Many people have the notion that a cell phone-based GPS system is cheaper and just as effective as a vehicle installed GPS system. However, GPS tracking via cell phones is unreliable for business purposes. A cell phone GPS system may be good for providing directions occasionally, but it doesn’t perform the way an in-vehicle GPS system can.
In addition to providing navigation and optimal routing, a vehicle tracking system can save business owners time and money in numerous ways including: cutting fuel costs, increasing business efficiencies, improving asset management, optimizing vehicle maintenance, improving customer service and reducing your carbon footprint. Cell phone GPS will not help with any of these issues.
Here is a list of some of the primary differences between a cell phone GPS system and a vehicle installed GPS tracking system:
GPS location tracking
Cell Phone GPS System: GPS program must be turned on by drivers
Installed GPS System: GPS is always on
After hours use of vehicles
Cell Phone GPS System: Driver must take phone during personal use and side jobs
Installed GPS System: Always on
Cell phone battery life
Cell Phone GPS System: Generally reduces life of battery charge by 50%
Installed GPS System: No effect on cell phone battery
GPS accuracy
Cell Phone GPS System: Uses less precise assisted GPS, may only locate by closest cell tower (1-10 mile error)
Installed GPS System: Within 100 feet of location
Location update frequency
Cell Phone GPS System: Updates every 15 minutes
Installed GPS System: Updates every minute
Ways drivers can disable
Cell Phone GPS System: Turn off phone, unplug battery, “forget” to take phone, log out of GPS program
Installed GPS System: Must find hidden device and tear out tamper-resistant wires
Theft recovery
Cell Phone GPS System: Only if the cell phone is in the vehicle, turned on, and the person is not aware it’s in the vehicle
Installed GPS System: Hidden box, system can be setup to notify you
Reduce vehicle insurance
Cell Phone GPS System: No
Installed GPS System: Some insurance companies will give discounts up to 18% with installed GPS
Periodically requires power restart for “reboot”
Cell Phone GPS System: Yes
Installed GPS System: No