While investing in a GPS tracking device, a question surely can appear in your mind: “How long does the battery last?” Battery is a crucial matter, in the case of tracking devices, fleet management, or personal asset tracking; to ensure consistent coverage, offering peace of mind. 

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about GPS tracker batteries, including battery life, and provide you with tips to enhance performance. We will also demonstrate how ShadowGPS products are designed to be both long-lasting and reliable, allowing you to choose the best GPS car tracking device for your specific needs, knowing that the battery life will meet your requirements.

Why GPS Tracker Battery Life Matters

The essential feature of a GPS vehicle tracking unit is its energy source. A high-quality battery will deliver many key advantages that immediately impact the tracking experience.
First, real-time tracking will be continuous, providing ongoing updates on location and status. Second, you'll have a longer time between charging or maintenance, which translates to less time and effort spent on battery maintenance. Finally, and more importantly, you'll have peace of mind that your assets and vehicles are being monitored, even during periods where no charging source was available for some time.
Regardless of the using reason (personal or for business), the most important one wants is battery life to give the support when needed. Understanding how battery life is influenced is very important for making informed decision about a tracking solution.

Key Factors That Affect GPS Tracker Battery Life

Here are some key factors to consider for understanding battery life- 

• Update frequency (Ping rate) is the largest factor for battery life. The more frequent your tracker updates, the quicker it will use up power. Real-time updates, occurring every 10-30 seconds, consume a large amount of energy, whereas updates occurring every few minutes to hours consume considerably less. You will need to evaluate how accurate the updates need to be for your particular tracking purposes versus the impact on battery life.
• Battery capacity is directly related to the time you can operate your tracker. A larger battery will last longer than a mini tracker, which typically operates for only a week or so. Depending on usage, a tracker can run for weeks or even months.
• The type of device is another key factor in determining how much power your device uses. For example, plug-in vehicle trackers will get their power from your car's OBD-II port or electrical system so you will not have to charge the battery on a regular basis. Portable trackers are completely reliant on their internal batteries and also depend on how much you use them to determine when you need to charge the device. 
• Signal Strength and the Environment impact how hard your device will have to work to keep a connection. High rises, underground parking, tunnels, and weak cellular coverage all require trackers to draw on more power while trying to get and maintain signal connections. 

Typical Battery Life of Different GPS Tracking Devices

Knowing what to expect from different types of trackers should help you find the right solution for your application.
Plug-in or hardwired trackers offer the most reliable option for ongoing monitoring. These trackers draw power directly from a vehicle's electrical system, operating seamlessly and requiring no recharges. They are ideal for vehicle GPS tracking, providing continuous, long-term monitoring without maintenance issues.  
Magnetic or portable trackers are designed to provide some flexibility and discretion of use. These small, battery-powered devices can be easily hidden and moved when needed. Depending on the model's style, the average battery life varies, typically lasting from 7 days to 3 weeks on a full charge. They work well for temporary situations or in cases where tracking is required, but discretion is also important.
Asset trackers are suitable for longer deployment timeframes and styles. For example, higher-end models can last 3-12 months in low-power mode, making them ideal for tracking trailers, shipped products, or equipment that cannot be charged. 

ShadowGPS Products: Engineered for Power and Reliability

At ShadowGPS, we recognize that every customer has unique tracking needs. Our devices are designed to deliver not only precise tracking capabilities but also exceptional battery life for real-world applications.

•  ShadowAuto: Plug & Play GPS Tracker is the easy-to-use solution for reliable GPS tracking for a vehicle.  ShadowAuto connects directly to your vehicle's OBD-II port to gain power from the vehicle. You don't have to worry about running out of battery because the device runs continually off the vehicle's power supply. It's suited for simple tracking applications where the safety and security of you or your asset is the primary concern.
  
  
• ShadowTrack: Place & Trace GPS Tracker offers flexibility and portability for personal and business use. It is compact and discrete, providing up to 7-14 days of life under normal daily use. With the magnetic case included, the ShadowTrack can be easily placed and relocated. It is a great tracking device for vehicle applications where you do not want to install the device permanently or connect it to the vehicle's electrical system.

Proven Strategies to Maximize GPS Tracker Battery Life

To increase the operational duration of your best GPS car tracker between charging cycles, consider applying these common-sense techniques to significantly extend its operational life. 

• Adjust the reporting frequency according to your real-world monitoring needs: If you don't need to view your location every second, set your tracker to send data every few minutes. Making this simple change can have a huge positive impact on capability while monitoring at an acceptable interval. 
• Take advantage of Sleep/Low-Power Modes when appropriate: Many devices in the ShadowGPS product line can detect if the vehicle has been stationary for a specified period and enter a standby or low-power mode. The device can 'wake up' as soon as motion is detected (again, based on the device's programming), so who wouldn't want to extend battery life during periods of inactivity?
• Locate the Tracker to Ensure Signal Reception: Finding an optimal location for your device to ensure proper GPS and cellular signal connectivity and coverage is worthwhile. If your device is located in an area where your tracker does not receive a strong signal, the device will consume more battery power to establish a connection.
• Check Battery Status Regularly: The devices in the ShadowGPS product line feature built-in alerts and notifications to help you regularly check the battery status. This will allow you to recharge the battery before the battery status affects performance tracking capabilities.

Selecting the Right GPS Tracker for Your Specific Requirements

When selecting a GPS car tracking device, consider your specific operational needs and preferences. 
For fixed installations with constant monitoring capabilities, ShadowAuto is the perfect option for you. You'll never have to worry about recharging it, which is ideal for applications like fleet management or long-term vehicle security.
If you want options in tracking environments and portability, consider ShadowTrack. This is exactly in between battery life and ease of use. The magnetic mounting, along with its mobility, makes it extremely flexible for temporary installations or environments where multiple vehicles need to be relocated. 
When tracking multiple vehicles or assets, consider your entire monitoring strategy as a whole. Plug-in solutions will be the most effective for fleet tracking, while portable trackers function extremely well for temporary monitoring or when the device needs to be relocated.

Why ShadowGPS Stands Above the Competition?

ShadowGPS provides comprehensive tracking solutions that prioritize both effective performance and a seamless user experience. We are committed to reliability by providing the real-time tracking capabilities you need, along with secure data transmission and storage.
We offer incredible flexibility with our selection of hardwired GPS tracking devices for vehicles, including plug-in and portable options, so there is a perfect solution for your particular needs, regardless of the varying levels of technical knowledge required.
You will be pleased with our competitive pricing structure, which allows you to enjoy professional-level tracking without compromising quality or features. Furthermore, with our affordable service plans, ShadowGPS can offer outstanding value to both businesses and individuals.
We aim for a straightforward user experience throughout your relationship with ShadowGPS, from the simple setup to the easy navigation of our intuitive platform and a device that has long-lasting performance. Each aspect has been considered for your convenience.
ShadowGPS is much more than just tracking location; it's a piece of mind. Whether you need a GPS tracking device for vehicles, personal asset protection, or fleet management, ShadowGPS can provide you with the performance you expect, along with the reliability of long battery life.

Making Informed Decisions About GPS Tracker Battery Life

The accuracy of GPS tracker battery life depends on recognizing several variables, including the type of GPS device, usage patterns, and environmental conditions.  Plug-in trackers, such as ShadowAuto, provide continuous tracking without the worry of battery depletion. In contrast, portable devices like ShadowTrack have a battery life that typically lasts 7-14 days on a single charge. 

An evaluation of the operational mode of your GPS device, the reporting frequency requirements, and environmental factors can all enhance operational efficiency and longevity of your device's investment.  Whether tracking for advanced personal safety or comprehensive fleet management for a business, the correct version of GPS tracking for vehicles will always require assessing the capability of your GPS device to your use case. 

ShadowGPS offers industry-leading solutions for tracking scenarios. From a simple plug-and-play device to using the most portable tracking device possible, our wide range of product offerings gives you the confidence that your vehicle and assets will receive continuous protection and monitoring.

FAQs

What factors drain GPS tracker batteries fastest?

Frequent location updates (every 10 to 30 seconds), limited cellular service, extreme temperatures, long durations of high accuracy mode, produce the highest degree battery depletion. Urban environments with limited cellular coverage will require the vehicle tracking device units to work harder which can deplete battery life and reduce effectiveness. 

Can I extend the battery life of my GPS tracker?

Absolutely, switch your reporting interval to every several minutes rather than continually updating in real-time. Enable sleep mode when stationary. Place the device in areas with strong signals whenever possible. Keep an eye on the battery life on a reasonably frequent basis. Following these straightforward suggestions can conserve the operational time between charges to double what one can expect even from the best  GPS car tracking device.

How do I know when my GPS tracker battery is low?

Today, the majority of GPS tracking systems for vehicles, including ShadowGPS, offer automatic alerts via email, SMS, or a companion app to visually confirm that the battery charge is low. As frequently as is reasonable for yourself, follow the app alert location to confirm battery charge status. Battery charging can usually occur before the battery life is completely depleted, so monitor the battery status to charge it when necessary.