Best Car Tracking System In Kenya 2024

Finding a good car tracking system these days can be daunting, given that they are many on the market.

In this article, we’ll go through some of the most popular car tracking systems in Kenya looking at their advantages and disadvantages, by the end of it, you will be confident enough to choose a system that aligns with your needs.

To start us off let’s answer the question:

What is a Car Tracking System?

In simple terms, a car tracking system is a system you can use to track the exact location of a vehicle.

These systems make use of GPS (Global Positioning System) to triangulate their exact location through a GPS receiver commonly known as a GPS Tracker, this information is then sent to a server via the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service).

The server hosts an App, it’s through the App that we’re able to see this information displayed on a map.

All car tracking systems work the same the main difference is brought about by the type of GPS receiver (GPS Tracker) in use.

There are 3 main types of GPS Trackers namely: Plug-in, hardwired, and wireless GPS trackers.

Let’s look at each one of them and disseminate their advantages and disadvantages.

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Plug-in GPS Tracker System

A plug-in GPS tracker is also known as an OBD GPS tracker as it’s plugged into the OBD port.

This port is usually located below the steering wheel although its location may vary based on the vehicle model.

This is a plug-and-play tracker and it does not require any installation whatsoever.

Other than tracking the vehicle’s location the device can detect when the vehicle is on or off as well as the vehicle status as the OBD port connects to the vehicle’s computer and sensors.

Hardwired Car GPS Tracker System

As the name suggests a hardwired GPS tracker is connected to the vehicle’s wiring.

Due to the nature of the connection, the device will be hidden inside the vehicle.

The hidden aspect is a major advantage of this device because once installed it cannot be found easily as it can be placed on any part of the vehicle.

Since the device is hardwired to the vehicle it can be able to detect when the engine is turned on/off, detect when the battery is removed or low and some can also be used to stop the engine remotely.

Wireless Car GPS Tracker System

This is a battery-operated type of GPS tracker.

It has an internal battery that can last for months some even years. Once the battery is drained it can be charged like a normal phone.

For this type of device the bigger the better as a big device means it can accommodate a bigger battery and therefore it can stay for long without draining its power.

The device can be placed inside the car, others are magnetic and can be placed outside the car.

Which is The Best Car Tracking System In Kenya

After knowing the different types of GPS trackers available in Kenya it begs the question which then is the best?

To answer this question we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Advantages Of Plug-in (OBD GPS Tracker)

It’s a plug-and-play GPS tracker: This device doesn’t require a special technician to install it. Simply locate the OBD port and connect the device.

The ease of connection and disconnection means it can be used on multiple vehicles.

Access to the vehicle computer: The OBD port is the gateway to the vehicle computer, an advanced OBD GPS tracker can access the vehicle computer and report on the status of the vehicle such as fuel consumption, engine status, faulty sensors, etc

Disadvantages of Plug-in (OBD GPS Tracker)

It can be easily removed: Due to the position of the OBD port the tracker will be plainly visible.

Anyone with malicious intent can easily remove it and go about their business.

Since the device has access to the vehicle’s computer a person with malicious intent can use it to disable the vehicle sensors or send fault codes to the computer and this can affect the entire operation of the vehicle.

In summary, an OBD tracker may not be a go-to option for anyone in Kenya looking to secure their vehicle given the ease with which it can be discovered and removed.

Advantages of Hardwired GPS Tracker

Easily hidden: The device is installed inside the vehicle and therefore it cannot be easily removed.

For this type of tracker, the smaller the better as a small device can be hidden in the most compact places in the car.

It can be used to stop the engine remotely: Since the GPS tracker is connected to the vehicle’s wiring it can be used to stop the engine remotely with the help of a relay.

This is extremely helpful as you can use this feature to prevent vehicle misuse as well as theft.

As earlier mentioned the device can also alert on engine on/off status as well as detect if the battery has been removed or is low.

Disadvantages of Hardwired GPS Tracker

Not easy to install: Installation of the device can only be done by a competent technician with vehicle wiring knowledge.

All wires should be connected correctly as a wrong connection can lead to an electrical shot which can cause a car fire. The device will also not work well if not connected correctly.

Can only be used in one car: Unlike the OBD tracker which can be easily removed and used in another car in a few minutes, the hardwired GPS tracker takes time to install and uninstall.

This can only be done by a competent technician and requires a lot of time to complete. Uninstalling the device means you will have to cut wires which if done often may damage the device.

In summary, the hardwired GPS tracker is a good option for anyone in Kenya looking to secure their vehicle be it a private car, taxi, or commercial vehicle.

Advantages of The Wireless GPS Tracker

It does not rely on the vehicle’s battery for power: Unlike the other 2 types of trackers, the wireless GPS tracker relies on its own battery for power. Based on the size, a big device can last for months on a single charge.

Easily hidden: The device can be placed anywhere inside or outside the car, therefore, making it hard to be discovered.

Disadvantages of The Wireless Tracker

It’s not real-time: To be able to conserve power the device is designed to report data a few times a day therefore it cannot be used to monitor the location of a vehicle in real time.

Limited functionalities: Since the device is not connected to the vehicle in any way it does not have any other features apart from location monitoring

In summary, the wireless GPS tracker is also a good option for anyone looking to secure their vehicle in Kenya as it can be placed anywhere on the vehicle and therefore it cannot be removed easily.

The device can be used with the other 2 types of trackers as a backup tracker on the car. Most banks, Saccos, and Microfinance companies in Kenya use them this way.

Also Read: 5 BENEFITS OF TRACKING YOUR CAR

How To Choose The Ideal Tracking System For Your Car

When choosing a tracking system there are three main factors that one should consider, that is:

• The purchase price
• The installation costs plus maintenance costs
• Discreetness

The purchase price

Price is usually dictated by a lot of factors among them being quality, size, features, etc

You should always try to strike a balance between everything. As a rule of thumb, do not go for the cheapest option available as a cheap price is always associated with low quality and this might prove to be expensive in the long run.

An OBD tracker in Kenya ranges between KES 4,000 to KES 8,000. These devices are not that popular in the Kenyan market and hence the high prices.

A hardwired tracker in Kenya ranges between KES 2,000 to KES 6,500. These devices are very popular in the Kenyan market.

A wireless tracker in Kenya ranges between KES 3,000 to KES 8,000. These devices are also not that popular in the Kenyan market.

The Installation Cost and Maintenance Cost

Both the OBD tracker and the Wireless tracker require no specialized installation.

The Hardwired tracker however requires a qualified technician.

The installation costs will vary based on location, for example, In Nairobi, a technician will charge between KES 1,000 to KES 1,500. As you move farther away the cost may be higher as the number of qualified technicians in the outskirts of Nairobi dwindles, but the cost should not be higher than KES 2,500.

The maintenance cost is usually brought about by the APP / Web tracking platforms. This is because companies that own these platforms need to carry out R&D (research and development) so that their platforms can always be up to date.

These costs will therefore vary from company to company. Some charge a yearly maintenance fee (commonly known as Renewal) others offer a one-time / Lifetime renewal while others charge a monthly fee.

These fees range between KES 1,000 to KES 4,000 based on duration.

A more detailed breakdown of car tracking costs in Kenya can be found in this article.

Discreetness

These narrow down to the objective you want to achieve with a car tracking system.

For example, if security is not much of a concern to you and you want something you can use to manage a fleet of vehicles easily then an OBD tracker will be the ideal solution.

A hardwired tracker is ideal for anyone looking for both security and management as it’s tucked away inside the vehicle and can be used to monitor real-time activities of the vehicle.

A wireless tracker is mostly used as a backup tracker as it’s not real-time.

Verdict

As you can see, each one of these vehicle tracking systems has its fair share of pros and cons.

Generally, and considering the Kenyan state of security and buyer preferences, the hardwired GPS tracker is a common favorite for many car owners.

That said, people have different needs and preferences – and based on your own unique needs our experts can advise you on which system would work best for you. Talk to us today for a FREE assessment from our in-house experts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Tracking Systems in Kenya