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Originally Posted On: https://www.lonestartracking.com/gps-tracking-for-boats-and-jet-skis-how-do-gps-trackers-work/

It is not every day that something you own works because of other devices over 20,000 km away in space. Although, that is the very core of how GPS devices function and what makes them so powerful. So, do you know how these trackers work and what they can do for you and your boat?

If you are wondering, “how do GPS trackers work?”, then you need to read this article. As you read on, you will learn what they are, how they work, and if there are any tips on using them that you can pick up. So, get started now and see what you can learn.

What Are GPS Trackers?

GPS trackers have gone from a device used only by the upper echelons of the military to something that we use throughout the world. They are now found everywhere in our lives, from on our car dashboards to on our cellphones.

A GPS tracking device can inform the user of their position on the surface of the Earth through the use of satellite signals.

While the earliest GPS trackers were in use by the late 1950s and intended for military use only, that all changed in the late 1980s. During this decade, a Korean passenger airplane wandered into Russian airspace and was shot down. Then-president Ronald Raegan responded by opening GPS up to all civilians to prevent such a mistake from happening in the future.

At this moment, the US has over thirty GPS satellites in orbit of the Earth. 27 of them are active at any time, and 4 remain dormant to replace the others in the case of a malfunction. These satellites are in a geosynchronous orbit and can continue to operate for a long time to come.

These days, GPS technology is always improving. Their availability means that many different manufacturing and transport industries are using them.

Companies can use GPS devices to track vehicles, resources, and also individuals. This helps them improve their performance year over year by finding places where wastage occurs and removing it.

For individuals, such as those using boats and jet skis, GPS systems can help to ensure that people do not get lost. You can have the assurance that you are traveling in the right direction, especially when far out to sea. This helps prevent accidents and guarantees the safety of those who travel on the water.

How Do GPS Trackers Work?

GPS devices use something called trilateration to work out where they are in the world. This involves receiving signals from many different satellites that are in the orbit of the Earth. Then you compare their signals with the device’s knowledge of the satellites’ positions.

By measuring the signals picked up with the position of the satellite with a degree of accuracy, you can measure three important things:

Position. Through triangulation, you can discover the exact location of where you are on the surface of the world.

Speed. When you can calculate the position of a GPS tracker several times over a period of time, you can begin to estimate its speed. This does not always work if an object is rapidly changing direction. Thus, it is much more accurate if something is traveling in one direction for a longer period.

Elevation. Due to their orbit, satellites operate in three-dimensional positions around the Earth and not on a flat plane. Also, besides this, due to the Earth’s spheroid shape, many satellites can see you at any one time.

Some satellites might be over you, while others will be to your side, closer to the horizon. This grants the GPS device the ability to not only determine where you are in a flat plane but in a vertical space too. This is very useful for climbers, flyers, and many others who need to know how high up they are for any reason.

GPS Tracker Tips

You may wish for a GPS tracker guide to give you extra GPS tracker advice for when you use one in the future. The following tips and tricks should assist you when you next travel using such technology:

Fleet tracking: It is not only one item that you might want to start tracking via GPS. If you have many jet skis or boats, it might be within your interest to start tracking them all.

Tracking several vehicles is especially useful if you are renting them out for short periods. Having a GPS that you can watch others with, rather than only one that you use to direct yourself, keeps the fleet safe. It can also increase the safety of those using your fleet, should you need to find one should something go wrong.

Theft tracking: GPS systems are not only good for when you are using the device. If someone steals your boat, you will want to track it down.

You can hide a GPS on board a boat or jet ski and activate it from a remote location. This lets you involve the police with evidence of its movements, working with them to search for the item. With second-to-second information on where an item is, you will even be able to search for it if it is within a vehicle or building.

Having a GPS device hidden on a boat also allows you to confirm with the authorities that a specific boat is yours. You can even do this if there are no other unique identifiers.

More on GPS Trackers

Now that you can answer the question, “how do GPS trackers work?”, you should be able to shop for one with relative ease. If you still need help, though, we should be able to give you a hand. Our people are experts on GPS devices and can help you decide on which ones would be best for your specific purposes.

So, before you take out your wallet, give us a call and talk to us. We would be more than happy to offer our expertise. Pick up the phone today.