Understanding GPS Intervals
Posted by Adrienne Evangelista on May 1st 2024
Understanding GPS Intervals
Choose the most appropriate GPS tracking option for your application
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.
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 | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Speed Alert | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Nano Battery Life | 21 Days | 14 Days | 10 Days |
| EON Battery Life | 140 Days | 100 Days | 65 Days |
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
The 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 parents 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.