How Does GPS Tracking Work?

If you want to know the live location of a loved one, a vehicle, or an asset, then you need a GPS tracking unit. Optimus makes this easy for you.
To get started, you will need to purchase an Optimus GPS tracking unit that fits your needs.
​Once you receive the tracker you will need to activate it by paying the monthly recurring subscription. Once the unit is activated, you will gain access to our GPS tracking website as well as our iPhone or Android app.
Trackers use GPS signal to obtain coordinate information and use cellular signal or depending the tracker model other satellites to transmit this information to our servers.
​GPS signal can penetrate through plastics, fabrics, car seats, glove compartments, and glass. This makes our trackers ideal for discreet placement inside or underneath vehicles.
You will access to all this information through our smartphone app or tracking website, along with Google Maps and other tracking tools, whenever and wherever you want. There is no need to stay logged into the website, since you will have access to historical data too.
Position reports are sent every minute when the tracking unit is in movement, and the unit stops reporting when it is standing still to maximize battery life.
Please be aware that the signal will not work if the GPS tracker is totally enclosed in metal. Testing your tracker is the best way to find out where it will work best for you. Sometimes you may get a slight drift in the map position if the tracking unit is placed in an extremely concealed location.

     

 

How Accurate is GPS? 

It depends. GPS satellites broadcast their signals in space with a certain accuracy, but what you receive depends on additional factors, including satellite geometry, signal blockage, atmospheric conditions, and receiver design features/quality.
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For example, GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4.9 m (16 ft.) radius under open sky (VIEW SOURCE AT ION.ORG). However, their accuracy worsens near buildings, bridges, and trees. (From GPS.gov)                                                        MapaLocation.png                                            

Viewing the tracker on the map

When the tracker is moving, position reports are received from the tracker usually every minute.  On some tracker models this report frequency is customizable and can be changed to report more frequently. When the tracker is stationary the tracker will report less frequently, usually to conserve battery charge.
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On the map you will find icons that represent the tracker’s taken path. These icons are the position reports sent by the tracker. You will also find a line that joins the icons for a comprehensive view. 

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Reports

Driving detail, parked addresses and time, distance driven
Driving Report: Start and end time with address. Time Moving. Distance.
​Parked addresses: Simple report with parked address, arrived time, leaving time, time parked.
Distance Driven: For mileage reports.     
                                   

                   

 

 

The Tracking website and App Features

Whether it’s for personal or business use, you will find very useful features
  • Tracking on Google Maps
  • Detailed Historical View
  • Geofences
  • Alerts