GPS tracker for car. Which GPS tracker should I choose for a car? Installation of GPS-tracker on the car. Connecting a GPS tracker

Alarm systems to this day are one of the most popular means of protecting the car. Along with mechanical anti-theft devices, the built-in siren creates the necessary minimum for safety. But these measures are not enough to protect machines in modern conditions. Especially as electronic systems significantly expand the capabilities of drivers who want to protect their property. So, along with traditional devices, service centers are increasingly proposing to install a GPS tracker for a car that will track the location of equipment. From the side the idea really looks attractive, but for its implementation it is necessary to go through the difficult stages of choosing the equipment, its installation and connection.

How does the tracker work and what does it consist of?

Virtually any tracker includes two modules in the design - receiving and transmitting. The first segment performs the function of determining the coordinates of its position, and the translator provides their sending to the owner through the channels of cellular communication or GPRS. Accordingly, software must be also initially prepared, which will allow to identify and process the received signal. Therefore, determining what GPS-tracker to choose for the car, it is necessary to provide possible ways of warning. It is desirable that the reception of data on the coordinates of the tracker itself be performed from both the GLONASS satellite and the GPS system. In addition to the two receiving and transmitting units, which are enclosed in the housing of the device, automobile beacons also have antennas. Depending on the modification, this element may be external or internal. To ensure the efficiency of the tracker, the battery is also provided in the form of a battery, although often for this purpose the onboard network is also used.

On which parameters to choose a device?

The first thing that should interest the future user of the car tracker is the communication channels and the possibilities of working with satellite systems. Still the most reliable means of fixing coordinates is GPS navigation. The wider the list of communication standards in this range, the better. The sensitivity of the tracking and the accuracy are then determined. The first indicator depends on the quality of the interaction of the receiver with satellites - that is, the quality of the communication ensures that the machine will remain in the coverage area of navigation even under interference conditions. Before choosing a GPS tracker for a car, you should also evaluate the nature of its future operation. Perhaps you need a recording device with a fixation of coordinates - and then the mandatory selection criteria will be the presence of a memory card. Also, you should evaluate the conditions for using the car itself. In particular, at what temperature will the tracker work. Standard models, for example, support the beacon function in the range from -10 to +60 ° C.

What to consider in the functional?

In the basic version, the trackers determine the coordinates, the exact time and speed of the object's movement. If you provide a bunch of security systems, then the optional spectrum can be extended. When connecting the respective components, the user can adjust the transmission of parameters about the voltage in the board, fuel consumption, temperature inside the machine, indication of the activation of the lock mechanisms, etc. Of course, the organization of multifunctional complexes is expensive, so many people stop the choice of the functions of a simple recording device. In this case, the tracker for the car will work as a tracking sensor even without the need to connect to an onboard power supply. It is these models that are supplied with personal batteries, which ensure their autonomous operation.

Where to install?

By type of installation, car trackers are also divided according to the mode of their power supply. As a rule, security-monitoring systems assume the supply from an on-board network. That is, their installation must be carried out at the most appropriate point under the instrument panel. If we are talking about models that run on battery, the range of suitable locations for installation expands. In this case, the GPS tracker can be installed on the car in the glove compartment area and behind the radio. Special requirements for the installation conditions, such devices are not required, since their stuffing is protected by a dustproof and waterproof housing. But it is important to take into account another nuance. The fact is that the installation of an autonomous and wireless device should leave the possibility for unobstructed maintenance of the device. First, the user will have to periodically charge the battery, and secondly, it may be necessary to change the sensor settings.

Mounting rules

When a suitable place for installation is found, you can commit. Fastening is carried out in different ways, but the most common is the use of adhesive tapes and hardware. Usually, the installation is done on plastic surfaces, so it is better to use a tape that is gentle in terms of the mechanical effect. Also installation of a tracker on the car can be made on self-tapping screws and screws. Manufacturers complete the device with special cases, which are carefully mounted with screws. There are situations when the wiring itself can help secure the fixation of a small lighthouse. In such cases, you can do without metal fasteners, but it is better to insulate the wiring with insulating tape.

Connecting the tracker to the car

Wired models are connected to the mains. Usually devices of this type are connected to the on-board computer by means of four wires, among which channels for providing an alarm output. The red wire is fed to the positive terminal, and the minus is connected to the black wire. If you connect the GPS tracker to the car as part of the general security system, then the alarm cable can not be used or activate it as a power unit lock. After connecting the tracker, you must also activate it. Usually, for this purpose, an SMS message is sent from the phone to the device. The content of the text is indicated in the instruction for the specific instance of the tracker.

Manufacturers of trackers

As practice shows, it is already a great success to find a copy from a more or less well-known manufacturer on the market. Quality equipment of this type is produced under the Starline, Proma Sat, Navixy brands, as well as AvtoFon, Global Sat, etc. Western European companies are considered to be the leaders of the segment, but they can count on decent quality only if they purchase original products. The fact is that an authentic tracker for a car is almost impossible to distinguish from a Chinese counterfeit with an external inspection. Even the filling with functional is duplicated accurately and without signs of inconsistency. However, in the process of operation, in the first days, it is possible to detect errors in the readings and, in general, unsatisfactory operation of the equipment.

How much does the device cost?

Much depends on the functional content, technical configuration and, of course, the brand. For example, models from manufacturers of the Starline and Navixy levels are estimated at 7-10 thousand rubles. Autonomous tracker for a car, which does not require connection to the on-board network, also costs about 10 thousand rubles. Despite the modest option, such models demonstrate the effectiveness of the main function - tracking. Budget models of trackers, including a lot of domestic products such as "AvtoFon", can be purchased for 4-6 thousand rubles. At the same time, we should not think that such devices are losing much better analogues in terms of work quality. They may be inferior in accuracy to the definition of coordinates and the breadth of functionality, but, as shown by motorists, simple models catch the signal well regardless of external conditions.

Conclusion

The proliferation of satellite positioning systems has had a serious impact on many areas, increasing the quality of security systems. Navigational aids in the modern form are available to a wide audience of motorists, which stimulates the producers themselves to further develop this product. True, if the benefits of traditional navigators have long been known to the mass consumer, many consider a satellite tracker for a car as a derivative of an advertising campaign, which in practice only duplicates the function of conventional multimedia systems. This judgment is in part true, since modern headunits include options for navigators and also interact with satellites. But the trackers have one feature, which is typical for almost all GPS-systems for security purposes. This is the ability to alert the owner of equipment at a distance. The car owner can receive data about his car, being at any point where he receives the cellular communication signal connected to the operator's beacon. In addition to the location data, the user can also receive information about the operation parameters of the technical means.