By Harriette Halepis

Nearly every hand-held device now comes equipped with some type of GPS tracking device. While these applications are certainly helpful, they might not be the answer to your tracking needs. According to a recent poll conducted by PollDaddy, wireless device users that also have GPS tracking systems are not ready to give up those individual trackers for a sole hand-held device.

What can a GPS tracker do that a wireless device cannot? Essentially, the two types of technology aim to accomplish the same goals. The difference is that a GPS tracker has been manufactured with the sole intention of tracking a vehicle, person, or other object. On the other hand, a wireless device aims to complete many different tasks, which may take away from its tracking capabilities. While this might not seem like a huge different, it does, in fact, have a drastic impact on the way that a person or item is tracked.

Recently, GPS tracking sales have been down due to the assumption that hand-held devices are adequate replacements for these systems. However, those that use separate GPS tracking systems do not believe that wireless devices are, in fact, reasonable replacements. While a wireless device that encompasses a number of different applications and tasks is certainly convenient, it (seemingly) doesn’t live up to GPS tracking technology.

Additionally, most cell phone carriers will not allow access to GPS data, which can become a problem. Also, in order for emergency crews to locate lost individuals using a GPS equipped cell phone, the cell phone must be connected to the wireless network. A final drawback includes the concern that local authorities and 911 personnel cannot be contacted from a cell phone unless they are initially contacted by a user. Thus, cell phone users that are injured cannot be traced.

In the end, the GPS tracker that you might take with you on a run or a hike is not the same as a cell phone (or other wireless device) that has been equipped with GPS capabilities. Even though cell phone companies are striving to make this technology more comparable to tracking devices, this has not happened quite yet. For the time being, the best way to ensure that you will always be within tracking distance, it’s best to rely upon an individual GPS tracking device.