Some consumer goods are more than a simple purchase. High-value consumer goods, like jet skis, golf carts, recreational vehicles, and many specialty electronics, are investments. These pricey goods are also ideal targets for thieves as they typically have high resale value, can be easily transported, and are challenging to recover.

When thieves take high-value consumer goods, the loss is real and immediate. That’s why it’s important to protect these investments however you can. Fortunately, we live in an era characterized by the integration of technology into our daily lives. Integrated GPS tracking is one such technology that can help protect high-value consumer goods. 

GPS tracking provides unique protection against loss due to theft. Criminals might think twice about stealing something they know authorities can track. If high-value items are stolen, law enforcement can use the technology to pinpoint the location. For these reasons, more manufacturers are integrating GPS trackers directly into their finished goods. The added tracking devices provide a valuable consumer benefit and can be a crucial differentiator for the manufacturer.

Understanding the Need for Integrated GPS

Goods costing $5,000 to $25,000, like rugged terrain vehicles (RTVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), golf carts, and high-end machinery, are typically not impulse buys. Buyers choose specialized equipment and luxury goods with careful deliberation. They may even be once-in-a-lifetime purchases. 

Unfortunately, the allure of these valuable goods makes them prime targets for thieves. High-value item thefts cost hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Even more disturbing are the low recovery rates. The same stats show that electronics theft in 2022 caused losses of over $334 million. The recovered items were worth only $10 million. That’s a recovery rate of just under three percent.

The consequences of this theft extend beyond the financial loss. The emotional toll can be just as damaging. The victims of theft suffer anxiety and anger over their lost assets. Businesses with high-end machines see their operations disrupted, which affects their employees, customers, and the community. However, many of these problems can be mitigated by adding GPS tracking devices to high-value goods.

Benefits of Integrated GPS Tracking

Integrated GPS tracking into a final manufacturer product is a versatile and flexible technological solution that can provide big results for both the product manufacturer and the end consumer. Some of its benefits include:

Real-Time Location Tracking

With integrated GPS, you can track the location of valuable goods in real-time. The owner can quickly find the item and alert authorities if it’s stolen. This ability to provide accurate location data boosts recovery efforts.

Enhanced Security Features

Integrating GPS into high-value goods provides extra security beyond simple tracking. For instance, geofencing lets owners set virtual boundaries around their valuables. The GPS can send alerts if the item moves outside the defined area, helping recover stolen items faster.

Integrated GPS can work in conjunction with mobile apps. Owners can receive alerts anywhere or anytime and instantly check the status of their tracked items. Where appropriate, mobile apps can also implement remote locking, which can immobilize stolen items like jet skis, golf carts, or RTVs.

Increased Resale Value

Embedded GPS trackers boost final customers’ security and peace of mind, keeping their pricey goods safe, which gives the manufacturer a key advantage over other manufacturers of the same product. Buyers may even pay a premium for items equipped with advanced security features. This is particularly true for luxury items thieves target, like expensive electronics.

Key Considerations for Manufacturers Considering Integrated GPS

Manufacturers face many options as they plan to integrate GPS into high-value consumer goods. Each choice suits a particular application and may not work with others. To begin with, they must choose the right GPS technology — cellular, satellite, or hybrid.

Cellular GPS relies on cell networks to send location data. It has broad coverage, but it might suffer from outages or disruptions. Satellite GPS gives accurate location data but may need special antennas or other unique hardware. Hybrid GPS uses cellular and satellite tech for the best coverage and tracking. However, it may cost more.

Ultimately, the most important factors to consider come down to:

• Accuracy: Determine the required level of accuracy for a specific application.
• Coverage: A product’s intended use can significantly affect the required coverage area. Keep in mind that network availability may limit cellular GPS.
• Battery life: GPS tracking devices require power. Some GPS tracking companies offer power-saving modes to extend the battery life, whereas others provide hardwire kits to tap into the final manufactured good’s battery or auxiliary battery.
• Cost: The cost of any GPS technology can vary based on the features required, the size of the batter, and whether the unit is integrated into the product at the time of production.

Other challenges include space limitations, power use, and product design. All of these make it difficult to embed a GPS-tracking device seamlessly. However, an experienced GPS maker can design a custom solution. It will solve these and other integration challenges.

Help With Integrating GPS Into High-Value Consumer Goods

Theft remains a global problem. Robbery of high-value consumer goods devastates buyers, businesses, and the community. Integrating GPS into these items provides a strong defense, protecting precious investments.