Private investigators have to collect evidence for their clients. And for it, they often follow their targets. But tailing someone in this era is a difficult job. Often private investigators find themselves stuck in the traffic rather than working on the case. For such modern problems, private investigators need to resort to new solutions.
GPS trackers are unbeatable when it comes to tracking someone. However there are criteria a GPS tracker must complete to become effective for a private investigator.
Hence, we have listed some of the best GPS trackers for private investigators in this article for you. And therefore stay with us till the end.
Table of Contents
10 Best GPS Trackers For Private Investigators
Disclaimer: The purpose of this article is to LIST the best products in the market, and not to review or rank them. All the products listed here have several unique features catering to a wide range of customer requirements. While compiling this list, we evaluated the devices based on their cost, subscription plans, battery life, size, and installation process. We considered factors like the countries they offer coverage in, ease of use of their application, security, or other unique features they offer. We also looked into add-on services these vendors provide – lifetime warranty, 24/7 customer support, installation help, and more.
The intention is to inform and educate the reader on the variety of options available in the market.
Family1st GPS Tracker
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Family1st GPS tracker is an affordable option. You can enjoy several benefits of the device at a minimal cost of $28.95. The hardware is smaller than a palm and can easily fit in a purse, backpack, pockets, or briefcase. It is easy to install and also comes with a magnetic case. And therefore, you can install it on bikes, cars, or any metallic surface to get real-time updates.
It has a good battery life that lasts two weeks with one-minute location updates. And up to six months on sleep mode. And therefore, you can track your target for several days without any worries. It has no activation or deactivation fees. So when you are on holiday, you can deactivate the services and save yourself from unnecessary costs.
Product Highlights
- Low device cost and subscription plan
- No Contract, No cost activation, and deactivation
- Lifetime Warranty on device
- Coverage in the USA, Mexico, and Canada
Battery and Specs
- Size: 2.8” x 1.8” x 1.1”
- Weight: 3.60 Oz
- Battery: 2400 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2 weeks active battery life with 1-minute update
- 6 months sleep mode battery life at one update per day
Invoxia Cellular GPS Tracker
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Another discreet tracker on our list is Invoxia cellular GPS tracker. It is a small and lightweight GPS tracker that is perfect for keeping tabs on a car, motorcycle, truck, van, bags, or any asset. And therefore, you can slip it into your target bag and monitor their activity in real-time. Moreover, you can set custom alert zones to receive notifications. How will this help?
There will be a time when your client will be at home or sleeping. You probably don’t want location updates at that time. You can set up a virtual fence over their house. And as soon as they leave their home, you will receive a real-time update, and you can again become active.
It has a good battery life that can last up to 2-3 weeks with a 1 to 5 minutes location update. You have to pay more initially. But in the long-term, it is a cost-effective choice. How? You won’t have to pay a penny for one to two years as monthly subscription fees.
Product Highlights
- Small size
- Motion Alerts
- Coverage in over 190 countries
- Custom contacts alert for emergencies
Battery and Specs
- Size: 1.75″ x 1.6″ x 0.6″
- Weight: 1.26 Oz
- Battery: 3,5000 mAh
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2-3 active battery life with 1-5 updates every minute
- 3 months battery with one update per day
Optimus 2.0 GPS Tracker
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Optimus 2.0 GPS tracker is an accurate, real-time GPS tracker. It enables you to track your target in real-time with the help of its 4G connectivity. Also, it is a compact and lightweight device and hence is easy to hide. You can install it on your target’s vehicle by following four simple steps.
Another notable feature of GPS devices is that it stores unlimited data. And you can access them anytime for your investigation. It is helpful as you will not have to memorize the target’s location history for analysis. It also has a long-lasting battery life that can easily last up to two weeks with an active update. It is a durable tracker, and therefore, you can use the same device for multiple cases.
Product Highlights
- Cost-effective
- Excellent motion sensor
- 2-week battery life on standby mode
- Low subscription plan, no hidden fee
Battery and Specs
- Size: 3″ x 1.5″ x 1″
- Weight: 3.3 Oz
- Battery: Lithium Polymer batteries
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 2 weeks of active battery life with 1-minute updates
LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker
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There will be a time in your career when you have to track your target on a rainy day. What will you do on that day? You can prepare for such situations with the help of the LandAirSea 54 GPS tracker. It is a 100% waterproof and dustproof tracker. And hence you can use this without any worries on a rainy day or track a boat.
It is no bigger than scotch tape, and hence you can easily hide it in the backpack, purse, luggage, or under a vehicle. It comes with a durable magnetic mount. And therefore, when you get a chance to sneak, you can install the device under your target’s vehicle in a few seconds. It has an easy-to-use interface, and you can easily customize its features according to your need.
Product Highlights
- Waterproof Device
- Google Maps integration
- Immediate Alerts and notifications
- Versatile use
Battery and Specs
- Size: 2.25″ x 2.25″ x 0.8″
- Weight: 8 Oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Battery Type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 3 weeks of active battery life with 3-minute updates
- 6 months battery life on Sleep mode
Tracki Mini GPS Tracker
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Tracki Mini GPS tracker is the smallest and lightest GPS trackers for private investigators out there. You can attach the device to the target’s vehicle, motorcycle, or belongings and enjoy real-time tracking. It combines 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity to perform effortlessly anywhere with any network. Moreover, it has an average battery life of 5 days with 1 to 5 minutes updates.
It has a friendly user interface that allows you to navigate and access different features without any worries. It comes with an international sim card that helps you track anyone in any country. If your target is to travel to several countries, you won’t have to bear unnecessary travel costs. You can sit in your office and track your target anywhere in the world with this GPS tracker.
Product Highlights
- Unlimited distance real-time tracking
- Lifetime warranty
- Stores historical data for up to five years
- SOS button plus 2 extra buttons
Battery and Specs
- Size: 1.74”x 1.5”x 0.6”
- Weight: 1.26 Oz
- Battery: 3500 mAh Li-Polymer
- Battery Type: 1 Lithium-ion battery
- 5 days active battery life with 1-5 minutes update
Americaloc GL300W GPS Tracker
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Americaloc GL300W GPS tracker is a small and compact device. It is a perfect way to track your subject without any worry. You can securely attach it to their vehicle, backpack, or purse and enjoy real-time location information. The battery lasts up to 14 days, so you don’t have to worry about frequent charging. You will have enough time to collect evidence against them for your client.
Also, you can wire it under the car’s dashboard to enjoy discreet tracking. You can also buy it with a magnetic case attached to the vehicle. The Americaloc GPS tracker provides coverage over 180 + countries, so you can track your subject no matter where they are or where they are traveling. All you have to do is download the mobile application on your device, receive real-time alerts, and access other features.
The company also does not bind you under any contract or charge any activation or cancellation fees, so you can use the device when you want and drop the plan when there is no client.
Product Highlights
- Keeps a track record history of up to 1 year
- Can be converted to a Wired device if required
- No Contract, No activation or cancellation fee
- Real-time Alerts
- Geofences
- Accurate location
- Long battery life
Battery And Specs
- Size: 7” x 1.51” x 0.92”
- Weight:24 oz
- Battery: Lithium-ion battery
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-14 days active battery life with one-minute updates
Amcrest GPS Tracker
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Another reliable and mini real-time GPS tracking device is Amcrest. GPS tracker is a compact GPS tracker that you can place anywhere discreetly. It won’t grab much attention, and you can monitor the activity of your subject. The GPS tracker is powered by a 4G LTE network and provides nationwide coverage. You can directly receive real-time updates on your smartphone by downloading the GPS app available on the app store in Google Play.
You can even buy it with a magnetic-waterproof casing to protect the device from regular wear and tear and attach it secretly under the subject’s car. It also allows you to receive location updates every 5-60 seconds. You can also access the travel history for up to 1 year. It helps you to analyze the pattern and come to any conclusion.
Product Highlights
- Compact size – smaller than a matchbox
- Intelligent Battery Alerts
- Motion and SOS Alarm
- Weather resistant
- Supports up to 20 geofences
Battery and Specs
- Size: 3” x 1.5” x 1”
- Weight: 3.52 Oz
- Battery: Li-Polymer, 2600 mAh
- Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
- 10-12 days active battery life for one minute’s updates
- 2 weeks battery life on sleep mode (no activity)
Brickhouse Security SparkNano7 GPS Tracker
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Spark Nano7 is a good choice for you if you want to track your subject in real time. It allows you to get for every sixty seconds, which means you will not miss any significant event. Also, if you want greater accuracy and frequent report frequency, you can switch to rapid mode. It will allow you to get faster and live updates on your subject. It is a helpful feature when you are physically following someone in an unknown place.
Spark Nano 7 is a small and portable device that uses 4G cellular service to provide you coverage all over North America. With this device, you will never have to worry about physically chasing your subject. It provides accurate & reliable location updates not only in good network areas but also in remote areas where most of the device stops working.
It also offers several other features to enhance your tracking experience, such as geofence alerts, panic buttons, integrated smartphone apps, speed and location alerts, etc.
Product Highlights
Magnetic waterproof case
Panic button
Rapid track lets you switch to a faster-tracking speed.
Compact size
Full 4G coverage
Battery and Specs
Size: 3.0” x 1.58” x 1.0”
Weight: 3.3 Oz
Battery: 2600mAh
Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion
6 Days on one-minute tracking
15 days of battery life in sleep mode
Geozilla GPS Tracker
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Geozilla is a small & lightweight device and comes with various magnetic attachments to ease discreet tracking. You can attach or place it anywhere on your subject belongings and enjoy real-time location tracking. It has a long-lasting battery life that lasts 15 days in battery-saving mode. So you won’t have to worry about frequently sneaking in and charging the device.
Geozilla GPS tracker provides worldwide coverage, so you rely on this device if your subject travels to different countries frequently. You can buy this tracker and attach it discreetly to their belongings. And then you will not have to fly with them all over the place. You’ll just have to download the mobile application & pair it with the device. Now you can virtually follow them without wasting your resources.
Product Highlights
Compact real-time GPS tracker
SOS button
Best for tracking Elderly, Kids, and Pets
Global Coverage
Battery & Specs
Size: 8″ x 1.6″ x 1″
Weight: 1.05 Oz
Battery: Li-ion 520mAh
Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
2-3 days active battery life for 1-minute updates
Six days in sleep mode (no activity)
Trackimo GPS Tracker
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Trackimo GPS tracker is a reliable GPS tracker that is trusted by high authorities like the US army, law enforcement agencies, Vodafone, Rolls-Royce, etc. It is an intelligent device that uses a combination of five tracking modes: GPS, A-GPS, Wi-Fi, GSM, and Bluetooth to provide you seamless tracking experience under the open sky and indoors.
It offers worldwide coverage, so you can trust this device no matter where you are in the world for accurate and reliable location information. You can download the mobile application and sit back in your office watching the client’s activity. You will not have to waste time and energy physically accompanying your subject to collect evidence.
Product Highlights
SOS Panic Button + 2 Preset Alerts Buttons
Real-Time Tracking
Five Years Tracking History
Wi-Fi Tracking
Water-Resistant
Velcro Attachment
Battery and Specs
Size: 1.8” x 1.6” x 0.7 “
Weight: 1.4 Oz
Battery: 600mah Lithium-ion battery
Battery type: Internal and Rechargeable
4-day active battery life with 1-minute updates
1-month save mode battery life with six updates per day
Private Investigators: Need for A GPS Tracker
Private investigators have been around since the 1800s. For decades, people have been hiring them for commercial divorce cases. Their job duties involve surveillance, documentation, research, investigations, interviews, and many other things.
Often their work requires them to follow the target, collect evidence, and pull nightovers. Practically, following someone is impossible. There will be times when you can miss that person. Even a fraction of a second is enough to create a gap between you and your case. And in such a case, nothing can be better than GPS trackers for private investigators.
It can help you to follow someone without exposing yourself physically. You can keep tabs and work on other things simultaneously. For this, you have to purchase a GPS tracker and attach it to your target’s vehicle or any other belonging.
And you will start getting location updates in real-time. With better GPS solutions, you may also get other features such as geofencing, one-minute updates, worldwide coverage, etc.
Are Private Investigators Allowed To Use GPS Trackers?
Now you may start wondering if you can attach GPS trackers discreetly to someone’s vehicle. In the US, there is no clear law that makes this illegal. But in 2012, the Supreme Court made it clear that no government authority can install a GPS tracker without a warrant.
Laws about GPS trackers vary from one state to another. But we can say that if you have a license, you can put a GPS tracker on anyone’s vehicle. But for it, you need to have a good motive for doing so. Because if your client has bad intentions, you will have to face serious situations.
For example, suppose your client is a jealous ex-husband who wants to pry on his ex-wife’s private life. In this situation, he can even harm her. And therefore, you should avoid such cases.
Things to Consider Before Choosing GPS Trackers For Private Investigators
There are different types of GPS devices in the market. But not every one of them is for you. Before choosing anyone, you should consider these factors.
- Portable or Hardwired?
There are two types of GPS trackers: portable and hardwired.
For discreet tracking, you should choose portable GPS trackers. Why? Because they are easy to install, and you can remove them easily after the case is over. On the other hand, hardwired GPS trackers require professional help to install and remove. Moreover, you cannot use a hardwired tracker on suitcases or purses.
- Products Dimensions
If you want to track someone discreetly, you need a tracker that is not easy to spot. For this, you have to choose a small and lightweight GPS device. Several devices in the market are palm-sized and offer discreet tracking.
- Battery Life
Can you predict how many days a case will last? No, right. Suppose you are an inch away from your evidence, and suddenly the GPS tracker stops sending you location updates. You will feel utterly disappointed. Hence, you should try to avoid such scenarios by purchasing a GPS tracker with good battery life. Private investigators should search for a GPS tracker with decent battery life.
- Installation Process
You will get a fraction of a second to install a GPS tracker on your target’s vehicle or belongings. A GPS tracker with a lengthy installation process can ruin your time, and you will not be able to put it on their car ever. And therefore, you should purchase a GPS tracker with a simple installation process.
And for the same, you should look for a GPS tracker with an inbuilt magnet or magnetic case. Why? As you can install them under the car within a few minutes.
- Real-time Updates
As a private investigator, you want to stay updated with your target’s location 24/7. And for this, you have to look for a GPS tracker with real-time location updates. It will help you monitor your target in real-time, and you won’t miss a second of their location.
- Coverage
Another significant factor is coverage. As a detective, you should look for a GPS device with worldwide coverage. Why? As it will help you to stay updated about your target’s location. No matter where they go or in which country.
- Connectivity
The GPS device accumulates the data and uploads it to the cloud storage through which the user can access the location. The whole process is a time-consuming one. With slower networks such as 2G or 3G, location updates get delayed. And hence, you should always look for a GPS tracker with better connectivity.
- Mapping
You should also consider the mapping feature of the GPS solution. An ideal solution will help you to view the location from different vie
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses GPS trackers?
GPS trackers are used by a variety of individuals and organizations, including private investigators, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and individuals who want to track their vehicles or assets.
What are the benefits of using a GPS tracker for private investigators?
GPS trackers provide private investigators with real-time location data, enabling them to track the movements of a person or object, gather evidence, and make informed decisions based on the information collected.
What factors should I consider when choosing a GPS tracker for private investigation?
Some important factors to consider when choosing a GPS tracker for private investigation include accuracy and precision, battery life, ease of use, data storage and retrieval, and real-time tracking capabilities.
Are GPS trackers legal for private investigators to use?
Yes, GPS trackers are legal for private investigators to use, but there are certain restrictions on their use, depending on the jurisdiction. It is important to check with local laws and regulations before using a GPS tracker for private investigation.
Can GPS trackers be detected by the person being tracked?
It is possible for GPS trackers to be detected by the person being tracked, particularly if they have knowledge of GPS technology and are actively looking for it. However, many modern GPS trackers are designed to be small and discreet, making them difficult to detect.
Conclusion
To conclude, we can say that a GPS trackers for private investigators is a go-to device as it saves time and energy. They can use their time for other works such as documentation and analysis. But as a private investigator, you need to be careful when choosing your GPS trackers.
Before you install a GPS tracker on your target’s vehicle, you should look into the motive of your client. It is legal to put a GPS tracker for private investigation. But if your client is a stalker or has bad intentions, you may have to face serious consequences.