While GPS trackers are designed for outdoor use, PocketFinder understands that much of our time is spent inside. We discussed the challenges of indoor GPS tracking in our last post. Luckily, PocketFinder has features built in to help combat drift scenarios. Likewise, using a GPS tracker indoors can result in the battery draining faster than it does when outdoors. Why is this?
Simply put, the device always tries tracking via GPS first. If it is working hard to capture good GPS signals, then it will use more battery. If it can’t get good GPS signals, it will switch to “WiFi Touch”. The process of tracking using WiFi Touch uses more battery than GPS, hence why it is the secondary tracking option.
Luckily, PocketFinder has features and tips that help stabilize battery life when used mostly indoors.
First, is Sleep Mode. Sleep Mode is the best combatant against battery drain. When indoors, chances are your loved one is not going to be moving around every minute of the day. As they sit and watch TV, nap, read, etc, the device will go dormant to save battery. As soon as it registers proper movement, it will wake up to locate.
Routines and rotating connection intervals based on the situation will also increase battery life. Many customers’ loved ones have built in routines, allowing for consistency and “independence”. During times of the day when they will be less active, you can set the interval for a higher setting; more time between tracking, and this means less battery used. During times of the day when they will be more active, set the interval to be quicker. Rotating intervals like this based on routine has helped not only those tracking seniors, but families with children and school schedules.
The top two challenges regarding GPS tracking are accuracy and battery life. These are the priorities of PocketFinder, too. A combination of using these devices ourselves and taking customer feedback to heart has allowed PocketFinder to continually improve battery life when GPS tracking indoors and in various unique scenarios. We’re excited to see how this progresses as new models are released and features are refined!