The GPS tracker of a car is not just used to monitor a vehicle’s location, rather it is used for a variety of different factors such as reviewing previous journeys, keeping security alerts and monitoring a car when you are away from it. All of these depend on the device you are using as a tracker as different devices have different features and even different installation methods.
Moreover specifying the reason for which you’re buying a GPS tracker makes the whole process of selecting a tracker way easier. This way you can actually ensure that you are buying a device which full films your purpose instead of just being a fancy product with multiple features in it. For example, for a family a GPS tracker can be a means to keep track of the location of the teenage child whereas for a business this same device can make it easier to manage company cars or other assets which can help make the entire operation sector of the business easier.
Moreover choosing the right device also depends on other factors instead of just depending on the price or the highest number of features which a tracker has. Factors such as installation methods, power sources, reporting intervals, subscription costs all contribute to assessing how functional and useful a GPS tracker will be to your family and you.
Understanding these differences helps drivers choose a tracking solution that fits their needs without paying for unnecessary features. Here’s what to consider before buying a GPS tracker for your car, along with two options from ShadowGPS: ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
One of the first mistakes that people make while thinking about getting a GPS tracker is that they start by comparing products with their features instead of comparing the purpose for which you need a GPS tracker. This might seem like a small thing but it has a huge impact on the kind of tracker you buy because different uses require different capabilities from a product.
Think about it like this, when you go to a hospital for a pain in your lower back you do not see which hospital has the best features. Instead you look out for the hospitals which specialize in dealing with patients that have lower back injuries. The same happens when thinking about getting a GPS tracker because someone who’s concerned about his vehicle being stolen may look for features like location history or movement alerts when a device is disconnected, but a parent who is interested in seeing the well being of his child may use the tracker to monitor the child speeding notifications, location and overall information.
Similarly a business owner uses this device to manage several vehicles that he owns under a dashboard. So a clear purpose and a specified intent can be more beneficial to you while you’re considering the kind of product you want to buy rather than the features of the product.
Some of the common reasons to buy a GPS tracker for your car include:
So, once you have identified the primary reason for which you’re buying a tracker, focusing on the features becomes a lot easier. This also makes the whole process convenient because now you are 100% sure that the tracker you’re buying will be a beneficial addition to your life in terms of the purpose it is going to solve.
Hence, choose a device based on the purpose and not on its feature because a device which has a hundred features but does not solve the one purpose you bought it for is equivalent to the one which does not work.
One of the most important characteristics of a tracker after you have decided what purpose you are going to use it for is deciding the right kind of tracker. Having a clear intent is good but if you do not select the right kind of tracker to go with it, it will have no impact at all.
There are three common categories among GPS trackers which are widely used. These are OBD-II, hardwired, and battery-powered devices.
This device is the most widely used one because an OBD-II tracker can be plugged into the diagnostic ports which are found inside most modern cars and hence you do not need a separate device just to plug it. Moreover these have actually been used as a standard on most light duty vehicles since 1996 in the United States.
This GPS tracker does not require a regular battery charging because it does not charge from ports rather it actually draws the power it uses to function from the vehicle it is used on. In addition to that, it can also have features like engine codes, battery information or vehicle diagnostics all of which depend on the model that you have bought.
The main consideration is placement. An OBD-II device can be relatively easy to install, but it may also be easy to find and unplug.
Battery powered GPS trackers are a good choice for vehicles if you are constantly out of an electrical system because these can be used independent of an electrical system which is an added advantage. This device is also used when you have multiple purposes for using a tracker as this can easily accommodate almost all the features required for different purposes.
The most interesting feature about this tracker is that even when a vehicle does not have a convenient power connection, this device can still be operated which is why it has become so widely popular.
The only limitation that a battery powered GPS tracker has is regarding their battery. Usually their battery life is very limited which can be a concern for a lot of people however with the recent developments in it, battery life now depends on a variety of factors like the signal conditions and its usage.
So if you are thinking of buying a battery powered GPS tracker, you must evaluate it on the basis of multiple factors such as value, convenience, permanent installation, independent power, or additional vehicle information.
This GPS tracker is a much more permanent version and is beneficial to the people who prefer a device which is positioned away from the diagnostic port. Hardwired trackers also connect to the vehicle’s electrical system which means that they directly draw out the power required for working from the vehicle they are working on.
However the installation for a hardwired GPS tracker is more complicated than just plugging in a device which is what happens with a OBD-II GPS tracker. Some devices might even require professional assistance to set up. Buyers should also check whether the tracker supports their vehicle and electrical system.
There is a specific kind of GPS tracker which you can install in your device if you prefer or a more easy and straight forward installation without a lot of extra devices or features being attached in your port. ShadowAuto from ShadowGPS is an OBD-II GPS tracker which is designed for exactly this purpose and it serves cars and trucks better than it will ever suit any other vehicle.
The reason why most people are making this switch is because this device does not need a separate charging station or a conventional installation for it to actually work. You can directly plug this device into the vehicle’s diagnostic port and can start using it for the purpose you bought it for. Its user-friendly behaviour is why it is becoming more popular. Moreover you can track this device for location information or information regarding the history of vehicle journeys through an app on your phone known as the ShadowGPS app.
Moreover, according to the device you buy in reference to the specifications it has, you can also check location updates of your vehicle for as little time as every 5 seconds when the vehicle is moving. This helps owners follow a journey more closely because the reporting happens frequently.
There are more features for which this device can be used and these features include:
All of these features are what makes this device so convenient and easy to use. This device is an exceptionally good product for people who want to monitor a shared car or for a small business which handles multiple companies and needs a lot of indicators for one vehicle. A lot of people also buy this only for one reason and that is that this device offers much more information about a vehicle then just its location which helps in the long run of keeping a car healthy.
However, just like any other device, ShadowAuto also has its own set of limitations which are worth considering before you buy the product. This device needs a compatible OBD-II port for the device to start working. Also the replacement of a ShadowAuto tracker may make it easier to locate than a portable tracker.
Also one should not just be fascinated by the amount of features this device has, they should clearly check whether the features which the device has are even supported by their particular vehicles or not. Because there is no point in buying a device with multiple features in it if none of them can work on the kind of car you have.
You can review the device and its current specifications on the ShadowAuto OBD GPS Tracker.
ShadowTrack is also a neighbouring device which is included in the ShadowGPS product range. Unlike ShadowAuto, this device is battery powered and so it does not need a direct installation in the vehicle’s diagnostic port which makes it convenient to use.
This device has a much more compact and sleek design than its sister products. The magnetic mounting arrangement it has offers more flexibility in terms of how it can be used and where it can be placed as now this device does not need to be connected to a vehicle’s electrical system and can even function without it. All it needs is enough charge from a battery to function which it can directly pull out of the vehicle it is working on. This is why this device is considered a great option for owners who want to track a car, truck, trailer, or other compatible asset.
Just like ShadowGPS, ShadowTrack also offers location updates every 5 seconds given that the vehicle is in motion. It also provides other information regarding the vehicle such as the live location, trip history of the vehicle, geofencing and movement alerts which involve the particular vehicle which is attached to the app. Moreover it also has extra features such as battery life which has been developed more in this device than the ShadowAuto device. This device has a rechargeable battery which is said to last up to 15 days after one use in standard settings. However these numbers can change depending on the actual usage and frequency radiated from the device when you’re using it.
There are more features which are included in this device to make it much more convenient and easy to use such as an SOS button, a built-in speaker, and a weather-resistant magnetic case. Because of a wide range of features and accessories which are included with this device, one should always ensure the specific configuration that their ordering does to avoid any confusion later.
Just like any other device, ShadowTrack has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This device can be used in situations where a plugin tracker does not fit the criteria and a portable device will actually be more beneficial. But this device does not draw its power from the vehicle that it is being used on and so it needs to be recharged periodically. This means that once the battery dies out you have to wait until it recharges again to start using it.
One more feature to remember about this product is that just because it has a magnetic mount attached to it, doesn’t mean that the device will remain attached to the vehicle under every weather condition or driving style. The magnetic mount simply means that you have a specific place to put the device in. This mounting depends on a variety of factors like the location, surface material, and the specific case.
For more information, visit the ShadowTrack portable GPS tracker.
The most important thing while choosing a GPS tracker is to understand its specification about one factor in particular and that is location reporting. This makes up almost 80% of why a GPS tracker is used in the first place and this is why checking this feature first is always recommended.
The majority of people think that a location tracker is only good if it provides information in a short time interval however that is not the case. While it is true that a tracker which updates every few seconds rather than one which updates you every few minutes is more efficient, deciding the overall accuracy of the tracker based on the frequency and time interval alone is not worth it. This is because there are many other factors which contribute to understanding what GPS tracker is a good option for location tracking.
Three such factors which deserve your attention and which are worth knowing before you ever buy a GPS tracker are given below:
For example, ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack are both advertised to give five-second updates while moving. This can be a useful comparison point, but buyers should also consider network availability, reporting conditions, and the device’s other capabilities.
The accompanying app can make a substantial difference in everyday usability.
A basic tracker might display a vehicle’s latest reported position. A more feature-rich system may provide historical routes, movement notifications, geofencing, and other tools that help owners understand how a vehicle is being used.
Geofencing lets users define a virtual boundary around an area. Depending on the product, the system can notify users when a vehicle enters or leaves that zone.
This can be useful for checking arrivals at home, a workplace, or a designated business location.
Trip history helps users review previous journeys rather than relying on the current location alone. Route playback can make it easier to understand the path a vehicle followed.
Check how much history is retained and whether it is included in the subscription.
Movement, speed, curfew, and device-disconnection alerts can provide additional information about vehicle activity. However, the availability and functionality of these alerts vary by product.
ShadowGPS advertises several of these capabilities for its tracking devices. ShadowAuto also offers vehicle diagnostic information, while ShadowTrack emphasizes portable tracking without an OBD-II connection.
Before purchasing either product, confirm that the specific features you need are available for the intended vehicle and service plan.
The initial purchase price is only one part of the cost of a GPS tracker.
Many devices require an ongoing subscription to transmit location data over cellular networks and access the tracking platform. Other potential expenses include installation, accessories, replacement equipment, and battery maintenance.
Before making a decision, check:
ShadowGPS advertises its trackers with subscription options and no long-term contract requirement. Its current pricing and plan structure should be checked directly before purchasing because prices, promotions, and service terms can change.
A useful comparison is to calculate the total cost over one or two years rather than choosing the device with the lowest advertised price. This makes it easier to compare products with different billing arrangements.
Compatibility is particularly important when purchasing an OBD-II tracker.
Although the diagnostic port is standard on most US light-duty vehicles manufactured from 1996 onward, vehicle-specific considerations can still affect compatibility and supported diagnostic features. Buyers should verify the requirements for their car rather than assuming that every feature works identically across all models.
For ShadowAuto, confirm that your vehicle has a compatible OBD-II port and that the device supports your intended application.
For ShadowTrack, consider where the device will be placed, whether it can be securely mounted, and how frequently you are prepared to recharge it.
Whichever tracker you choose, follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Avoid placing devices where they interfere with vehicle controls, obstruct visibility, or create a safety hazard.
GPS tracking creates records of vehicle movements, which may reveal information about a person’s routines and activities.
Choose a service that provides reasonable account-security protections and a clear explanation of how location data is handled. Use strong passwords, limit account access, and review sharing permissions periodically.
It is also important to use trackers lawfully. Tracking a vehicle you own is different from secretly monitoring another person’s movements. Rules governing consent, employee monitoring, and vehicle tracking can vary by jurisdiction.
For business vehicles, establish a written policy that explains when tracking occurs, what information is collected, and who can access it. For shared family vehicles, open communication can help establish reasonable expectations around monitoring.
The right tracker depends on your priorities rather than the number of features advertised.
Choose an OBD-II tracker such as ShadowAuto if you want vehicle-powered operation, straightforward installation, and access to supported diagnostic information.
Consider a portable tracker such as ShadowTrack if you prefer battery-powered operation, flexible placement, and a device that does not rely on the vehicle’s diagnostic port.
A hardwired tracker may be preferable when a permanent installation is a priority and you are comfortable with the additional installation requirements.
Before deciding, compare the reporting interval, app features, subscription costs, network coverage, power requirements, and privacy protections. Confirm current specifications and compatibility with the manufacturer.
Choosing the best GPS tracker for a car starts with understanding what you need to monitor and how you intend to use the device. Installation type, location reporting, alerts, app quality, and subscription costs all influence the overall experience.
ShadowGPS offers two distinct options: ShadowAuto for drivers who prefer an OBD-II tracker and ShadowTrack for those who need a portable, battery-powered alternative. Each serves a different purpose, so neither is automatically the best choice for every driver.
By comparing these differences carefully, you can select a GPS tracking solution that fits your vehicle, budget, and security requirements.
