If you’ve ever watched spy movies, you may have seen this tool used in those films. That tool is GPS.
Although we often see it in movies, it’s not uncommon to find this tool in everyday life. Many people use it to keep their cars safe and secure.
With this tool, you can track where your car has gone and even listen to the conversations inside the car.
If you want to install a GPS in your car and do it yourself, you can follow the step-by-step instructions that will provide below.
What is Car GPS?
Before the invention of GPS, people relied on natural landmarks such as trees or mountains to guide their way.
However, these markers were not accurate in determining location. As natural markers could change due to disasters and disappear, they sought to replace them.
The compass was eventually invented and used to determine direction, as well as stars at sea to calculate the angle between them.
The development of GPS originated from the space race between the US and the Soviet Union. In September 1957, MIT scientists presented the idea of a satellite that could transmit a radio signal to track objects.
During the presentation, they discovered the radio signal frequency of the Russian Sputnik satellite, which was moving up and down and giving off a sound like a horn. Thus, GPS was born, a satellite-based navigation tool, from this discussion.
When launched by the US, GPS was only used for military purposes. However, in 1983, the US president announced that GPS could be used by the general public, after the incident of the Korean Airlines flight being shot down by the Soviet military for entering a prohibited area.
The US considered this incident a military test, while Korean Airlines referred to the navigation error as the cause. Following the incident, GPS became officially available for public use.
In 1998, the US Vice President planned to upgrade GPS to be more accurate and safe to use, especially in flight activities. In 2004, the US coordinated with Europe in terms of GPS cooperation and the European Galileo system.
The US president also updated national policy and established GPS as the National Space Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee.
A GPS tracking system consists of a portable device that allows you to monitor and track your vehicle’s location.
High-tech trackers are capable of providing real-time information on the speed used and the location of the vehicle.
Cheaper trackers offer the option to record this data for future reference. Some GPS trackers also provide warnings if your vehicle exceeds the speed limit in certain locations.
How to Install Car GPS
If you enjoy DIY projects, then you can try the steps on how to install a car GPS, which we will provide below.
Remember, before you attempt the steps, it’s important that you have a basic understanding of the car’s electrical system.
One way to install a car GPS is to connect the On or Off, or positive and negative cables, which can be found in the car battery.
That’s why if you want to install a GPS yourself at home, you should know how to read electrical diagrams as a guide.
Check GPS Components
When you purchase a GPS online, it’s important to check the components included in the box and make sure to read the instructions provided.
Usually, the components include a negative cable, a positive cable, screws, and a fuse. Once you have all the components, you can begin the installation process.
Installing Electrical Lines
The first step in installing a car GPS is to get the red and black wires. The red wire is typically the positive cable, while the black wire is the negative cable.
Make sure the positive cable is connected to the fuse to avoid any short circuits. These two cables should be connected to the car battery as the power source.
If you have done this before, it should take you about 45 minutes to an hour to install the GPS.
The GPS gets its power from the battery and transfers it to the ACC (accessory). When the ACC is turned on, the device will receive power and detect the engine’s positive and negative charges.
It will also detect the fuel pump, so if someone tries to sabotage the fuel pump cable, you’ll know. Once connected, position the GPS in a place that is not easily detectable.
Keep in mind that the device should not get wet, so don’t place it under the car where it may get exposed to water. If the device is damaged by water, you won’t be able to get a warranty.
In addition to these features, the GPS also has a remote shutdown feature. The engine cannot be started in any way because fuel won’t be sent to the engine.
Make Sure the Server is Running
Every GPS device has its own server, so you need to ensure that the server is functioning properly.
Once it’s up and running, make sure that the GPS settings are installed on your vehicle. Ensure that the device’s system components, such as the volume and memory card, are installed.
The location accuracy provided by GPS is usually obtained through a SIM card, so you should regularly check the balance on the SIM card to keep the GPS active.
How to Activate Car GPS to Cellphone
Here are some simple steps to activate your GPS and connect it to your phone or smartphone.
Prepare SIM Card with an Internet Package
To operate your GPS, you need a SIM card with an internet package so that you can track your location using your phone.
Make sure your SIM card has a strong signal
In order to ensure that you can always track your location, even when your vehicle enters a remote area, it is important to have a SIM card with a strong signal.
Insert the SIM Card into Your Vehicle’s GPS
If you have found an internet provider with a strong signal and an internet package, you need to insert the SIM card into the GPS device in your vehicle.
Turn Off the GPS
Before inserting the SIM card, make sure that the GPS is turned off. After you have inserted the SIM card, you can turn the GPS on and check the GPS signal.
Registration
The last step is to register your smartphone with the GPS device in your vehicle. You can do this by contacting the server via SMS or phone call.
Verification Code
You will receive a verification code that you need to enter into your smartphone to track your vehicle. This can be done by installing a special app.
App Features
Through this app, you have a variety of features to choose from, such as a memory card and the ability to turn off the engine.
Function of Install Car GPS
Many people are unaware of the additional functions of a GPS tracker as its purpose extends beyond tracking.
While tracking is its main function, having this device can provide numerous other benefits.
Prevent Crime
Crime can happen anywhere in the world. Prevention is always the best solution to stop crime.
There are many ways you can prevent criminal acts, especially for car owners. One way car owners can do this is by installing a GPS.
This device often has an alarm installed in it to provide additional security for the vehicle. The alarm in this GPS will certainly be very helpful in preventing crimes that may occur.
However, it should also be noted that there are GPS devices without alarms. Even without an alarm, this GPS has the same outstanding functions as GPS devices with alarms.
Knowing Trip History
Vehicles equipped with GPS trackers can provide a record of their travel history. For example, if you lend your car to someone, you can use the tracking application to monitor the vehicle’s journey and see if the person was truthful about their destination. This 24-hour travel monitoring is one of the best benefits of having a GPS tracker.
Tapping Conversation
Some GPS devices have a really cool feature of eavesdropping on conversations taking place in the car cabin. Although only a few GPS devices have this feature, it can be extremely useful if you have doubts about the person who borrowed your car.
You can check the conversations in the car by using the device. These conversations can usually be heard in real-time or when the GPS is turned on.
If you become a victim of a crime, you can also provide the conversation evidence and car location to the authorities.
Best Car GPS Recommendations
Here are some recommendations on the best car GPS.
GPS Tracker TK110
This GPS is a cost-effective option for those who are looking for a GPS with useful features. It can act as a tracker during emergency situations and the mic can be easily activated. Additionally, you can send an SOS signal indicating the current location of your vehicle using this GPS.
JVS Premium Car GPS TK905
This GPS comes at a price of IDR 568,000. Although it may seem expensive, the GPS comes with excellent features.
This GPS technology doesn’t require power from the car battery to operate and has a 5000mAh battery that can last up to 90 days.
GPS Tracker Super Spring VT-100M
This GPS device is incredibly small in size, making it easily concealable in any part of your vehicle. It features a backup battery, voice-recording capabilities, and the ability to detect engine conditions.
You can purchase this GPS device for 1.3 million rupiah, which may seem expensive, but it is a fair price considering the numerous features offered and its high accuracy, whether through GPS or GSM signals.
Foxlogger Car GPS Tracker
This GPS device can be purchased for 1,6 million Rupiah, with very comprehensive features. It includes a GPS chipset with a sensitivity level of 159 DBM and an accuracy level of 144 DBM built into it.
GPS Tracker Concox GT06N
This GPS is one of the best because it provides a very fast GPS signal. This is due to the quad-band GSM technology that has been incorporated into it.
Allowing you to instantly receive the exact location coordinates of your vehicle via SMS or through a special website accurately and quickly. It also has a voice recorder feature as well as turning on and off the engine.
How to Know the Location of the GPS in the Car
Placing a GPS device in a car is a crucial step in ensuring its proper operation. Typically, the dashboard is the most commonly chosen spot for GPS devices due to its accessibility and the strength of its signal.
However, it is not the only option and you can place it in other areas such as the ceiling, under the seat or near your feet, as long as the signal is strong.
It is important to be careful when choosing a location to ensure that the device is not easily visible to others. If the device is too noticeable, it can increase the risk of theft or tampering.
Additionally, avoid placing the device in areas that are exposed to moisture, such as the bottom of the car, as this can damage the device.
The ultimate goal is to find a location that offers the best signal and protection, so that you can track your car’s location if it is stolen.
For Car GPS to Work, Pay Attention to These Factors
When installing and using GPS in your car, there are two factors that you must consider for this automotive GPS to function properly.
The two factors you’re talking about are the server and GPS components. As previously mentioned, there are several components that make up a GPS, such as the positive and negative cables, fuses, and screws.
You need to read the manual to understand the role of the components in the GPS and how to install them.
Regarding GPS servers, it’s better to choose a GPS that already has its own server, so you don’t have to worry about finding the server to be used by the GPS you bought. That’s some information we can provide about how to install a car GPS.
This device is indeed a very important tool for a car to remain safe. You can buy it at an affordable price, but if you want additional features, such as being able to eavesdrop on conversations inside the cabin, you may have to spend a little more money to get that feature. However, if you only need a GPS that can only track a car, you can buy it at an affordable price.
We hope the information we provided above will help you to better understand GPS and install it accurately.
