A GPS tracker can help you look out for your loved ones. From a commercial perspective, the tracker can help manage your vehicles and ensure they are not being misused.
If you are worried someone can tamper with the tracker, your vehicle or asset could be stolen, then you need to explore hidden GPS trackers.
When discretion is a priority, opt for small and lightweight trackers. Battery-operated portable trackers could be your best bet. With smart tracker placement options, you will be able to protect your assets at all times.
One such product we will be reviewing today is the Americaloc GL300 MXW hidden GPS tracker.
With a rechargeable battery, the tracker can be used for various tracking purposes like vehicles, family, employees, and assets. It is capable of detecting events like motions, speeds, and stops.
Let us get started with the Americaloc GL300 MXW tracker review to understand what it offers and how it performs.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Americaloc |
| Model | Americaloc GL300 MXW |
| Dimensions | 2.7 x 1.51 x 0.92 inches |
| Weight | 2.3 ounces |
| Coverage | The US, Canada, Mexico, and 180 countries |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium-ion |
| History | 1 year |
| Price | $80.00 |
| Subscription Plans | Starting from 1 month: $30.00 to 12 months: $228.00 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Customer Support | Phone (Monday to Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM CT) Email (Weekend and after-hours) |
| Amazon Rating | 4.5 out of 5 (1550 ratings) |
Our Rating
About Americaloc GL300 MXW Series
Americaloc specializes in GPS tracking products. They offer their services worldwide with offices in the US, Mexico, and Columbia.
Their product range includes GPS trackers for tracking vehicles, fleets, assets, and people. For example, you can find portable, OBD, hardwired GPS trackers and accessories.
You can call their customer support team during business hours and email them for support required after hours or on weekends.
Who is The Americaloc GL300 MXW For?
As the GL300 MXW tracker is portable, it serves multiple applications.
For example, you can get location updates on your loved one driving around your car. You can set up predetermined zones and know when they leave their school or office.
As the tracker is small-sized, you can conveniently place it in different areas of the car and out of sight of any intruder. For example, under the seats, in the door compartments, or glove box are good options.
The tracker weighs about 2.3 ounces; it is pretty lightweight to be placed in backpacks and pockets. You can use it to track your kids or elderly parents.
The device can also be used for asset tracking. But be careful not to keep the tracker inside metal boxes or in underground locations. This could hinder GPS signal strength.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Product On
So now we know what the portable GPS tracker from Americaloc is capable of. Next, let us explore the tracker’s design, features, and performance.
1. Design
The tracker dimensions are 2.7 x 1.51 x 0.92 inches. It weighs 2.3 ounces. Compared to the portable trackers by Family1st or Reiwour, it is a lightweight device weighing 3 to 12 ounces, respectively.
Inside the box, you will receive the tracker, an international SIM card (installed), a wall charger, and activation instructions.
If you want to install the tracker on the underside of your car or any metal surface, you will have to buy the magnetic case. This is a weatherproof case that will also help to keep the GPS tracker hidden.
2. Battery
The device includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It takes about 2 hours for the tracker to get a full charge. Use the charger that comes with the box; third-party chargers may increase the charging time.
According to Americaloc, the device battery is supposed to last for up to 14 days. But this depends on usage.
For example, you can configure the device to receive updates every 60, 30, or 10 seconds. So, if you set the update frequency to 10 seconds and use the device for multiple hours in a day, the battery will drain quicker. It has 14 days of battery life when used in standby condition.
Overall I would say the tracker has a good battery life. As I can charge the device in a couple of hours, doing so every week or even once in 3 to 4 days is a fair trade-off.
3. Usability
You can activate the Americaloc GL300 MXW tracker by visiting the brand’s website. You will see an ‘Activate’ button on the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Here you will have to provide details like your name, email address, username, password, and the IMEI number (which can be found at the back of the tracker). Then click on Activate.
Once the account is created, log in again, select a subscription plan, and complete the payment. The tracker should take about 15 – 20 minutes to activate after the payment is made.
A distinguishing feature of this portable tracker is that it can be wired to your car with the optional accessory offered by Americaloc. So there is no need to charge the tracker.
You can track the device using the online platform or download the Americaloc Viewer app. Both the web platform and the app design and features are similar.
I found the UI of the app to be outdated. The menu, icons, and layout designs seem pretty old-school. You may take some time to go through the app, but it gets easier to use from then on.
4. Features
The Americaloc GL300 MXW hidden GPS tracker is a feature-rich product. You can get real-time updates on where your tracker is. You can also look at its past locations as the tracker stores historical data for a year.
You can set up zones and get alerts whenever the tracker enters or leaves a predetermined zone. You can set up to 100 zones which is impressive for a GPS tracker.
Some other events that the tracker can detect are stops, motion, speeding, and device on/off. You also get low battery alerts, so you are not caught unaware when the battery drains.
You can choose to receive alerts via email and text notification.
5. Performance
The Americaloc platform is powered by Google Maps. They use a business license which allows you to search addresses and access street views and points of interest.
The location updates and alerts were pretty accurate. But you do need to be smart about device placement.
For example, placing the tracker in the door compartment worked better for me than the glove box. You will need a bit of trial and error to understand what location will be best for tracker performance.
The device has a built-in movement detector. So it automatically goes into power saving mode and changes its reporting frequency when stationary.
Overall, the tracker performance is good in terms of accuracy, updates, and alerts.
What Sets The Americaloc GL300 MXW Apart From its Competitors?
One of the best things I like about the Americaloc portable tracker is the updated frequency and pricing. You can choose to get updates every 60, 30, and 10 seconds.
Generally, the update frequency depends on the subscription plan you purchase. But that is not the case with Americaloc. You can configure the tracker to get updates from the highest to lowest frequency at no extra cost.
Another distinguishing feature is the sub-user features for device management. You can create sub-users under the main administrator account.
For example, you can create profiles for your fleet managers. They can then manage vehicle trackers assigned to them. You can further arrange the devices into groups for better management.
Should You Purchase The Americaloc GL300 MXW Tracker?
The Americaloc GL300 MXW device can be a good option if you are looking for a multi-purpose portable tracker.
You can get updates every 10 minutes to 10 seconds. You get the freedom to choose the update frequency at no extra cost.
The battery has a quick charging time and can last for days, depending on usage. In addition, it performs well in terms of accuracy. But please note the device will need both a GPS signal and mobile data to work.
Here is a pros and cons list to help you decide if the portable tracker is right for you.
Pros
- You can receive updates every 60, 30, or 10 seconds at no extra cost.
- You can view historical data for up to a year.
- It detects multiple events like motion, speed, and zone entry/exit.
- Multiple profiles can be created under the administrator account to manage devices.
- You can set up to 100 zones.
Cons
- Not suitable for areas with poor cellular data signal.
- Some users have reported poor customer service experiences.
- Monthly plans could be expensive.
Price
The Americaloc GL300 MXW hidden GPS tracker is priced at $80.00.
The magnetic case is available for an additional $20.00.
Americaloc offers six subscription plans. They are as follows:
| Duration | Location Update – 60/30/10 seconds | Savings |
| 1 month | $30.00 | NA |
| 2 months | $50.00 | $10.00 |
| 3 months | $65.00 | $25.00 |
| 4 months | $85.00 | $35.00 |
| 6 months | $124.00 | $56.00 |
| 12 months | $228.00 | $132.00 |
Americaloc does not charge any cancellation or activation fee. You only pay for a plan when you use the tracker.
Your tracker SIM card will remain active for 12 months after cancellation. If you want to re-activate the tracker after the cancellation period, the company will send a new SIM card at no extra cost. You will only have to pay for shipping fees.
FAQ’s
Yes. The GL300 MXW tracker comes with a SIM card installed. The SIM card will work only with the tracker, so please do not remove it.
If the device is on, a poor GSM or GPS signal could be the reason you cannot see the tracker’s location. Ensure the device is powered on, is not covered by a thick surface, and you are in a good reception area.
Yes. If you want to track your car without the magnetic case, you can place the tracker inside the glove compartment, under the seat or door compartments.
Summary
If discretion is a priority, then the Americaloc GL300 MXW hidden GPS tracker can be a good buy.
It is a small and lightweight product. It is battery-operated. So the portable tracker can be placed in different locations and can be placed at a hidden areas.
For example, your loved ones can carry the device in their backpacks or pocket, or you can keep it under car seats or door compartments.
You can buy a weatherproof magnetic case for vehicle tracking and place the device on the car’s underside, out of sight.
It offers different update frequencies at no extra cost. And provide alerts like zone entry/exit, low battery, movement, and stops.
Overall, the Americaloc GL300 MXW tracker is a good buy that performs as advertised.
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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.