Introduction
We at SweTrack have two different types of transmitters in our product portfolio: models for fixed electrical connection (eg SweTrack Lite & SweTrack Plus) and models with built-in battery (eg MaxiTracker). In some cases, it can be difficult to choose which model to use - for example, in a car you can both use a permanently connected model and a battery-powered model. The purpose of this article is to explain the products' intended uses and give an idea of how well they work in different applications, so that you can choose the model that suits you best.
Models for fixed electrical connection - the first choice for vehicles
A transmitter with a fixed electrical connection, for example SweTrack Lite & SweTrack Plus, is always the best option for vehicle tracking in cases where it is possible to connect the product permanently. SweTrack Lite can handle voltage from 9 up to 36 volts, and SweTrack Plus can handle 9 up to 90 volts. They are therefore well suited for most types of vehicles. The installation is simple, as the product only needs to be connected to a positive and negative terminal. It is possible to connect the product directly to the vehicle's battery, or alternatively to another powered component in the vehicle (eg car stereo).
The advantage of choosing a permanently connected model instead of a battery-powered model is that you never have to think about charging any battery. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are using the product in a boat.
Our products are controlled by the built-in motion sensor, more specifically, they only upload location data when the vehicle is in motion. This is a great way for us to maximize battery life on the battery-powered models, but if the device is mounted in a launched boat, movements can occur due to sea or weather, which then results in the product being activated unnecessarily and thus consuming unnecessary energy. With a permanently connected transmitter, you avoid this. You should therefore, in the first instance, always choose a permanently connected product in vehicles that often move.
Since most fixed models, e.g. SweTrack Lite & SweTrack Plus, have very small outer dimensions, they are also extremely easy to hide in the vehicle so that you minimize the risk of the transmitter being detected by an unauthorized person. SweTrack Lite & SweTrack Plus, for example, are no bigger than a cigarette lighter.
Finally, we would like to say a few words about the power consumption of permanently connected transmitters. It is a common belief that a transmitter connected to the vehicle's battery "drains the vehicle’s battery after a couple of days". This may be the case with other products on the market, but our permanently connected transmitters have intelligent power saving mode that means that they consume very little energy when the vehicle is stationary. Click here to read about power consumption in SweTrack Lite.
Battery-powered models - when you cannot or do not want to connect the device permanently
Sometimes it is neither convenient nor practical to connect a transmitter to an external power source - and for these very occasions we offer our battery-powered transmitter, MaxiTracker.
A battery-powered transmitter is an extremely versatile product that can be used for all types of tracking objects. This can be everything from bags, goods and transport to forest/construction machinery or motor vehicles where it is simply not possible to connect a transmitter to the vehicle's battery. Since battery-powered transmitters often have a very long standby time, they are also well suited for vehicles that do not move very much - for example, boats that are in winter storage with the battery removed.
A battery-powered transmitter such as MaxiTracker is also a very good alternative for temporary use - perhaps if you lend a machine or vehicle for a limited time, and want to be able to keep track of the vehicle without having to install cables into the machine’s/vehicle's electrical system.
Of course, it is also possible to use battery-powered transmitters more permanently in ordinary vehicles such as cars and motorcycles, but what you then need to keep in mind is that the battery life is affected by how much you use the vehicle. It is therefore possible that you need to charge the battery of the device often if the vehicle is used extensively. This especially applies to launched boats: since the boat sways in the water, the product's motion sensor will be activated often, which results in reduced battery life. Click here to read about the battery life in MaxiTracker.
If you need more guidance
Please contact us at support@swetrack.com and tell us a little about your needs and we will help you find the right transmitter for you!