Details and Cost of GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems Hardware
First things first - How does our Hardware work?
In orbit around the Earth are a number of satellites that make up the Global Positioning System or GPS. If you have a receiver in a vehicle and it can locate at least 3 of them, it can work out where it is. This is done by a process called trilateration, put simply your receiver calculates how far it is from a satellite and draws a circle where it thinks it is. It now repeats that at least twice and where those circles overlap is its location.
So now it knows where it is, it needs to tell our server so we can place it on the map. It does this using GPRS (Radio Data) and the internet. A data transmission unit is housed in the same box as the receiver and at set times it takes the location from the GPS receiver and transmits it to any nearby Cellular Network’s mast. This then relays it via the internet to a computer server which can be anywhere in the world. When we first started supplying trackers in the nineties most companies hosted the server themselves, but these days you don’t have to have the hassle. Modern computer devices let you go and ‘peep’ at your data on our professional hosted server, just using an internet browser on your PC or phone.
What does the Hardware cost?
Please don't be shocked by the fact that this website actually publishes its prices! You will find no "Call the team for an instant quote" or "Fill in your email address and we will send you your exclusive quote rubbish here! These are the prices we charge, NO extras, NO surcharges and NO VAT.
The Cheapest Option
AVT14 Quick Install unit (inbuilt aerials)
AVT14 Typical OBD locations
Extension Cable
We start with the cheapest option at just £39 to buy and only £6 a month to run (even cheaper if you operate a fleet of vehicles) the AVT14 with its 10 second fitting time is the choice for those customers that went quick results with minimum time installing. It just plugs into the vehicles existing OBD 2 (On-Board Diagnostics) port that all Cars, Vans, and Trucks built after 1996 have. The location of your OBD 2 port is easily found when you do a search for it on Google, or other search engines, but if you struggle we will find out where it is for you. There is it no need for external aerials, or power connections as it is taken direct from the vehicles OBD port.
Installation usually takes less than 10 seconds and once installed and the vehicle is moving, it will send back timed reports
at least every minutes. Then when you need to remove it and plug it into another vehicle you can instantly do so. Of course
because of the way it is installed it is not as secure as our permanent installations (it is easy to just unplug if you know where it is) but it can be configured to send a message to you when someone does unplugs it. Also with some vehicles it is not always possible to put the
manufacturers cover back over the socket. To help with this problem we can also supply a 1 meter extension lead we have sourced
(cost £8.50) This allows you to hide the unit up behind the dash, or under the carpet and in most cases just replace
the cover. This has the advantage of hiding the unit from prying eyes. Caution it may not work abroad in some countries see below regarding 2G
Cost just £39.
AVT10 2G Budget Tracker
The AVT10 2G it is fair to say are built to a price and so some of the sophisticated facilitates that the more expensive units have are missing. If however you are on a budget and using it largely to just check a vehicle's location and history, then it is the one for you. It can just be mounted on the dash, or hidden away under a seat or parcel shelf (label side up). Then it is just a case of running power to it.
It comes complete with internal backup battery which lasts around an hour or two depending on usage, plus cables and instructions. It needs a 10-30 volts. We can also offer this unit in a 6 volt format for those of you running older vintage cars or motorcycles
Cost £45
AVT11 4G Professional Tracker
Our base and most popular professional 4G unit with in built aerials, because the aerials are inside it clearly it is the easiest professional unit to install, just requiring to be mounted where it can electrically see the sky i.e. Label side up (for example on/under the dashboard, inside a glove compartment, rear parcel shelf, in a truck's side locker, or under a fibreglass / wooden roof).
The AVT11 4G is splash proof and also has an internal backup battery (lasts around 2-4 hours). It needs a 10-30 volts supply and on the right rate, it can send a message when equipment like the PTO, Tilt / Tip mechanism, Engines, Locker, or Roof Lights come on.
Cost £65
AVT12 4G weatherproof Tracker
The AVT12 was designed for our marine customers but often finds its way onto utility vehicles, sports vehicles and motorcycles. With its Weatherproof housing (to IP67) this is our most rugged unit and is perfect for Plant or Boats. It can just be mounted on a roof, or hidden away (label side up). Then it is just a case of running power to it.
Like the AVT11 it will monitor when the engine is started, what the battery level is and much more. Like all our trackers it can trigger speeding warnings and notify you when it leaves an area.
It comes complete with internal battery (lasts up-to 3hrs. depending of course on use etc.), cables and fitting instructions. It needs around 10-30 volts and if you are on our the right rate, it can send a message when equipment like the PTO, Tilt / Tip mechanism, Engines, Locker, Roof Lights or alarms come on.
Cost £75
Non-Tracker Internal Battery Powered
What is a non-tracker? It is simply a term to describe this LTE-M / NB-IoT unit those does not react to what its host vehicle is doing, like increasing the frequency of updates when moving, recording speed and direction. It just simply reports in at a set time each day, this can be anything from once an hour to once a day and depending on update frequency its easy replaceable batteries will last for a number of years.
Because, it does not use as much airtime and is less of a strain on our servers it’s running cost is just £6.00 a month (that’s just 20 pence a day) including the use the maps, our services and seven day a week support.
It is designed for those who do not want all the facilities offered by all of our other trackers and do not need a detailed history of where their vehicle has been this is especially true for owners of Caravans, Classic Vehicles, Boats or Jet sky’s that are trailer mounted.!
Cost £145
Question - Should I buy the cheaper 2g unit or a 'Future Proof' 4g Tracker?
This will depend on your budget, if you go abroad and how long you intend to keep the vehicle for. Let us explain - it is common knowledge now that the days of the existing 2G and 3G data network are numbered around the world and this will effect the UK with some 3g sites going in 2023/4. They are being replaced world wide by 4G and LTE-M / NB-IoT data servers which most of our units work on. However, we also know that because of the huge amount of infrastructure using it here (Power Company Smart Meters, M2M Applications like Vending Machine and many other services that will all need replacing), it is a few years away yet before the 2g networks some of our trackers still use are closed down (probably after 2026 with O2 and Vodafone recently suggesting not before 2030 or later).
Where it is of immediate concern is in some parts of the world not as advanced 2g data wise, or those whose population is thinly spread across the nation! Here scrapping the older networks has started these places includes Australia, New Zealand, parts of the USA and some countries in the far east.
Therefore for our customers operating there and in other 'at risk' places, since 2022 we have been offering a future proof version of our AVT11 and AVT12. These 4g units will work as usually using the 2G and 3G based packet data networks, but it also uses the latest LTE, or 4g networks that is replacing them. In the event the unit cannot find the traditional networks it will automatically switch to the 4g and continue sending.
Other Points
Mounting Brackets: Most installations are achieved with a small strip of Velcro (other brands are available), or plastic wraps. However for 'High Performance Vehicles' that may encounter occasional high 'G' force, we recommend using a simple metal 'U' bracket. As a number of people have said they would like to buy rather than make, we have had some manufactured in aluminium and they are available to you at what it cost us, which was £9 each.
Theft Deterrent: Let us be clear there is not a device made be it ours, or any other companies, that can stop someone stealing your vehicle and any salesman who tries to tell you different is a liar! That said a well hidden installation and some common sense can help a lot. If you are on the right monthly rate and have an anti-theft device already installed, you can run a feed from the siren to our unit and it will send you a message when it goes off.
A micro, or magnetic switch on a vehicle or locker door, even a simple inexpensive under-carpet pressure pad can do the same thing. The simple act of Geo-fencing your home / work compound will allow you to be emailed if it leaves the area and there are many more options, just talk to us to find out what others have done.