GPS in trackers, watches etc.

[doogie88]

How does GPS work in watches, vehicle trackers etc?
Do they need a sim card and data package on their on?

 

[vshah]

if you want to be able to track the person/car remotely, then yes, they need some sort of data uplink/data service.

 

[Deeko]

It depends on the device. Some devices have built in, offline maps, some do not. A GPS watch will not require a SIM card. Dedicated GPS devices don't either - a Garmin or TomTom GPS has maps downloaded from the internet when you connect it via USB.

As far as GPS via a smartphone, it varies from platform to platform. With Google Navigation on Android, by default it requires a data connection, but you can cache certain areas when you're on WiFi and get by without data. With Nokia Drive on Windows Phone, you can download entire states/countries and function without data.

 

[doogie88]

Thanks.
So if Garmin GPS has downloaded maps, how does it track where you are without a SIM card?

And if a GPS watch doesn't require a SIM card, how does it work to track you?

 

[forumuser]

Not sure I understand the question. The GPS watch receives a signal from satellites, and uses that information to determine your location. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_navigation_device Am I missing something?

 

[GTRagnarok]

The SIM card doesn't have anything to do with GPS. The GPS satellites are available to anyone and any GPS-capable device can use them to calculate its location. And if the device has offline maps available, it'll use that location to put it on the map.

 

[doogie88]

So Garmin has their own maps, and just freely uses satellites to track where the vehicle is is what you guys are saying?

So if I wanted to have a device that was trackable my options would be:

a) GPS device, with maps. What are my options for acquiring maps?
b) SIM card, which I guess is for data, and can use something like google maps

Is that about right?

 

[forumuser]

Can you elaborate what the exact use case is? It'll give us a better idea of what exactly you're looking for.

 

[doogie88]

Say for a kid and I wanted to track my child. Which I guess a SIM card device could possibly let there be some type of communication.

 

[forumuser]

It depends on if you're using CDMA or GSM as the base technology. AT&T has a device designed just for child tracking http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=21658&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=33047

If they have a mobile device, there are options via the carrier. AT&T has this for example: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=22741

Overall, the most comprehensive article is probably this one, which covers the major carriers: http://internet-safety.yoursphere.com/2011/09/mobile-parental-controls-att-verizon-sprint-t-mobile/