There are three major types of GPS vehicle tracking; cellular based tracking, wireless passive tracking and satellite based real-time GPS tracking. This article will outline the advantages and disadvantages associated with all three types of GPS Vehicle Tracking.
Cellular Based Tracking
The initial costs for setting up the system are slightly lower than the other two options. With cellular based tracking average costs are about $500. A cellular based tracking system transmits information about where a vehicle is every five minutes over a land network. The average monthly costs are about thirty-five dollars for airtime and for the information to be displayed over the internet.
Wireless Passive Tracking
A major advantage to this type of tracking system is that there is no monthly fee, so once the system is set up there will be no other costs associated with it. However, setting up the system is a little expensive. The average is about $700 for the hardware, and $800 for the software and database. With this type of system most people say the disadvantage is that the information about where the vehicle has been can only be found out when the vehicle returns back to the companies base. This is a major drawback especially for companies that are looking for a tracking system that will tell them where their vehicle is if it has been stolen or in an accident. However many systems are now inserting wireless modems to their devices so that tracking information can be viewed without having the memory card from the vehicle. With wireless modem wireless passive tracking systems are also able to collect information about how fast the vehicle is traveling, stops made and other detailed information. With this new addition many companies feel this system is a perfect fit because there is still no monthly bill.
Satellite Based Real-Time Tracking
This type of system gives less detailed information, but it works nationwide, which makes it a good choice for shipping and trucking companies. The costs for setting up the system average around $700. The monthly fees for this system vary from five dollars up to one hundred dollars; based on how detailed a company wants the reports to be.
New Technology
In the next few years GPS tracking will be able to provide companies with a number of other advantages. Some companies have already set up a way to have a customers sign and run credit cards onsite through the unit. Others are setting up ways for dispatchers to send re-routing information directly to a drivers GPS unit. Another new advancement for GPS systems is that they will have internet access and stored information about the vehicle so that a driver or mechanic can use the GPS unit to look up diagrams to help them fix the vehicle. In addition to this all of the information will be stored and saved in the companies database.
By: Chris Simons
Posts Tagged ‘Options’
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Three Major Types Of GPS Vehicle Tracking
December 26th, 2009Best Car GPS – How to Find It
October 6th, 2009
To find the best car GPS, you must first define what you need and expect from the GPS.
There are many options available in car GPS units and manufacturers are adding additional options with each new model that is released.
Currently, here are some of the available options to consider:
· Text to speech (speaks street names)
· Wide screen
· Lane assist
· Land assist with junction view
· Bluetooth® wireless
· MP3 player
· Photo viewer
· FM lifetime traffic
· Preloaded map options
· MSN® Direct
and the list goes on and on.
First, define what options you need. The most important one is “text to speech”. I highly recommend that you pay the additional amount to purchase a GPS that speaks street names. If the GPS tells you “turn right in 400 feet” but does not tell you the street name on which to turn, and there are two possible turns close together, you will have to look on the display for your street name. Taking your eyes off the road for only a few seconds is very dangerous. Don’t take the chance of rear ending the car in front of you or hitting someone.
Consider the other options. If you live in a metro area where you have to contend with daily traffic problems, then consider the FM lifetime traffic option. If you want to use the GPS with other Bluetooth® capable devices, then consider that option.
Once you have defined your selection criteria, you are ready to start your search for the best car GPS that will satisfy your requirements.
The best place to search for your best car GPS is on Amazon. Most people think of Amazon as a store. It is that, but it also has very powerful search and sort functions that let you find the best car GPS with only a few clicks.
On Amazon, GPS units are listed in the Electronics Department so begin by selecting “Electronics” in the left drop down search box. Then enter “gps” in the right search input box and click the orange “Go” button to the right of the search boxes.
When the page loads, you will see a rectangle across the top of the search results. Look in the rectangle for “See Most Popular in:” with a list of GPS types listed across the page. Click the “Vehicle” link in this list.
This will display all vehicle GPS sorted in bestselling order. The search results will fill several pages so you can browse through these search results pages to find the best car GPS that meets your requirements in your price range.
By: John V. W. Howe
