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by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to check out GPS products from Rocky Mountain Tracking

A certain manufacturer of American vehicles includes a GPS tracking system on-board which provides many useful functions.  These systems are usually subscription-free for the first year and then around $15.00 per month thereafter.  Is it worth the cost?  Just ask someone who has been in an accident and has been able to notify emergency agencies when the system is automatically activated after an emergency.

GPS Tracking for Automobiles

Does it have its downfalls?  Of course, and you need to know what they are before you make a purchase decision.

On-board GPS Systems are dependent on a third party to make them fully functional.  Unfortunately, you cannot bring up a web page and track your vehicle.  You are depending upon the ‘central monitoring office’ to do that for you.  And, unfortunately, it is not something that can be done instantly.  There’s a series of checks that need to be instituted before tracking can be commenced.  And, in that time, anything can happen.  Dedicated tracking systems put you in control and allow you to make the best decisions from the data supplied.

On-board GPS Systems are only available on certain makes of vehicles.  If you do not like this brand of vehicle, then there go your chances to get one of these systems.  It cannot be retrofitted into any other make or model.

On-board GPS Systems are not user serviceable or able to be modified in any way.  You cannot download apps or other software to this system to customize it and allow you to add functionality that you need.  Smart phones are the best devices that allow this to be done.

On-board GPS Systems can be rendered inoperable by cutting power to the main battery of the vehicle.  If a thief wants to steal your vehicle that has a system like this, then all that they need to do is cut power to the vehicle and then transport it to their chop shop.  This is being done on a daily basis to the most expensive makes and models of this manufacturer.

On-board GPS Systems have some very useful functions and have played a positive role in helping accident victims to get help and in some cases have helped those who have had their vehicles stolen get them recovered quickly.

Dedicated GPS Tracking devices offer better benefits. Retrofitting to any vehicle, providing instant location and direction of travel and even including ignition cut-off are some of the best reasons to get one.  Then, you can use your cell phone as your communications device of choice inside of your vehicle.