How long a GPS tracker runs depends above all on how often the device sends its position. The more frequent the updates, the more accurate the route history, but also the faster the battery drains. The frequency of position reports is precisely what has the biggest impact on battery life.
For example, notiOne GPS PLUS can run for around 5 days with updates every 10 seconds and two hours of movement a day. Change the frequency to 5 minutes and the running time can stretch to around 6–8 weeks. With even less frequent sampling, it can reach as much as 3 months. It all comes down to your preferences and what you need the device to do.
What affects battery life?
With every update, the tracker has to establish its position and send it to the app. That takes a GPS satellite fix to determine the location and a GSM module to transmit the data to the app. This is why battery life can’t be judged without taking into account how the tracker is used.
Battery life is mainly affected by:
- the position update frequency,
- the number of hours spent moving each day,
- use of LIVE mode,
- the quality of GPS and LTE coverage,
- temperature and where the device is mounted.
A car usually sits parked for most of the day. So the tracker can send its position less often while stationary and more often once the car starts moving.
How position updates can be configured in notiOne GPS BASIC and GPS PLUS
| Version | Update while moving | Update while stationary |
|---|---|---|
| notiOne GPS BASIC | Every 5 minutes | Every 6 hours |
| notiOne GPS PLUS | From 10 seconds to 24 hours | Every 1, 6 or 24 hours |
GPS BASIC has fixed settings that you don’t need to configure yourself. GPS PLUS lets you tailor the update frequency to how you use the tracker, both while stationary and on the move.
How long does the battery last with different settings?
A car is rarely on the move around the clock. Most of the time it sits in a car park, in a garage or outside the house. The tracker doesn’t need to report its position as often then as it does while driving. The examples below apply to notiOne GPS PLUS and assume that every day the car:
- is on the move for 2 hours,
- remains stationary for 22 hours,
- doesn’t use LIVE mode,
- operates in a place with good GPS and LTE coverage.
| Setting | Moving for 2 hours | Stationary for 22 hours | Approximate battery life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest accuracy | Update every 10 seconds | Update every 1 hour | Around 2 days |
| Frequent monitoring | Update every 1 minute | Update every 6 hours | Around 10–14 days |
| Balanced setting | Update every 5 minutes | Update every 6 hours | Around 6–8 weeks |
| Power-saving setting | Update every 10 minutes | Update every 6 hours | Around 2–3 months |
| Least frequent reporting | Update every 1 hour | Update every 24 hours | Over 2 months* |
*With very infrequent updates, the energy used in standby also plays a significant role. That’s why battery life can’t be calculated purely from the number of positions sent.
The figures given are approximate. Actual battery life may vary depending on coverage, temperature, mounting location, battery condition and how the device is used.
Is it worth setting updates every 10 seconds?
Updates every 10 seconds give you a detailed record of the journey, but they drain the battery quickly. With two hours of movement a day, the device may need charging after just 2 days or so.
Reporting this often comes in handy when:
- searching for a vehicle that’s on the move,
- monitoring an important shipment,
- checking the exact course of a short route.
For everyday car monitoring, updates every 5 or 10 minutes will usually be the better choice.
How does frequency affect route history?
Every position sent creates another point on the map. The more points there are, the more accurately the app maps out bends, junctions and short stretches of the route.
Less frequent updates extend battery life, but the record of the journey is less detailed. Choosing your settings is therefore a trade-off between accuracy and how often you charge.
In practice:
- updates every 10 seconds work well for short, precise tracking,
- updates every 5 minutes are a good setting for keeping an everyday eye on your car,
- updates every 10 minutes help extend battery life,
- reporting every 6 or 24 hours while stationary cuts energy use while parked.
How does LIVE mode affect the battery?
LIVE mode in GPS PLUS lets you check the position very frequently for a limited time. It’s best used when the vehicle unexpectedly starts moving, leaves a designated zone or you suspect it has been stolen.
LIVE uses more energy than standard updates, so it shouldn’t run unnecessarily. The better approach is economical monitoring while parked and switching on precise tracking once you receive an alert.
Which setting should you start with?
For most private cars, a sensible choice is:
- updates every 5 minutes while driving,
- updates every 6 hours while parked,
- using LIVE only when needed.
With around two hours of movement a day, this configuration can deliver around 6–8 weeks of operation on a single charge.
If the car is used rarely, you can reduce the frequency. If a highly detailed route history matters more, you can increase the updates, bearing in mind the faster battery drain.
GPS BASIC or GPS PLUS?
GPS BASIC suits anyone who wants to use ready-made settings. The position is updated every 5 minutes while moving and every 6 hours while stationary.
GPS PLUS is worth choosing if you need to be able to change the frequency, want more precise tracking or LIVE mode. You decide for yourself whether accuracy or longer battery life matters more at any given moment.
Summary
The relationship is simple: sending the position more often gives a more accurate history but drains the battery faster. Less frequent updates extend the tracker’s battery life but reduce the number of points recorded on the map.
For everyday car monitoring, updates every 5–10 minutes are usually enough. The 10-second setting and LIVE mode are best saved for situations where precise tracking is genuinely needed.
