GPS Vehicle Tracking
By: Frank Hague
GPS monitors have a multitude of legitimate uses, but have also
generated controversy as they further diminish privacy. Some
customers of car rental companies have complained that their
movements have been tracked without their consent by the
installation of GPS vehicle tracking systems in rental vehicles.
However, the positive uses of this technology have, at least so
far, outweighed the negatives.
Fitness enthusiasts use GPS tracking devices to measure distances
remaining in marathons, and back-country hikers use them to prevent
themselves from getting lost (or to facilitate rescue if they
already are). Police can enforce restraining orders and parole
conditions by stopping criminals from stalking victims and being in
neighborhoods (such as near playgrounds) where they are forbidden.
Lost and stolen vehicles can be located with the touch of a button.
Parents can use GPS vehicle tracking to check on teenagers' driving
habits to make sure these inexperienced drivers are not speeding or
otherwise endangering themselves and their passengers. And GPS
in-car navigation systems can guide drivers through unfamiliar
terrain to their destination.
Information Loggers (Passive Tracking)
These basic systems are for companies or individuals who seeking a
record of an assets or even persons whereabouts during a given time
period, without the ability or cost of real-time tracking. These
are useful for fleet management.
GPS vehicle tracking eliminates moonlighting with company vehicles.
It reduces accidents and lowers insurance premiums by promoting
safe employee driving habits. GPS vehicle tracking creates reports
of miles driven by each vehicle. Fleet management will reduce the
company fuel bill and increase miles driven per gallon of fuel.
Some GPS systems even have maintenance modules to inform the fleet
manager when each vehicle is due for an oil change or tire
rotation.
Real Time (Active Tracking)
This allows the user to watch the progress of the persons or assets
travelling in real-time from their PC. This option is more
expensive because of the costs of devices, programs and air-time
charges for communication between the PC and the asset. It is used,
for instance, by a taxi company to dispatch the closest available
vehicle to a customer.
In Europe,some of the most popular in-car tracking systems are the
Tom-Tom Navigator, Magellan Roadmate, Navman and Garvin. They range
in price from five hundred to a thousand dollars, depending on what
features are chosen by the user.
TomTom GO 300 offers the most easy-to use GPS system of travel
planning throughout the UK. This award winning private navigation
program is a portable, cable-less design that fits in any
briefcase, handbag or even backpack. TomTom GO 300 is ideal for any
car driver. It is easy to install, just plug in, switch on and
drive away. There is no need for a PC link, in fact no technical
knowledge is needed at all. It fits simply into the included car
mounting kit, which is easily attached to the car dashboard or
windshield. It is extremely easy to opertate: just turn it on and
users can instantly access all the programs, maps and colour 3D
navigation views, as well as voice-guided instructions in their
chosen language. It has a touch screen interface to avoid fumbling
with multiple buttons or extra devices while sitting in traffic.
The touch screen is totally intuitive and the entire route can be
planned with just a couple of screen taps.
The features of this user-friendly system along with its relatively
low price (around 700 dollars) has made it a hit with
consumers.
Others, such as the Magellan Roadmate, are slightly more difficult
to use but also come with a database of maps and local attractions
such as restaurants.
In North American, the most popular brands are Garmin and
Magellan.
Selecting the Right GPS Unit for Your Needs: Handheld vs
Dash-Mounted
When selecting between a handheld unit versus a dash-mounted unit
for your vehicle, consider whether you may want to use it for any
other purpose, such as boating or camping.
Pros and Cons of Dash-Mounted GPS Units
Advantages
Larger screens with better resolution which are simple to read at a
glance even in poor lighting conditions
More sophisticated models have features such route recalculation if
the driver diverges from the planned route
Larger buttons for ease of operation while driving
Unit is securely attached to your vehicle to thwart theft
Some units have voice instructions that communicate distance,
street names, and direction of the next turn thus keeping the
driver's eyes on the road instead of on the screen
No batteries needed, runs off car battery
Address lookup capabilities
Some units have a individual address book to store locations for
quick and simple search
Advanced mapping capabilities
Better reception outside the city
Boosts car resale value
Disadvantages
Difficult to remove from vehicle if you decide to use it
elsewhere
Larger footprint in/on dashboard
Too large for use by bikers, kayakers or hikers.
More expensive
Hopefully this advice will help you find the best unit for your
needs among all the different GPS vehicle tracking units
available.
Frank Hague does not have a GPS vehicle tracking device yet. www.gps-vehicle-tracking.info
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