Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do I have to have a cell phone or purchase cell service as well as BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Services?
Answer: No, BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Service provides a complete service including the GPS vehicle tracking unit, software and network connectivity to the GPS vehicle tracking unit. All you need is a PC with an internet connection and a vehicle to track!

Question: I do not want my drivers to be aware of the BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Service vehicle tracking unit in the car. Can I install it and track without them knowing?
Answer: The answer is "yes!" A good installation is virtually undetectable by the vehicle user. It is important to follow the instructions given in the installation guide to ensure the tracker is both hidden and fully functional.

Question: Is it difficult to install?
Answer: It is easy to install for somebody who is handy. The GPS vehicle tracking unit needs to be placed under the vehicle dash (with zip ties) and the GPS antenna needs to be placed on the "A" pillar of the car. The installation guide provides easy to follow instructions. Most customers are able to install the GPS vehicle tracking unit in under a half-hour. If you are not particularly handy then most automotive garages or electronics retailers can install the GPS vehicle tracking unit for around $45 to $75.

Question: Can my driver unplug the BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Services tracker if they want to go somewhere they aren't supposed to?
Answer: Yes. So we recommend the unit is installed under the dash so that it cannot be easily accessed. Of course it will likely be noticeable that the breadcrumb trail is missing when the unit is not connected.

Question: How much will the BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Service cost?
Answer: The GPS vehicle tracking unit is available for $195. Service plans are:

• FleetTrack - Every 10 Minute Plan: $9.95/mo
• ConsumerTrack - Every 20 Minute Plan: $7.95/mo
• LightTrack - Every 30 Minute Plan: $5.95/mo

Answer: You can receive alerts to your cell phone telling what the alert is for and their location. For speeding it will say what the speed is. For breaking a geofence, it will give location to (within about 50 feet), time of day and speed.

Question: How accurate are the speed and geofence alerts?
Answer: The device reports its location every 10, 20, or 30 minutes while in motion. The reported speed is the speed when the location is taken so you will receive a speed alert if your driver is speeding at the instant of the location. The smaller the location interval the smaller the interval your driver can speed without detection. Similarly, with geofence alerts, the entry or exit of a geofence is determined when a location is taken. The smaller the time interval between locations means the sooner you will know when a driver has entered or exited a geofence. If speed or geofence alerts are important to you, we would recommend your vehicle report every 10 minutes.

Question: How often does the BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Services locate my vehicle?
Answer: Your vehicle is located every 10, 20, or 30 minutes while it is in motion (Depending on the service you purchase). Sometimes your vehicle will be out of cellular coverage but you will still receive these locations when your vehicle comes back into cellular coverage. However, there will be times when your device is hidden from GPS satellites so you will miss these locations but that should be infrequent.

Question: How many alert recipients are supported?
Answer: You can have 3 alert recipients for each device. A recipient may be either an email address or a cell phone number. If a recipient is a cell phone then the message will be delivered as SMS.

Question: Where will BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Services work?
Answer: BuildYourUMPC.com's GPS Location Based Services will work in the US and Canada. Mexico is an additional $2 per month (please indicate Mexico enabled during purchase).

Question: I installed the unit and both LED lights are on but I do not see my vehicle on the computer?
Answer: Once both lights are on you will need to drive at least 100 yards in order for the vehicle to show up on the map.

Question: Why do I see a solid orange LED light but the other light is blinking red?
Answer: Both lights should be solid. A blinking red LED means the unit is looking for a GPS signal. If your LED is blinking check to ensure you are not in an enclosed area and that your antenna did not come lose from the "A" pillar.