By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking technology uses a transceiver system and the Global Positioning System network of satellites to track objects within just a few meters. GPS technology grew out of the satellite navigation systems used for ocean going vessels (LORAN) in the late 1970s and has over the last years moved from geeky novelty to ubiquity. Many GPS type systems are also a part of the onboard navigation equipment, and not all GPS locators are created equal. The best of them coordinate with two satellites and with local cell phone tower networks to precisely place your vehicle.

With over 300 million automobiles in the United States, and the current state of the economy, there’s been an upswing in auto theft and carjackings. Cars represent something that’s valuable, and can be re-sold for a decent amount of cash. Due the credit crisis, as dismal as it is today, this is pretty appealing to the criminal element. The market for stripped cars in the United States is large – nearly 20 million vehicles are reported stolen each year, according to Federal crime statistics, and corroborated by theft reports by insurance carriers. Furthermore, many of these stolen cars are used to commit other crimes – the typical car theft is a “smash and grab” to get somewhere else.

Fortunately, there’s now an important (and readily useful) tool to mitigate this. Onboard GPS tracking systems make it possible to track the location of a vehicle if it’s stolen; furthermore, since they’re being integrated into the electronics that control the car – such as the ignition system – they’re becoming more difficult to disable without rendering the car impossible to drive.

Because a GPS vehicle tracking system can be used to report the vehicle’s unique Vehicle Identification Number on demand, it’s possible to report a stolen car while it’s still on the road (assuming it’s a late model vehicle with GPS tracking enabled) and have police intercept it within minutes of it being stolen, right?. Wrong! If this is what you are assuming, well, we ask you to think about it a little more seriously. The fact is that late model cars manufactured with GPS don’t allow you, the vehicle own, direct access to the track your own vehicle. These tracking companies will not easily release tracking information to anyone, not even the police until they go through a verification process. This takes valuable time off the clock and the vehicle thief is often too far gone or across the boarder before anything can be done. This is why it’s better to purchase a vehicle recovery device that gives you full control and immediate access to web-based tracking software.

If you’re considering buying a car – especially a car for someone whom you care about who will be away from home – seriously consider getting a vehicle recovery device installed as standard equipment. It will probably pay dividends on your insurance premiums to boot, more than offsetting the cost in the purchase price within the first year.