If you’re looking for a GPS tracker for either personal or business use, you might be asking yourself “can’t I make my own?”
The answer is yes, but it might not be for novice DIY’ers, and there are many attractive GPS trackers on the market today.
But, if you want to see what goes into making a GPS tracker, you should keep reading and find out what you need to know.
Or, you can skip to filling out the form at the top of the page for a customised quote for vehicle trackers today.
In this guide, you’ll find out what you need to know about making a GPS tracker, such as the proper steps and possible alternatives.
Ready? Let’s go!
What’s in this guide?
How to Make a GPS Tracker
So, how exactly can you make a GPS tracker?
Here is a way that you can create your GPS tracker with cheap parts, that you can buy from places like eBay or Amazon, as well as your local parts shop.
Step 1: Buy a 12v to 5v USB converter
A 12v to 5v USB converter is a relatively straightforward piece of technology to find, and you can even see them on online eCommerce sites such as eBay for less than £10.
This nifty gadget is going to be used to attach your old Android phone to your car and give it a constant stream of power.
These devices have a small size, and their maximum power consumption is 15W so it won’t drain your battery.
Step 2: Buy an old Android phone
Did you know that some Android phones are very inexpensive, especially when you look at a website such as Amazon or Currys?
In fact, you could find a refurbished Microsoft Lumia unlocked and SIM-free for under £50, which is an excellent saving on specific existing GPS trackers.
You will use this phone to track your car using GPS, so you need to make sure it will have a supply of power.
Step 3: Acquire a SIM card
Whether you would want a SIM card depends on whether you want to track your vehicle in real time, or you want to be able to track your car periodically when it links up to wifi.
In which case, you could just set up your phone to connect to the internet without a SIM card.
You can get a SIM card on a cheap plan for less than £10 per month.
Step 4: Download tracking software
If you want to pay as you go, you could choose tracking software such as Pay as You Track, which allows you to type in your phone number, then track the phone.
So, once you fit your phone into your car, you’ll be able to track the vehicle as long as the device has a supply of power.
Step 5: Give your device a power supply
This is where things can get a bit tricky.
To give your phone power, you’ll need to attach the converter and the phone to a compatible output in your car; this could be the cigarette lighter socket for example.
You can do this by using t-tap connectors, or another similar product, just remember to plug the socket back in before you try to use your device and tidy everything away.
Step 6: Track your vehicle
Now, you should be able to track your vehicle!
Congratulations, you have successfully learnt how you can make your GPS tracker, but do you want to find out about some alternative options?
Let’s take a look.
Top 10 GPS Trackers
1. SpyTrack Nano
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £59.99
Supplier: Rewire Security
Google score: 4.3/5
This GPS tracker from Rewire Security is a compact and covert device which attaches neatly to your vehicle using magnets when you opt for the magnetic case accessory as an addition to your purchase.
Some of the features of the SpyTrack Nano include the fact that the device is inexpensive, it updates your location every 30 seconds, and there are six different map views on offer so you can see exactly where your vehicle is.
Importantly, in the way that suits you best.
Other significant benefits are that it tracks your vehicle live, speeding and you can set geofencing areas to alert you when your car leaves a particular location.
✔ Real-time tracking
✔ SMS or email notifications
✔ Establish geofencing areas
✔ Get instant notifications
✔ Free application
✔ Quick set up
✔ Coverage around the world
✔ Set motion alerts
2. Pebbell Tracking Device
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £175
Supplier: Back2You
Google score: 4.8/5
This type of tracking device from Back2You provides you with real-time tracking, there is a two-way speaking function so you can talk to the user, and there’s an SOS functionality for you to use when you are in an accident.
Using a device like this can give you extra peace of mind, and while it isn’t specifically for vehicles, it could be used for this purpose.
You can also set boundaries to notify you when the device leaves or enters a specific area.
✔ Highly rated supplier
✔ Real-time tracking
✔ SOS function
✔ Geofencing
✔ Two-way talking function
✔ Compact size
3. Guardian Extra Battery Powered Tracker
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £195
Supplier: Back2You
Google score: 4.8/5
The Guardian Extra Battery Powered Tracker from Back2You attaches to your vehicle using magnets, and features live tracking, it’s ready to use straight away, and there are low running costs.
This device is harder to locate as it has a small size, it will be harder for thieves to steal and it comes with 12 months of tracking abilities.
Back2You has an excellent 4.8/5 rating on Google, with many satisfied customers stating that the staff are friendly and helpful.
✔ Real-time tracking
✔ Highly rated company
✔ Low running costs
✔ Covert size
✔ Coverage in over 70 countries
✔ Up to 4-month battery charge
4. CAT 5 Insurance Approved Tracker
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £675
Supplier: Track It 24/7
Google score: 4.9/5
This category five insurance approved tracker from Track It 24/7 can reduce your insurance costs, it gives you 24-hour monitoring, there are free applications included, and there’s police authorised remote immobilisation.
Devices such as this tracker give you a high level of security, with compatibility to many different vehicles and it comes with a 3-year warranty.
When it comes to Track It 24/7, customers have stated that the staff are friendly, helpful and offer a fantastic range of products.
✔ 24/7 monitoring
✔ Insurance approved
✔ Free app
✔ Global coverage
✔ Compatible with other vehicles
✔ 3-year warranty
✔ Battery disconnect alert
✔ Fully insured against theft
5. Vodafone V Auto Car Tracker
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £85
Supplier: Argos
Google score: 4/5
The V Auto Car Tracker by Vodafone is a low-cost solution which comes with the benefit of giving you live tracking, tells you where your vehicle has been and gives you a driver safety score, so you can see how well the car has been driven.
You can also benefit from one of their unique selling points, which is that the V Auto will send out an automatic SOS when your car has been in a collision.
This can be an essential help when dealing with car accidents, especially in more remote locations.
✔ Low price
✔ Sends out an SOS when there’s an accident
✔ Driver safety score
✔ View your past trips
✔ Find your car with their app
✔ Compact design and size
✔ The low monthly subscription price
✔ Track using GPS
6. Carlock Anti-theft Device
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £75
Supplier: Carlock
Google Play score: 3.8/5
The Carlock Anti-theft Device from Carlock provides you with a range of benefits and features such as 24/7 monitoring, collects your data in the cloud and you can get push notifications when there’s movement.
This can help you to improve the security of your vehicle and ensure that you are aware of any sudden or unexpected changes.
Some of the additional advantages are that it combines real-time tracking with an alert system, and tells you when there’s any erratic driver behaviour such as speeding or braking.
✔ Get a driver safety score
✔ Track in real time
✔ Set motion alerts
✔ Monitor your car’s health
✔ Track using GPS tech
✔ Works as an anti-theft device
✔ Improve your car’s security
✔ See your route history
✔ Collect data in the cloud
7. LandAirSea Flashback GPS Logger
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £144.61
Supplier: Spy Tec
Trustpilot score: 4/5
The LandAirSea Flashback GPS Logger from Spy Tec is a device which can attach to your car via magnets, has a covert size and there are no monthly fees required.
Some of the main benefits of choosing this device are that you can track your vehicle in real time; it stores GPS data for you; it is waterproof and has a rechargeable battery.
This device can also help you to avoid theft, as you can hide this tracker from view, so it provides extra protection.
✔ Highly rated company
✔ No monthly fees
✔ Covert size
✔ Attaches via magnets
✔ Waterproof design
✔ Get daily reports
✔ Tracks in real time
✔ 50-hour battery life
8. Bulldog TR20 Personal Tracker
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £160
Supplier: Witter Towbars
Trustpilot score: 3.3/5
From Witter Towbars, the Bulldog TR20 Personal Tracker comes with excellent features such as a built-in SOS, 160-hour battery life, you can set geofencing, and you can track via an application.
Although this device is primarily for a user to wear, it could be used as a vehicle tracker, with an accuracy of up to 10 meters.
Another significant benefit to this device is that you can send the tracker an SMS message, and in return, you will get a link to an online map and information about your device’s exact location.
✔ View location details
✔ See your device’s location on a map
✔ Set geofencing areas
✔ Track using GPS technology
✔ Accurate up to 10 meters
✔ 160-hour battery life
✔ Use the tool like a phone with 2-way communication
9. ScorpionTrack Driver S5-VTS
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £449.95
Supplier: Witter Towbars
Trustpilot score: 3.3/5
This tracker from Witter Towbars is an advanced tracking system, which might be best suited to commercial vehicles or even fleets.
Some of the benefits and main features of this device are that there are 24/7 tracking every day of the year, protects against hacks, there is an improved level of accuracy, you can track your vehicle’s throughout Europe and this tracker is insurance approved.
You can also have your device fitted at any time and location which suits you best, and it will be guaranteed for a year.
✔ Advanced tracking device
✔ Suitable for fleets
✔ 24/7 tracking
✔ High accuracy
✔ Track through Europe
✔ Insurance approved
✔ Guaranteed for a year
✔ A device fitted at any time
✔ Tracks underground and in containers
10. Classic Car GPS Tracker
Type: GPS tracker
Pricing: £114.99
Supplier: Tracking Centre
The Classic Car GPS Tracker from the Tracking Centre comes with excellent advantages such as the following.
Unlimited real-time tracking, motion detection, quick installation, you can get automatic alerts, and it is compatible with most makes and models of cars.
You can also benefit from global tracking coverage, you can get a 14-day trial, and you can get volume discounts when you have a fleet.
✔ Easy installation
✔ Comprehensive coverage
✔ Get speeding alarms
✔ Set motion alerts
✔ Removal alarms
✔ Reduces the risk of theft
✔ Free delivery
Conclusion
Have you decided to design and create your GPS tracker, or have you found the perfect match for you in the ExpertSure top 10 list?
To find out more about vehicle tracking, check out the Expertsure guides here.
Or, you can fill out the form at the top of the page for a customised quote today.
Ready to compare? Let’s go!
