How to Pick the Best Vehicle Tracking Device
Choosing the right vehicle GPS tracker for your requirements will require you identifying what you are looking for in the device. If fuel is your business’ major cost area then reducing this through having valuable insights into fuel management, speeding, idling, and routing will be essential. If your focus is more on staff security in remote locations then alarms, man-down, and immobilisation options will be critical. If you’re looking to protect assets in remote field locations then you’ll be looking for something weatherproof and reliable with a good backup battery.
The following vehicle tracking devices are the best vehicle tracking devices on the Australian market and cover a wide range of functionality:
The My Cars Gen 3 device is an Intellitrac offering, an Australian business selling Australia’s best-selling trackers. The Intellitrac My Cars Gen 3 is suitable for range of 12/24v vehicles including cars, vans and trucks. Tracking is provided in 60-second real-time, and users benefit from the smartphone interfaces and customised reporting functions. Additionally, the My Cars Gen 3 can be used to monitor driver behaviour, track routes, assess fuel tank levels and to provide man-down security. It is possible to have extras included on this device such as driver fatigue management and diagnostics. This tracker needs to be hardwired and professionally installed.
A leader on the Australian market, this GPS tracking device offers excellent and diverse functionality with the backing of a big name. The device can easily be installed, either in to the vehicle’s OBD port, or hardwired, and can be easily scaled making it valuable for differing fleets. Functionality is key with pin-point accuracy and sophisticated technology making use of the Australian Telstra Next G and Iridium Satellite Networks. Central to the Securatrak Geotab G07 is the link to the MyGeotab portal which has a user-friendly interface allowing you to both track and analyse real-time and recorded data for both driver and vehicle performance.
The Tramigo T23 Fleet tracker is an excellent tracker for larger complex fleets, or those in the service-based industries. Real-time reporting is sent directly via excellent software to your phone or PC, enabling you to see your fleet wherever they are – it includes TLD landmark data for when mapping isn’t available. With this system you get valuable reports such as speeding and idling, as well as two-way communications for managing driver behaviour and working within routes and geo-fencing. There are no monthly or annual fees with the Tramigo T23 Fleet. You fully own the device, you simply pay for the operator fees and data.
This tracker is great in a wide range of applications on the Australian market as it is suitable for pretty much any vehicle from cars, to buses, to trucks, and even sports and recreational vehicles including boats. It is recommended the device is installed by a professional auto-electrician, but once up and running you get valuable live (1-3 minute) web tracking, which is combined with SMS alerts. You even get less frequent updates when the vehicle is not moving. Security is a key feature for Fleetminder and the device enables remote immobilisation and alarm activation. A backup battery is included, and you can opt for additional extras such as fuel level sensor monitoring.
The TomTom Link 201 is a plug and go basic level vehicle tracker which works in conjunction with the user web platform Webfleet. Simple to install, you receive the benefits of a real-time tracker with the core functionality of the Webfleet Lite. However, if you discover, as is likely, that the measuring and analytical abilities are worth the return on investment you can easily upgrade to the more complex Webfleet offering. For a basic device you are offered excellent reporting at a good price with useful functionality such as 90 day route history, geo-fencing capabilities, and automatic alerts.
The Versatile Series from Austracker is a valuable vehicle tracker offering a high level of functionality. The device needs professional installation but in return offers security and valuable fleet business insights. You receive reports and alerts combined with live vehicle tracking. Also included are job dispatch functions and route planning capacities. You are able to set geo-fence areas and look in detail at incidents, there is also an inbuilt panic button for driver safety. The reports are valuable covering driver behaviour and compliance, timesheet recording, FBT and proof of service.
Safety and reliability are key with the Australian-engineered Ez-273h tracker from Ezy2c. This is a hybrid GPS tracker which is hardwired, and will use either mobile or satellite technology depending on where the vehicle is. You can opt to combine the Ez-273h with other Ezy2c offerings to enhance functionality although by itself this is an incredibly powerful tool which will realise return on investment swiftly. The system works in conjunction with Google Maps, and you receive both alerts and reporting focused on safety and efficiency, which can be customised to suit your business.
Another distinctly Australian offering is the Track My Ride GPS Security Tracker. This is a hardwired device, but although you could choose to use an auto-electrician, fitting is relatively simple. Real-time data is uploaded every 10-30 seconds depending on your chosen plan, and you’ll be given valuable insights to the behaviour of both vehicles and drivers. The system come with auto-alert functionality via text or email, as well as both PC and smartphone access. A back-up battery is integral to the device, and mapping and street view functionalities are high quality. There are seven available reporting functions including ATO logbook and Audit Logs.
The Telemax 3G Plug and Play Tracker is available on three different plans ranging from $24.95 – $35.95 per vehicle per month. These trackers are easy to install, plugging in to the vehicle’s OBD port, but for larger fleets you can opt for a hardwired option. The biggest difference between the plans is the real-time updates. The cheaper plans only gives you insight to 30 minute intervals, whereas the most expensive gives you 15 second reporting. A back-up battery is integral making this device great for in the field. You can monitor driver behaviour as well as analyse fuel and servicing requirements.
Different Types of Vehicle Trackers
When it comes to vehicle trackers there is no “one size fits all” approach. There are a myriad of different vehicle tracking devices available on the Australian market. GPS vehicle trackers can range from a simple panic button system, to complex hardware devices that relay data to a cloud-based user interface suitable for large, fleet-based businesses. Vehicle GPS tracking is a big market on Australian home turf.
There are some fundamental differences to look for when assessing the different types of vehicle tracking devices. What works for you will depend on a number of factors, ranging from whether you’re looking for a single car, van tracker, or fleet tracking device to the type of functionality needed.
Plug and Go, or Hardwired
The first difference you are likely to come across is ease of installation. Typically, a plug-and-go option (which is simply inserted in to the vehicle’s OBD II port) will offer a more basic functionality, but is a cheaper and easier option for smaller fleets, or those who need to have the option to move the tracker between vehicles. On the other hand, hardwired devices tend to offer greater functionality but come at a greater cost. These devices are invaluable for larger fleet-based businesses where you need to maximise efficiency across a large number of vehicles, and where both vehicles and drivers are your major assets.
The Type of Plan
It can be tricky to compare different vehicle tracking devices on a like-for-like basis as rarely are any two the same. However, the pricing plan can help you gain an insight in to which vehicle GPS tracking option would best suit your business. Are you looking to make a one-off purchase, or would you prefer to lease the device and pay a monthly subscription? Do you need to scale it or is your fleet size predictable? Generally you’re looking at either a one-off cost with further costs being limited to data usage, or a monthly or annual subscription.
Real-Time Reporting and Functionality
Identifying the reporting and functionality capabilities of a tracker in line with your personal tracking requirements is key to deciding on the best vehicle tracker to purchase. Reporting functionality, and their ability to be customised, varies enormously. And the term ‘real-time’ can mean anything from a few seconds to several minutes.
How Do Vehicle Tracking Devices Work?
The vast majority of vehicle tracking devices work in a similar way utilising GPS technology. A GPS device is located within the vehicle or asset. This then sends and receives data from a satellite network which is then reported back to the owner via a software interface, usually available via mobile phone, tablet or PC. How frequently the data is sent and received varies. Additionally, some vehicle trackers not utilise mobile technology where GSM signals are received and relayed via the Australian mobile network. Some advanced vehicle tracking devices will use both GPS satellite and mobile networks to ensure reliable tracking in areas where either signal may be weaker.
Fundamentally, all vehicle GPS trackers enable you to keep an eye on a vehicle and know what it is doing and where it has been in a specific time window. Beyond this functionality will vary with some offering additional benefits such as driver behaviour management (such as speeding or unnecessary idling) or FBT reporting, which is invaluable for the Australian fleet manager.
The Uses of Vehicle Tracking Devices
Vehicle trackers aren’t just for one type of user. Vehicle tracking devices have a wide range of applications, from the service-based fleet who need to improve their routing efficiency and customer service, to the long-haul truckers who need to get fuel costs under control. A vehicle tracking device can be used in a single car, a fleet of coaches, a network of trucks, on motorbikes, boats, and even people.
The primary premise of using a vehicle GPS tracking system is two-fold: to increase security and to reduce costs. A vehicle tracking device enables you to gain valuable insight in to your fleet and make operational changes accordingly. This might involve driver training and management, more efficient routing and job dispatch, or an improved safety level. Most users find a vehicle tracker gives them a wide range of benefits for optimising costs.
How Much Do Vehicle Tracking Devices Cost?
| Purchase Type (Per Tracker) | Upfront Tracker Cost | On-Going Tracking Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Lease Cost | Free (Dependent on supplier) | From $22/Month |
| Outright Cost | $50 – $500 | From $5/Month |
GPS vehicle trackers vary enormously both in terms of functionality and therefore cost. When considering cost it is important to identify what functionality you are looking for, as well as ensuring you’re not paying for services you don’t actually need. For some, this may mean opting for a scalable option.
Typically you will either be paying a large upfront cost per device in order to own it and utilise it. These devices retail for anything from $50 to $500 per vehicle depending on functionality. You will also then have regular costs associated with the data usage.
Other vehicle trackers work on a subscription basis. Again, the subscription costs depend on functionality. Typically with a subscription based package you benefit from reduced upfront costs as well as benefiting from ongoing support and no surprise costs down the line. Vehicle trackers that offer greater functionality and come with detailed web-interfaces are typically available on a subscription basis. Most tracker device manufacturers and businesses offer different plans according to need.
Whichever vehicle tracker device you choose, and whatever the cost, you can be sure that you will see an excellent return on your investment. Because GPS vehicle trackers function to eliminate waste and reduce costs, especially in fuel-thirsty fleet-based businesses. Once you have the technology on board you are quickly able to make cost savings in terms of monitoring out-of-hours use, reducing mileage, reducing insurance premiums, and making changes to poor driver behaviour such as excess idling, as well as more efficient routing.
Best Way to Install a Vehicle Tracking Device
When it comes to installing your vehicle tracker your options will depend on a few different variables. Many devices are plug-and-go options which are easy to install yourself in to the vehicle’s OBDII port – much like plugging in any other piece of hardware. These are the simplest to install but hardest to conceal, and don’t always have the same functionality as a hardwired system.
Hardwired systems can vary in complexity. Some are relatively simple to self-install with no more skills required than completing another auto-task such as changing a headlight bulb. However, for those who aren’t confident, or who have a more complex system to install, then there are auto-electricians across the country able to install the devices easily.
Australia’s Best Vehicle Tracking Devices
Australia’s best GPS vehicle trackers offer the user a means of gaining insight to their vehicle or fleet which will improve security and reduce costs. This optimisation and efficiency makes them an invaluable tool.
