In an age where automobile crime rates have skyrocketed and are showing little sign of going away anytime soon, taking the right preventative and damage control measures to keep your vehicle safe and secure is immensely important. There are lots of different options around from simple steering locks to more advanced measures such as trackers, which help you to locate the car in the event that it’s stolen so that you can notify the authorities and either reclaim it, have it delivered back to you, or even help to identify the thief. If you’ve decided that using a car tracker is the right way to keep your car safe, check out our guide to the different tracker types by reading ahead – there are subtle differences that could either draw you towards or turn you away from each different style of tracker, so knowing the full information on each can help you to make an informed decision when it comes to protecting your car!
Magnetic Car Trackers
One of the simplest car tracker designs on the market is the magnetic tracker – they’re easy to install and simply attach to the vehicle via strong, durable magnets. You’ll get up to 90 days use out of a single charge or up to 12 months if you leave it in deep sleep mode, so you won’t have to worry about suddenly losing signal any time soon! The subscription-free model keeps you clear of any costly contracts too; the pay-as-you-go option allows you to top up your credit whenever you need so you can use the tracker as and when you need to. The tracker sends a text message and shows you the exact location on Google Maps when movement is detected, meaning you can always find your car with ease. With magnetic trackers, the device simply needs to be somewhere on board the car to operate – there’s no lengthy or fiddly installation to deal with and they’re harder for the thief to find thanks to the lack of hardwiring!
Anti-Theft Trackers
These trackers are simple to use and ready to go as soon as they’re plugged in and connected to your phone. They’ll attach to the car by the OBD port, so no wiring is required to get the tracker up and running. The notification method remains the same as the magnetic trackers – they’ll send you an SMS text message that allows you to see where your car is and when it is moving. You can also call the device to receive instant location tracking at any moment, so you can locate your car in a flash. Anti-theft trackers can also be set up as a pay-as-you-go option, so you’ll just have to top up the credit as and when it’s needed; one text usually takes 5p from your credit allowance, so you’re getting plenty of tracking from a minimal top-up spend.
Classic Car Tracker
A tried and tested tracker that’s fit for any scenario, the classic car tracker works like a charm when it comes to locating your car if it’s been stolen, but it’s much more than just an anti-theft tracker. The wireless tracker can be put almost anywhere in your car such as the boot, under a seat, or in the glove box, so it’s almost impossible for a thief to locate due to the lack of wires. The battery can last up to 4 months in deep sleep mode, so there’s no need to worry about randomly losing power. In addition to all of this, the tracker can also remember routes, speed and other information to help you find your most efficient routes to your most visited destinations or to monitor your driving habits so that you’re a safer, more effective driver when you get behind the wheel.
Classic trackers are usually on subscription plans, which give you unlimited tracking over a period of time – usually monthly – so that you never have to worry about running out of credit.
Whilst it might be impossible to completely end car theft, there are ways that you can prepare yourself against possible robberies and protect yourself for the aftermath of a successful attempt – trackers help you to quickly and effectively locate your car before it’s too late, giving the authorities to ability to get your car back to you and possibly catch the thieves as soon as they can. Keep two steps ahead of potential thieves with a GPS car tracker!