How GPS Tracking works
GPS tracking for cars is very commonplace. The most used GPS tracking devices are categorized in two different ways. The first being passive, also called GPS loggers or after-time trackers. This type of tracker does not allow you to view the vehicles location right now, instead after a certain amount of time you recover the logger and connect to a Computer to access all the stored tracking information. This type of tracking has no monthly fees or activation costs. Passive tracking is also the most effective hidden tracker as it can only be found by physically searching the vehicle. Sine there is no signal being sent out from a gps logger so no detector can find it. Passive trackers are used in both commercial and domestic situations. The domestic uses include teenagers, spouses and other family members. Commercial uses include employee used vehicles and company trucks. Many passive GPS will allow you to print a report that you can later compare to an employees time sheet. Simply place the unit in the vehicle in a location that provides a view of the sky. This can be under the seat , in a seat pocket, between the grill and radiator, in wheel wells, under plastic bumpers and several other vehicle specific locations. Each vehicle is different so the possibilities are many for hiding the device. Generally the unit cannot be surrounded by metal on more that two sides.The second type of GPS tracker is Real time also called Live tracking . This type of tracker usually uses a computer or smart phone to log into an account to access the tracking information. A representation vehicle icon is displayed on a map showing the exact location of the tracker in real time. The actual real time location depends on the speed of your server and internet connection , this being said you may have a lag time of 10 seconds up to two minutes even on the best GPS trackers. The GPS data is collected by the tracking device and then sent to the server via cell phone. Each live tracker depends on cell phone signal in order to provide real time tracking. Parking garages and tunnels will impede or completely block the signal. The cell phone service available in your target area is the deciding factor on live tracking. Most live gps trackers will store a certain amount of data when cell service is lost so you will still have an accurate record on the vehicle.
All GPS trackers are receivers every gps device either tracking or navigation must receive a signal from the 26-28 GPS satellites. If the vehicle you are tracking leaves cell service and is unable to receive the GPS satellite signal NO tracking data can be obtained. GPS devices receive the signals and triangulate their position this information is then stored on the device until you access the website, depending on the gps company either contacts the device via cell phone and requests the location and stored data or has a constant connection and provides the current data from the device and stores the past data on the server.
