If you are like many people, you may be wondering how to tell if someone has placed a GPS tracking device in your vehicle. GPS tracking devices have gotten so small, they are commonly the size of a pack of cigarettes, with some as small as a quarter! With devices this small, they can be difficult to detect, especially if you have a large vehicle.
The first thing to know is that there are two different types of GPS tracking devices:
GPS “Loggers”
A GPS logger is a passive device, which means that it does not actively transmit its GPS location. This means that whoever has put a GPS logger in their car will have to put it in their car and then retrieve it later to view the driving data, which is stored on the device. A popular example of this is the Sleuthgear iTrail GPS logger, which measures just 1.5″X1.5″.
GPS “Trackers”
A GPS tracker is an active device, which means that it actively transmits its “live” location, usually to a secure website, where the person who placed it there can view its location and driving information via a web browser or a special program. Once they put it there, they don’t have to retrieve it, they can just view the information online. However, they will likely come back later, because the battery life on the active tracker is usually less than 30 days.
This is where it is important to know the difference between the two types of tracking devices. A GPS logger (like the iTrail GPS) can only be discovered manually, which means you’ll have to physically search for it. The reason for this is that since they do not actively transmit a signal (they only store data on the device), a bug detector or bug detector will not be able to pick up any type of transmission or signal. If you suspect you might have a GPS logger in your vehicle, the first place to look is UNDER THE VEHICLE. This is the most popular place to hide a GPS tracking device, and is accomplished by placing the device inside a magnetic box, which securely adheres to the metal on the underside of your vehicle. Other places to look are the glove box, center console, and truck (even under the spare tire).
If you suspect that you might have an active GPS tracker in your car, a manual search is always the first step. Look under the vehicle, in the glove box, and in the trunk. These types of units are typically larger than GPS loggers because they require a larger battery to actively transmit a signal. If you don’t have time to do a manual search, you’re in luck, as active GPS trackers can easily be detected by a GPS detector.
A GPS detector is a handheld, typically battery-operated device that allows you to “sweep” your vehicle (or anywhere else you want to locate a GPS tracker) and will alert you when it detects a GPS transmission signal being sent by your Location. . There is an adjustable sensitivity knob that allows you to fine-tune the exact location of the tracker, so you can remove it from your vehicle.
A GPS detection device will also detect cell phone signals, because cell phones are commonly used as makeshift GPS tracking devices, as cell phone owners can often use a “locate” feature of their phone to find out where it is.
So if you want to find out if someone has planted a GPS tracking device in your car, first do a manual search, and for a faster and easier search, use a GPS detector.