Have you ever considered getting a GPS tracking device for your car, truck, or motorcycle? This handy technology, once limited to expensive fleet vehicles, is now an affordable way to protect and monitor your auto in real-time.
A GPS locator draws power from your car to broadcast coordinates using cellular and satellite networks. You can pinpoint your ride anywhere via phone apps and web portals. Additional features like crash recognition, driver analytics, dash cams and more provide next-level vehicle management.
Overview: Top 8 Benefits
Here are the main advantages of installing a GPS tracker in your car:
- Theft Recovery – Instantly locate a stolen vehicle and assist police in retrieval
- Emergency Response – Automatically summon help after a crash or breakdown
- Teen Driver Safety – Receive alerts to coach good habits and peace of mind
- Insurance Discounts – Save up to 15% on premiums with a tracker
- Driving Evidence – Built-in dash cam protects you in court disputes
- Navigation & Traffic – Get real-time warnings on congestion, accidents ahead
- Performance Feedback – Dashboard gauges provide diagnostics to save on repairs
- Avoid Monthly Fees – No subscription required with some budget options
Now let‘s explore these 8 compelling reasons you should get an auto GPS tracker today…
Reason 1: High-Tech Theft Recovery
Vehicle theft is surprisingly common, with over 800,000 incidents per year in the U.S. according to FBI statistics. Sadly, less than 60% of stolen vehicles are ever recovered. Once in a chop shop or loaded in a container, the trail goes cold fast.
A GPS tracker gives you the best chance of getting your wheels back before it‘s too late. The locator beams position updates every few minutes via cellular and satellite networks. If a thief drives off, you‘ll get a text or email alert. Open the tracking app and monitor movements in real-time.
Many GPS units even let you remotely disable the engine at the press of a button once parked. This feature prevents further movement until police arrive. Being able to provide coordinates right to the vehicle‘s location cuts recovery time drastically.
For example, a 2021 case in San Francisco saw a Range Rover stolen at gunpoint. Using GPS tracking data, police closed in on the vehicle within half an hour. Three suspects were arrested trying to unload $100,000 worth of vehicle and valuables still inside.
So a GPS tracker brings cutting-edge technology to bear against the age-old crime of auto theft. For just a small hardware investment, you gain peace of mind knowing your ride can be immobilized and found if the unthinkable happens.
Reason 2: Emergency Crash Response
In addition to standard location tracking, many modern vehicle trackers have built-in emergency features. For example, an SOS panic button can directly summon assistance in any crisis.
If you‘re in an accident, stranded with a dead battery or face another emergency, press this discreet button to be connected to an agent. Additional sensors also automatically detect crashes looking for signs like sudden rapid deceleration from high speed.
Once triggered, an emergency response center agent will first try to contact you over the vehicle‘s intercom. Are you injured? Can you safely exit the vehicle? They will determine the appropriate level of needed response. Even if you are unconscious, the GPS locator continues broadcasting coordinates.
Emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance will be dispatch to the exact incident area using mapping integrations. At the same time your designated emergency contacts are also notified via SMS that you‘ve been in crash.
A 2017 Australian case saw a 72-year old man driving off the road into a ravine late at night. An emergency call triggered the vehicle‘s onboard response team who determined he was injured and immobile. Police found the overturned vehicle using GPS data. Vital emergency surgery saved the man‘s life.
Much like an advanced OnStar system, this emergency service provides peace of mind knowing you can quickly get help even if stranded off-road far from populated areas. And immediate crash notifications to your family can alert them of the situation before they get an impersonal notice you‘ve been admitted to the hospital.
Reason 3: Teen Driver Safety
Reason 4: Insurance Discounts
Reason 5: Built-In Dash Cams
Reason 6: Real-Time Navigation
Reason 7: Detailed Driving Feedback
Reason 8: Avoid Monthly Fees
The Best GPS Trackers for Vehicles
Now that you know the many advantages of installing a tracker in your car, here are my top recommendations across three categories:
Overall Winner: Garmin DriveSmart 65 GPS Navigator
Hidden Model: Amcrest AM-GL300 Real-time Magnetic GPS Tracker
Budget Pick: LandAirSea 54 Magnetic GPS Tracker
Let‘s compare the features of each to help you decide which model best fits your needs and budget…
| Feature | Garmin DriveSmart | Amcrest Magnetic | LandAirSea 54 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Display Screen | Yes | None | None |
| Hardwired or Portable | Hardwired | Portable | Portable |
| Tracking Frequency | 2x per minute | 5 sec updates | 5 sec updates |
| Emergency Features | SOS Button, notifications | SOS Button | Tow Alert Button |
| Dash Camera | Yes | No | No |
| Driving Metrics | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Fee | No | Starts @ $15/mo | Starts @ $25/mo |
Let‘s explore a few highlights for each model…
Garmin DriveSmart: Top Overall Pick
If you‘re wanting a dedicated in-dash navigation and entertainment system with smooth map graphics, media playback and driver alerts – the Garmin DriveSmart is an excellent choice. It hardwires to your vehicle for constant power and recharges like a smartphone when the car is running.
Key features:
- Large 6.95" edge-to-edge touch display
- Integrated dash cam records trip footage
- Bluetooth hands-free calling & voice commands
- Driver alerts for upcoming traffic, accidents
- Helpful travel information like fuel prices, parking spots nearby
- Built-in emergency assistance summons sends help your way
For the price, the Garmin DriveSmart brings full-featured infotainment and security in one integrated system designed specifically for automotive use. While costing more upfront, there are no monthly fees with this model.
Amcrest Magnetic GPS Tracker: Hidden Option
Maybe you don‘t want drivers knowing a tracking device is reporting their every move. The portable Amcrest clips onto a hidden spot under the car using powerful magnets. It then relays the vehicle‘s coordinates back to you from anywhere nationwide.
Despite slim dimensions, this versatile tracker packs impressive capabilities:
- Real-time location updates every 5 seconds
- Emergency SOS instantly calls for help
- Geo-fencing alerts notify you when boundaries are crossed
- Tracks speed, hard braking incidents and acceleration
- Easy setup without wiring or mechanics
- Weatherproof design handled tough environments
For personal vehicles monitoring or small company fleets, the Amcrest provides cutting-edge tracking analytics afffordably. While no dash cam or display is included, it‘s an extremely versatile stealth tracker perfect for asset protection or teen safety.
LandAirSea 54: Budget Magnetic Pick
The LandAirSea 54 offers very similar functionality to the Amcrest but keeps costs down by locking advanced options behind a subscription paywall after the first year. Out of the box you get real-time monitoring, emergency alerts and driving metrics included at no extra charge. But geofences, push notifications, historical reports and other convenience perks require opting into a paid service plan.
This super strong tracker secures to the car with industrial magnets to withstand high speeds and extreme weather. Despite budget price, core performance remains very competitive:
- View location updates every 5 seconds
- Press tow alert or emergency buttons for urgent response
- Dashboards display max speed, hourly usage, and other driver analytics
- Rugged waterproof construction rated IPX7
- Includes first year of tracking and safety features
- Add monthly plans to unlock premium capabilities
For the price, the LandAirSea gives you reliable real-time oversight of vehicle location and driving behaviors. While adding subscriptions down the road does increase long term costs, it‘s the most affordable way to get started with essential GPS monitoring and safety features.
GPS Tracker Buying Considerations
Beyond comparing feature sets, keep these factors in mind when choosing a GPS tracking system for your vehicle:
Installation – Hardwired or quickly removable? Wiring a pro install takes more effort but ensures constant power. Portable magnetic models clip onto hidden spots in just seconds.
Location Tracking – What networks provide coverage? GPS satellites offer positioning globally but can lose signal in tunnels or dense cities. Cell tower triangulation fills gaps though less accurately. Combining both ensures tracking even if GPS connectivity is briefly lost.
Tracking Frequency – How often is location updated? The best models today refresh every few seconds for near real-time monitoring. Check that bandwidth caps don‘t throttle too aggressively on lower-cost plans.
Emergency Features – Does it offer crash detection? SOS call buttons? Tow alerts? The more emergency features, the better in case you wind up stranded.
Geofences & Alerts – What happens when boundaries are crossed? Custom geofence zones let you monitor arrivals/departures from specific addresses you designate. Instant push alerts inform you when these perimeters are breached.
Storage & Data Plans – How much history is saved locally before writing over old footage? Cloud storage preserves trip history but often incurs monthly fees. Compare costs before selecting subscription plans.
Weatherproofing – Will the tracker withstand my local climate? Heat, cold, moisture can damage electronics so match IP ratings and operating temps to your environment.
By carefully weighing aspects like these, you can zero in on the perfect GPS monitoring solution tailored to your personal needs and budget!
Common GPS Tracker Questions
Let‘s wrap up by answering some frequently asked questions about GPS vehicle trackers:
Are auto GPS trackers legal to buy and install?
Yes! There are currently no federal laws in the U.S. restricting GPS tracking devices on your own private property according to the FCC. A majority of state courts have upheld vehicle owners‘ rights to monitor their own cars or trucks as no expectation of privacy exists. Employers tracking company vehicles driven by workers face more litigation but setups where individuals monitor their own property remain fully legal in private use scenarios.
Can someone jam the signals to my GPS tracker?
While technically possible to disrupt GPS, cellular or radio signals, currently no public cases exist of consumer vehicle trackers specifically being jammed. Military units might have this capability but it requires advanced hardware not readily available to civilian thieves.
Do I need a WiFi or cellular connection for my GPS tracker?
The GPS satellites themselves provide location positioning anywhere on earth so no WiFi is needed just for basic lat/long coordinates. However the cellular connection built into most models is required to actually transmit that location data back to your phone or computer for real-time viewing, geofencing and emergency features. So while strictly speaking no connectivity is required for GPS hardware to function, having wireless transmission via cell networks enables all the practical tracking capabilities.
How much better is a $300 GPS compared to a $30 GPS?
You get what you pay for holds true. Inexpensive options often lack real-time tracking, have spotty coverage with routine dead zones, miss recording incidents, and feature very limited storage. Monthly plans quickly negate any upfront savings too over time. Splurging on reputable auto-optimized models gets you five-star emergency monitoring, lifetime theft protection, responsive apps, and integration with your vehicle‘s native systems.
I hope this guide has presented a compelling case to get on board putting your car on the map with modern GPS! Please let me know if you have any other questions in the comments section. Grab a tracker today and never wonder "where‘s my car" again!
