Understanding GPS Intervals

Posted by Adrienne Evangelista on May 1st 2024

Understanding GPS Intervals

Key Takeaways:

  • Choose GPS trackers based on tracking intervals (10 seconds to 5 minutes) and use cases, from real-time tracking to periodic updates.
  • Shorter intervals like 10 seconds offer near real-time tracking, ideal for law enforcement or monitoring high-value assets.
  • Longer intervals conserve battery life and are suitable for less time-sensitive tracking.
  • Features like geofence alerts and speed monitoring vary by interval and device.
  • Battery life differs significantly between devices, with longer intervals offering extended usage.

Choose the most appropriate GPS tracking option for your application

If your business is in the market for a GPS tracking device to monitor one of your valuable assets, or even a whole fleet of company vehicles, it’s important for you to know what’s available so you can make the best choice to suit your needs. When examining the options, you should consider the tracking intervals, associated features, and most appropriate use cases for each device. Knowing your own needs will help you determine which device is the right choice.

First of all, a GPS tracking interval refers to the amount of time that lapses between moments in which the GPS tracker turns on to capture its location. Intervals can be anywhere from 10 seconds, which is frequent, to up to 5 minutes, which is very spread out. On demand tracking is an option that bypasses using intervals and only turns on to track its location in response to a user’s location request.

This post explores these various interval options available, the features that accompany them, and their most appropriate use cases.

5 Minute to 30 Second Intervals

The middle range of interval options have a variety of associated use cases. Most often, devices using personal tracking intervals in this range will be placed inside equipment or vehicles that may be often moved.

5 Minute

Interval    

1 Minute

Interval    

30 Second

Interval    

Geofence

Alerts    

LimitedYesYes
Speed

Alert    

LimitedYesYes
Nano

Battery Life    

21 Days14 Days10 Days
EON

Battery Life    

140 Days100 Days65 Days

5 Minute to 30 Second Intervals

An option that may be available in this use category includes “burst mode,” which helps users, and in some cases, law enforcement, find missing items or vehicles. This allows them to track every location of the device while it is in motion. Additionally, these mid-range interval options allow users to have varying levels of control over their asset tracking, including geofence capabilities, and speed alert options, depending on the specific level the user has chosen.

Intervals like these can also be used to track users who are carrying a portable device on their person. Being able to see more to-the-minute tracking data allows the user to see not just movement and location changes, but also monitor direction of travel, pace, route deviations, and more, which might not be visible in more spaced-out location snapshots.

10 Second Intervals

10 Second IntervalsThe 10 second interval option is the most versatile option as it can be used to track in nearly real-time, in addition to other options such as fleet tracking, geofence alerts, and speed alerts. This option is often a great choice for law enforcement officers tracking a suspect as it keeps them aware of the vehicle’s location and movement at all times. It is most often utilized by users who need up-to-the-minute updates, making law enforcement teams some of its most popular users.10-second intervals may also work for users who are tracking an important person, like a parent monitoring their children or security personnel tracking a public figure for their safety.

A Snapshot of Intervals, Features, and Prices

  On Demand     5 Minute
Interval    
 1 Minute
Interval
 30 Second
Interval
 10 Second
Interval
Geofence Alerts  No Limited Yes Yes     Yes
Speed Alerts  No Limited Yes Yes     Yes
Nano Battery Life    21+ days 21 days 14 days 10 days     8 days
EON Battery Life  140+ days    140 days    100 days    6 days     40 days
           

Each of the different interval types offers its own collection of options for various use cases. The BrickHouse Security team can help users determine which device and which tracking interval is best suited to your particular needs. We invite you to contact our team to learn more.