GPS – global positioning system – is now incredibly common place. Few people realize just how often they use a GPS tracking device, something that was the height of technology just a short time ago. Today, these devices are everywhere, enabling people to know where they are at all times. This can be a tremendous time saver, while also providing people with a sense of security. But which type is right for your needs?
Choosing the Right GPS Tracking Device
There are many different choices to make and you may feel somewhat overwhelmed with all the different options and accessories that are out there. There are two particularly common types of GPS systems out there:
- The small portable device, which is often a wearable.
- The auto navigation system, which is generally installed as a tracker inside a vehicle.
Of course, with developing technology, different models are being developed all the time. You can now get GPS trackers with pedestrian modes, for instance, designed specifically for people who are walking, but there are also models for cars, motorcycles, boats, backpacks, and more. Today’s trackers often also solve double functions, for instance by also recording heart rate, steps taken, and more. Furthermore, there are GPS devices for hunting dogs, to track animals, walkie-talkies, and so on.
So how do you choose with so many options? The main thing you have to ask yourself is how often you travel, the distance you generally cover, and how you travel between two points.
Should you be mainly a car user, then the auto navigation system is likely to be right for you. However, if you don’t want to be limited to your car only, then a handheld unit may be better. Should you spend a lot of time on water, then a marine GPS, or even a GPS fish finder, is the right option for you. Those have been designed to take readings through water and, naturally, are completely waterproof. For the occasional traveler who only needs to get some directions every once in a while, inexpensive models costing no more than $250 are available. If, however, you want to track an entire fleet of vehicles and monitor their speed as well as location, then you will need to invest a lot more.
GPS tracking devices are incredibly useful for some people, but not everybody needs them. People who don’t travel regularly or who already know the area they are in very well, have no reason to use such as device at all. However, anyone who likes to explore, who wants to make sure their children are safe, who monitors a fleet, who tracks assets for security reasons, or who has any other reason for needing to know where someone or something is at given times, a GPS tracking device is essential.
The market for GPS devices and accessories is growing rapidly, but with a little bit of time and patience, you should be able to find the one that is right for you.
2018 · 