Personal GPS Tracker Vs Personal GPS Locator: What’s the Difference?
GPS devices are a common and essential tool for both businesses and individuals alike in the modern world we live in. GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and is one of the global navigation satellite systems that can provide geolocation (the global location of a person or device by digital information via the internet), and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where signal quality permits.
The key difference between a GPS tracker and a GPS locator is that a tracker is a device that actively monitors and reports its real-time location continuously for tracking purposes, whether that is for people, vehicles or assets. A GPS locator requires a manual activation by the user and is intended for emergency use only to send the location coordinates to search and rescue authorities in emergency situations.
A GPS tracker uses satellites for location but often combines this with cell technology for real-time data transmission, whereas a GPS locator can refer to a broader category, such as a personal locator beacon (PLB) or a Bluetooth-enabled finder (which relies on a receiver to find something nearby). A locator may have a shorter range of use and sometimes may require a separate search and rescue component.
Personal GPS Tracker Vs Locator – Which One to Choose?
The most suitable device for an individual depends on their specific requirements. As a general rule of thumb, a GPS personal locator is best suited to individuals who engage in outdoor activities in remote areas. Individuals like hikers, boaters and skiers often find themselves in remote areas where cell service is unreliable, and in the case of an emergency a personal locator beacon is used to send emergency SOS signals to services that will provide a location for rescue.
It is not just individuals who use GPS locators – organizations like the military and defence use this technology for critical positioning and tracking, search and rescue emergency services use the signals to find people in distress, and even humanitarian organizations use them for aid and disaster relief, and to stay in contact in challenging environments.
Construction companies use GPS to track the location of equipment and personnel on-site, and they are extremely useful for delivery companies, to manage and optimise their vehicle fleets and delivery routes.
Personal GPS trackers are more useful where vulnerable people like children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities may need to be monitored for their own safety. Trackers are particularly helpful for seniors who are suffering with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, so family members or caregivers can locate them in case they wander off or forget where, or who they are.
Parents use them for the safety of their children, to ensure they don’t get lost in crowded places or for kidnap prevention, and personal GPS trackers can help locate individuals who are at risk of getting lost or disorientated in crowded places.
Safety First
It doesn’t matter what your circumstances are, having personal alarms, GPS trackers and locators are only ever a good idea. We have the technology today to ensure that ourselves and our loved ones are kept safe, and more importantly, can be located in the case of an emergency. At SureSafe we recognise that every individual’s needs are different, therefore we provide a range of different alarms and systems to incorporate each person’s specific needs.
Whether you are caring for an elderly or disabled relative, or you know that a loved-one is feeling vulnerable, or you yourself want the security to know that help will be available should you need it, we have the personal alarm device for you.
From alarm watches to medical pendants, we can help you choose the most suitable alert device that will fit seamlessly into you or your loved one’s lifestyle. We can supply you with both household systems and mobile devices, so whether the user is at home or out and about, they will have peace of mind that help will be at hand should they need it.
Personal alarm devices come in various forms, from simple wrist bands with easy-to-use alert buttons, to smartwatches that have all the latest technologies incorporated in one device. Pendants can be worn around the neck or used as a fob that is carried around with the user in a pocket or bag. It doesn’t matter how you choose to wear or carry them, the important thing is that they allow for prompt response times and appropriate treatment options.
SureSafe has got you Covered
There is no right choice between a personal GPS tracker vs locator, the important thing is to choose the right device for purpose. If you are wanting continuous, real-time tracking of people, vehicles or assets then a tracker is your best choice. They are designed for minimal user interaction, where data is sent to a central server or app. If you need to monitor vulnerable people or elderly loved ones, they are a simple solution that can give everyone peace of mind.
Individuals or groups that are healthy and active but may find themselves in remote places will find a GPS locator an invaluable device to carry, as it can be activated to send an emergency distress signal should an accident or emergency occur.
Whichever device you choose, SureSafe can provide you with all the help you need. If you have any questions, get in touch with our team here.
