How Does GPS Tracking Work?
GPS tracking uses a network of satellites to determine the location
of a device that was specifically designed for that purpose. The basic
idea is that a GPS tracker uses a process called trilateration to
determine its physical location based on its distance from three GPS satellites. This is the exact same technology used by your portable or in-car navigation system.
The difference between a GPS tracker and a car navigation system is
that the navigation system provides you with your location and driving
directions, while a tracker either keeps a record of your driving habits
or broadcasts its location in real time.
When a GPS tracker
for a car is capable of broadcasting its location, it typically uses
the exact same technology that your cell phone does to make calls or
connect to the internet. This is why some GPS car trackers require a
monthly subscription fee.
What Are Car Tracking Devices Used For?
The main purpose of a GPS car tracking device is to let you know
where your vehicle is at all times, and there are a lot of different
scenarios where that can be helpful. For instance, if your car was
stolen, but you had a tracker installed, you could provide the police
with its exact location.
GPS trackers for cars also fall directly in the rift between
free-range parenting and authoritative parenting. With the right tracker
installed in your teen’s car, you can pull up their location in
real-time, or view a record of where they’ve been, when they were there,
and even whether or not they broke the speed limit.
Vehicle tracking devices are also tremendously useful for owners of
large fleets of cars or trucks. Some use the technology to keep tabs on
where their vehicles are at any given time to better coordinate daily
operations, while others are more interested in tracking mileage for
bookkeeping or reimbursement.
Of course, there is the dark side of automobile GPS trackers, too.
Some might use them without the vehicle owner's knowledge to keep track
of where the vehicle goes and when. If you suspect that's the case, you
can always try to locate GPS tracker that's been hidden on your vehicle.
If you can think of any situation where you might want to know where
your car is, or where it has been, then you might need a GPS car
tracker. The only caveat is that most of these trackers require cell
service to provide you real-time location data.
How Do You Use a GPS Car Tracker?
Using a GPS tracker in your car is usually pretty easy, but the
process is a little different from one device to the next. The main
difference is the power source, but there is enough variation that it’s
still a good idea to check the manual first.
Some GPS trackers are designed to plug into the onboard diagnostics
(OBD-II) connector that is usually located under the dash near the
driver’s legs. The benefit here is that these trackers get power
directly from the diagnostic connector, so they’re extremely easy to
use. If you’ve ever used a code reader or scan tool, then using this type of tracker is a breeze.
Other car trackers are designed to plug into a cigarette lighter or accessory socket,
which also limits where you can install them. These trackers are very
easy to install and use, but some of them will continue to draw power
from your battery when you aren't driving. In that case, you need to
unplug the tracker to prevent your battery from going dead.
The most discreet car GPS trackers are powered by battery, which
means they can be installed virtually anywhere. Since there is no
external power source, this type of tracker has to be removed and
charged periodically, or it will stop working.
Once you have a GPS tracker installed in your vehicle, you can use
software on your computer, phone or tablet to view its location in
real-time.
Are GPS Trackers for Cars Legal?
While all of the usages outlined above are legal in most
jurisdictions, it’s important to understand that there are some
circumstances where using a car tracking device could land you in hot
water. When in doubt, contact a lawyer for legal advice on the matter.
The general rule of thumb is that if it’s your car, you can track it.
This is true for both privately owned vehicles and vehicles that are
owned by a company. So if you want to keep track of your minor child, or
keep tabs on your employees during work hours, you’re generally in the
clear.
If you don’t own a car, then it’s usually illegal to install a
tracker in it. There are exceptions for police, provided that they
obtain a warrant first, and private investigators working under the
instructions of the owner of a vehicle. It’s illegal in most other
circumstances, and some jurisdictions even have cyberstalking laws that specifically address GPS car trackers.
While GPS trackers for cars can be used to spy on people, legal uses
fall well short of that mark. If you have any concerns, of course, you
should seek a professional's legal advice. Even in the case of tracking a
teen driver or an employee, the main goals are safety, accountability,
and efficiency, rather than spying.
