GPS systems are a great tool that can be used for a wide variety of uses. You can utilize a GPS tracking device to pinpoint your exact location while you're driving, hiking, running, fishing, sailing, biking, or exploring. No matter where you are in the world, a GPS tracking system can help you find your way.

GPS isn't just for finding your own location, however. It can be used for car tracking , equipment tracking, asset tracking , and tracking people too. If you have a valuable item out in the open, such as a boat or motorcycle, you can put a GPS tracking device on it, and track its location in case it gets stolen. Business owners also utilize GPS fleet tracking to keep track of their company vehicles and ensure drivers are going where they're supposed to be going. Read on to learn how to use this amazing technology.

Getting Set Up With Your GPS Tracker

There are two types of GPS trackers: hardwired and portable battery-powered tracking devices. For the purpose of this article, we will be discussing portable GPS trackers. Portable trackers are wireless, so you can use them for different things on a regular basis. Portable systems can move easily from car to car or person to person. There are no cumbersome wires anywhere on the device.

Once you have bought your new portable GPS tracking system, it's important to determine where it can and cannot track from. The GPS signal will penetrate glass, plastic, foam, fiberglass, and wood, but will not penetrate metal. So areas like under the hood of a car or in the trunk will not work, but underneath seats or the glove box of a car are okay. You can also put it in a backpack to track your child or attach it to a valuable item in case it gets stolen.

Always ensure your tracking device is fully charged before you use it to track someone/something. Most trackers will give you around eight hours of use on a full charge, and extended-life battery kits can provide anywhere from 60 up to 120 hours of actual movement on a single charge.

Tracking Options

Depending on the tracking device you have purchased, your options may be different, but most will require that you log on to the tracking/reporting website and activate your account. It's usually on this website that you will find live tracking features to show specific information about the vehicle (or other object) you are tracking, such as latitude, longitude, and its speed of travel. You will also find most reporting and alert system options online, such as when certain "alert zones" are entered, aggressive driving, speeding, etc.

GPS Tracker Options

If using the tracker in your own car, you will find many options on the LiveViewGPS Web interface which will usually include directions and routing, maps, and search features to find nearby gas stations, restaurants, etc. This feature can be helpful to guide a driver of the vehicle to any of these locations. Because there are so many different types of GPS trackers on the market today, this article cannot cover exact directions for every type. For more information on using your portable GPS tracking device system, consult your user manual.