Hardwired or Plug-in GPS Tracker?

Considerations for Choosing a Hardwired or Plug-in GPS Tracker

We are often asked what the difference is between hardwired trackers and plug-in trackers. Each type has distinct advantages and disadvantages:

Hardwired GPS Tracker

Advantages:

Can be wired to the vehicle’s doors, or lights, or to detect PTO (a power take off unit connects a trucks’ engine to power another device such as a snow plow, a tow, a mixer)

Can be easily concealed for discrete purposes

Can have multiple inputs and outputs connecting to apparatus powered by the vehicle’s electrical system

Can provide alerts for events such as doors open/closed, lights on/off, PTO on/off

Disadvantages:

Requires installation, possibly requiring removing part of the dashboard to access

Requires some basic electrical expertise

May require a mechanic (with the associated cost) to install

Is not connected to the vehicle’s electronics system, thus does not read or transmit engine data or vehicle diagnostic data

Transferring to another vehicle is a process, requiring removing the tracker from its wired connections and rewiring it to the new vehicle

Not easy to tell if the tracker is working, as the tracker’s LED lights are hidden behind dashboard

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Plug-in GPS Tracker

Advantages:

Installs in seconds, plugs directly into the vehicle’s OBD II diagnostics port

Provides engine data and vehicle diagnostics from its electronics systems, such as odometer, fuel level, RPM, speed, engine temperature, oil pressure, tire pressure, seatbelts in use/not in use, and more

Can provide engine trouble code alerts with DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)

Easily transferred to another vehicle in seconds

Easy to tell if the tracker is working as the tracker LED lights are visible (unless it’s hidden with a Y-Cable)

Disadvantages:

Tracker is visible (unless it’s hidden behind the dashboard using a Y-Cable)

Easy to remove the tracker by a nefarious actor (unless it’s hidden behind the dashboard using a Y-Cable)

Can be impacted by a driver’s foot or knee, loosening the tracker, possibly causing it to stop sending location reports, or even bending or breaking the connector pins

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So, should you choose a hardwired or plug-in GPS Tracker? Hopefully we’re provided some ideas to ponder. To discuss the requirements of your business, and to learn more about the benefits of installing a GPS tracker in your vehicle, hardwired, plug-in, or another type*, contact us today!

* We’re seeing a number of customer installing a second, battery powered GPS tracker in high value vehicles. Pinging just once a day or so (with the ability to change to a high frequency ping in case of emergency), and well hidden underneath the vehicle or in the engine compartment, the second GPS tracker serve as a backup tracker in cases where nefarious actors remove the tracker. Most thieves don’t look for a second tracker.

If you’re looking for a second tracker for your vehicle, Btracking has the perfect solution.

Category: Tips

Hardwired or Plug-in GPS Tracker?

Hardwired or Plug-in GPS Tracker?

Considerations for Choosing a Hardwired or Plug-in GPS Tracker

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