I installed a GPS tracking system on my motorcycle a while back and am finally getting around to sharing my experience with the forum. As part of full disclosure I'm in the GPS tracking business but work with fleet operators, not the motorcycle industry (Fleetistics.com) Don’t confuse GPS tracking with GPS navigation (Garmin) or a personal safety unit like a SPOT.
There are a few reasons to invest in a tracking system and we'll all have different priorities. I did it because riding is inherently semi dangerous and if something happens to me I want my wife to have a starting point. It is also the reason I wear a RoadID bracelet whenever riding. The next obvious benefit is theft recovery. If you are on a long haul and have your bike stolen you are screwed. The GPS system can be used to direct the police to your bike. The last reason is for techies which is you can get the GPS data through an API and display your GPS track data on your blog or website so people can follow along. Keep in mind most of these systems operate off cell phone networks so you can't always be "seen" in real-time. The SPOT does use satellite communication which allows location in very remote areas outside cellular coverage. T
here are several considerations for selecting a live GPS tracking system. There are passive tracking systems if you just want a log of where you went. I believe the Garmin units can provide this but I'm not sure. I'm going to list just the most basic considerations and you may have others such as log rates, size, cost, etc.
Ride Safe - ECI-Tampa
Tag: #gps tracking, motorcycle tracking, satellite, spot, safety, recovery
There are a few reasons to invest in a tracking system and we'll all have different priorities. I did it because riding is inherently semi dangerous and if something happens to me I want my wife to have a starting point. It is also the reason I wear a RoadID bracelet whenever riding. The next obvious benefit is theft recovery. If you are on a long haul and have your bike stolen you are screwed. The GPS system can be used to direct the police to your bike. The last reason is for techies which is you can get the GPS data through an API and display your GPS track data on your blog or website so people can follow along. Keep in mind most of these systems operate off cell phone networks so you can't always be "seen" in real-time. The SPOT does use satellite communication which allows location in very remote areas outside cellular coverage. T
here are several considerations for selecting a live GPS tracking system. There are passive tracking systems if you just want a log of where you went. I believe the Garmin units can provide this but I'm not sure. I'm going to list just the most basic considerations and you may have others such as log rates, size, cost, etc.
- Weatherproof - many less expensive trackers are designed to be in the cab of a car. They are not weatherproof so have a plan to weatherize it. The one I installed is designed to get washed and wet but it is more expensive.
- Log Rates - Some systems log data frequently and others by exception (VLU). The more log points, the more expensive the monthly service will be. There are systems that have monthly fees of $35 a month for 10 second updates, which is what I installed and others with $0 monthly but you pay for on-demand use ($.75 ea).
Ride Safe - ECI-Tampa
Tag: #gps tracking, motorcycle tracking, satellite, spot, safety, recovery