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Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has become a cornerstone of modern navigation, essential for tracking vehicles, assets, and even loved ones with impressive precision.
Using signals from a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth, GPS devices help determine an object’s or person’s location.
However, even with sophisticated technology, there are factors that can impact GPS accuracy.
Here, we’ll explore how GPS accuracy works, where it excels, and how it can sometimes fall short.
At the heart of GPS functionality is a technique called trilateration.
For a GPS device to calculate its position on Earth, it needs signals from at least four satellites.
These satellites send time-stamped signals to the GPS receiver, which uses the time it takes for each signal to reach it to determine its exact location.
With trilateration, GPS devices can usually pinpoint their position within 3 to 15 metres of accuracy—a range that can vary depending on device quality, technology type, and environmental conditions.
In dense urban areas, buildings often block satellite signals, making it difficult for GPS devices to lock onto their location.
To counter this issue, many devices employ Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology.
A-GPS combines data from GPS satellites with information from cell towers and Wi-Fi networks, allowing the device to estimate its position even when satellite signals are weak.
A-GPS significantly improves accuracy in cities with tall buildings, providing a quicker location lock that’s particularly useful in urban settings.
Not all GPS-enabled devices are created equal.
Standalone GPS trackers are generally more accurate than smartphones, as they are purpose-built for tracking and navigation. These dedicated trackers can sometimes achieve accuracy within 1 metre under optimal conditions.
Smartphones, while convenient, typically offer an accuracy range between 3 to 5 metres.
One reason for this difference is that smartphones run multiple applications simultaneously, which can interfere with GPS performance.
In contrast, standalone trackers are optimised solely for location tracking, allowing them to maintain a more consistent and accurate reading.
For individuals and businesses that rely on precise location data—such as fleet managers or security personnel—a dedicated GPS tracker is often the best choice.
In various industries, high-accuracy GPS tracking isn’t just a convenience—it’s a business necessity.
Logistics, construction, and field service industries all rely on GPS tracking to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, and monitor employee activities.
In fleet management, GPS tracking helps companies ensure that drivers follow planned routes, reduce fuel costs, and avoid delays. With precise GPS tracking, logistics companies can meet delivery schedules more reliably and track valuable assets in real-time.
Accurate GPS tracking can also have a substantial financial impact.
For example, AV Decking, a construction company, implemented a GPS-based time-tracking system and saved up to $200,000 annually by reducing payroll errors and time theft.
This case demonstrates the real cost savings and productivity gains that high-accuracy GPS tracking can offer businesses.
For applications requiring extreme precision, such as scientific research and land surveying, Differential GPS (DGPS) is the preferred solution.
DGPS enhances the accuracy of traditional GPS by using ground-based reference stations to correct signal errors, allowing for measurements down to millimetre precision.
While DGPS is too precise for everyday use, it’s indispensable in fields that demand exact location data, such as environmental monitoring, scientific research, and infrastructure development.
DGPS shows how GPS technology has been adapted to meet specialised needs for millimetre-level accuracy.
Battery life is another critical factor when selecting a GPS device, especially for users in fleet management or asset tracking, where long-term performance is essential.
Dedicated GPS devices generally offer significantly longer battery life than smartphones, lasting for weeks or even months on a single charge.
This extended battery life is essential for businesses, as it reduces downtime, minimises maintenance, and ensures that tracking is uninterrupted.
For instance, fleet managers rely on GPS devices with long battery lives to track vehicles continuously.
Frequent recharging could cause gaps in data, making extended battery life a vital feature for reliable fleet management and other long-term tracking applications.
GPS tracking technology is also widely used in public safety and personal security.
Law enforcement agencies frequently rely on GPS data to investigate criminal activities, track suspects, and reconstruct crime scenes.
In fact, GPS evidence has become a critical component in some criminal cases, providing location-based proof that can confirm or refute alibis.
Personal GPS trackers also help individuals monitor the whereabouts of family members and pets.
For example, parents can use GPS to track their children’s locations or to check on elderly relatives, while pet owners use it to keep track of pets that may roam.
These safety and security applications showcase the versatility of GPS as a tool for both personal and public protection, offering peace of mind in a range of scenarios.
Even with advancements, GPS trackers are not immune to error.
Several factors can lead to inaccuracies or failures:
While these issues can impact GPS performance, most are temporary or fixable with basic troubleshooting steps.
If your GPS tracker displays inaccurate data, there are steps you can take to resolve these issues and restore accuracy:
GPS technology is generally limited indoors, as satellite signals struggle to penetrate walls and other indoor structures.
For indoor tracking or areas with obstructed GPS signals, alternative technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tags offer useful solutions for tracking within a short range.
While these options lack the range and accuracy of GPS, they are widely used in warehouses, retail stores, and other small, controlled environments where GPS isn’t viable.
BLE and RFID technologies offer a different type of accuracy that complements GPS in scenarios where proximity detection is more critical than wide-area tracking.
By integrating these alternatives, businesses can achieve comprehensive tracking solutions for both indoor and outdoor environments.
GPS technology has transformed modern life, providing essential services across personal, industrial, and public safety applications.
With uses spanning asset tracking, navigation, and safety, GPS offers unmatched accuracy and reliability.
While factors like signal loss and environmental interference can impact performance, advancements such as Assisted GPS, Differential GPS, and alternative tracking technologies like BLE and RFID address these challenges with specialised solutions.
Understanding GPS accuracy, device options, and use cases can help users choose the best solution for their needs.
To better understand GPS technology, its capabilities, and how to troubleshoot common issues view our FAQ below.
All you need to do is download the Solid GPS app from the Google Play Store (Android 4.4+) or the App Store (iOS 13+).
You can also track your vehicle on any device connected to our website, from your tablet to your computer.
Yes, you can cancel your subscription during your 31-day free tracking period, and you won’t be charged anything.
You can easily cancel your subscription in your account settings or by contacting us via email or phone.
We guarantee that Solid GPS works in Australia and New Zealand, and we also support payments in each currency.
Yes, you can. All you need to do is connect your Solid GPS tracker to your vehicle through a standard USB port.
The battery in your tracker is rechargeable, so there’s no need to replace it.
You’ll also receive reminders to your phone and email when your tracker’s battery is low, at 30%.
Since the tracker is recharged infrequently (every 3, 6, or 12 months), it will last longer than most electronic devices, with the battery beginning to deteriorate after 500 recharges.
Your tracker is designed to be tucked away inside your vehicle, hidden, and away from any harsh elements.
However, if you’re concerned that it might come in contact with dust or water, we suggest putting it in a sealed container or a ziploc bag to give it some extra protection.
Yes, and it’s super easy to keep track of all your trackers – you can add as many as you want to your account.
To make sure each one is easy to identify, you can give each of them a unique name and colour.
This can be done quickly by heading over to the account settings section on the Solid GPS app or website.
The tracker does not make any noise and it ONLY emits light while being recharged.
Your Solid GPS tracking device uses the full Telstra & Vodafone network in Australia and Spark & Vodafone network in New Zealand, whichever has the strongest signal at that point in time.
If your tracker enters an area with no mobile coverage, don’t worry! It will save the locations your vehicle travels to and will upload where it went when your vehicle is back in an area with coverage.
The subscription covers the cost of the SIM card inside your tracker and the data it uses.
Instead of negotiating with telcos and finding the best SIM card and plan prices, we organise your SIM card for you, all for a flat competitive rate.
We’re able to achieve such a low-cost subscription because we have tens of thousands of SIM cards in our system, unlocking bulk discounts for you!
The subscription also covers the cost of the Solid GPS app, local customer support, & so much more.
We also don’t plan on and have never increased the price of our subscription.
As your vehicle moves, your tracker will update its location every 2 minutes and gradually increase the time between updates to every 10 minutes.
You can also turn on ‘Emergency Mode’ to lock the tracking intervals to every 2 minutes.
Additionally, you can set geofences/boundaries to receive alerts if your vehicle begins to move.
To see what the dashboard/app looks like, please create an account at solidgps.com/registration/, and you’ll be taken to our demo dashboard.
Yes, multiple people can download the same app and log in to the same account to view the same tracker.
You can also securely share your tracker with friends or family through our sharing feature.
For example, if you’re going on a trip, share your private tracking link with others, and they can see where you are without being able to change any settings. You can cancel this link at any time too.
Solid GPS is based in Melbourne, Victoria. All design, development and assembly is done in-house.
IOS 13+ Required
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