Conventional wisdom would tell us that, given a choice, most consumers would prefer a vehicle tracking device that instantly tells them where their car is located, rather than record the information for later retrieval.

What seems like a logical assumption is not necessarily the truth, according to sales figures at LandAirSea Systems, Woodstock, IL-based creator and innovator of vehicle tracking systems, software and accessories. LandAirSea Vice President of Sales Steven Moehling reports solid and consistent sales of the GPS Tracking Key, a passive vehicle tracking device, since it was introduced by the company in 2006.

Real-time or “live” GPS tracking systems capture satellite signals at regular increments (5 seconds to 15 minutes) and calculate the location of the GPS receiver. Because GPS devices are receivers and not transmitters, the information is sent over the cellular data network, providing the user remote access. The result is the ability to view the information immediately, but at a price. Fees for data services range from $20 to $60 or more a month. The more frequent the transmission of data, the higher the cost of the data plan.

Passive GPS tracking devices capture satellite signals in the same way, however, they log all the data in internal memory and hold it there until users choose to download at a time convenient to them. Since passive devices are not transmitting data, they can collect much more data with NO MONTHLY FEES. LandAirSea’s line of passive devices captures one position every second. When comparing this to a standard real-time unit, using one-minute updating as an example, the passive device will record 3,600 positions every driving hour, compared to 60 positions for the real-time device. This is critical for many users that demand detailed driving data.

“The GPS Tracking Key is LandAirSea’s best-selling vehicle tracking system to date, with more than 125,000 units sold since the launch of its May, 2007 marketing blitz.”

The differences between these two technologies create a targeted market space that many resellers and or retailers overlook, Moehling said. (more…)

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