Best Portable GPS Tracking Device For Cars

Demo of the Pioneer AVIC-HD1 BT, the integrated hard disk satellite navigation, communication, music and entertainment centre for your car.

Security concerns are increasing in all parts of the world relating to your family, vehicles, and other property. However, GPS car systems provide a solution to your vehicles security. Global positioning systems are used for navigation, land surveying, treks and applications in scientific procedures. These navigational systems are also located in boats, cars, trucks, mobile phones and many other surveillance applications.

You might want to know how the GPS visual interface works before you get one for your car. GPS auto tracking systems basically use satellites for information to guide you when you are in your car. Usually, your position is visible on the navigation map of the GPS screen while voice prompts will guide you as and when you require help.

Auto GPS systems can aid in tracking stolen vehicles in real time. You can have better surveillance of company trucks, cabs, and buses. The main advantage of using vehicle GPS systems is small size and ease of installation. The advanced technological car monitoring systems calculate the direction and speed your car is driving to help keep you safe and on course.

There are four types of GPS systems which can be categorized as Car navigational systems, portable outdoor GPS units, GPS hybrid and marine GPS systems. Some of the more popular ones are Magellan Maestro 4000 portable auto GPS system, Streetpilot c550 automotive GPS system and Garmin car GPS system. China automotive GPS system manufacturers are making systems at cheaper rates, which might be a good option if price is a great concern to you.

Car GPS systems are simply and handy to use when you need to know your exact position without a road map.

When you are planning to get a car GPS tracking system, choose one which has live voice instructions along with visual maps, while you are driving. Voice instructions can be extremely helpful in getting you where you need to go especially when you are driving alone.

Good GPS car systems have a vital feature of Real Time tracking with a live wireless network for you to cross check directions and also get an update on the visual information available. GPS tracking systems are used for navigation and monitoring so it is best to choose quality over cost. Cheap systems may seem attractive in the beginning but failure rates are higher. Most GPS units are user friendly without a lot of technical jargon that you might not be able to understand.

In case, you have teenage kids who also drive the car, most GPS companies provide tracking at very minimal cost as the safety of your children is a major concern. If your car didn't come with a GPS system, I recommend getting one as soon as possible.

Use your iPhone as a Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigator

Just a few months ago we were fantasizing about an iPOD with GPS functionality, or even an iPhone with GPS. Well, the wait is over, and iPhone is now a reality! It will be available in June - but we know some of you Navigadget readers are already making plans to use your iPhone as a GPS navigator.

If you read the specs of the new iPhone you must have realized there’s no integrated GPS chip on-board. Yes there’s Google Maps (as pictured above) which could help you figure out where you are but you’ll need to be connected to the internet for that to work. And we all know Starbucks Wi-Fi hardly makes it to the parking lot.

But no worries - iPhone does have bluetooth connectivity. So, you can get yourself a bluetooth GPS receiver, pair it with your iPhone, and you are set for the hardware part of things.

Of course you’ll need some software that can talk to the bluetooth GPS receiver. Then the software will be able to show your location on a map and give you directions. We have this feeling that Apple will release some sort of GPS navigation software until June that will work with your iPhone.

But let’s assume that’s not the case and see what options we have:

RouteBuddy - Can utilize Google Maps however the price does not include maps and even if you do get the maps you won’t have enough space for it since the maps for North America takes 12GB after it is expanded. Not to mention it doesnt give you directions. It is just a mapping software.

MAC GPS Pro - Also does not include maps. Doesn’t look like it can do navigation guidance either.

Garmin Mobile 10 - This is a bluetooth GPS receiver that comes with maps. However no support for Macs.

TomTom - Really cool software however no support for Macs.

So those are your software options. We’re not really Mac people here at Navigadget - so we maybe missing a few. Let’s all hope Apple releases a bundle (bluetooth GPS receiver + software) for a good price that works with iPhone. Go ahead and write a comment and let us know your thoughts.

2008 Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigation Comparison

You've got a busy summer ahead. Before setting out on that road trip out West or back East, you'll have to find time to download some travel music. (We recommend new releases from Common, My Morning Jacket and Weezer.) After that, we've got another assignment for you that promise to make your summer trip easier and may enhance your listening habits, too: Get a portable navigation system. Of course, we wouldn't dream of leaving you out in the cold on such an important decision, so we're updating last year's portable navigation system roundup with four new or newly improved portable systems.

Since our last portable navigation review, a few of the units we sampled have changed significantly, plus there are two all-new units that seem promising on paper — the Dash Express and Becker Travel Assistant.

Tom Tom One XL Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigation System

The Tom Tom ONE XL has everything you need to make your trip safer, more relaxed and more fun. The new 4.3" touch screen and access to real-time traffic services make navigating the road even easier. A large choice of route options, complete US and Canada maps, as well as millions of useful and fun points of interest pre-loaded for your journey, you're ready for worry-free navigation from A to B.

Navigon 2100 Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigator

ShopNBC item #V50445. You can order this Navigon 2100 GPS at ShopNBC.com or call us at (800) 884-2212. Navigation that delivers more for less. The Navigon 2100 delivers an unmatched navigation experience. Accurate door-to-door directions, stunning 2D and 3D map views, and easy touchscreen menus in an ultra-slender portable design make the 2100 a standout among even higher-priced GPS devices. Feature for feature, the NAVIGON 2100 delivers a more innovative and meaningful navigation experience than systems at twice the price.

Snooper Tracker, The latest Portable GPS Tracking Device

Snooper Tracker has been designed to provide you with the exact position of just about anything you care to track. From vehicles to boats, your children and even your pets can all be effectively monitored. This compact GPS device comes as a stand alone unit with a built-in rechargable battery that can be put in to a coat or trouser pocket or attached to a belt with the handy belt pack included.

• As a stand alone device its built-in battery will give up to 70hrs of monitoring. For a more permanent solution Snooper Tracker can be hardwired directly to your asset whether you want to monitor a car, truck or boat. If you want to permanently mount Snooper Tracker out of site you can do with a hardwire and extension GPS antenna kit
  
• FREE 'Pay as you go' Sim card included.
• Only 10p per Track text message
• Minimum initial top up only £5.00
• Orange Terms & conditions apply

Snooper Tracker uses the very latest Sirf III GPS technology to provide amazing accuracy to within 2.5m.

Get the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your children or your most prized possesions are at any time day or night.

Snooper Tracker - Features

• Combination of GPS and
• GPRS/GSM technology
• Pocket-sized
• Light-weight
• Built-in rechargeable battery - 70hr standby
• Emergency panic button SMS text
• Plug-&-play
• Unlimited Monitoring
• 24hr Monitoring Facility
• No Monthly fees

Optional accessories

• Extension external GPS antenna
• Hardwire 12V to 5V power cable

More Info: trackstick-gps.co.uk

Portable GPS Tracking Device - BlueMap PDA

BlueMap PDA

BlueMap software comes free as part of every purchase of a BlueRanger and allows you to manage and track your BlueRanger devices using your existing Internet connected Windows computer. BlueMap on your PC gives you everything you need to manage and track your BlueRanger devices, but it ties you to your computer at times when you might prefer to be helping to find whoever is missing.

The BlueMap PDA is BlueMap software installed and running on a Mio A701 Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld computer and mobile phone that provides all sorts of things to help you get organised, from an address book to satellite navigation. What you're buying is the Mio A701 PDA at a competitive price, with BlueMap software preloaded onto it so you can locate your BlueRanger devices while you are on the move.

It's optional, but it's a lot more fun, and more useful, than tracking from home, and allows you to wander freely and then find each other in busy locations such as shopping centres, amusement parks, concerts or unfamiliar towns (always have a backup plan, though).

Plus, it's a great excuse to get a state-of-the-art PDA and phone and get organised.
More info: bluetreeservices.co.uk

Portable GPS Tracking Device - Vehicle Tracking Protection

GPS Vehicle Tracking, second to none.

Mobile Guardian is an all-in-one, affordable and fully-portable GPS tracking system / GPS system tracking device for GPS Vehicle Tracking. Giving you a front-line defense against vehicle theft, Mobile Guardian alerts you as soon as your car is started without your permission. That puts you in the driver’s seat, even when you’re not.

Unlike "after-the-fact" mobile tracking devices that fail to alert you or the police until you notice your vehicle missing, Mobile Guardian protects your ride by alerting you before the bad guys get away with your car and valuables.

Finally, the vehicle protection you can't afford to be without - at a price you can afford!

Mobile Guardian is committed to providing the most affordable GPS vehicle tracking systems and other general GPS tracking systems.

Whether it is Real-time GPS tracking or wireless GPS tracking or satellite GPS tracking solutions for fleet tracking, stolen vehicle recovery, personal vehicle tracking or just GPS tracking fun, we have the GPS solution for you!

GPS system tracking technology is an excellent way for fleet managers and fleet owners to remotely monitor vehicles, trucks, or assets efficiently.

GPS tracking systems will allow you to monitor your vehicles, mobile assets, employees or loved ones. - More on GPS tracking and Global Positioning System.
More info: mymobileguardian.com