Apr 03 2008
GPS Tracking Review
What is GPS tracking?
GPS tracking uses a system of satellites orbiting the earth to find an approximate placement of the receiver within a few meters of its actual location. These systems are known for their accuracy and reliability and can generally give you a precise reading within a few feet of your position.
Are GPS Tracking Systems Difficult to use?
Basically two types of tracking systems exist today:passive and real time, which is also known as active. A passive unit maintains a record of every location it has traveled to in a particular vehicle. This information can then be downloaded onto your computer and viewed using the manufacturer’s software that is included with your tracking unit. Real time, or active systems allow you to view the vehicle’s location whenever you desire. They collect the same information, but usually transmit the data in “real-time” via cellular or satellite networks to a computer.
GPS Tracking Systems Available.
Basically two types of tracking systems exist today passive and real time, which is also known as active. A passive unit maintains a record of every location it has traveled to in a particular vehicle. This information can then be downloaded onto your computer and viewed using the manufacturer’s software that is included with your tracking unit.Real time, or active systems allow you to view the vehicle’s location whenever you desire. They collect the same information, but usually transmit the data in “real-time” via cellular or satellite networks to a computer.
Cost of GPS Tracking Systems.
A good quality passive GPS unit will cost approximately $300 dollars, depending on the options available on that particular unit. On the other hand, a basic real-time GPS system will generally start at around $500 dollars and could cost up to thousands of dollars. Both real-time and passive trackers are commonly cellular based systems, which use cellular towers in the surrounding area to upload data they receive from satellites. If tracking in a remote area, where cellular service is not available, is desired, a two-way satellite system would be necessary. These, however, are much more expensive to purchase and operate.