Do you want to know your kids’ location? Or where your teen is driving around? Is there a valuable asset you want to track? Or keep an eye on your business vehicles?
The answer to all these questions is a portable GPS tracker. A small, battery powered-tracker can provide the peace of mind you are looking for.
Today, we will take a look at the Trak-4 GPS tracker. The device has a weatherproof construction. It is easy to set up and use. It can help track your loved ones, vehicles, tractors, equipment, and other assets.
One of the plus points of the tracker is its good battery life. You can get geofences and movement alerts. The ping rate varies from every hour to a minute while moving. And you will need a subscription plan for the tracking application to work.
So with so many portable GPS trackers in the market, is the one from Trak-4 worth your money? Let us find out.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Trak-4 |
| Model | Trak-4 GPS Tracker |
| Dimension (W x H x D) | 4.25 x 2.25 x 1.1 inches |
| Device Weight | 6.4 ounces |
| Type | 4G LTE |
| Battery | Rechargeable lithium polymer 4600 mAh |
| Coverage | USA |
| Tracking Technology | Cellular + GPS + Wi-Fi |
| Subscription Plan | $6.99 to $18.98 per month(depends on payment and update frequency) |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Price | $34.80 |
| Amazon Rating | 4.3 out of 5 (2,987 ratings) |
Our Rating
About Trak-4
Trak-4 provides GPS tracking solutions for businesses and individuals. The company offers multiple GPS trackers and accessories.
These different trackers have built-in rechargeable batteries, can be integrated with 12V power systems, or can self-charge with solar. All of their trackers are compatible with the adhesive magnet kit, providing you the placement flexibility.
They offer detailed how-to video series on setting up and using the tracker to its fullest potential.
Who is The Trak-4 GPS Tracker For?
The tracker is battery-operated and portable, so it can be used for several applications.
For example, you can use the device to track your children or elderly parents. The device weighs around 6 ounces. It is not the most lightweight tracker in the portable category. But it is a small and lightweight device and can be placed in backpacks or bags.
I would not recommend you use the tracker for pets. Having a 6-ounce device on their collar would be heavy for smaller pets and bothersome for others.
The tracker can be placed on metal surfaces with the adhesive magnet kit. So if you need to track your vehicles discreetly, you can place the tracker on the vehicle’s underside.
You can use the tracker to keep an eye on your valuables. When not moving, the tracker provides daily updates. And the battery can last from 12 to 18 months on a single charge.
From a business perspective, you can manage devices in bulk, create organization-wide geofences and get detailed GPS reports.
5 Important Factors We Tested The Product on
So now we know what different purposes the tracker can be used for. Next, let us review the device’s design, battery, and features to understand how it performs.
Here are the five different factors we tested the GPS tracker on:
1. Design
The tracker’s dimensions are 4.25 x 2.25 x 1.1 inches. It weighs about 6.4 ounces.
The portable tracker by Tracki weighs 1.26 ounces, and the one by LandAirSea weighs 2.64 ounces. Trak-4 is a bit on the heavier end as it provides a higher battery capacity.
So, instead of having the device in person, you best place it inside backpacks or containers or install it on metal surfaces. The device is weatherproof, so you can use it for outdoor applications.
The adhesive magnetic kit is easy to use. You simply peel and attach the magnet to the tracker and mount it on any metal surface.
The tracker has no flashing LED lights, so it will work well for covert tracking applications.
You will receive the tracker, USB cable, charging port rubber plugs, and a quick start guide inside the box.
2. Battery
The tracker comes with a rechargeable lithium polymer battery. It has a battery capacity of 4600 mAh. This is a pretty good capacity compared to Tracki’s 600 mAh and LandAirSea’s 1500 mAh.
Trak-4 says the battery can last up to 12 to 18 months with daily reporting on a single charge.
The battery capacity, though, depends on usage. If your asset is not moving, the tracker will update once daily. When the asset is moving, the update frequency can range from once every hour or minute based on your subscription plan.
For example, the battery can last 2 to 4 months if the tracker is used for hourly updates.
On the other hand, if the tracker provides 1-minute updates for multiple hours a day, the battery may last 2 to 4 days.
When the battery is fully depleted, it will take about 5 hours to get a full charge. You can use a typical cell phone charger or plug the provided USB cable into a computer or the vehicle port to charge the device.
Overall, the tracker battery performs as advertised.
3. Usability
Activating the device is pretty straightforward. You first need to charge the device for a minimum of three hours.
Next, create your account on Trak-4’s website. You will need to input the tracker’s keycode. Next, select a subscription plan from Basic, Premium, and Elite. Once you make the payment, the tracker will be ready to use.
You can use the same account to track and manage alerts and other settings. The main dashboard will show details like the last report, GPS position, and reporting frequency.
On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see tabs for devices, maps, geofences, support, and FAQ.
Trak-4 does not offer a separate app for tracking. You can sign in to your account and add the page to your home screen as a web app.
Overall, the tracker is easy to set up and use. The website UI is intuitive; you may need only an hour to understand its features and setting options.
4. Features
You can set up geozones and decide to receive alerts on entry/exit or both. You can drop multiple points on the map and connect them to form a customized geozone.
These zones can be set up at the account or device level. For example, suppose you have multiple devices for your business fleet. In that case, you can set a particular geozone, like your office, for all devices at once instead of individually setting it up.
You can set a low battery alert by clicking on the battery details on the dashboard. Next, toggle the switch to receive a notification when the battery falls below 20%.
Email and text are the two alert notification modes available. You can choose to receive alerts through one or both modes.
Under the Report history tab, you can see details like report time, GPS, location method, device temperature, and battery. These reports can be exported in CSV format for business purposes.
Overall, the features provided by Trak-4 are pretty basic. The device is more suitable for users looking for timely updates and long battery life.
5. Performance
The location details were accurate and on time as per our update frequency. There were times when the location was off. But this could be because the location method changed from GPS to cell.
The results are accurate (off by a few feet) when GPS is used for tracking. But in the case of poor GPS signal strength, the tracker will switch to cell trilateration. The device then calculates the location depending on the cell towers in range.
This is not the best location tracking method, and the results could be a mile off.
Overall, the tracker performed as advertised in areas where it received a good GPS signal. The geozone alerts were timely received by text.
What Sets The Trak-4 GPS Tracker Apart From Its Competitors?
The tracker comes with a SIM card. It offers coverage all over the US. You get unlimited data on the card. You do not have to worry about any extra data charges. The only recurring payment you make is the tracking subscription plan.
Unlimited data leads to unlimited location sharing. For example, you can share the tracker location anytime with your family, friends, or other contacts.
This way, you can let your loved ones or business associates know where you are without providing them access to your tracker account.
Should You Purchase The Trak-4 GPS Tracker?
Timely updates and long battery life are the two factors that I would consider as the USP of Trak-4’s tracker. If you want to track a valuable that you do not move often, the tracker can work for months on a single charge.
On the other hand, if you need regular updates on a moving asset like a vehicle, the battery will last for two days to a week, depending on usage. This is still a good battery life compared to other portable trackers in the market.
In terms of features, you get basic alerts like geozones and low battery. The device is easy to activate and use.
Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
- The device has a weatherproof construction.
- It has a good battery life.
- It supports GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tracking technology.
- Trak-4 offers unlimited data.
- Unlimited device location sharing with your contacts.
- Bulk device management and streamlined billing are provided for business users.
Cons
- The tracker offers coverage only in the US.
- 1-minute ping rates are available only with premium plans.
- Trak-4 offers only a 2-year warranty on the tracker.
Price
The Trak-4 GPS tracker is priced at $34.80.
The adhesive magnet kit that can be used to place the tracker on vehicles, trailers, and other equipment is priced at $8.95.
You will need a subscription plan for the tracker to work. You can choose to pay monthly or annually. An annual prepaid subscription, though, can lower monthly costs.
Here is an overview of the tracking plans available:
| Plan Name | Ping Rate | Monthly | Prepaid Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Every 1 hour while moving | $12.99/month | $6.99/month |
| Premium | Every 10 minutes while moving | $16.99/month | $9.99/month |
| Elite | Every 1 minute while moving | $18.98/month | $14.99/month |
All plans come with unlimited data. You will receive top-tier cell coverage in the US. There are no cancellation or activation fees involved.
FAQ’s
Yes. Trak4 offers web apps for Android and Apple. Visit gps.trak-4.com, sign in to your account, and add the web app to your phone.
Yes. The Trak-4 GPS device is water and weatherproof. So the device has a sturdy construction and is durable to be used for outdoor applications.
Ideally, the tracker should be placed in locations with a partial view of the sky. You can place it inside backpacks or containers (not metal, as it can block GPS signals). You can use the adhesive mag kit to attach the tracker to the underside of assets.
Summary
If you are looking for a portable gps tracker with good battery life, the Trak-4 GPS tracker is a good buy.
It is a comparatively small and lightweight device. The device has a weatherproof construction. With the adhesive magnet kit, the tracker can be mounted on a vehicle, trailer, and other equipment.
It has a battery capacity of 4600 mAh. You can get daily updates when the tracker is stationary. When the tracker is moving, you can get updates every hour to a minute.
The update frequency depends on tracking subscription plans. These plans can range from $6.99/month to $18.98/month.
Overall, the tracker performs well, easy to activate, track, and manage. It is also a budget-friendly option that deserves your investment.
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.