Picture the following scenario!
You’ve just driven out of the vehicle showroom with a brand-new Bugatti La Voiture Noire. The car set you back some 18.7 million dollars. But even before learning the ins and outs of your new ride, you become a victim of overzealous highway robbers who hijack the vehicle, leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
You’re not about to let your hard-earned millions go down the drain. However, even before you can report the incident to your motor vehicle insurer or file a report with the nearest law enforcement agency, you’re suddenly hit by the unfortunate realization that the car wasn’t installed with a GPS tracking device. That’s when the reality of blowing away $18.7 million in a few days starts to hit home.
A car tracking device, also known simply as a car tracker, can be a helpful installation on your precious motor vehicle. But like the common things we often take for granted, the purpose of this device is only truly appreciated once a car goes off the radar.
In this article, we look closely at a GPS car tracker, focusing on how long these devices typically last.
What Is A GPS Car Tracker?
A GPS car tracker is a navigation device installed in a vehicle to determine its location using the Global Positioning System (GPS). The device goes by many other names, including a GPS tracking unit, a satellite tracking unit, a geo-tracking unit, or simply a tracker.
There are numerous outlets where you can get your hands on the best vehicle trackers to help you monitor the movement of your precious automobile. But before hitting the stores, it’s imperative to understand how these devices work and the average duration they’ll last on your motor vehicle.
How Do GPS Car Trackers Work?
The best way to understand the mechanism of a GPS car tracking device is to begin by familiarizing yourself with how the global positioning system operates. The GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system that makes up the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The system is owned by the Government of the United States and operated by the United States Space Force.
A GPS tracker relies on the GPS system to pick up the geolocation and time information of the asset in which it’s installed (in this case, a motor vehicle). The unit then transmits that information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth.
For instance, assume that your car is stolen and the hijackers drive hundreds of miles from the crime scene. If the motor vehicle were fitted with a GPS tracking unit, the device would continuously relay information on the car’s exact location at different points in time. This information can help law enforcement and insurers determine the vehicle’s movements and recover it.
How Long Do GPS Car Trackers Last?
We can best predict the longevity of a GPS tracker by first understanding the primary components of the device. Most car satellite tracking units come in a small box that comprises the following parts;
GPS Receiver
Considered the most helpful part of a GPS car tracker, the GPS receiver utilizes a complex network of space satellites to zero in on the position of a vehicle at a particular point in time. The location is often determined based on the vehicle’s latitude and longitude.
Depending on your location and the design of your GPS car tracker, the device may also utilize other types of GPS technology to determine your vehicle’s location. For instance, certain GPS receivers only work within specific geopolitical borders.
Small Computer, Digital Storage Device, and Cellular Transmitter
These three components of a GPS car tracker usually go hand in hand. Their primary function is to receive the data transmitted by your GPS receiver.
Ideally, the GPS receiver will transmit your vehicle’s geolocation to a specialized computer within the system. The computer either stores this data in an in-built storage device for future reference or relays it through a cellular signal.
Although considerably tiny, the in-built computer is efficient enough to monitor numerous vehicles in real time.
Battery
Most GPS car trackers nowadays are designed to be wireless. In other words, they have built-in batteries. This allows them to locate your vehicle without needing to recharge the device.
However, Plug and Play GPS tracking units also get their battery from your car’s electrical systems. Such trackers do not require in-built batteries. But they’re unreliable if your car’s battery runs out of charge or there’s a fault with your vehicle’s electrical system.
User Interface
A GPS user interface relates to how easy it is to access information from a GPS car tracker. The term is commonly applied to the intuitiveness of the unit’s dashboard.
Now, when determining the duration of a GPS car tracker, the focus elements are usually the battery and other hardware components viewed collectively.
As already indicated, a GPS car tracking device can either include a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery.
Rechargeable batteries can last anywhere from one day to one week during average use. The phrase ‘average use’ refers to approximately two hours of driving daily. Most trackers feature an in-built motion sensor which lets them use power sparingly while a vehicle is not in motion.
Non-rechargeable GPS car tracker batteries, on the other hand, differ considerably in their average life. Some will only last 6 – 12 months without active tracking, while others may last up to 7 years. However, the average durability of non-rechargeable GPS tracker batteries is 5 years. At the end of this period, you’ll need to get a new geo-tracking unit. There’s no option for replacing the battery alone since it’s embedded into the entire system.
As for the other hardware components of a GPS car tracker, the average lifespan is usually three years. This duration could be shorter in the case of higher frequencies or improper usage.
NOTE: Your car’s GPS tracking device will break down as soon as the battery runs dry (for units with non-rechargeable batteries) or the other system components malfunction, whichever comes earlier.
Although GPS trackers can troubleshoot common issues like network misconfigurations and inadequate power (for devices with rechargeable batteries), most mechanical problems are irreparable.
Final Word
Most GPS car trackers are fairly durable and won’t need to be replaced unless they’re severely tampered with. Along with their efficiency in determining geolocation, these devices are a must-have for any automobile owner.
