Tracking technology for personal and business use is no longer taboo. As GPS, Bluetooth, and Wireless technologies have improved, so has the opinion of the average consumer. With personal tracking, your location data is your own and can be used to help keep an eye on at-risk loved ones, as well as personal and commercial assets.
So with all this new and very 21st century technology, how do you determine what will best fit your needs?
PocketFinder is here to explain the differences between these technologies in plain language so you can make the best decision for your use case. With over 10 years in GPS, PocketFinder holds original tracking patents which gives us a unique insight into what GPS location technology does when compared with what Bluetooth technology provides.
Both have quickly become necessities for so many. If you are in the market for personal or asset tracking, the breakdown below will allow you to make the best purchasing decision for your needs.
Personal GPS Tracking with PocketFinder
GPS is designed for active tracking and positioning, reporting most accurately when outdoors as GPS satellites are in space. GPS satellites work with the antennas & modules in the device to provide a valid location essentially anywhere on earth. With providers like PocketFinder, those locations display an address.
“Active tracking” means individual GPS data points (the most accurate locations possible) are processed and published in real time. PocketFinder’s WiFi Touch back-up means locations can be determined by WiFi signals. While not always as accurate as GPS, it still provides a physical location within several meters of the device.
PocketFinder devices use encrypted cellular signals to send location data to our secure servers where it is quickly published on the customer’s account. WiFi is not used to communicate so there is no risk of hacking. Our devices cannot communicate directly with phones/ tablets or computers so there is no risk there, as well. When you log into your account or PocketFinder app, you are viewing what was sent to our secure servers.
Automatic tracking coupled with a set of changeable intervals means tracking is stored in History. So, while the device is on the move, you do not have to press any buttons and it will track on its own; you can then watch live or review at a later time.This also means alert features for low battery and geofencing send notifications in a timely manner with an exact location attached. Consistent communication also means on-demand emergency locate features supplement the normal tracking that occurs.
An automatic tracking device that uses exacting location technology like ours has shown to be a viable solution for keeping an eye on loved ones who may wander off. You may not always need to track them; but more importantly, you may not always realize you need to track them. With geofence alerts (we call them Zones), you’ll be notified if they walk away from the house morning, noon, and night. With GPS, rather than assuming they are somewhere safe, you can be certain they are.
Bluetooth Air Tag Tracking with Apple
The biggest difference between GPS and Bluetooth is that Bluetooth is technically not a location technology. When Bluetooth is active on both a phone and an Air Tag style device, the phone can read the Air Tag signal and tell you the device is approximately X feet away. But it cannot determine the exact physical location of the device like GPS. It’s best thought of as a “hot / cold” meter in relation to a smartphone. If you have an iPhone 11 or higher, ‘Precision Finding’ technology allows for directional assistance.
The Air Tag has two options for finding it when lost. In both scenarios, the device needs to be within 10 meters of a phone/ tablet with Bluetooth turned on.
The first is a ‘Play Sound Event’. This is for when you misplaced your wallet or keys in the house. You are scrambling and don’t know if they are in the hamper, drawer, etc. When you perform a ‘Sound Event’, the device itself will emit a sound so you can find it. You can request this as many times as needed until you find the Air Tag connected to your asset.
The second option is, “Precision Finding”. This is for when your child leaves their backpack at a bus stop or your wallet falls out of your pocket at the farmers market. When you press that button on your phone to find the device, the device then “opens up” to read any available Bluetooth signals from nearby phones. Those Bluetooth signals from the phones have locations attached to them as phones/ tablets store their locations. So, based on the strongest signal, the device will be assigned a location/ address and that is sent to your phone. You then travel to that location and Precision Finding will give you directional assistance as you get closer to the Air Tag. These requested locations are stored in your private History for viewing at a later time as well.
The Air Tag’s battery lasts one year and is replaceable. The one year lifespan is based on 4 play sound events a day and 1 precision finding event. Environmental conditions (strain on signals) and third party replacement battery quality are also factors in battery life.
What Does This All Mean For Me?
Looking at the bare bones facts, both are fantastic technologies that are useful for very different purposes.
If you are needing to keep an eye on a person or consistently track a vehicle, GPS is the way to go. Automatic tracking can be viewed live or seen in History. This allows for a literal breadcrumb trail to follow. GPS trackers also work based on movement so they are suited perfectly for people and vehicles.
Bluetooth can be used for objects that do not need to be tracked but may need to be found while they are sitting still. This is perfect for wallets, purses, car keys, and even luggage. This technology is ideal for small assets that may get lost in areas where Bluetooth signals are plentiful.
We hope these details have helped you determine which technology is best for your needs! But if you need additional details or have any clarifying questions, PocketFinder Support is here to assist. Our in-house, US-based team is ready to help you find what fits your needs.