Do you want to track your kid when on a school trip? Do you want to know your kid’s location when you are at work? If yes, a portable GPS tracker can provide you with location updates and much-needed peace of mind.
As a parent or a guardian, it is natural for you to worry about your child’s well-being. You can stay in touch with them through smartphones. But this may not always be possible.
For example, your child could be too young to use a phone. They might not be allowed to use the phone during school hours. Or if they are in areas with poor cellular connection, they will not be reachable.
The Amcrest GL300 hidden GPS tracker can be a solution to these challenges. It is a no-frill GPS device that gets the job done. It provides accurate location updates. Depending on your requirements, you can get these updates every 5 to 60 seconds.
The tracker includes a weatherproof and a fabric case for an added layer of protection. As it is a portable tracker, you can use it for other applications like vehicle, asset, and pet tracking. You have to pay a monthly subscription, which can be expensive.
Let us start with the Amcrest GL300 review to understand if the tracker is worth the investment.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Amcrest |
| Model | AM-GL300W-4G |
| Dimensions | 3 x 1.6 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 3.2 ounces |
| Type | 4G LTE |
| Battery | Rechargeable Li-Polymer, 2600 mAh |
| Water Resistance | IPX5 Compliant |
| Charging Voltage | 5V DC |
| External Battery Voltage | 3.7V to 4.2V DC |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 55°C |
| Coverage | USA, Canada, and Mexico |
| Price | $29.99 |
| Subscription | Starts from $19.99 to $34.99 (Prices vary according to update frequency) |
| Warranty | 1-year |
| Customer Support | Support Center Forum Email Call |
| Amazon Rating | 4.3 out of 5 (1904 ratings) |
Our Rating
About Amcrest
Amcrest is a manufacturer and distributor of security products. Their purpose is to secure human life and property.
Their security and surveillance equipment range includes webcams, security camera systems, thermal monitoring systems, DVRs, GPS trackers, baby monitors, USB microphones, and more.
Amcrest offers good customer support through its support center, forums, and setup videos. For technical support, you can call them from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM CST, and on weekends from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM CST.
Who is the Amcrest GPS GL300 GPS Tracker For?
The Amcrest GL300 is a battery-operated GPS portable tracker. It is small in size and lightweight. It has a decent battery life.
So, the tracker can be used for various purposes. For example, you can place the tracker in your kid’s backpack to get location updates. You can create zones and get alerts if and when your kid leaves the predefined zone.
You can also use it to track your senior parents. It has an SOS button they can press in case of emergencies. The feature is beneficial, especially when seniors cannot access smartphones.
You can also attach the tracker to your pet’s collar and track them. The tracker is about 3 inches long and weighs about 3 ounces, so it is best suited for mid and large-sized animals.
You can use it for vehicle tracking. You can be discreet with the device placement with accessories like the twin magnetic weatherproof case. It can alert you if your car is being stolen.
Business users can use the trackers to monitor their fleet of vehicles and get custom reports.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Product On
Now that we have looked at the tracker application, let us understand its performance. We have considered factors like design, ease of assembly and use, battery, and features while putting together the review.
Here are our findings.
1. Design
The tracker is not the smallest in the market, but it is still compact-sized. Its dimensions are 3 x 1.6 x 1 inches. It weighs about 3.2 ounces.
You get a twin magnetic case and a fabric zipper case with the purchase. If you use the twin magnetic case, the dimensions rise to 3.25 x 2 x 1.75 inches, and with a fabric zipper case, the dimensions are 3.75 x 2.25 inches, which is still compact.
The tracker has an IP65 rating, which makes it water-resistant. It can protect itself from low-pressure water jets from any direction. But, since it is not waterproof, you cannot submerge the device in water.
The magnetic case has an IP67 rating. It can protect the device from dust and sand and handle water submersion for up to 30 minutes and up to a depth of 1 meter underwater.
You will find three lights on the tracker – GPS, Power, and Cellular. The power button is on the top. The SOS button is on the face of the tracker, which makes it easily accessible.
The SIM panel is on the left-hand side of the tracker. The SIM is pre-installed, so you do not try to remove or replace the card.
Overall, the tracker has a solid and quality design while being compact enough for discrete applications.
2. Battery
The portable tracker is equipped with a li-polymer battery. It has a capacity of 2600 mAh. It has a better battery capacity than other portable GPS trackers like LandAirSea – 1500 mAh or Mastrack – 1300 mAh.
According to Amcrest, the battery life depends on the location update frequency. For example, with 1-minute updates, the battery can last 10 to 14 days; with 30-second updates, 7 to 8 days; with 15-second updates, 4 to 5 days; and with 5-second updates, 2 to 3 days.
However, we found the battery drains much quicker with frequent alerts. So, you need to be smart about the location updates, type of alerts, and notification methods.
With 30-second updates, controlled alerts, and push notifications, the tracker can last for 4 to 5 days. Or, if you need quicker updates, the device will have to be charged once every two days.
My complaint with the battery aspect is that you must charge the device using a mini USB. It is rare to see devices using this connector. USB-C is the more widely available connector.
Finding a mini USB cable will be difficult, if you forget the charger. So, the tracker and charger should go hand in hand.
3. Usability
You activate the GL300 tracker on Amcrest’s website. You must provide details like name, billing address, country, and contact. Select the plan type according to update frequency. Pay for the monthly plan.
It can take up to 24 hours for you to receive an email with your username and password for the tracking platform. Amcrest recommends you hold the device near a window or under the sky for optimal signal strength.
The first time around, log in through the tracking platform and change your password. You can then download the Amcrest GPS app to track the device through your mobile.
The web tracking platform has an outdated UI, while the app is slightly better. However, regarding functionality, both provide options like trips, events, zones, alerts, and basic profile settings.
The assembly process is straightforward, but it can take time to get your credentials. The tracking platform and Amcrest GPS app perform well but could do with some improvements.
4. Features
The tracker can provide real-time tracking with its 5-second location updates. You could also opt for 15, 30, and 60-second updates. Please note these updates are tied to the subscription plan you choose.
You can set up to 20 geofences. These are areas that you deem safe for your kids. For example, it could be your home, their school, and the homes of friends and family.
Navigate to the zones tab to set these custom areas. You can drop points on the map and join them to mark an area. You can choose to get alerts when the tracker enters or leaves these zones or for both events.
Another helpful feature is the SOS button. You can get alerts when your child needs help. You can track their location and get help to them at the earliest.
Feature-wise, the tracker might look basic, but the USP of the device is that it shows good performance on the limited features it offers.
5. Performance
When we review GPS devices, our main concern is how accurate the location data is. GPS is not 100% accurate, but it comes close. We have seen plenty of trackers wherein the data is off by several feet. This defeats the purpose of having a tracker.
The Amcrest GL300 is one of the trackers that excels in the accuracy department. It provides basic features but does what it is meant to do.
Even when it comes to things like SOS, low battery, or geofence entry/exit, you will receive alerts a few seconds after the event.
Battery drain is an issue, so you must be careful with notifications. The more alerts you set, the quicker the battery drains.
One good thing I found about the tracker is you can use your Android, Apple phone, Mac, or PC to manage and track the device.
Overall, though, I am happy with the tracker’s performance.
What Sets the Amcrest GPS GL300 GPS Tracker Apart from its Competitors?
If you want your spouse or other family members to keep an eye on your child, you can send them shareable links. This will generate a Google Maps link using which other people can track the device.
Please note the shareable link will be active for three days, after which you must regenerate the link. It’s a handy way of seeking help from your trusted group of people without giving them access to the device account or settings.
Another distinctive feature is the complete control you have over alerts and notifications. For example, you can choose which alerts, like trip, battery, or SOS, you want to be active.
You can decide if you want to receive push, email, or SMS notifications for every alert you have set. Working with these settings can extend the battery life of the tracker.
Should You Purchase the Amcrest GPS GL300 GPS Tracker?
If you want a no-frills portable GPS tracker, consider buying the Amcrest GL300.
It does what it advertises – provides accurate location updates. It includes accessories like fabric and weatherproof magnetic cases for easy placement and durability.
You can use the GL300 to track your kids, senior parents, pets, vehicles, and assets. It has a good battery capacity of 2600 mAh. Battery drain is an issue, so you must find the alert settings that work best for you.
Consider some pros and cons before buying the Amcrest GL300. I have mentioned some of them below:
Pros
- It has a compact design.
- It provides accurate GPS updates.
- The device has an IP65 rating.
- It includes an IP67 magnetic waterproof case.
- Its update frequency ranges from 5 to 60 seconds.
- You can create up to 20 geofences.
- It generates Google Maps links that you can share with others.
Cons
- The battery drains quicker with frequent updates.
- Frequent update plans can be expensive.
- It uses a mini USB for charging.
Price
The Amcrest GL300 hidden GPS tracker is priced at $29.99.
The tracker comes with a pre-installed SIM card, which must be activated by purchasing a service plan.
The four plans on offer are:
| Update Frequency | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|
| 60-second | $19.99 |
| 30-second | $24.99 |
| 15-second | $29.99 |
| 5-second | $34.99 |
Amcrest does not charge any activation or cancellation fees. You do not have to enter any long-term contracts to use the tracker.
FAQ’s
You can place the Amcrest tracker inside your child’s stroller or backpack. If your kids are older, they can carry the tracker in their pockets. Using the zipper fabric pouch, you can attach the tracker to your child’s belt. You can also use the magnetic case for extra protection.
Yes. You can place the tracker inside the glove box, the seat, or the door compartments. You can use the twin magnetic weatherproof case to discreetly attach the tracker to your car’s underside.
Yes. You can generate custom reports for the Amcrest GL300. You can view historical trip data and export it as a pdf document. You can generate custom reports for criteria like battery, zone alerts, motion detection, or SOS and export them as an Excel file.
Summary
The Amcrest GL300 hidden GPS tracker can help you track your kids. The tracker has a compact design. You can discreetly place it inside your child’s stroller or backup.
The tracker can also track older people, pets, cars, business fleets, and assets. You can use it with the twin magnetic weatherproof case for extra protection.
You can choose to get location updates every 5 seconds to one minute. The update frequency depends on the monthly service plan. The tracker offers accurate data. Other features include an SOS button, geofences, low battery alerts, and custom reports.
The service plans can be pricey, but the Amcrest GL300 is a value-providing tracker.
Carson Harris is a highly qualified author and expert in GPS tracking technology. With a background in electrical engineering and machine learning, he has established himself as a trusted source of information. Carson’s work experience at Garmin and Panasonic has further enhanced his expertise. He possesses creative skills in website design and AI applications. Known for his clear and concise communication, Carson’s articles on Trax Family’s website provide valuable insights on GPS trackers.