"Which tracker should I buy?" is the question we hear most, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you are protecting and how it is powered. The three most common choices — a hard-wired GPS tracker, a plug-and-play OBD device, and a battery-powered asset tag — solve overlapping but different problems. Choosing well saves you from paying for capability you do not need, or from installing a device that cannot do the job you actually need.
The hard-wired GPS tracker: the fleet backbone
A hard-wired tracker is professionally connected to the vehicle's electrical system and hidden out of sight. Because it draws from the vehicle battery with its own internal backup, it reports continuously and supports the widest feature set: live location every few seconds, ignition detection, tamper alerts and — critically — remote engine lock. That last capability is why hard-wired units are the standard choice for cars, trucks and corporate fleets where theft recovery and control matter. The trade-off is that installation must be done by a technician, so it is not a device you fit yourself in five minutes.
The OBD tracker: plug in and go
An OBD tracker plugs straight into the OBD-II port found under the dashboard of most modern vehicles. There is no wiring, so you can fit it yourself in a couple of minutes and move it between vehicles. Beyond location, it can read engine diagnostics and capture accurate mileage. It is ideal for company cars, sales-team vehicles and leasing or insurance use where quick, non-permanent deployment matters more than a concealed install. The things to weigh: the port is easy to unplug, so a determined thief can disable it (an unplug alert helps), and older vehicles may not have a compatible port.
The asset tag: track things without power
Some of the things worth tracking have no power supply at all — trailers, containers, generators, machinery and high-value cargo. A battery-powered asset tracker solves this with multi-year battery life, a rugged waterproof housing and a magnetic quick-mount, so you can attach it almost anywhere and forget about it. Instead of second-by-second streaming, it reports on a smart schedule to preserve battery, and raises movement and geofence alerts. For detached trailers and yard equipment, a solar-assisted variant keeps reporting even when parked for long periods.
A simple way to decide
Match the device to your situation with a few questions:
- Need engine immobilization and a concealed, always-on install? Choose a hard-wired GPS tracker.
- Want quick, self-install tracking with diagnostics you can move between cars? Choose an OBD tracker.
- Tracking something with no power — a trailer, container or machine? Choose a battery or solar asset tag.
- Running a mixed fleet? Many operators combine all three under one platform and one login.
One platform, whatever you choose
The device is only half the decision — the platform behind it matters just as much. With Advance Track System, every device type reports into the same live map, reports and alerts, so a fleet of cars, trailers and bikes appears in one view rather than three disconnected apps. If you are unsure, our team can assess your vehicles and risk and recommend the right mix; you are not locked into a single device forever.