How Accurate are GPS Tracking Devices?

GPS tracking devices are all the rage for businesses and personal use. In commercial use cases, they can be used for fleet management to optimize routes, improve maintenance tracking, reduce fuel costs, increase employee accountability, and a whole lot more.

GPS tracking devices can also be used as asset trackers. Asset trackers can be used to monitor deliveries and increase security.

When it comes to personal use, GPS trackers used in your vehicle may reduce insurance premiums and be used for vehicle recovery in case your vehicle is stolen. Plus, if you have teenagers, you can use GPS trackers to monitor how and where they’re driving.

Above are only a few of the ways GPS trackers benefit countless people on a daily basis. But how accurate are these devices?

GPS Tracking and Satellite Systems (GNSS)

GPS tracking has come a long way thanks to the installation and integration with satellite constellations. However, the accuracy of a GPS device depends on which of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) it uses.

Today, there are four major GNSSs:

• GPS—The truly global GNSS created by the USA.
  • Accuracy: 4-25.5 ft
    

• GLONASS—Russia’s GNSS that was launched two years prior to GPS, but did not include global coverage until 2011.
  • Accuracy: 4-32.8 ft
    

• Galileo—Europe’s GNSS is compatible with both GPS and GLONASS.
  • Accuracy: 5-9.8 ft
    

• Beidou—China’s GNSS.
  • Accuracy: 6-6.6 ft

 As you can see, the accuracy of GNSS varies considerably depending on the satellite constellation. For example, China’s Beidou is significantly more accurate than America’s GPS. Luckily, some GPS tracking devices are compatible with more than one GNSS, allowing for even greater accuracy.

Standard GPS Tracking Device Accuracy

 The accuracy of any given GPS tracking device will vary widely depending on what device you’re using, what company you’re purchasing it from, where the device is manufactured, the GPS receiver, and what GNSS(s) it uses.

Other factors that influence GPS accuracy (in vehicles) include:

• Environmental factors: Like tree cover, tall buildings, and the GPS device’s antenna.
• Vehicle age: Older vehicles are less accurate
• Tire size: Changing the factory tire size can significantly impact speed
• Posted road speed (PRS): PRS accuracy varies from super accurate to occasionally not so accurate.

However, most modern GPS tracking devices are very accurate, with the ability to provide location data with an accuracy ranging from about 9 ft to 50 ft. For even more precise accuracy, high-end users can boost GPS accuracy with dual-frequency receivers and/or augmentation systems. These can enable real-time positioning within a few centimeters, and long-term measurements at the millimeter level.

Here at LiveViewGPS, we understand the value of receiving an accurate location. For example, the PT-8100 Pro Plus has a position accuracy of less than 2.5 meters!

Please cal us with any questions you have about our LiveViewGPS tracking devices. 1-888-544-0494

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