Using a wired GPS tracker is one of the best ways of keeping your eye on your vehicle. It adds an extra layer of protection to your prized asset.
Wired trackers may require professional installation, but it is a one-time process. The tracker draws power from the vehicle’s battery. So you do not have to worry about charging the device.
One such device we will review today is the Optimus GV50MA wired GPS tracker.
It offers features like geofences, speeding alerts, and history reports. It includes a SIM card, a data plan, and a backup battery. It offers coverage in the USA and Canada.
The tracker is a mid-priced product and requires a subscription plan to work. But is the tracker worth the investment? Let us find out.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Optimus |
| Model | Optimus GV50MA Wired GPS Tracker |
| Type | 4G LTE Cat M1/NB2 Supports 2G fallback |
| Dimensions | 3.5 x 2.12 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | Around 3 ounces |
| Battery | Powered by vehicle Li-Polymer - 190 mAh |
| Operating Voltage | 8V to 32V DC |
| Operating Temperature | -30˚C ~ +80˚C |
| Storage Temperature | -40˚C ~ +80˚C |
| History | 1-year |
| Coverage | USA and Canada |
| Price | $39.95 |
| Subscription Plan | $11 to $12.95/month (depending on payment frequency) |
| Warranty | Lifetime warranty with an active subscription |
| Customer Support | Email and Phone support Availability: Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturday - Sunday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm |
| Amazon Rating | 4.4 out of 5 (195 ratings) |
Our Rating
About Optimus
The brand specializes in offering a diversified line of GPS tracking devices. These devices can be used to track your loved ones, vehicles, and assets. Their solutions cater to individuals, families, and businesses.
Its product range includes portable trackers with waterproof magnetic cases, OBD trackers with extension cables, and hardwired trackers.
Optimus offers coverage in the USA and Canada. They offer customer support seven days a week. You can reach out to them via email or phone.
Who is the Optimus GV50MA Wired GPS Tracker For?
As the GV50MA is a hardwired GPS tracker, it can be specifically used to track vehicles. It is compact in size and can be easily hidden under the dashboard.
You can use the tracker to track your teen who has recently started driving. You can know their current location and the places they visit. The tracker provides driving behavior information like speeding. You can use this data to teach your teens safer driving habits.
You can track your fleet with these GPS trackers as a business owner. You can manage all devices under a single account. You can track what routes your drivers take, distance, and time.
You can get detailed reports that can help you make informed logistics decisions.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Product On
The hardwired GPS tracker can be used for personal and business vehicle tracking. But how effective and accurate is the device? Let us understand how the tracker fared against factors like design, usability, and features.
1. Design
The dimensions of the hardwired GPS tracker are 3.5 x 2.12 x 0.5 inches. The device weighs around 3 ounces.
Dimension-wise, it may not be the smallest wired GPS tracker, but it can still easily fit under the dashboard.
The tracker does have flashing lights on its surface. Optimus recommends covering the lights with black electrical tape. If discretion is a priority for your application, the tracker will do the job.
The tracker comes with a bunch of wires. But there are two wires you should be concerned with. The black wire (GND) must be connected to the vehicle’s frame. And the red wire must be connected to a permanent positive power.
The tracker has an optional white wire that can be connected for ignition detection.
2. Battery
Wired GPS trackers draw power from the vehicle’s battery, which is one of their best features. You can install the tracker and forget about them. You do not have to track the battery percentage and charge the device.
As long as your vehicle has sufficient battery, the tracker will work.
The GV50MA tracker can send an alert when it loses access to the power source. It can do so with the help of a backup battery. It is a li-polymer battery with a 190 mAh capacity.
Optimus recommends for the safety of your vehicle that the red wire of the tracker should always draw power from a 5 amp fused line.
3. Usability
If you are not electronically inclined, it would be best if you seek professional help with the installation.
You can activate the tracker by visiting the brand’s website. Once you click ‘Activate,’ you must provide your email and IMEI number and choose a subscription plan. After this step, you will receive two emails, one with the receipt and another with instructions.
The SIM card can take up to an hour to activate. When the device searches for a cellular signal, it will flash green in quick succession. When it finds the cellular signal, the green flashing turns slower.
Similarly, the red light will flash when searching for a GPS signal and turn solid when it acquires the signal.
You can track the device using the web platform or using the Optimus app. You can view the device in Google Maps and get updates with Live Traffic and Street View.
Both mediums are easy to understand and navigate. But Optimus can improve the interface design and add features like dark mode to improve user experience.
Installation is the only part that gets a bit tricky with the GV50MA tracker. Overall, the activation and usability of the device are decent.
4. Features
You can predefine areas that you deem safe. This could be your home, your family and friends’ homes, office, or school. Once you have added these geofences, you will get an alert every time the tracker enters or leaves the area.
So you know when your teen leaves for school or when they have arrived home. You can track your employees’ routes and know when they leave and return to drop off the vehicle.
You can get alerts about driving habits like speeding. At any time, you can view the current speed and direction of the vehicle.
As mentioned above, the tracker comes with a backup battery. So, if the tracker gets disconnected from the vehicle’s power source, you will get a no power available alert.
You can access historical data for up to a year. You can use the data to understand how your teen’s driving has improved. Or to track how effective were the business changes.
5. Performance
The wired GPS tracker provides updates every 30 seconds and on corners. So you never miss out on important route information. These updates are accurate in most cases. Sometimes these updates could get delayed to 40 to 50 seconds, affecting location accuracy.
A good GPS and cellular signal affect tracker performance. So expect accuracy issues if you are in areas with poor cellular coverage.
The GPS signal can go through plastic and fabrics. The tracker can stay hidden under the dashboard but ensure it is not enclosed with metal.
You can get alerts through email and text messages. Optimus says you get instant alerts but expect a few seconds of delay.
You can access detailed reports for distance, movement, parking places, and harsh driving behaviors. The data can help you with the logistics of your business.
What Sets the Optimus GV50MA Wired GPS Tracker Apart from its Competitors?
The tracker supports AES-256 encryption. It is the same technology the US government uses to protect classified information.
The encryption technology ensures your personal and business data is protected at all times. It helps prevent unauthorized access. It helps maintain data integrity. An important safety feature considering how crucial data is in today’s world.
Optimus also offers a lifetime warranty on its trackers until you have an active subscription. Considering the tracker price, subscription costs, and features, this is a good deal.
Should You Purchase the Optimus GV50MA Wired GPS Tracker?
If you do not want to deal with the hassle of charging a portable tracker, a wired GPS tracker is your best option.
The Optimus GV50MA can be wired to your vehicle. It can provide updates every 30 seconds and alerts like geofence entry, exit, and speeding. With a backup battery, you can know when the device is disconnected.
It would be best to get the tracker installed by a professional. The tracker provides coverage only in the USA and Canada.
Here are some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Pros
- You get updates every 30 seconds and on corners.
- It includes a SIM card and data plan.
- It has comparatively low monthly subscription costs.
- It comes with a 190 mAh backup battery.
- You can access a year of historical data.
Cons
- A professional may be required for the installation process.
- The tracker needs good cell phone coverage to work.
- It only provides coverage in the USA and Canada.
Price
The Optimus GV50MA wired GPS tracker is priced at $39.95.
The tracker offers service in the USA and Canada areas with cell phone coverage. A SIM card and data plan are included with the tracker purchase.
The wired tracker will need a subscription plan to work. You can make monthly or annual payments. The plans offered are:
- Monthly Payment – $12.95/month
- Annual Payment – $11.00/month
There are no activation fees or contracts. You can cancel the plan at any time on the Optimus website.
FAQ’s
The two trackers have a different installation process. OBD trackers can be plugged into the OBD port of the vehicle. The hardwired trackers have a more permanent wire installation using connectors.
Yes. Optimus offers a range of hardwired, OBD, and portable trackers like the Optimus GV75MG and Optimus 3.0, which can be used for vehicle tracking.
As the Optimus GV50MA is hardwired to the vehicle, you get vehicle-specific information like speed and direction. You can optionally know when the ignition is on or off, which is information a portable tracker cannot provide.
Summary
The Optimus GV50MA wired GPS tracker can help you track your cars and trucks. You need to connect two wires, black and red, to complete the installation process. The device is FCC certified.
You can activate the tracker online. It includes a SIM card with a data plan. The SIM card can take up to an hour to activate.
The tracker offers features like geofence, speeding and disconnection alerts, route details, history, and harsh driving reports.
Overall, the wired tracker performs well. If you have used this or any other trackers from Optimus, let us know your experience in the comments.
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.