GeekOverGears.com | All Things Automotive

4 tips for choosing a GPS fleet tracking system

Business owners who manage a delivery fleet and vehicles can significantly benefit from GPS fleet tracking systems. They can improve delivery times, manage fuel consumption budgets, and even understand their vehicles’ maintenance needs. However, when choosing these GPS tracking systems, there are a few factors to consider to choose the perfect system for one’s needs. So here are some tips to help one choose the right tracking system.

Determine the requirements and budget
Before choosing a GPS fleet tracking system for their business, one must consider what data they wish to collect. Various types of tracking systems record additional data besides just the location of the vehicles. For instance, some of these systems also record the behavior of the driver, which can be essential to tracking the driver’s safety and accountability. However, such systems cost much more than the ones that only use location tracking. So, business owners must determine if they have the budget and need additional tracking features or if they can work with only location tracking.

Real-time tracking Vs. Passive tracking system
The commonly available GPS fleet tracking systems have two ways of data tracking – real-time and passive. Real-time is where the one in charge can track the live location of their vehicles and assets. Passive tracking means that travel data is recorded and can only be downloaded from the system. With the latter, business owners are also at the risk of losing the data if the system breaks down. Real-time tracking systems allow them to keep a constant eye on their assets and do not pose the risk of losing the data.

Consider ease of use
When selecting a GPS fleet tracking system, ensuring it is user-friendly and easy to comprehend is crucial. An ideal system should have a mobile app that allows business owners to track their vehicles. However, the mobile app should have a straightforward user interface to facilitate easy navigation. To help business owners select an easy-to-use system, it is recommended that they request a demo from the vendors before making the purchase. During the demo, they can evaluate the ease of use of the hardware and software. Doing so will enable them to make an informed decision and choose a GPS fleet tracking system that meets their requirements and is easy to operate.

Reliable hardware systems
Besides the software, it is also essential to check that the tracking systems have reliable hardware. This is because these systems will be attached to vehicles traveling long distances. So, in case of any unfortunate incident, the hardware should be durable enough not to break down. Plus, it should also be resistant to water and harsh weather conditions. Otherwise, the hardware may not last as long, costing the business owners.

Popular Reads

4 Small Pickup Trucks to Choose From

Small pickup trucks were once primarily used for hauling farming or construction equipment. Today, these vehicles also offer massive cargo space, extravagant passenger features, and rugged capabilities. And if you’re looking for such a vehicle, the number of options and price ranges can overwhelm you. To help filter your requirements is the first step to take. To shortlist your choices, here are our top four pickup trucks that truly give you bang for the buck. 2013 Toyota Tacoma The 2013 Toyota Tacoma is still a very popular truck for the regular pickup driver. It comes in different trim variants and is loaded with a variety of features. Moreover, it gives you an impressive cargo capacity for its size, making it one of the best pickup trucks. Depending on your needs you can either choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that gives 159 hp or go for a higher 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 236 hp. It’s available in both five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission. You can even opt for a four-wheel-drive in case you offroad a lot. 2016 Chevrolet Colorado The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a comfortable ride with spacious and exquisite interiors. It is a compact truck that can be easily driven in the city while offering the capabilities of a full-size truck.

5 affordable crossover SUVs you can buy without thinking twice

Crossover SUVs offer tons of versatility in functionality at practically very affordable prices. Suitable for cargo as well as passenger transportation, crossover SUVs provide the best of both worlds. In addition to being a perfect combination of a passenger car’s fuel economy and a small truck’s cargo capacity, crossover SUVs prices are more pocket-friendly. Crossover SUVs bring in the sturdiness of a pickup truck, spacious cargo hold of hatchbacks, and passenger comfort of a minivan or a wagon. No wonder crossover SUVs have quickly become popular. If you are planning to buy one, here are some popular ones at affordable crossover SUVs prices. Hyundai Kona: With prices starting from $20,100, the Hyundai Kona has one of the most affordable crossover SUVs prices. At a budget price, this crossover SUV is replete with outstanding and significantly good features. These include a stylishly quality cabin with a user-friendly infotainment system, good crash test ratings, and agile handling. At such an affordable price tag, this crossover SUV is a catch. Kia Sportage: The Kia Sportage can easily accommodate five passengers within its spacious cabin. With a price starting from $23,990, the Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that gives decent performance powered by an efficient four-cylinder engine.

What to consider before buying a Chevy Silverado 1500

Chevrolet has been a household name in the automobile industry for over a hundred years now. The auto giant earned a reputation for manufacturing some of the best pickup trucks in recent years and the Silverado series is one stellar example. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is by far the strongest and technologically advanced pickup designed to get the job done, period! A bigger engine, better transmission, and stellar off-road capabilities rank the 1500 trims in a class of its own. Here are some of the key highlights of the pickup truck. Trims The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a true commercial workhorse that offers eight trim variants and three custom special editions. The heavier V8 engine trims can haul heavy loads for long distances, while the lighter Turbo trims offer the best fuel economy in its class. Towing and trailering also play an important role when it comes to choosing a trim variant. Engine and transmission The bigger the engine block, the more powerful is the pickup. You get multiple options for engines, including your standard V6 or V8 and the more fuel-efficient Duramax® Turbo-Diesel. The Silverado 1500 comes with a 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, or a 6.2L V8, all great engine blocks for the heavy trims.