GPS bike tracker: features and secrets of choice

The GPS bike tracker is a useful tool that allows you to fully monitor the location of your two-wheeled vehicle. Such an anti-theft device is similar to a car alarm and allows, in the event of a loss of transport, to track the route of its movement. The ultra-compact sensor does not take up much space and is often disguised as a flashlight or other electronic device, without arousing the interest of intruders. You can install a GPS tracker on almost any bike model without much physical effort.

How to Choose the Best GPS Bike Beacon? What useful options should a bike owner pay attention to? It is worth taking a closer look at the existing types of GPS trackers and tips for their use in order to get a complete picture of the capabilities of this electronic device.

All electronic GPS trackers for bicycles work according to the same principle: periodically, the chip communicates with the satellite and sends the coordinates of the vehicle's location to the owner. There are four types of beacons.

• Constant action. They do not turn off, but constantly monitor data and communicate with the base according to the established frequency of information exchange. The battery consumption of such devices is the highest.
• Included. They are activated using a special button or an inductive type key. You can activate it if you want, but there is a risk that cybercriminals will recognize the presence of protection.
• Intelligent. You can activate the protection mode through the application on your smartphone or by SMS.The most accurate in terms of control, you can always monitor online.
• GPS beacon may optionally include a bike motion sensor, but this feature is found primarily in high-end models.

In addition to the basic set of functions, most types of GPS bike trackers have additional options. Among the most popular are built-in GPS-receiver - it will consume less energy than a smartphone, while the accuracy of the data will not decrease. Information from the chip is transmitted via Bluetooth to any paired device, making it possible to turn it into a full-fledged road navigator for travel and travel.

No less useful is another option that allows you to use the beacon also as sports tracker... It records all the data during the movement along the route, and then they can be retrieved using special applications, view the distance traveled, even measure some parameters and analyze them. Typically, the list of taken into account data includes information about loads, speed, time of passing the distance.

The most obvious and modern way to receive signals from a GPS tracker is manufacturer's mobile application. Here you can configure the frequency of notifications and other options, activate work in additional modes. But this control method is used quite rarely - much more often there are options similar to classic anti-theft systems.

Receiving GSM notifications requires a SIM card slot and significantly speeds up battery consumption... In fact, the transmitter simply works through the operator's base station, the message passes through the GPRS connection, and you will have to pay for it separately. Not the most convenient way, but this is the one that is most common. Another option for monitoring the tracker is using SMS. Short messages are sent to the owner's device. Despite the archaic nature of the technology, it is quite popular.

Since the bike offers far fewer flush-mount options, GPS beacon manufacturers go to great lengths to maximize their product camouflage. The most popular installation options are discussed below.

• In the frame, or rather - in the steering column. The cylindrical tracker is installed under the anchor, but this method of hiding the device is the most obvious and is not suitable for every bike. But removing it for recharging will not be very convenient. Among the advantages of this option are the ease of hidden activation with a key, high signal quality.
• In the seatpost. Installation is carried out by analogy with the frame version, but the constant dismantling of the saddle for charging will require some effort. And the thickened frame tube can drown out the signal here. One of the advantages is a very hidden installation.
• Into the tail light. The easiest to install and maintain, the dimensions do not change, the signal is excellent. But hijackers are well aware of this trick - the tracker can be quickly recognized and disabled.

The price of anti-theft beacons on the market starts at 2,000 rubles for Chinese-made models. They are bought most often at foreign online auctions, they have the simplest SMS control and limited functionality. It is worth studying the reviews - many of these trackers do not work in Russian networks.

The more expensive segment of the market offers options from 5,000 rubles. Here are models that work via apps or a GSM connection that can hold a charge for more than 7 days. Among the advantages of this technique are - the ability to customize artificial intelligence to track specific threats. In many cases, along with the tracker, the manufacturer provides a SIM card and access to an account on the remote control service.

When choosing a model in any category it is also worth clarifying the temperature range recommended for operation, otherwise during a winter bike ride you may encounter the problem of a lighthouse breakdown. In addition, the battery life is of great importance - the best models have it up to 30 days.

For devices with SIM cards, they need additional activation - it is described by the manufacturer in technical documents. One has only to take into account that it is necessary to send the activation command to the device exactly from the number to which it is planned to receive notifications in the future.

Certain precautions should be taken when installing the tracker. Choosing a hidden placement, do not tell your friends and acquaintances about him. When mounting outside the enclosure, it is best to select locations with the lowest risk of shock or breakage. It is better to tune a device with a motion sensor to an average level of sensitivity - then smart equipment will not react sharply to every gust of wind, but if necessary, it will definitely give an alarm signal.

In the next video, you will find a detailed review of the GSM / GPRS / GPS bike tracker.