Looking for a GPS Van Tracking that does not require a SIM card? With so many GPS tracker options available, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Why, after all, do some GPS trackers use SIM cards? What role does a SIM card play? What about GPS trackers that do not require a SIM card or a subscription plan? Or how about a GPS Van Tracking with no monthly fees? What types of GPS trackers are available, and how do you choose the best one? What about Bluetooth trackers, too? You most likely have a lot of questions. Fortunately, we have a plethora of solutions.
What exactly is a GPS tracker?
A GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems device (or GPS tracker) is a device that pinpoints location using GPS and other technologies. It's popular among outdoorsy athletes and farmers who want to keep an eye on their animals. It's often used by companies to track vehicles and cargo - and let you know where your delivery is.
And, of course, pet owners!
A GPS tracker is a device that uses the Global Positioning System to track and record the movements of something or someone (GPS).
In most cases, GPS tracker location data is transmitted to an internet-connected device via cellular network (GSM/LTE), radio, or satellite modem. A GPS Van Tracking tracker that sends location data over a cellular network will, of course, require cell service and a SIM card.
Basically, it's similar to a smartphone.
If it wasn't clear to you why GPS trackers require a SIM card at first, you're not alone. Why should a GPS tracker require all of that just to track your dog or car? But, hopefully, you now understand why the majority of GPS Van Tracking devices on the market use mobile networks and SIM cards.
What are the various kinds of GPS trackers?
GPS trackers come in a variety of styles. Small, wearable GPS trackers, for example. Trackers for pets, hikers, or hunters that prevent them (or their furry friends) from becoming lost, as well as devices that can share live location in case of emergency, are examples of these.
Larger GPS trackers, like a car navigation system, often have a screen and can assist with navigation. Asset trackers, on the other hand, are serious business, assisting companies in tracking trucks, boats, containers, and other items.
Be wary of "fake" GPS trackers, also known as Bluetooth tracking devices, that are sold as GPS units despite the fact that they lack GPS Van Tracking technology.
GPS Tracker Evaluation
To help you understand the various types of GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems devices available, we'll compare four categories. GPS trackers and satellites or iridium trackers that include a SIM card, and GPS loggers and navigation systems that do not.
How do I pick the best GPS tracker for me?
When it comes to purchasing a GPS tracker, the first thing to consider is what you need it for. A GPS tracker for a puppy has very different requirements than a GPS tracker for a company truck.
Following that, you can investigate the factors listed below.
What factors should I consider when buying a GPS tracker?
Many people considering purchasing a GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems may be put off by the subscription fee that is frequently included in the price. As a result, they seek a GPS tracker that does not require a SIM card or a subscription plan. However, by doing so, they frequently miss out on the benefits of a GPS tracking service. For instance, receiving regular location updates.
Of course, there are a few more nitty-gritty details to consider:
Battery Life: How long should a single charge of the battery last? 24 hours? 7 days? Or a year? Remember that longer battery life often comes at the expense of fewer features or higher prices.
Battery Type: Is the battery replaceable, non-replaceable, or rechargeable? For example, someone who spends a lot of time outside and isn't sure when they'll be able to recharge might prefer being able to swap batteries and keep going.
What type of charging mechanism should the tracker have? Do you want to be able to charge it like a phone or keep it plugged in all the time?
Coverage and range: Over what range should the tracker operate? Is unlimited range necessary, or will it suffice if it works in your backyard? Will you use it in the city or out in the country?
Durability: Is the device waterproof? Shock-proof? Chew-resistant?
Size and weight: What size and weight should the tracker have? Is it necessary for it to be small and light? This is an important question for pet parents who have smaller dogs.
What extras would you like your GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems to have? FLEET-EYE GPS trackers, for example, allow you to receive alerts if your cat or dog leaves a safe area, view location history, and let family, friends, or pet-sitters track with you. That, plus built-in activity monitoring to keep your pal in shape.
Is a SIM card required for all GPS trackers?
Do GPS trackers require a SIM card to function? No, technically. As previously stated, there are some GPS trackers that include SIM cards, as well as simless GPS trackers. For example, the navigation system in your car is one type of GPS tracker that does not require a SIM card. The average dog or cat GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems, on the other hand, includes a SIM card to enable real-time tracking. Some GPS trackers with SIM cards are exchangeable, while others are not.
Why are GPS trackers required to have a SIM card?
Many people are perplexed as to why so many GPS trackers require a SIM card. After all, there are non-intrusive GPS trackers available. It's an interesting question, given that your phone's GPS can function without a SIM card. So, why, once again, do so many GPS trackers require SIM cards?
Here's the quick answer. If you want to send GPS coordinates from one device to another (say, from your GPS tracker to your phone), you'll need a SIM card so the two can "communicate." The data is transmitted via SMS from your tracker to your phone, courtesy of its SIM card.
What are the advantages of having a GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems with a SIM card?
Device-to-device wireless communication: The built-in SIM card in your tracker has the advantage of being connected to the local mobile network. It can thus communicate with other devices. Assume you place a GPS tracker in your child's backpack* on their first day of walking to school alone to ensure their safety. The tracker's SIM card allows it to send location information to your phone. This would not normally be possible without a SIM card in the GPS tracker.
Tracking in real time: A SIM card also allows you to track every move. FLEET-EYE GPS, for example, allows you to enter LIVE Mode and receive location updates every 2-3 seconds, ensuring that your cat or dog is safe and secure. All of this is made possible by the tracker's built-in SIM card.
How does a GPS tracker work in conjunction with a SIM card?
Do you want to get technical? This is what happens inside a GPS tracker with a SIM card. A GPS tracker with a SIM card will typically include a GPS chip, a GSM chip, a SIM card, and a small CPU1. To calculate its position, the GPS chip receives signals from at least four GPS satellites. It then passes that position along to the CPU, which cleans up the data.
This is then passed on to the GSM module, which connects to the mobile network and you are connected (usually via a smartphone, tablet, or computer). GPS Commercial Vehicle Tracking Systems platforms (such as the FLEET-EYE GPS app) make GPS location data easy to read by visualizing it on a map.
Is it possible to get a GPS tracker without a SIM card?
There are simple GPS Fleet Tracking available. These trackers, on the other hand, are mostly used when real-time tracking between devices is not required.
GPS loggers, for example, record route data, which can then be uploaded and viewed on a computer at a later time2. GPS loggers, as the name implies, are excellent for logging GPS data but do not provide real-time tracking.
GPS location data is displayed on the same device where it was recorded in GPS navigation systems. In other words, no SIM card is required.
Satellite trackers like Spot use GPS Fleet Tracking to determine location but send that information via the Globalstar satellite network rather than cellular networks. As a result, they do not require a SIM card, but they do have a high monthly service fee and an initial investment. Satellite trackers are especially useful in remote areas where cell service is unavailable. For example, if you're climbing Alps mountains and want to let your family know you're safe.
What about Bluetooth tracking devices? Because most Bluetooth trackers do not use GPS, their range is extremely limited. Some GPS and Bluetooth trackers do exist, however. For more information, see our GPS vs Bluetooth tracker comparison.
Can I use a GPS tracker if I don't have cell service?
Most GPS trackers can record GPS Fleet Tracking data without cell service - that is the primary function of a GPS receiver. The big question is how you want to see the location data. A GPS logger can help you record GPS coordinates (in the absence of cell service) that you can later view on a computer.
A navigation system, on the other hand, displays location on the tracking device itself, eliminating the need for cell service. However, cell service is usually required for live, active tracking so that the tracker can actively send location data to your phone (or tablet, or computer) in real-time.
A GPS tracker that does not require a subscription?
You may be wondering if there is a GPS tracker that does not require a monthly fee or a subscription plan. Is it conceivable? Sure. Is it of any use? Most likely not.
After all, the majority of people looking for a GPS tracker for personal use in 2021 would prefer to track from the convenience of their phone. A SIM card and cell service are two of the best ways to accomplish this.
A subscription can also provide a lot of peace of mind.
For example, the SIM cards used in FLEET-EYE GPS Fleet Tracking communicate with as many local cell networks as possible worldwide. You won't have to worry about losing coverage because you're tied to a single provider this way.
All of this for the price of a coffee and a cookie once a month. Isn't that good?
Check out our FLEET-EYE plans to learn more about the features and services that come with a subscription and GPS tracker SIM card.
What is the best GPS tracker for pet tracking?
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We (unsurprisingly) recommend a FLEET-EYE GPS Fleet Tracking for tracking your dog or cat in real-time (as you may need to do frequently). This GPS tracker includes a non-exchangeable SIM card that automatically connects to the best network, allowing you to track your pet anywhere in the world. It is not necessary to purchase your own SIM card.
