Come 2023; the GPS tracking device market is expected to reach 2.25 billion US dollars. That is significant growth seeing as just a few years ago, a car GPS tracking device was more of an add-on than a necessity.

Experts have largely attributed the growth to the ever-growing demand for fleet telematics. However, individual tracking is also gaining momentum. That is especially so when one considers that insurance companies tend to reduce premiums for vehicles with a tracking unit.

If you are looking to purchase your first tracking unit, then this guide will take you through the considerations, installation, and management.

What Should You Consider Before Purchasing a Tracking Device for Your Car?

First, consider where you intend to place the device. If you plan to install the device on the car’s exterior, then you require a durable and waterproof unit. Otherwise, the tracker will not withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Second, determine the year your car was manufactured. There are two types of tracking devices: a plug-and-play and hardwired tracker. A plug-and-play is inserted in a vehicle’s OBD-II port, and only vehicles manufactured after 1996 have this port.

Therefore, if your car was manufactured before 1996, you are better off purchasing a hardwired tracker.

Finally, think about the cost. If you are only installing the device on one vehicle, then you can splurge and purchase an expensive unit. However, for a fleet of vehicles, go for the affordable yet efficient unit.

Note that with cost, the biggest determinant is whether the unit is passive or real-time. Passive GPS auto tracker devices store the GPS data in a receiver, which you can then download to a server later. In contrast, real-time units use a satellite modem, which you can then interface with a tracking app for live updates. Real-time trackers tend to be costlier.

With the above in mind, you are ready to purchase the right unit for your vehicle. Once you do, the next step is installation.

Installing a Hardwired Tracking Device

Hardwiring means you are manually connecting the device to the car’s electrical system. The biggest advantage of this option is that you will establish a reliable power supply to the unit. Moreover, you will be able to hide the unit by placing it above the pedals or inside the dashboard.

To hardwire the tracking device yourself:

1. Secure the red wire on your tracking unit to the 12-VDC power source.

2. Attach the transceiver to the wiring harness.

3. Remove approximately an inch of insulation from the power source wire.

4. Use a sharp object to poke around till you create a loop.

5. Remove roughly an inch of insulation off the ends of the red wire on your tracking device.

6. Twist the uninsulated ends of the red wire and poke them through the loop you made in instruction #4 above.

7. Squeeze the loop shut, twist the red wire around, and finally wrap in electrical tape to avoid grounding out.

8. Connect the white wire on your unit to the car’s ignition wire.

9. Finally, connect the tracking device and vehicle ground wires.

10.  Secure your device using tape, a zip tie, or Velcro to prevent it from moving around while on the road. Note that if you do not hold the device in place, it can damage the wires.

Keep in mind that if you lack basic knowledge of automotive work, you’d rather take your vehicle to a professional. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, follow the instructions to the letter and visit YouTube for more information.

Installing a Tracker to the OBD II Port

Installing the plug-and-play takes less than a minute.

1. Find the OBD-II connector

2. Plug it into the OBD-II port

3. Create an account with the tracker’s companion app and begin monitoring your device.

How Will You Manage Your Tracking Device?

Managing the device involves monitoring it, analyzing the data collected, and reacting in case of theft. To do so, you need:

A Software Solution or Mobile App

The mobile app that either comes with the device or that you develop yourself should provide:

• The position of vehicles or vehicle on a map. One can easily do this via third party map providers such as Google maps.

• Reports and tables that document the driving history.

• Driver messaging to message drivers, especially if the software manages a fleet of vehicles.

• A system that analyzes the working of the GPS device and software. For instance, it can detect the time one switches the tracking device on and off.

With the above functionalities, you will manage your GPS device easily.

An Integrated Alert System/Push Notifications

The alert system should provide alerts, preferably in the form of push notifications. That means delivering details such as when vehicles reach a certain location to your phone or any other computing device.

For an alert system, you must set a geofenced area, which is a virtual perimeter within which the vehicles should operate. The system is crucial because in the event your car is stolen, you will quickly get a notification either via SMS or email. That will allow you to react accordingly.

Adequate Response Strategy

Receiving alerts on time will not do you much good if you do not have a response strategy. Determine the steps you will take to recover your car if you receive a negative alert. For instance, you can partner with a security company whose job it is to recover stolen cars.

Alternatively, you can partner with the police. In that case, develop a solution where as soon as you receive an alert, you can send all the critical information to the cops so that they can take over.

What to Remember About Tracking Devices

For individual users, the units morph into anti-theft tracking devices for cars. They help increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles.

For business franchises, it goes beyond anti-theft purposes. A GPS tracking system will help you monitor fuel usage, the routes taken, and the behavior of drivers. Also, GPS-based applications are essential to businesses, such as ambulance services and car rentals.

Having such an application will go a long way in helping you market your brand if you happen to own any of the above businesses.