor’s base. Customer can read data via vendor’s website

CTi has developed a solar powered GPS vehicle tracking unit that is great for trailers, cargo and trucks. Alerts you via Email or fax if unit moves from area. The unit is not visible from the ground.

Trackn GPS Vehicle Location and Tracking is an Internet-based tracking system for North America, Canada and Mexico. Product features are: remote door unlock, low battery notification, instant vehicle location 24/7, message notification, electronic fencing, starter immobilizer, speed notification, alarm reporting and insurance savings. You can communicate with the unit through your personal cellular phone.

 

Rocky Mountain Tracking Inc. delivers the LandAirSea GPS 7100-A, which is meant to recover stolen vehicles. Use the 7100 as a vehicle recovery system, and pay NO FEES unless your vehicle is stolen. In the event that a vehicle is stolen, a user may request an update (called a Ping) to locate the vehicle. It will cost only 25 cents to Ping a vehicle. The GPS 7100 unit is a real time tracking system that accurately shows location, speed, and travel direction, with no monthly fees. Pay only for what you use. Other key features include: ability to disable vehicle if stolen, notification of airbag deployment and alarm activation.

Data is sent via satellites to vendor’s base. User can read data via vendor’s website

Axonn, L.L.C. provides the AXTracker, a self-contained satellite based mobile asset tracking device. It features a compact rugged enclosure designed to attach easily to the top of a cargo container, railcar or trailer. AXTracker sends information to Globalstar satellites and the processed information is available to the client via the Internet. As total packaged solution it requires no harness, no external power and no antennas. In addition to location reporting AXTracker has 4 Customizable Alarms which can report conditions such as door open, temperature drop/rise, smoke etc.

 

LandAirSea has the Mobile Watch Digital real time GPS car tracking unit. It uses a Dual-Mode CDMA wireless modem, which provides nationwide digital cellular coverage for the USA. A compact flash memory card stores historical data. The system provides instant location with no time delay and you can use your cellular phone to pinpoint location. Can alert your cell phone when movement is detected. The MobileWatch viewing software operates on a desktop computer with Internet access.

 

Bluewater Security Professionals sells the Mobile Locating Unit (MLU) real-time GPS car tracking system. It is an ‘on-demand’ system that provides low monthly monitoring rates. The list of features includes Electronic Fencing, Alarm reporting, Remote Starter Disable/Enable and Low Battery Notification.

Data is sent via a cellular phone network to the client’s cell phone

Security Concepts manufactures WorldTracker, which uses the voice channel of an already installed GSM cell phone. Using your PC you contact the tracker from your home or office phone, without going through the Internet, and instantly display the target vehicle on your computer with a moving street map. No monthly fees. New options allow the WorldTracker to shut the vehicle off remotely or call the owner in the event their vehicle is stolen.

 

Laipac offers the Starfinder 1, an automatic vehicle location (AVL) device for GSM, GPRS, CDMA and TDMA. It can be programmed over the air to set up with I/O ports to receive emergency functions like road side assistance or disable the ignition. It’s ideal for stolen car recovery, fleet management, rental car monitoring, road services, boating and many others. It has a programmable Geo-Fence feature, sleep and stand-by mode power-saving and a backup battery.