Frequently asked 10 common questions about gps tracking

Introduction

GPS -(Global PositioningnSystemstem) trackers, with their precision positioning capabilities, it has been widely used in personal safety (such as child tracking) , vehicle management (such as cargo fleet monitoring) , pet anti-loss (such as dog collar-type equipment) and asset tracking (such as containers, valuable equipment) and other scenarios. However, many users are not familiar with the technical details when buying or using them. In this paper, 10 high-frequency questions are sorted out, and detailed answers are provided in combination with actual use scenarios to help you master the Core Knowledge and key points of GPS Tracker.

First, can GPS tracker locate in real time?

A: most GPS trackers support real-time positioning, but“Real-time” can vary depending on the device and its settings, as follows:

Cellular network equipment: suitable for high-frequency update scenarios (such as children, pets, commercial vehicles) , update frequency can be manually set, usually 10 Seconds-5 minutes per session (e.g. car-hailing tracker updates every 30 seconds to ensure passenger safety) ;

Wi-Fi/Bluetooth assistive devices: focusing on indoor supplementary positioning (e.g. , store personnel tracking, warehouse goods positioning) , the update delay may be 1-3 minutes due to the signal coverage;

Low-power asset tracker: for long-term static assets (such as containers, outdoor equipment) , to extend the battery life, the update interval is usually 1 hour-12 hours/time, some devices support“Mobility-triggered updates”(which automatically increase the frequency of updates when the device is moved) .

How wide is the range of GPS trackers?

A: the GPS satellite signal covers the whole world, but the actual use range of the tracker is determined by the communication mode, and different scenarios are adapted to different schemes:

Cellular (4G/5G) : the range of coverage is the same as the cell phone signal, suitable for urban, rural and other areas where there is a carrier signal, if in remote mountainous areas (such as no man’s land exploration) , satellite-enabled trackers (such as the Beidou Tracker) are needed

Wi-Fi: only available in Wi-Fi hotspot areas, usually indoor (e. g. offices, homes) , usually within 100m radius;

Bluetooth/Radio: short range communication, suitable for small range precise tracking (such as warehouse shelves goods, factory equipment) , Bluetooth effective range of about 10-100 meters, radio can extend to 300-500 meters (need no shelter) .

How accurate are GPS trackers?

A: the accuracy is affected by both the environment and the technical scheme. The accuracy varies significantly in different scenarios. The specific references are as follows:

Can GPS trackers work indoors?

A: devices that rely solely on GPS satellite signals can not be accurately located indoors because the signals can not penetrate walls. They need to be solved by“Assisted positioning technology.” The adaptation schemes for different indoor scenarios are as follows:

Small space (such as home, Office) : Bluetooth assisted positioning, suitable for tracking pets (such as cats) , children, accuracy 1-5 meters, no additional flow;

Large and medium-sized space (such as shopping malls, warehouses) : Wi-Fi assisted positioning, Wi-Fi hot spots by scanning the surrounding calculation of location accuracy of 5-30 meters, WI-FI signal reception equipment support;

Special scenarios (such as basements, mines) : some industrial-grade equipment support“UWB” or“Lora” technology, strong penetration, accuracy up to 0.1-1 meters, suitable for high-risk environment asset tracking.

How long does the GPS tracker battery last?

A: battery life is directly related to battery capacity, function settings, and frequency of use. Battery life varies from device to device and can be extended by setting:

Personal/pet tracker (rechargeable lithium-ion battery) : 500-1500mAh capacity, 3-14 days with default update frequency (5 minutes per update) , 20-30 days with 30 minutes per update

On-board Tracker: multiple direct access to the vehicle power supply (12V/24V) , without charging, can work 24 hours continuously, some equipment with backup battery (power off can work 4-8 hours) ;

Low Power Asset Tracker: uses CR2032 button battery or AA lithium battery, updates every hour, lasts 6-12 months, suitable for long-term stationary assets (such as outdoor billboards, containers) .

How do GPS trackers transmit location data?

A: the core sends the location data to the terminal (phone/computer) through the“Communication module”. The advantages and disadvantages of different transmission methods and application scenarios are as follows:

Cellular (4G/5g/NB-IoT) : the advantage is wide coverage, high real-time, and can be transmitted worldwide (except in areas without a signal) ; the disadvantage is that you have to pay a data fee (about 5-20 yuan per month) , suitable for high-frequency updates for individuals, vehicles, etc.

Wi-Fi: free, low power, no data, limited hotspot coverage, good for indoor fixed scenarios (family tracking, warehouse goods)

Bluetooth/Radio: the advantage is that the short-range transmission is stable, no cost of data; the disadvantage is that the distance is limited (≤500 meters) , with the receiving terminal (such as Bluetooth gateway) , suitable for warehousing, factories and other small-scale scenarios;

Satellite Communication: the advantage is that there is no signal blind spot (such as desert, ocean) ; the disadvantage is that the equipment cost is high (more than 1,000 yuan) and the communication cost is expensive (about 1-5 yuan per transmission) , which is suitable for special scenarios such as exploration and ocean-going ships.

Does the GPS tracker need supporting software?

Answer: Yes, the supporting software is the core carrier of“View location, manage device”. The functional adaptation of different software types is as follows:

Mobile App (iOS/Android) : for individual users, the core features include real-time location-based view, historical track playback (nearly 7-30 days) , fence alerts (push notifications when the device is out of range) , low-battery alerts, and more, some apps support multi-device management (such as tracking children and Pets at the same time)

Web platform/cloud system: for enterprise users (e.g. fleet management) , support batch management of dozens of devices, generate positioning reports (such as vehicle mileage, stay time) , set up multi-account permissions (such as administrators, driver accounts) , data storage cycle is usually 3-12 months;

API interface/Custom Development: suitable for enterprises that need to integrate their own systems (such as logistics platforms) , can access positioning data to their own ERP, CRM systems to achieve“Order + positioning” integrated management, need technical team docking development.

Is there a subscription fee for GPS tracking apps?

A: fees are related to“Functional complexity” and“Device Type”. Not all services are subject to fees, broken down as follows:

Free services: basic location-based features (such as real-time view, historical track 1-3 days playback) more free, common in entry-level personal devices (such as children’s bracelets within 100 yuan) , but may contain advertising;

Paid subscription (personal) : subscription for advanced features, $3-$30 per month (about 20-200 Yuan) , includes no ads, electronic fence, 30-90 days of history track storage, emergency alarm (such as SOS one-click for help) , subscription is mostly monthly/annual payment (usually 20% discount for annual payment) ;

Enterprise-level subscriptions: for scenarios such as fleet management and asset monitoring, the fee is based on the number of devices ($10-$50 per device per month) and includes services such as exclusive customer service, encrypted data storage, custom reports, API docking, etc. , some providers offer free trials (7-15 days) .

CAN GPS trackers improve positioning accuracy?

Answer: YES, with“Technology convergence” and“Hardware optimization” to significantly improve accuracy, as follows:

Multi-satellite system integration: receiving GPS -USA-usaBeidouidChinahinaGLONASSNARussiassiaGalileoilEU-RRB-(eu) signals at the same time, increasing the number of satellites from 5-8 to 15-20, reducing the impact of signal blocking, accuracy can be improved by 30%-50% (e.g. from 50 meters to 20-30 meters in urban high-rise environment)

Auxiliary positioning technology: indoor Wi-Fi + Bluetooth dual-mode positioning (accuracy of 1-30 meters) , outdoor with“Differential GPS”(signal correction by ground base station, accuracy of 1 meter) , suitable for agricultural machinery, unmanned aerial vehicles, mapping equipment and other high-precision requirements of the scene;

Hardware Upgrade: replace high sensitivity GPS antenna (such as ceramic antenna) , enhance signal receiving ability, in dense forest, canyon and other weak signal environment, the accuracy can be improved by 20%-30% .

Is the GPS tracker safe to use?

A: the device itself is secure, but the location data is private and needs to be hedged in terms of“Data transmission, rights management and compliance”:

Data Security: choose devices and software that support“End-to-end encryption”(such as SSL/TLS encryption for transmission) to prevent data from being intercepted; avoid using unlicensed niche software (which may expose data to leakage) ;

Rights Management: set complex account password, enable two-factor authentication (such as SMS verification code) ; enterprise users need to assign rights according to the role (such as drivers can only see their own vehicles, administrators can see all) , avoid too many open permissions

Compliance: tracking people (e.g. children, employees) requires prior notice to avoid invasion of privacy; some regions have clear regulations (e.g. EU GDPR, China’s personal information protection law) , unauthorised pursuits can result in fines (the highest in the EU is 4% of a company’s annual revenues) , and vehicles must be marked prominently with the phrase“Tracker installed”(mandatory in some countries) .

Conclusion

Choosing a GPS tracker requires“Matching on demand”, combined with use scenarios, functional requirements, and cost budget decisions. The following is a core selection dimension reference table: