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Car tracking has completely changed how we think about securing and managing vehicles. Whether you’re a car owner looking for extra peace of mind or a business managing a fleet, tracking systems offer significant advantages.
But let’s be honest, there’s a lot about this industry that doesn’t make it into the glossy brochures. Beyond the sleek marketing campaigns lie lesser-known facts, hidden costs, and untapped features that tracking companies may not readily disclose.
This blog takes a deep dive into the industry’s lesser-known truths, shedding light on what you should know before choosing a car tracking service provider. At the same time, it explains why Cartrack is a trusted leader in vehicle tracking.
Let’s dive in and separate the facts from the fluff.
At first glance, car tracking seems straightforward: a device shows you your vehicle's location on a map. But there’s much more to tracking than meets the eye. Modern tracking devices are complex tools capable of gathering vast amounts of data, which can be both a benefit and a concern, depending on how it’s handled.
Hidden Role of Data in Car Tracking
Think of today’s tracking units as digital diaries for your vehicle. They don’t just pinpoint where your car is but also log details about how it’s driven, how much fuel it’s consuming, and even how often it idles. This wealth of data can be incredibly useful, but can also raise questions about ownership and privacy.
Who Owns the Data? One of the first things many people overlook is the question of data ownership. Who controls all that information your car tracker collects? You might be surprised to learn that with some vehicle tracking providers, the answer isn’t “you.”
Certain companies store your data on their servers and, in some cases, share it with third parties and this can sometimes happen without your knowledge. The third parties can include insurers, advertisers, or even regulatory agencies.
At Cartrack, we take a different approach. Your data belongs to you. It’s stored securely, encrypted for protection, and never shared without your explicit consent. We’re upfront about how we handle your information because transparency is non-negotiable for us.
What Happens to Shared Data? Even when data is kept anonymous, it can still reveal trends and patterns about your behaviour. Some providers sell this anonymised data to insurers or marketers, who might use it to influence things like your insurance premiums.
With Cartrack, you don’t have to worry. We don’t sell or share your data. Instead, we focus on using it to deliver features that make managing your car or fleet easier.
Hidden Costs Not Mentioned Upfront
Buying a car tracker often seems like a straightforward transaction, but hidden costs can quickly add up. From subscriptions to hardware quality, the true cost of ownership isn’t always clear from the start.
Subscription Fees: The Ongoing Expense Most tracking systems require separate subscriptions for features like live updates or detailed reports. These fees might seem minor at first, but can become a significant expense over time.
The Risk of Cheap Devices It’s tempting to go for a bargain tracker, especially if you’re on a budget. However, these low-cost devices often lack essential features like geofencing or crash detection. Worse still, they can be unreliable when it matters most.
Take the story of a small business owner who bought a cheap tracker online to cut costs, only to find it malfunctioning within months. When one of his fleet vehicles was stolen, the device failed to provide accurate location data, leading to a total loss. Had he chosen a reliable system like Cartrack, he could have benefitted from our industry-leading vehicle recovery expertise, which has a legacy of over 100,000 vehicles recovered in the last decade.
At Cartrack, we believe in flexibility. Our plans are straightforward and adaptable, ensuring you’re not stuck in a contract that doesn’t work for you.
Hidden Differences Between Car Tracking Companies
Not all car tracking systems are created equal. The market is filled with options, but not all deliver the same level of performance, reliability, or features. Knowing what to look for can save you a lot of headaches.
GPS Accuracy Imagine trying to locate a stolen vehicle, only to find that the tracker’s GPS signal is off by several kilometres. For businesses or individuals, poor accuracy can make a world of difference, especially in the case of an emergency.
With Cartrack, this isn’t a problem. Our Real-Time GPS Tracking delivers precise locations, even in challenging conditions like dense urban areas or underground car parks.
Durability Matters Car tracking devices are exposed to extreme conditions—heat, cold, rain, and physical impact. Unfortunately, many cheap trackers aren’t built to handle this, leading to performance issues or outright failure.
At Cartrack, we design our hardware to last. Whether you’re dealing with a sweltering summer or a freezing winter, our devices perform reliably all year round.
Features Beyond Tracking Basic location tracking is useful, but advanced features can transform how you use your vehicle. Think crash detection, fuel monitoring, or even driver behaviour analysis. These tools can save money, improve safety, and enhance efficiency.
Cartrack offers a comprehensive suite of features, including Dashcams, Geofencing Alerts, and Driver Analytics, giving you far more than just a dot on a map.
Our solutions provide everything you need to protect and optimise your vehicle. Here are some of our cutting-edge product features designed to make your life easier, whether you’re managing a fleet or securing your car:
Advanced vehicle tracking device fitment We schedule a free vehicle tracking fitment. Cartrack’s advanced fitment techniques provide high confidence that hijackers will find it difficult to discover or deactivate your vehicle’s tracking device. This sophisticated installation allows us to achieve our industry-leading stolen vehicle recovery rate.
Cross-border SVR The Cartrack tracking unit features international roaming, allowing tracking both locally and abroad. In areas with no GPRS/GSM coverage, the device can store up to 5000 positions and events, such as ignition changes, every 3 km of travel, or deviations of 10 degrees or more. These data points are transmitted once GPRS/GSM communication is re-established.
CarWatch CarWatch is an early warning system you activate at the touch of a button from Cartrack’s app. It will alert you and Cartrack in advance the moment your parked vehicle is moved without your authorisation. This allows Cartrack to proactively send a response team to your vehicle and increase the chances of recovery. Additionally, our Cartrack control room agents will promptly contact you to check in and provide assistance in case of a hijacking.
Back-up battery A reliable vehicle tracking device with a long-lasting battery increases the likelihood of recovering your vehicle. Cartrack's internal backup battery comes into play when the vehicle's battery is disconnected or fully discharged, providing up to 5 hours of power. This gives Cartrack ample time to track and recover your vehicle.
Geofencing Cartrack empowers you to establish geofences, including border entry and exit points. These virtual boundaries can be customised to designate no-go or high-risk zones, and you'll receive instant alerts as soon as your vehicle enters or exits these geofenced areas.
24/7/365 control room support Our emergency control response team is ready to support you 24/7/365, especially in the unfortunate event of vehicle theft or hijacking. We also allow direct communication with the private response teams and local police to ensure a rapid response.
Air and ground recovery teams Cartrack maintains a skilled air and ground recovery response network in South Africa and neighbouring regions, collaborating closely with local law enforcement to ensure swift and successful vehicle recoveries in case of theft.
At the end of the day, a car tracking unit is more than just a device, it’s peace of mind. Whether you’re worried about theft, looking to save on fuel costs, or managing a growing fleet, the right tracking solution can make all the difference.
Cartrack goes beyond basic tracking to provide tools that truly transform vehicle management. From real-time GPS to driver analytics and stolen vehicle recovery, we’re here to help you protect what matters most.
Don’t settle for less when it comes to your vehicle’s security and efficiency. Contact us todayto learn more about our innovative solutions and find out how we can help you take control of your car or fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I track my car if I’m travelling abroad?
Absolutely! Cartrack provides global tracking coverage, so you can stay connected to your vehicle, no matter where you are.
2. How safe is my personal data with Cartrack?
Your privacy is a top priority. Cartrack uses state-of-the-art encryption to keep your data secure and private at all times.
3. What should I do if my Cartrack device stops working?
If something goes wrong with your device, Cartrack’s support team is ready to help. They’ll troubleshoot the issue or arrange for a replacement if needed.
4. Can I customise alerts with Cartrack?
Yes, you can easily set upcustom alerts to notify you about things like speed violations or if your vehicle leaves a designated area.
Uncover hidden truths about car tracking - data privacy, hidden costs, and key features. See how Cartrack excels with reliable, transparent, and feature-packed solutions.
