GPS Tracker That Works In Mountaineering
GPS Tracking System That Performs Flawlessly In Mountain Regions
Finding a GPS navigation device that can acquire satellite signals is easy because a driver is going to need to keep the navigation system within eyesight while operating a vehicle. With the majority of people placing GPS navigation devices on the front windshield of a vehicle or somewhere near the dashboard, the GPS will almost always have a clear line of sight to the open sky. GPS trackers, on the other hand, are often used for covert monitoring applications, and therefore are not always kept in such plain view of the driver or passengers in a vehicle. Although placement has become less of a crucial issue, as GPS vehicle tracker manufacturers have engineered more efficient internal and external antenna designs, the one thing that can still render a car tracker ineffective is if the device is a real-time solution operating in a heavily wooded or mountainous region where cellular coverage is non-existent. This is because most GPS vehicle trackers acquire satellite signals, capture location-based data and then need to transmit that data to where it can be accessed remotely by the user. Currently, the method in which this data transmission process is conducted is via cellular towers, and therefore if no cellular coverage is present the car tracker will essentially have no way to communicate. This is not a serious issue or concern for the majority of people because most live in areas where some form of cellular coverage is available, but for those living in heavily wooded areas, in the mountains or along rural regions they are at a true disadvantage.
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GPS Tracker For Backpackers
If a person lives in an area where rugged terrain and/or mountains dominate the landscape it is very likely cellular coverage may be weak or non-present. This presents challenges for real-time monitoring systems that require an avenue to transmit data.
“Frequently, clients such as those working for government agencies like the Bureau of Land Management require a GPS solution that can capture data in some of the most remote and rural areas”, explained a Tracking System Direct representative. “These agencies will conduct surveillance on drug traffickers who operate deep in the forest and mountain regions in many states where cellular service is often 50-100 miles away. This eliminates live tracking as a possible option, but passive trackers such as the Driving Activity Reporter can still meet the needs of the law enforcement agency because passive technology does not require any transmission of data, as memory is stored internally.”
This is the reason why so many backpackers avoid live GPS tracking devices and instead opt for data loggers. This is because data loggers have a global footprint and work without the presence of cell towers.
How Passive GPS Technology Works
Really the best way to think of a passive device (GPS data logger) is like a recorder of driving activity and information. The GPS tracking system can be placed on a vehicle via a magnetic mount where it will then record movements every single second (Most real-time trackers update anywhere between every 10 seconds to 5 minutes). The car tracker will then store information such as speeds traveled, locations arrived/departed, address information and more. However, unlike the real-time systems where users access data remotely via some form of web-based application, passive devices require the user to retrieve the GPS and download data via USB where the location-based information is then displayed over a mapping program such as Google Earth. Although accessing the data requires a little more work, users of passive technology:
- Do Not Have To Pay Monthly Service Fees
- Do Not Have To Pay Activation Fees
- Can Have Consistent Data With No Gaps
- Are Not Dependent Upon Cell Towers
- Can Use Their Device Anywhere In The World
Passive tracking systems have become the go-to tools of those conducting investigative work for police and government agencies because the passive systems not only provide more flexibility but are also more cost-effective than their real-time counterparts. However, the reason why they are the most popular selling tracking devices is that GPS data loggers are GPS trackers with no monthly fees.
People who live in the mountains, forest, desert, or some other rural area where cellular technology is poor at best should look into passive technology to meet their GPS tracking needs. With a global footprint that allows the devices to work anywhere regardless of cell coverage or international borders, passive trackers are quickly becoming the most sought-after form of GPS technology.
Matthew is a freelance writer who is passionate about technology, music, photography, and decentralized finance.
