When renting GPS Vehicle Tracking Devices to our clients, the most commonly asked question is, “How do I install the GPS Unit on my spouse or child’s vehicle?” This page will help put your mind at ease. R.C. Ranno Investigative Services will go the the process of receiving the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device, making sure it is active and ready to be installed on your spouse or child’s vehicle.
INSPECTING YOUR GPS VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
Upon receiving your GPS Vehicle Tracking Device from R.C. Ranno Investigative Services, LLC either by hand delivery or by mail, inspecting the unit to ensure it is active and turned on is important. Upon receipt you will observe that there is a black weatherproof case with magnet(s) located on the bottom of the box. That is for installing the unit underneath the target vehicle. Inside of the unit, you will observed three parts. (1) The blue extended time lithium battery pack. This pack will allow the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device to be powered up to 90 days without having to recharge the unit. (2) The black motion sensor which, when the target vehicle stops at different locations, cuts off the power from the battery to the GPS Electronic Tracker allowing the battery to last as long as possible and (3) the GPS Electronic Tracker which actually communicates with the satellite. Once received and once the black casing box is opened make sure that all of the items are connected.
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Once you have verified that all of the wires are properly connected you must then check the unit to see if it is powered and if it is communicating with the satellite. Carefully remove the GPS Electronic Tracker (the silver and black unit) and turn it over. Be careful not to pull on the wires to hard as they are delicate and could break or come apart from the electronic unit. Once you have the GPS Electronic Unit out of the black casing box, carefully turn it over. Once over, if the unit wires were already attached and the unit was on, you will see two lights on the top area of the unit. If the unit is fully functioning and already tracking you will see a solid blue light and a red light that blinks every five seconds or so. If the unit is not already on and tracking, turn the unit on with the on/off button on the side of the unit. You will see, at first, a blue light and yellow light. That is the unit showing you that it is powered on and that it is attempting to connect with the satellite. Once the yellow light turns red, you can then turn the unit over again and place it back into the black casing box. You can then close and seal the box and you are ready to install.
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INSTALLING THE GPS VEHICLE TRACKING DEVICE IN YOUR TARGET VEHICLE
When installing the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device into your target vehicle, there are a few factors to consider. First, depending on the year of the vehicle and the model of the vehicle you may decide to install the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device either under the vehicle or inside of the rear hatch of the vehicle. The below factors will explain which to choose and how to install the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device with either method.
First, the GPS signal reads best when installed underneath the target vehicle along the outer metal frame. That is because when the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device produces its transmitting signal, it is free to output the vehicle and triangulate to the satellite without interruption of the metal or glass of the vehicle. That is not to say that placing the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device into the rear hatch area of the vehicle will not work, it just allows the unit to output the signal with zero interruptions. However, it is also important to remember that placing the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device to far under the vehicle (towards the center of the undercarriage of the vehicle) will also interfere with the signal as the signal has too difficult a time bouncing off the of the ground first prior to reaching the satellite. Due to the intricacies of satellite / GSP communications, R.C. Ranno Investigative Services shows you all aspects of how to and how not to install your rented GPS Vehicle Tracking Device.
Upon the receipt of your GPS Vehicle Tracking System and have ensured that is on and tracking, it is time to inspect your target vehicle. Most times, our investigators will request for you to review the target vehicle prior to receiving your GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit to determine if there is a location at the rear area of the vehicle that the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit can be installed. It is important to install the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit at the rear area of any vehicle as it minimizes the chance of anyone locating the unit if the vehicle goes in for minor repairs or an oil change. The likelihood of any mechanic inspecting the rear undercarriage area is minimal is they usually only work in that area to change the rear brakes or if there is a problem with the gas tank. Once the area is pre-inspected, you will be more prepared when the installation time arrives.
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When installing your GPS Unit underneath your target vehicle, first attempt to look under the vehicle prior to your attempt. What you are looking for is a portion of the frame of the vehicle or any (metal) surface that is flat and clean. When we say clean we mean a surface area large enough for the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit to fit without the magnets overhanging the edge as well as a surface that is not so full of rust that the magnets only grab onto the vehicle moderately. If, when you install the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit onto the frame of the vehicle, and it can be easily wiggled or moved around, your surface may not be sufficient for the installation. You should then look for a secondary location to install you GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit.
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Once you have located a clean and secure area for your GPS Vehicle Tracking Device, install it and test it’s grip. When you grab the unit it should not be able to be moved easily or be able to be rocked around. If you attempt to move it and it does not move you are ready to test the signal. If you have access to take the car for a ride then proceed to do so. Drive around for approximately five to ten minutes to ensure the unit has time to communicate with the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device. If you cannot take the vehicle or do not have access to the vehicle, then you can wait until the next time the target takes the vehicle and can then check the communication with the satellite. If the unit does not give have a proper connection then move the unit closer to the exterior edge of the vehicle.
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If you have searched under your target vehicle and have determined that you cannot place the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device in a secure location due to lack of open frame area or a rusted and dirty undercarriage, a secondary location can be ascertained. If your target vehicle is an SUV, most times you will find compartments in the rear hatch area on each side of the vehicle. Most times those areas are used to hold the tire changing equipment, emergency first aid kits, speaker or wire harnesses which are important for the vehicles safety and others. If you have access to the interior of the vehicle, you can use this area as well to place the GPS Vehicle Tracking Device. Although the signal from this area is not as strong as if you had placed the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit under the vehicle it will still work just fine.
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Once you’ve decided to install your GPS Vehicle Tracking Device into the rear hatch area of your vehicle there are a few things to keep in mind. When looking into that compartment is there a metal location that you can secure your GPS Vehicle Tracking Device into when it will not bounce around when driving. It will defeat the purpose of being covert if the unit is making banging noises in the rear of the target’s vehicle alerting them to the fact that there is something wrong in the rear of their vehicle. They will then find the unit and ruin your investigation. If there is not metal area in the rear hatch compartment in which you can properly install the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit to then the best thing to do is to wrap the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit in a dish towel or shirt prior to tucking it into the vehicle .That will prevent it from bouncing around and making noises.
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Once your GPS Vehicle Tracking Device is installed into the rear hatch compartment of the target vehicle, proceed to close the compartment. Make sure that the latch or button that is used to open the compartment is again locked or latched depending on the compartment. The last thing you need is for that compartment to open while the target is driving around town. Once secured, return all items in the rear hatch area that were near the compartment area back to where they were prior to your installation. If there are many items in that area prior to your installation, you should take a photographs first so you can remember their exact placement. Once the GPS Vehicle Tracker is installed and you have closed the compartment you are now ready, if you have access to drive the target vehicle, to drive around for approximately five to ten minutes to ensure the signal between the GPS Vehicle Tracking Unit and the satellite are working properly. Once that connection is made, you are ready now to track your target.
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