Answers to frequently asked questions
The Basics
What is GPS Police Inc.?
GPS Police Inc. is a privately-owned corporation that develops and sells GPS-based vehicle tracking systems to companies. We are not affiliated with any law enforcement agency or government.
What is GPS vehicle tracking?
Vehicle tracking systems are small electronic devices installed in vehicles to enable vehicle owners to monitor the location of a vehicle from a computer or smart phone connected to the internet.
What is LINK? What is HQ?
LINK is the electronic GPS tracking device that installs into your vehicle. HQ is the vehicle tracking web and fleet management site that you, as a customer, sign into to use the service.
How does GPS work?
LINK has a GPS receiver inside it. The GPS receiver gets free signals (like a radio) which allows it to calculate very accurately where it is on the Earth. Reception of GPS signals (coordinates) do not cost money.
How does the GPS information in my vehicle get to my computer?
LINK transmits data over cellular networks to HQ where it is decoded and stored permanently. Vehicle owners sign in to HQ on a computer or smart phone by entering their username and password. When vehicle owners are "signed-in", their vehicles' location and other details are displayed on Google Maps.
Is the tracking system real-time (live)?
Yes. LINK transmits the vehicle's events (with location) the moment they occur, which you can see on our HQ vehicle tracking web site within seconds of them occurring. LINK transmits its location automatically between every 5 seconds and 2 minutes. LINK transmits many events the moment they occur unless it is outside cellular coverage. LINK will store events while it is outside cellular coverage and eventually transmit those events upon returning to cellular coverage.
What information can LINK report?
LINK transmits events based on how it is installed (wired) into the vehicle or equipment. It will report: engine on-off, stop, go, driving updates, idling, speeding, towing alert, tamper alert, auxiliary input on-off, engine hours, distance, location, street address, average speed, maximum speed, etc.
How often does LINK update its location?
LINK transmits events as they occur instantly. LINK is programmed to report its location while driving whenever its heading changes by 15 degrees. This type of variable update frequency means in residential zones or areas where the vehicle makes more turns, the update frequency is greatest — ~5 seconds. However, when the vehicle is travelling at highway speeds on a straight major high-way its update frequency will be less — ~2 minutes. Speeding is reported instantly, every time, regardless of driving update frequency.
Costs
Does it cost money for LINK to work?
Yes. When LINK (inside the vehicle) reports activity to HQ (our servers), it does so wirelessly over cellular networks. Just as with a cell phone, using those networks incurs a cost. The monthly airtime subscription you pay to GPS Police covers the cost of LINK's use of cellular data networks. Your airtime bill will always be a flat rate — it covers unlimited vehicle activity.
Do I require a data plan outside of GPS Police for LINK to work?
No. The airtime subscription you purchase directly from us allows LINK to report in real-time, 24/7, with unlimited activity as described above. You will NOT require separate contracts for data with a carrier (e.g., Telus, Verizon, AT&T) for LINK to operate. We will always be your single point of contact for the entire tracking system to operate.
Are there any contracts or obligations?
No. Contracts or lengthy terms and conditions are not customer-friendly, therefore we don't require them. Being our customer is really simple: Just buy LINK, install it, and pay for the airtime plan when you need it. If and when you don't require service, you may suspend or cancel your airtime plan at no cost. Our airtime prices never go up and service levels never decrease.
Are there any activation or cancellation fees?
No. Once you purchase and install the LINK equipment, the only recurring cost is the airtime plan, which is flat-rate for unlimited usage.
LINK tracking device
What is LINK?
LINK is the electronic GPS tracking device that installs into your vehicle.
What does LINK look like?
LINK is about the size of a cell phone. (For the sake of security of our customers' vehicles, we do not publish pictures of the device itself.)
Can I hide LINK from my drivers?
Yes. LINK is about the size of a cell phone. It can be installed and hidden under the dash easily. With your order, we provide excellent vehicle-specific instructions on how to install LINK covertly. In the United States and Canada, if you own the vehicle or asset, you are completely within your legal right to equip it with LINK without notifying the driver.
Is LINK tamper-proof?
Yes. If the small hidden antenna or supply power is cut or removed, LINK is still able to connect and transmit, often giving a tamper alert at the same time. The best tamper protection is to hide LINK as best you are able to (the instructions cover this). Being such a small device, finding a suitable covert location in any vehicle is easy.
Is it lawful to track a vehicle without telling the driver?
Yes, provided you own the vehicle or asset. You have the right and obligation to ensure its safety and that the vehicle is being driven in a safe manner if a driver other than the legally-liable owner is operating it.
Can I install LINK myself?
Yes. LINK is simple to install. Follow the detailed accompanying instructions and connect the three wires required for operation — ground, constant power, ignition source. Basic skills of using a volt-meter and screw driver is necessary. Vehicle specific instructions are available — email the year, make and model of the vehicle to support@gpspolice.com. Installation usually takes 45 minutes or less. If you prefer to have a professional perform the work, please contact us and we can refer you to one of 450 installers we've worked with near you.
Does LINK come with a warranty?
Yes. All GPS Police products come with an industry standard one-year limited warranty against defects. For an additional $95, an extended lifetime warranty is available.
Can I have a demo unit return LINK if I don't like it?
GPS Police does not lend demo units for pilot projects or trials. Instead, we recommend: Buy one or two LINKs. Install them. Try the system for a month. We\re sure you'll love it. But if, for some reason, it's not right for your requirements, just return it to us in good condition and we will refund the cost of the hardware (minus 15% for repackaging).
Is LINK future-proof?
Yes. LINK operates on digital cellular networks (GSM) which has become the most widely adopted cellular communication standard in the world. GPS Police also provides system updates and upgrades free-of-charge. When we develop new features, customers can benefit from these via over-the-air upgrades.
Is satellite communication better than cellular?
Each system has pros and cons. Satellite communication works almost anywhere in the world except when it does not have a clear view of the sky. Compared to LINK, satellite tracking is very expensive: $100 or more per vehicle, per month. Unlike satellite communication, cellular communication works well even in buildings, urban canyons, and underground parking lots. And the cost is very low: $30 (or less) per vehicle, per month.
Will LINK work on my boat, plane or dog?
No. LINK was designed to track motor vehicles: trucks, cars, vans, transports, buses, tractors, skid steers, dozers and excavators. LINK isn't a battery-operated slap-on tracking device, or some little postage stamp-sized chip you see in Hollywood movies. It's industrial-grade, high-quality equipment we have manufactured in Germany for commercial markets in Canada and the United States.
HQ tracking web site
What is HQ?
HQ is the vehicle tracking web and fleet management site that you, as a customer, sign into to use the service.
Do I need special software on my computer?
HQ is compatible with Mac or Windows PC with internet access. There is no special software to install. All you need is a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome or Firefox. For the best experience, we recommend Safari for Mac users and Chrome for Windows users.
Will the system work with my iPhone, BlackBerry or Google Android phone?
Yes. We offer a mobile-optimized version of HQ, called HQ Mobile, that's designed for your smart phone or mobile device which will require wi-fi or a data connection to the internet. HQ Mobile works best on iPhone, iPad, Google Android and BlackBerry Torch (basically any mobile web browser based on WebKit).
Is the system complicated or difficult to use?
No. We have designed HQ to be incredibly simple to use — no manual required. Simply put, our vehicle tracking and fleet management system is the best in the world because it's not only powerful and feature-rich, but extremely fast, reliable and actually fun to use. Which is why our customers use HQ a lot — and derive tremendous value from their investment. See for yourself: Call for a live demo at (403) 250-1111, browse this web site for screen shots, and watch the YouTube videos documenting HQ software.
Is the system right for my company?
Yes. HQ (tracking system) will fit any size company or organization with any size of staff. We have customers with just a few vehicles to municipalities to large companies with nation-wide fleets and our system satisfies both. Although our system is fast and easy to use, we also provide very powerful tools and customizable reports. We have sold to hundreds of companies in many industries such as: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, mechanical, oil & gas, construction, municipal, rental & lease, emergency. Our system works on vehicles as well as generators, compressors, trailers, etc.
GPS Police Inc.
How long has GPS Police been in business?
GPS Police has been incorporated since 2003 and continues operating under original ownership. We have been selling products and services since 2004. Our fleet tracking systems are registered with Industry of Canada and use tracking devices and software which meet and/or exceed all FCC, IOC, and CE regulations. We produce great products and provide excellent service. GPS Police does not have, nor has never accrued, any debts or operating loans. We operate an efficienct, fiscally-responsible company.
Is GPS Police affiliated with government or law enforcement?
No. We are not linked, owned, or influenced by law enforcement. We can, upon customer request, directed local police authorities to the whereabouts of stolen vehicles. The company name "GPS Police" is used to illustrate the ability of it's customers to police the activity of their own fleet.
What about technical support, assistance and training?
Technical support and training is available during business hours: 8 am to 5 pm MST, Monday to Friday. We do not charge for technical support or training. When you call GPS Police, you will speak to a trained GPS Police employee. You will never be transferred to an overseas call centre — all technical support staff are located in Canada and the USA. Emergency support telephone lines are open 24/7 to customers — just dial your account rep's extension and the call will be routed to your agent.
