Whatever you need vehicle tracking for, whether it’s for keeping an eye on a young driver or managing a business fleet, GPS trackers are great for allowing you to keep track of your vehicle’s location. They work in a similar way to GPS navigation systems, are available in two different types, each with pros and cons.
Passive GPS Tracking
Also known as GPS loggers, these devices collect information about a vehicle’s location but don’t send that information on to third parties. The data is stored on a memory card or hard drive that you can access whenever you want to. The passive system is popular for fleet management as it records where vehicles have been, the speed at which the vehicle was travelling and other important details. The device is simply placed in the vehicle somewhere and when you want to access the information, you just plug it into a computer or laptop.
The advantages of a passive tracking system include:
As the information is stored straight onto the device, you don’t have to worry about the device needing to maintain a link to a receiver. You can download the data whenever is convenient, making it easy to use and understand.
These devices also don’t require any kind of monthly subscription or recurring fees once you’ve purchased the device. For Vehicle Tracking systems, visit https://www.vehicle-accessories.net/vehicle-tracking/
The cons of passive systems include no having access to real-time data. If you think you might need to know where a vehicle is right at that moment, waiting until it returns to download information can be inconvenient. This system also won’t be able to locate your vehicle if it is stolen.
Active GPS Tracking
This type of system offers real-time information as the device always updates your computer with the whereabouts of your vehicle. This is a good choice for those who are keen to keep tabs on a teen driver and want to know where the driver is at all times and how fast they are driving.
The device is simply placed inside the vehicle, usually by plugging it into a port. You subscribe to a monthly fee-paying service that regularly updates your computer.
Advantages of this kind of system include knowing where your vehicle is all the time and not just after it’s come back. It’s also more convenient in that there’s no need to remove the device from the vehicle to download the data to your computer.
Other advantages include the police being able to use the tracking information to locate your vehicle in real time if it’s been stolen.
The disadvantages of an active system are the requirement to pay a monthly subscription and the possible inconvenience of having to plug the device into a port inside the vehicle.
Unless you purchase a system that also includes passive technology, you will only know where your vehicle is right now and not where it has been.
