Vehicle Tracking Devices

There are many types of vehicle tracking devices available on the market today. This is an overview of the most common units available:

Standard – 3 Wire

This is generally the most common type of vehicle tracking device. As per its name 3 wire tracking systems use 3 wires to connect to the vehicle these are: positive, negative and ignition sensed. These devices are hardwired to the vehicle and become fully active when the vehicles ignition is switched on. When the vehicles ignition is off the unit will report in usually once every 24 hours unless otherwise specified.

When active 3 wire tracking systems will log the vehicles location, speed and heading normally once every minute and send this information back to the user every 5 minutes.

These devices can normally have peripheral monitors and sensors added to them to report additional information regarding the vehicle such as: Driver Id’s, temperature monitors and panic buttons etc.

Advanced – Canbus

These types of systems are more complex than a 3 wire tracking system as they are able to provide information from a vehicle’s Canbus. The majority of modern vehicles have a vehicle Canbus. A vehicle Canbus enables various in car systems to communicate with each other. There is a lot of information that passes though this system which can be obtained by the tracking system which can than be reported back to the tracking application.

Canbus tracking devices are often used to report the following information: engine revving, miles per gallon and heavy braking, cornering and acceleration. Canbus vehicle tracking devices are generally more expensive due to their added technology and the additional information that is being sent back and are therefore more suited to vehicles such as HGV’s where they can offer the best return on investment.

Portable Tracking devices

Portable tracking systems are normally 3 wire tracking systems with an internal rechargeable battery included. This means that they do not need to be wired into a vehicle and can be easily transferred from vehicle to vehicle. Portable tracking devices normally have an on-board accelerometer which is detects movement, shock and vibration. As soon as the portable tracking device detects movement it starts to report in at predefined intervals such as once a minute or turn by turn etc. These units can be used to track assets other than vehicles including pallets, trailers, people and other high value items.

Security/Covert Tracking Devices

There are many types of security tracking systems available on the market. Many systems require an upfront payment for the hardware and installation and than a single or monthly payment for an annual or lifetime service. Security/theft tracking devices are installed covertly into a vehicle making it extremely difficult and timely for a potential thief to locate the tracking device. The tracking works by detecting activity when the ignition is off and the vehicle is locked. Upon detection the tracking device will alert a control centre who work with the police to recover the vehicle as quickly as possible. The installation of these devices can often be a requirement of an insurance company to be able to insure high value vehicles but with the price reductions seen over recent years many people/companies are able to receive insurance discount benefits making the purchase of one these system pay for itself.

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