TB- 30 GPS / AVL questions

i am looking to purchase new tb-30 with the gps/ avl location options, but need some information on how the avl ("advanced vehicle location") works?

need to have ability to locate the systems (which will be docked into vehicles) for tracking purposes. Is this an optional feature that must be purchased separately?

Anyone have information regarding this?

Thanks!!

J Hall

 

I don't know the answer to your question but it made me curious. Some of the AVL use the cell towers to transmit location via SMS so with an internal cellular modem and internal GPS in the cf-30 I am sure that software could make it act similar to the GPS Tracking devices. Has anyone out there done that?

 

I was looking into this a little, and I found that most fleets use a "box" for this purpose, and not the laptop, but if you do have GPS and AVL you can do it. I don't know how the AVL works or how well it works though because I've never gotten my paws on one.

The local police though, as of two years ago used radio broadcast on the 800MHz range to send their location back. I was thinking it would be a nifty trick to scan the 800MHz range and find the location of the cops on my laptop so my speedometer would reflect their presence.. But I also realised that displaying that info was completely optional in this city (most cops turn it off), so it would be mostly useless.

Anyways, I kinda trailed off there. I would call Panasonic directly and see what they have to say about AVL. If it is hardware based and uses no software, it would completely make my day. (Let's call it a theft recovery device, just like a glock).

 

Here are a couple of sites that might help you us understand the workings of Gps Tracking. I belive their are companies that can set up everything for you. These are do yourself type gadgets. GPS Tracker uses GSM/GPRS network for real time GPS tracking. Tracker device can be tracked via SMS, phone call, or GPRS. Applications include Vehicle location, tracking children, elderly and pets etc.

http://www.semsons.com/gpstracker.html

http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/Default.asp

http://www.usglobalsat.com/c-39-gps-receivers.aspx

 

Not sure if this helps, but like I posted in a different thread, look at FRANSON GATE software:

www.franson.com

(no I don't work for them!)

It has the ability to stream GPS Data via a network, ActiveSync, Bluetooth or HTTP. You can also connect to GpsGate Server or GpsGate.com for sharing over the Internet.

I haven't tried that feature yet although it sounds like if you have a GPS in the fleet vehicle and a network connection, you could theoretically track your fleet online!

Now, all that fails when laptop, GPS, or Network is offline!

I worked for a company that had a standalone system to track vehicles, monitor vehicle status (on, running, idle, speed etc) and report to a website via radio system. It was also used for dispatch messaging (text only) and we could choose from a selection of messages to reply back to dispatch.
I believe that system was from TRIMBLE at:

http://www.trimble.com/tms/

You might want to check them out too. I have no idea the cost involved.

I would also second RandyCF's idea and check out gpspassion.com as they are very helpful there too, look up Marvin Hlavac as he has helped me out on a few items in the past.....very knowledgeable!