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With a simple internet search, you are likely to find many different types of GPS tracking devices. If you are brand new to the concept of GPS tracking, the diversity may be a bit overwhelming. Getting to know what the different types of devices offer is a great start to narrowing down the GPS device that fits your needs. Tracking devices can be divided into two basic categories, defined by the type of tracking they are capable of. The two basic types of GPS tracking are active and passive.

Passive and active GPS tracking systems collect the same information, dependent on the specific features of the system. Many devices track GPS location, which is the longitude and latitude data of the device at any given time. These systems may also record speed of travel, as well as specified triggering events, such as a car door opening or when the device is taken outside a preset boundary. The primary difference between passive and active tracking lies in the way the information is stored and retrieved.

The location, speed, and other information is collected and stored within the device, in a small computer. When using a GPS device with passive tracking abilities, the information cannot be retrieved until it is connected to a computer. Some of these tracking devices require that they are physically taken to the computer, where the data can be transferred through a USB cable. More modern passive tracking devices can transfer their data wirelessly, but only when they are within a close radius to the computer.

Active GPS tracking is somewhat more technologically advanced. With these devices, the data does not require a connection to be transferred to a computer. Active tracking devices use cellular and/or satellite network connections to wirelessly transfer the data in real-time to the computer. When an active GPS tracking device is not within range of a cellular or satellite network, the location data is stored in the same manner as a passive device. The data is then transferred as soon as it is back in range of cellular or satellite signal.

Article Written by Marisa O’Connor