| GPS monitors have a multitude of legitimate uses, | | | | GO 300 is ideal for any car driver. It is easy to |
| but have also generated controversy as they | | | | install, just plug in, switch on and drive away. |
| further diminish privacy. Some customers of car | | | | There is no need for a PC link, in fact no technical |
| rental companies have complained that their | | | | knowledge is needed at all. It fits simply into the |
| movements have been tracked without their | | | | included car mounting kit, which is easily attached |
| consent by the installation of GPS vehicle tracking | | | | to the car dashboard or windshield. It is extremely |
| systems in rental vehicles. However, the positive | | | | easy to opertate: just turn it on and users can |
| uses of this technology have, at least so far, | | | | instantly access all the programs, maps and colour |
| outweighed the negatives. | | | | 3D navigation views, as well as voice-guided |
| Fitness enthusiasts use GPS tracking devices to | | | | instructions in their chosen language. It has a |
| measure distances remaining in marathons, and | | | | touch screen interface to avoid fumbling with |
| back-country hikers use them to prevent | | | | multiple buttons or extra devices while sitting in |
| themselves from getting lost (or to facilitate | | | | traffic. The touch screen is totally intuitive and the |
| rescue if they already are). Police can enforce | | | | entire route can be planned with just a couple of |
| restraining orders and parole conditions by | | | | screen taps. |
| stopping criminals from stalking victims and being | | | | The features of this user-friendly system along |
| in neighborhoods (such as near playgrounds) | | | | with its relatively low price (around 700 dollars) |
| where they are forbidden. Lost and stolen vehicles | | | | has made it a hit with consumers. |
| can be located with the touch of a button. | | | | Others, such as the Magellan Roadmate, are |
| Parents can use GPS vehicle tracking to check on | | | | slightly more difficult to use but also come with a |
| teenagers' driving habits to make sure these | | | | database of maps and local attractions such as |
| inexperienced drivers are not speeding or | | | | restaurants. |
| otherwise endangering themselves and their | | | | In North American, the most popular brands are |
| passengers. And GPS in-car navigation systems | | | | Garmin and Magellan. |
| can guide drivers through unfamiliar terrain to their | | | | Selecting the Right GPS Unit for Your Needs: |
| destination. | | | | Handheld vs Dash-Mounted |
| Information Loggers (Passive Tracking) | | | | When selecting between a handheld unit versus a |
| These basic systems are for companies or | | | | dash-mounted unit for your vehicle, consider |
| individuals who seeking a record of an asset's or | | | | whether you may want to use it for any other |
| even person's whereabouts during a given time | | | | purpose, such as boating or camping. |
| period, without the ability or cost of real-time | | | | Pros and Cons of Dash-Mounted GPS Units |
| tracking. These are useful for fleet management. | | | | Advantages |
| GPS vehicle tracking eliminates moonlighting with | | | | Larger screens with better resolution which are |
| company vehicles. It reduces accidents and lowers | | | | simple to read at a glance even in poor lighting |
| insurance premiums by promoting safe employee | | | | conditions |
| driving habits. GPS vehicle tracking creates reports | | | | More sophisticated models have features such |
| of miles driven by each vehicle. Fleet management | | | | route recalculation if the driver diverges from the |
| will reduce the company fuel bill and increase miles | | | | planned route |
| driven per gallon of fuel. Some GPS systems | | | | Larger buttons for ease of operation while driving |
| even have maintenance modules to inform the | | | | Unit is securely attached to your vehicle to thwart |
| fleet manager when each vehicle is due for an oil | | | | theft |
| change or tire rotation. | | | | Some units have voice instructions that |
| Real Time (Active Tracking) | | | | communicate distance, street names, and |
| This allows the user to watch the progress of the | | | | direction of the next turn thus keeping the |
| persons or assets travelling in real-time from their | | | | driver's eyes on the road instead of on the |
| PC. This option is more expensive because of the | | | | screen |
| costs of devices, programs and air-time charges | | | | No batteries needed, runs off car battery |
| for communication between the PC and the asset. | | | | Address lookup capabilities |
| It is used, for instance, by a taxi company to | | | | Some units have a individual address book to |
| dispatch the closest available vehicle to a | | | | store locations for quick and simple search |
| customer. | | | | Advanced mapping capabilities |
| In Europe,some of the most popular in-car | | | | Better reception outside the city |
| tracking systems are the Tom-Tom Navigator, | | | | Boosts car resale value |
| Magellan Roadmate, Navman and Garvin. They | | | | Disadvantages |
| range in price from five hundred to a thousand | | | | Difficult to remove from vehicle if you decide to |
| dollars, depending on what features are chosen by | | | | use it elsewhere |
| the user. | | | | Larger footprint in/on dashboard |
| TomTom GO 300 offers the most easy-to use | | | | Too large for use by bikers, kayakers or hikers. |
| GPS system of travel planning throughout the UK. | | | | More expensive |
| This award winning private navigation program is a | | | | Hopefully this advice will help you find the best unit |
| portable, cable-less design that fits in any | | | | for your needs among all the different GPS |
| briefcase, handbag or even backpack. TomTom | | | | vehicle tracking units available. |