By Greg Bartlett

If you’ve followed this blog for long, you’ve certainly seen that GPS trackers have had a profound impact on a number of industries, as well as consumers who’ve learned to implement this technology in their lives. However, sometimes it’s helpful to take a moment and review the primary types of GPS tracking devices, how they work, and their suggested uses. Doing your homework on the best kind of device for you or your business can save you money, time, and a great deal of hassle. Here are the basics.

GPS Products

GPS loggers are the cheapest and most common type of GPS tracker. The technology is relatively simple. The device periodically pings the GPS network and records its position within the internal memory. The user can place the device on just about anything he or she would like to track and then upload the data to a computer or server later. A hiker can bring an inexpensive GPS logger along a trail, then plug the device’s USB cable into his PC back home and see his route and extrapolate his speed from the time stamp on each position log. For a less hands-on approach, researchers can place loggers on just about anything, send it out into the field, and examine position data upon recovery. A business might view this as the most cost-efficient way to record the routes of its vehicles if managers don’t mind manually grabbing the data after vehicles have come in for the night.

GPS pushers are a little more complicated, but can be far more useful for the user that needs the tracking data a little quicker. These devices work much like the loggers, but each time the position is retrieved from the network, the data is “pushed” to a central receiver or server automatically through a wireless connection. The uses for this technology are broader than for loggers. GPS trackers that push data are much more flexible. Prominent uses are in police work for tracking parolees or other offenders, but private companies can also employ GPS pushers to actively keep tabs on packages in transit or vehicles en route.

The final type of GPS tracker is a puller, which in contrast to the pusher can be queried for data at any time of the user’s choosing. The user can send a wireless signal to the GPS tracker, usually via a cellular connection, and have the device respond with its position. These are more expensive than the other types, but essential for those who need tracking data on demand.

An examination of your own specific needs will help you choose the GPS tracker best for you.