Personal Use of GPS Tracking Device

Benefits of Personal GPS Tracking

GPS tracking offers a multitude of benefits for individuals, families, and even businesses. With a reliable GPS tracking device, you can effortlessly keep tabs on your valuable assets, whether it’s your vehicle, pet, or even family members. The real-time location tracking feature allows you to monitor the whereabouts of your loved ones or assets at any moment, providing peace of mind and enhanced security. For parents, this means ensuring their child’s safety, while pet owners can easily track their furry friends.

Moreover, GPS tracking can significantly improve driving habits by providing detailed location history and real-time tracking data. This information is invaluable for optimizing routes, reducing fuel consumption, and enhancing overall driving safety. Additionally, GPS tracking is an excellent tool for monitoring valuable assets, such as equipment or packages, and can send alerts in case of any unusual activity. Whether you’re looking to safeguard your family or protect your possessions, GPS tracking offers a comprehensive solution.

Choosing the Right GPS Tracker

Selecting the right GPS tracker depends on your personal needs and requirements. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Accuracy: Ensure the GPS tracker provides precise location tracking and real-time updates. Accurate tracking is crucial for monitoring the exact whereabouts of your assets or loved ones.
• Battery Life: Look for a GPS tracker with a long battery life, especially if you plan to use it for extended periods. A tracker with a robust battery ensures continuous monitoring without frequent recharges.
• Wi-Fi Connectivity: Opt for a GPS tracker with Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless tracking and updates. This feature allows for more reliable and faster data transmission.
• Compatibility: Make sure the GPS tracker is compatible with your device, whether it’s a cell phone, tablet, or computer. Compatibility ensures you can easily access and monitor tracking information.
• Additional Features: Consider a GPS tracker with extra features like geofencing, alerts, and driving habits analysis. These features can provide added security and valuable insights.

When choosing a best GPS tracker, it’s also important to consider the type of tracking you need. For instance, if you’re tracking a child’s whereabouts, a small-sized tracker with long battery life would be ideal. For vehicle tracking, a GPS tracker with real-time location tracking would be more suitable. By evaluating these factors, you can select the GPS tracker that best meets your personal needs and ensures effective monitoring.

Types of GPS Trackers

There are several types of GPS trackers available, each tailored to specific needs and applications. Here are some of the most common types:

• Personal GPS Trackers: Designed for individual use, these trackers are perfect for keeping track of people, pets, or valuable assets. They are compact and portable, making them easy to carry or attach to personal items.
• Vehicle GPS Trackers: Specifically created for vehicles, these trackers provide real-time location tracking, harsh braking analysis, and other essential features. They are ideal for monitoring your car’s whereabouts and ensuring safe driving practices.
• Asset GPS Trackers: These trackers are meant for valuable assets like equipment or packages. They offer real-time location tracking and can send alerts if any unusual activity is detected, ensuring your possessions are always secure.

Each type of GPS tracker has its unique benefits, making it essential to choose the one that best fits your specific needs.

Did you know 

You are legally allowed to use a GPS tracking device on any asset that belongs to you, whether that be a vehicle, a valuable possession like a computer or musical instrument, a piece of recreational equipment like a snowmobile or jet ski, or something else. Certain legal considerations need to be made, however, if your tracking extends to the monitoring of a human as well. For example, tracking the whereabouts of your own vehicle means that you will automatically be able to track the location of its driver.

This is particularly useful for parents of teenage drivers as having data about driving habits, unsafe practices, speeding, etc. gives parents opportunities to educate their young drivers and help them improve. Parents can also use GPS tracking to find out if their teens are going places they shouldn’t be or staying out past their curfew. 

Transparency about using GPS tracking to monitor your family is a personal decision, but we offer some helpful resources to assist you with navigating difficult conversations about GPS tracking and how you intend to use the information that you gather.  

Before you actively track the whereabouts of a person who is not your child, we recommend making yourself aware of the legalities of doing so. In our GPS learning center, you can find an article about the legal ramifications of GPS tracking and a breakdown of the laws you need to be aware of before you begin. If you’re operating in a particularly complicated situation, we recommend seeking legal counsel to ensure that you are protected. 

Families may choose to use portable GPS tracking devices openly with one another to help ensure individual safety. For example, a woman who runs alone in the early mornings may consent to using a portable GPS tracker so her family can track her movements and location and ensure that she returns home safely.

Parents may use portable GPS tracking devices to make sure their kids make it safely home from school, whether they are walking, biking, or taking a bus. For elderly relatives or family members with special needs, providing a personal GPS tracking device can add peace of mind for the family and ensure that in the case of an emergency their location can be identified, and help can be sent quickly. Personal GPS tracking can be used to build trust and ensure safety in a loving family unit.

If you have questions or concerns about GPS tracking, device selection, accessories, platform customization, or anything else related to your GPS tracker purchase, our dedicated support team will be happy to assist you. At BrickHouse Security, customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we want to help you to achieve your GPS tracking goals without hassle. Our GPS learning center and dedicated help site are designed specifically to help guide you through the process of selecting and setting up your chosen GPS device.  

FAQs

Here’s the FAQ to help you decide on personal GPS tracking solutions for yourself.

What is personal GPS tracking and how does it work?

Personal GPS tracking uses a GPS enabled device to determine the real-time location of a person or asset. These devices connect to satellites to get location and often sync with apps on cell phones (iOS and Android) or a web platform for tracking and monitoring.

Who can use personal GPS?

Personal GPS can help with:

• Parents to keep track of their kids.
• Caregivers to monitor elderly family members.
• Adventurers to stay safe on outdoor trips.
• Business owners to secure valuable assets or vehicles.
• Individuals to have peace of mind when tracking loved ones or personal belongings.

What to look for in a best GPS tracker?

• Battery life: How long do you need it to last?
• Real-time tracking: Do you need immediate updates.
• Alerts: Boundary crossing or emergency notifications.
• Location history: View past locations in Google maps.
• Android or iPhone compatible.
• Tough for tracking cars, humans or other assets.

How accurate is the GPS device?

Accuracy depends on the device, the strength of the GPS signal and if the tracker is using Wi-Fi or cellular networks for communication. High end trackers can often be accurate to a few feet so you can find a person, car or other asset.

What are the advantages of a standalone GPS tracker over other trackers like cell phones?

While cell phones have tracking features, standalone GPS trackers have:

• Longer battery life for longer tracking.
• Works in poor cell coverage areas.
• Customized features for specific needs like monitoring driving habits or tracking a child’s location.
• Real-time location updates and emergency alerts.
• Durability and accessories to attach to a vehicle or asset.

How long does the GPS tracker battery last?

Battery life varies by device and usage. Some trackers last several days on a single charge, others weeks or even months. If you plan to track a car or asset for long periods choose a tracker with extended battery life or a hardwired option that stays charged when the vehicle is running.

How can I use personal tracking device to track my child’s location?

The tracking device gives you peace of mind by letting you track your child’s location in real-time. Devices can be attached to a backpack, carried in a pocket or worn as a wearable. Parents can receive alerts if their child leaves a designated safe zone or be notified of their location during an emergency.

Can I use GPS tracker internationally?

Many GPS trackers work internationally but coverage depends on the network they use. Always check with the manufacturer to confirm global access or extra fees for international tracking.

Are there GPS trackers for emergencies?

Yes, some GPS trackers have an SOS feature that allows the user to send an alert during an emergency. These are perfect for children, elderly or adventurers in remote areas.

Are personal trackers Android and iOS compatible?

Yes, most personal trackers have companion apps that are Android and iPhone (iOS) compatible. So you can use it regardless of the phone or smartphone you have.

Is personal tracking device cost effective?

Yes! Personal tracking device is a versatile solution for security, safety and convenience. Whether it’s for a car, child or family member, the peace of mind is worth more than the cost.

Can I use a tracker without subscription?

Some trackers don’t require a subscription and can work with free tools like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for short range tracking. But for real-time tracking and remote updates most devices require a data plan to connect to a cellular network.

How do trackers send alerts and notifications?

Most trackers are connected to a phone app or web platform that provides real-time updates. Users can receive alerts via push notifications, text messages or email for:

• Leaving or entering a designated area.
• Low battery.
• Sudden movement or unusual activity.

Can GPS device monitor driving habits?

Yes, many GPS devices for vehicles can provide data on driving habits like speed, harsh braking and routes taken. This is useful for monitoring new or teen drivers to ensure good practices or for companies to track driver behavior in their fleet.

How does location history work in personal trackers?

Location history allows users to see a record of where a tracker or person has been over a certain period. This is useful for:

• Reviewing a driver’s routes.
• Tracking a family member’s previous movements.
• Tracing steps in case of lost asset or emergency.

Can I track my pet with a personal tracker?

Yes! Many trackers are designed for pets, so you can locate them in real-time if they wander off. Just attach the device to their collar and you’ll get updates on their location.

What if the tracker loses signal?

If a tracker loses its GPS signal because it’s indoors or underground many devices will switch to using nearby Wi-Fi or cellular signals to provide approximate location. The data will be updated when the signal is restored.

How do I install and set up a GPS device?

Setting up a GPS device is easy:

1. Download the companion app on your smartphone or access it via web platform.
2. Activate the device and connect it to the app via QR code or setup instructions.
3. Configure settings like alert preferences and real-time location updates.
4. Attach the device to the person, vehicle or asset you want to track.

For more info on finding the right GPS tracking device for your personal needs check out our range of trackers at BrickHouse Security. We’re here to help!