.: GPS Vehicle Tracking
By:Frank Hague
Category:Home / Technology / GPS
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 asset’s or even person’s 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.
Article keywords: GPS vehicle tracking device
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Frank Hague does not have a GPS vehicle tracking device yet.
www.gps-vehicle-tracking.info
.: New GPS Articles
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Has your kid recently obtained a driving license? Now you are probably constantly worried if she or he is driving safely. And you also wonder where they go. There is a little piece of modern technology that can help parents who are worried about whereabouts of their children - it is called GPS tracking system.
2). GPS and Other Emergency Contact Devices
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4). Erase "Lost" From Your Vocabulary, Get GPS
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5). Overview of Satellite Navigation Systems
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6). Automotive Navigation System Making Driving Less Stressful
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7). Consumer Reports on GPS: What the Experts Have to Say
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.: Top GPS Articles
1). Tracking Your Children With GPS
From the moment children are born their parents naturally worry about them. Are they hungry? Are they warm enough? Are they sick?
Soon parents face the surrounding dangers as toddlers start to crawl, walk and run. The hazards seem to be everywhere. As any parent knows, the concerns only become deeper seated as children get older. Safety is all a parent can think about - especially when their children are not with them.
2). GPS Handheld Mapping Devices - What Is The Difference?
So many companies that offered GPS handheld mapping devices are operated today. Some of them are just among those many outstanding GPS handheld mapping providers such as Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, and much more.
3). Using GPS for Fishing!
Some things you can do with GPS on your fishing trip include:
1. Patterning
2. Recording casting areas, scouted regions, and shoals
3. Plot exact coordinates of that 'perfect fishing spot' and go back whenever you'd like
4. Add your own journal, notes, and even digital pictures memorable locales
5. Create your own custom routes as well as maps
6. Use the GPS as a planner prior to voyaging off on the trip
7.
4). GPS Tracking--the Smart Way to Protect Your Child
Whether it is your vehicle or your child, there are GPS tracking devices that can help you keep track of or locate them anytime, anywhere. It is more dangerous today for your children than at any other time in history. So putting a small GPS tracking device on their person to keep track of them is not as silly as it might sound. Today’s GPS tracking devices no longer require a line of site to the sky in order to work.
5). Global Positioning System (GPS) : A Complete Review
The system of knowing one's exact position on this earth is known as the 'Global Positioning System'. Precise positioning of any location can easily be done with the help of this System. If anyone has a Global Positioning System receiver and if the sky remains clear then no one is going to be lost on this Earth. The receiver is a pocket-sized gadget that makes us inform about our exact position on this earth at any moment.
6). GPS: Applications And Uses
What are the uses for GPS? There are many, both for individuals, corporations, and the government.
Military
The military uses GPS technology to guide missiles, track and control forces and facilities, and more. GPS has allowed command and control of forces to greatly advance their effectiveness. Using GPS, units can report their exact location to command central, and easily find directions to other locations.
7). Do You Know Where Your Teen Is? You Do With Spy Matrix GPS
Spy Matrix GPS is the ultimate in car tracking technology. It is easy to use, easy to hide, and easy to follow. It is the perfect way for you to know where your car is now, and where you car was. Plus, this is a portable device, allowing you to transfer it to different cars at need. You can have peace of mind knowing where your car is it all times. And when you have teenagers, you can know where they have your car, thanks to the Spy Matrix GPS.