GPS Car Trackers: The Definitive Guide

A GPS car tracker is a small electronic device which attaches to a discreet location on your vehicle and can help protect your car from theft.

But if this is the first time you’ve bought a GPS tracker, you probably have a few questions.

No doubt you’re wondering…

“How does a GPS car tracker work? Where do I put a GPS car tracker? How do I actually install a GPS car tracker?”

That’s why we’ve created this definitive guide to GPS car trackers.

Taking you step-by-step through the world of GPS trackers, this guide will make you an expert in tracking your vehicle.

• What is a GPS tracker?
• How do car GPS trackers work?
• Why should I buy a GPS tracker?
• How do I install a GPS tracker?

What is a GPS tracker?

The ultimate defence against car theft, GPS car trackers are small electronic devices which are installed on the underside of your vehicle. Using either GPS or movement detection technology, the tracking device will monitor the status and security of your car.

How do car GPS trackers work?

There are a wide variety of GPS trackers available and each tracker will offer a range of different features depending on the make and model.

The wide variety of trackers can be split into four categories.

These are:

• Basic GPS Car Tracker
• Movement Detection GPS Car Tracker
• Immobiliser GPS Car Tracker
• All-in-One GPS Car Tracker

How does a basic GPS car tracker work

The most basic trackers use a global positioning system (GPS) to provide you with the location of your vehicle. The GPS will integrate with an app and will allow you to check the location of your car via a mobile phone. All trackers, whether basic or advanced, will use GPS technology.

How does a movement detection GPS car tracker work

Just like a basic GPS tracker, a movement detection tracker will use GPS to integrate with your mobile phone and alert you to the location and status of your vehicle.

The added benefit of a movement detection tracker is that the tracker will alert you to any suspicious movement.

It does this by installing specially designed movement detectors on the underside of your car. If the car starts to move, the tracker will alert you via the mobile app.

You will then be able to report the location of your car to the police.

Alternatively, these trackers are great for parents with young drivers. If you want to know when your child is taking the car out, or you want to check the average speed that your child is driving at, the movement detection device will help you track the car via your smartphone.

How does an immobiliser GPS car tracker work

Just like a basic GPS tracker, an immobiliser tracker will use GPS to integrate with your mobile phone and alert you to the location and status of your vehicle.

The added benefit of an immobiliser tracker is that if someone attempts to use your car without your authority, the tracker will prevent the car engine from starting.

The tracker does this by integrating with the safety features of your car manufacturer. When you leave the car, you will activate the immobiliser. This will prevent people from starting the car until the immobiliser is turned off via your smartphone or computer.

How does an all-in-one GPS car tracker work

Just like a basic GPS tracker, an all-in-one tracker will use GPS technology to integrate with your mobile phone and alert you to the location and status of your vehicle.

It will also include:

• Movement Detection Technology
• An Immobiliser
• A Siren
• Remote Engine Cut Off

This is the ultimate vehicle defence tool. Some providers will also offer command centre coverage.

Why should I buy a GPS tracker?

There are lots of really good reasons to purchase a GPS tracker.

But we think the top three reasons are:

• Protect Against Car Theft
• Monitor Employee Safety
• Monitor Child Safety

GPS trackers help protect your car against theft

As car and van prices continue to rise, the unfortunate downside is that your vehicle is becoming a more lucrative target for thieves.

It’s not just cheaper, easier to steal cars that thieves are targeting either. If you own a BMW X5 or a Range Rover Sport, you are five times more likely to be a victim of car theft.

If you’re looking for a way to protect your vehicle and hit back at car theft, then an all-in-one GPS tracker is a great option.

Firstly, it comes with a hack-proof immobiliser. This ensures that nobody moves your car without you knowing.

Secondly, it allows world-wide GPS monitoring. This ensures that you know exactly where your car is at all times. Plus, if your car did get stolen, you can give the police the exact location details.

Finally, high-quality GPS trackers will offer a subscription model to a security command centre. This ensures that your car is 100% safe, even while you sleep.

GPS trackers help parents monitor their children

As a parent, it’s easy to worry about your kids. That worry only increases when they grow up and start to drive. You hope they are sensible, stick to the speed limit and drive safely, but you always have that nagging worry in the back of your mind.

With a GPS car tracker, you can control that worry with a mobile phone app. Allowing you to monitor the status, location and speed of a car, you can check in on your child at the click of a button.

It may never remove the worry completely but it’s a good start.

GPS trackers help employers protect their business

If you own a business which employs company drivers, then you will know how important it is that those drivers represent your business in a positive light.

Unfortunately, when drivers are on the road, it’s hard to keep an eye on their behaviour.

With a GPS tracker, you are able to check whether drivers are driving safely and are performing their duties as directed.

Plus, a GPS tracker allows you to know exactly where your vehicles are at all times. This allows you to adapt delivery routes, optimise for business efficiency and generally have more direct control over your service.

How do I install a GPS tracker?

If you are buying a GPS tracker from Ixplor, then you will find three installation options. These are:

• Magnetic Installation
• Plug-In Installation
• Wired Installation

Magnetic Installation

Some GPS trackers are magnetic and simply attach to anything metal in or outside of the vehicle.

These are battery operated models and will need to be charged occasionally for optimal performance.

If you’re worried about losing the GPS tracker with magnetic installation then, instead of attaching it on the outside of the vehicle, you could simply hide the GPS tracker under a car seat, in the boot or even in the glove compartment.

Magnetic installation will usually only be available for basic GPS tracker options.

Plug-In Installation

Some GPS trackers simply plug-in to the onboard diagnostic socket.

This is a great option if you want the GPS tracker to be fully charged at all times, but it will be clearly visible to thieves.

Again, this option will only be available for basic GPS tracker options.

This would be a great option for parents with young drivers in the family.

Wired Installation

The third and least visible option is a wired-in solution which requires professional installation.

This involves correctly fitting movement detection sensors to ensure your vehicle is fully secure.

Due to the technical difficulties of the job, our fully fitted prices include the fitting service, provided by an approved partner organisation, with the purchase of one of our trackers.

Our fully inclusive fitting services offer:

• Professional tracker installation
• Fitting at a time and place to suit you
• All labour is guaranteed for a minimum of 1 year