When using a portable GPS tracking device and placing it on the underside of a vehicle using a
magnetic GPS tracker case, there are some guidelines (and common sense) that come into play.
GPS Tracker Placement in the Case Itself
For the portable devices we carry (the GL200 and GL300), the GPS antenna is oriented on the front of the device (the same side of the device that you see the indicator lights). Make sure you place the device into the case with the antenna side AWAY from the magnet to avoid any magnetic interference.
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| The front of the GPS device is also the antenna side | |
Placement Could be the Most Important Factor!
Most problems with GPS reports not making their way over the airwaves and back to our servers for display for you can usually be traced back to one very important factor – placement!
Proper placement is key to getting the best tracking performance. The optimal placement of a GPS tracker is to position it with the antenna side of the device facing up, with a clear view of the sky. I realize you're likely not using it that way, but please bear with me...
The technical reason GPS trackers are best when placed in clear view of the sky is this: The 24 satellites that make up the Global Positioning System orbit Earth at an altitude of about 6.5 million feet (roughly 12,500 miles). That's quite a bit of time and space, and, consequently, the signal is weakened as it travels to Earth. When objects stand in between the GPS satellites and the device, this can degrade the signal. Additionally, GPS signals simply cannot penetrate through some solid objects, such as concrete and metal.
All that said, if you're reading this article, that is likely not how you will be using it, so let's talk about the best placement given the limitations. Although GPS signals cannot penetrate some solid materials, they can reflect and bounce, and when placed correctly, the GPS tracker will receive the GPS signals required to determine its location. With this in mind, the optimal deployment locations for your tracker are illustrated in the diagram below.
The ideal placement is close to the perimeter of the vehicle, away from the engine, in proximity to the reflected GPS signals. In order for the device to achieve the best possible reception, place the device beneath the passenger compartment areas or back portion of the underside of the vehicle, with the GPS antenna side facing DOWN, toward the ground. Placement in other areas may cause signal obstruction, which can lead to poor tracking results.
Placement of the Magnetic Case
First off, here's where the common sense I mentioned earlier comes into play:
- Make sure the surface is steel, and by steel, I mean ALL steel and not an alloy or other material (We have had customers return the cases stating that the magnet doesn't work, then we find out that they were trying to stick it to a fiberglass body part. So, in case you don't know this, magnets will only stick to steel!). The magnets on our cases, depending on which one you order, are rated to pull anywhere from 35 to 65 pounds - ample strength to hold your 5-ounce tracker in place. Stick it to your refrigerator...this is the same strength of pull you should feel when deploying it on a vehicle.
- Make sure the surface is clean - clean it if necessary. Road grime in between the vehicle and the magnet will most certainly degrade the pulling power of the magnet.
- Make sure you use the ENTIRE magnet - having it half-on-half-off a surface is a sure way to lose your expensive GPS device.
It's always best to mount the device horizontally than vertically (i.e. place it with the magnet parallel to the ground). The reason for this, aside from the antenna-side of the device facing the direction from which the signals are coming (from the ground), is that you want the magnet working against gravity. If you mount it vertically, the vehicle going over rough terrain, pot holes, speed bumps, etc, may cause it to slide off. If you cannot find a good place to mount it horizontally, you can always secure the device to the mounting location using zip ties, or something else that will ensure it doesn't fall off of the vehicle.
Improper Placement
Do not place your GPS tracking device near a heat source (e.g. in the engine compartment), fuel tank, or near the fuel lines of the vehicle. Although very rare, the battery can become a fire hazard if placed too close to any of these areas on a vehicle.
The trunk of a vehicle is never ideal for GPS tracker placement because it’s completely surrounded by metal that will obstruct the GPS signal. That said, GPS signals are stronger in some areas of the country than others, and I have had customers that have had success with the tracker in the trunk. My best advice would be to test it out and see if it works for you. If it does - bonus!
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