GPS Data Loggers – 6 Best For 2024
If you’re looking to secretly track a vehicle but don’t want to pay a monthly subscription, a GPS data logger is a simple, affordable solution.
We’ve put the top 10 GPS data loggers on the market to the test and ranked them based on their accuracy, performance, storage, battery life, and pricing.
If you’re looking to track a cheating spouse, manage a fleet, document your travels, track expensive assets, or even just improve your personal security, we’ve got a logger for you.
Warning: Most of the reviews we’ve seen online were out of date. These trackers change their pricing or features every year or so. Please verify that the product you choose can actually do what the review says they can do. This review is up-to-date as of 2024.
1. LandAirsSea GPS Asset Tracker – Best Real Time GPS Tracker No Monthly Fees
Overview: The LandAirSea is the best GPS logger for asset protection, catching cheating spouses, and recording fleet activity. It’s accurate within six feet, gives real-time updates, and has full human customer support with no subscription fees. You get 365 full days of complete GPS tracking for one low price.
The LandAirSea GPS logger is a real time car GPS that allows you to be your own private investigator at a fraction of the cost.
Just activate the tracker, sync it with the app on your phone, and you’re good to go. You can now see the device’s location at any time along with:
- Historical location data for later analysis
- A direct line to alert the police
- Alerts when expensive items move or leave a certain area (geo-fencing)
The LandAirSea logger is different from other models because it gives you all of the features of a GPS logger, PLUS the features of a real-time GPS tracker in one device. And it comes with real human tech support to help you use it in case you have any issues.
Unlike the Rexing GPS logger or Columbus v1000 GPS data logger, the LandAirSea shows you real-time location 24/7. So it’s perfect for tracking your husband if you suspect him of cheating, seeing what your employees are up to, or keeping track of expensive items. If anything is ever lost or stolen, you can find it immediately or contact the authorities.
It’s like getting a GPS logger AND a GPS tracker in one product.
2. Qstarz BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth GPS – Bluetooth GPS Data Logger
Overview: The Qstarz BT-Q1000XT is the best pure GPS logger for travel, sport, and fleet management due to its Bluetooth connectivity, long battery life, and extremely detailed route tracking. It’s ideal for documenting adventures, analyzing fleet data, and logging sports activities. Plus, the battery lasts more than 40 hours on a single charge, so it’s great for long drives.
The Qstarz BT-Q1000XT is one of the only data logger GPS solutions with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can log data in real time and export easily to other apps or devices without needing to transfer anything.
Just connect it to your iPhone, iPad, or Android device while you’re using it, and it works perfectly. That means, if you’re running, taking a road trip, or analyzing fleet data, everything can be done fairly easily without needing a dozen apps or transferring data to other ecosystems.
For example, if you want to record a delivery truck’s route, just connect this device to your iPhone, and you’ll be able to see its speed, stops, the route it took, and other driving behaviors. Then, you can use that data to enforce standards, improve efficiency, and improve training materials.
We tested it on a drive around town, and it recorded our route and let us navigate at the same time - pretty cool, aye?
Long story short, this GPS logger is for you if you want to record your travel adventures, track your running performance, or analyze vehicle travel data for later analysis right from your smartphone.
Bluetooth Data Logger Features:
- 40-Day Memory Capacity
- Vibration Sensor
- Bluetooth Data Logger
- Data Logger GPS Costs $115.00
- Wired And Wireless GPS Receiver
Watch a complete review of this tracking device on YouTube
3. iGOTu GT 600 – Best Sports GPS Data Logger
Price: $71.95
Overview: The ultimate travel and adventure GPS logger for geotagging photos, mapping your journey, optimizing your adventures, and sharing your travels with friends and family. This GPS logger integrates easily with digital cameras and phones for easy access to features, and it also integrates with navigation software to improve your travel experiences. Plus it’s resistant to tough weather, so you can go off the beaten path without worrying about your tracker getting damaged.
The i-gotU GT-600 USB GPS Travel & Sports Logger is designed for avid travelers, adventurers, and photography enthusiasts.
This tracker is perfect for:
- Geo-tagging photos
- Creating custom maps
- Tracking your route and creating new trails
- Creating travel logs
- Showing you granular data about your adventures
- Optimizing future routes
- Backup navigation in case you lose your signal
Travel bloggers and adventurers love this logger, because it makes it so easy to create high-quality travel content. For example, you can geo-tag your photos, organize your trips using Google Maps and Google Earth, share your travel stories in real time, and export to other apps seamlessly.
Plus, you can take it anywhere and not worry about it getting damaged. It’s built for tough weather in exotic locations, so let it rain, baby. Just don’t take it under water and you’ll be fine.
We obviously couldn’t take it out into the Amazon to test it, but we did snap a bunch of photos around the shop and use it to easily tag our location and share it to our iPhone. The company claims it can hold over 260,000 pieces of data, but we didn’t snap that many photos.
Key Features:
- High-Precision GPS: Features the 65nm SiRF III GPS Chipset for accurate location logging.
- Photo Geotagging: Seamlessly auto-map photos with GPS details.
- Versatile Compatibility: Works with all digital cameras, camera phones, and third-party GPS navigation software.
- Interactive Journey Display: Organize and showcase trips on 3D Google Maps & Google Earth.
- Multiple Export Options: Supports various file formats and popular web albums.
- Live Travel Blogging: Easily create and share your travel stories in real-time.
- Durable & Resilient: Designed to be water-resistant, making it suitable for various outdoor activities.
- Energy Efficient: Equipped with a motion detector for optimized power usage.
Watch a real customer experience with this GPS data logger on YouTube
4. Powerhobby GNSS Performance Analyzer Bluetooth
Price: $79.95
Overview: The Powerhobby GNSS Performance Analyzer is a Bluetooth-enabled speed meter and data logger for RC cars, planes, and other model vehicles. Attach it to your RC car, and track speed, altitude, time, distance, and acceleration.
The Powerhobby performance analyzer gives you valuable insight into your RC car plane, boat, or plane’s performance.
It’s perfect for drag races, track races, or just messing around in the yard with your toys and seeing who’s the fastest. You just attach it to your vehicle, sync it to your phone, and check the data from the company’s app.
The reasons we chose the Powerhobby performance analyzer over other trackers are:
If you want your RC toys to perform at the highest level, this is the tracker for you.
Key Features:
- App Compatibility: Downloadable on both Android and iOS for real-time tracking.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Utilizes both GPS and GLONASS satellites for precise data.
- Comprehensive Analysis: Measures aspects like acceleration, G-force, altitude, and more.
- Built-in LiPo Battery: Offers up to 5 hours of runtime and is easily charged via micro USB.
- Versatile App Modes: From drag to track races, gain valuable insights on RC performance.
- LED Indicators: Three LEDs provide visual cues about the device’s status.
- Ample Storage: Features 1M built-in memory, storing up to 50 records and auto-replaces older data.
- Measurement Flexibility: Switch between metric and imperial measurements in-app.
Watch a complete review and unboxing of this GPS data logger via YouTube
5. G-Porter GP-102+ Multifunction GPS Device – Best Outdoor GPS Device
Price: $59.00
Overview: The G-Porter GP-102+ is a great budget device for outdoorsy people and athletes with great built-in navigation, outdoor features like weather, and great add-ons like a pedometer. It’s accurate, simple to use, and very affordable. If you just need a simple outdoor GPS logger, this one will do just fine. Just don’t expect all the bells and whistles.
If you need a great outdoor GPS logger, this G-Porter model will get the job done. It’s got all the features you need in an outdoor performance analyzer at a pretty low price point.
Features include:
- A digital compass
- A pedometer
- A barometric altimeter
- A weather station
- A gradienter
In a nutshell, that means you can know where you are, see how many steps you’ve taken, check the weather, and record your route all from one device.
Plus it’s IPX-6 water resistant, so it’s perfect for runners, motorcyclists, rafters, and ATV riders. It can handle heavy rain, dirt, and dust and still function perfectly fine.
Here is a full YouTube review of this data logger.
Key Features:
- High-Quality Chipset: It has a SIRF-IV low-power chipset with 48-track verification channels.
- Versatile Tools: Includes barometric altimeter, digital compass, weather station, and gradienter.
- Geotagging: Mark and geotag photos to pinpoint exact locations.
- Fitness Companion: Comes with a pedometer to monitor steps and travel logging capabilities.
- Durability: Water-resistant up to IPX6, so it can handle rain, dirt, and dust easily.
- Find Wayback Feature: Great for outdoor enthusiasts to easily find their way back or locate a target.
- Extended Battery Life: Operates up to 20 hours in GPS mode and 600 hours in time mode.
- Compact & Lightweight: Dimensions of 70mm L x 35mm W x 16mm H and weighs just 40g.
Read real customer experiences on this GPS data logger via Google Review
6. GPS Tracking Key - Best Seller For Over A Decade
GPS Data Logger Features
Overview: The Tracking Key was a simple, discreet way to track your spouse before more advanced tracking items came on the market. LandAirSea introduced better real-time trackers that showed a person’s current location right from a phone app, and the GPS Tracking Key became a thing of the past.
LandAirSea’s GPS Tracking Key was the top-selling passive car tracker until it was discontinued in 2019.
It was the go-to tool for tracking your spouse until LandAirSea came out with better, more advanced products.
Also, frequent Windows and Mac updates caused firmware issues, and as real-time GPS trackers became more affordable and accessible, demand for instant location updates surged.
That’s why LandAirSea started to focus on live tracking technology, leaving the GPS Tracking Key behind.
We still thought it was worth mentioning, though.
Which Features Matter in a GPS Logger?
We just wanted to cover some of the key factors in evaluating GPS loggers, so you get a better idea of how we ranked the products the way we did.
Our security experts at GPS Tracker Shop focused on four major points of testing: battery life, power options, antenna sensitivity, and comprehensiveness of data.
Most people think that route tracking and battery life matter the most. They do matter - a lot. But that’s not all.
Every GPS logger does those things. It’s the other, value-added features that matter the most.
Just a side note here: That’s why the SpaceHawk personal tracker is the best no monthly fee GPS tracking device currently on the market. It has everything in one device - the battery life, features, power options, simplicity, and antenna sensitivity. It’s not the cheapest option, but that’s a good thing. You know you’re getting good value when you buy it.
Let’s break down the features a bit more:
Battery Life
Longer battery life means extended tracking without needing to recharge the device all the time.
This is especially important for long trips or surveillance operations, where consistent and uninterrupted data logging is essential.The average GPS receiver records approximately 10-15 hours of wheels-in-motion driving time. SpaceHawk was able to record GPS data for 20+ hours during testing.
Power Options
The more options you have to power your device the better.
SpaceHawk GPS offers different powering options, such as a cigarette lighter adapter or wiring cables. These accessories are not included with the purchase but can be used to hard-connect the tracker to a vehicle.
Antenna Sensitivity
Greater antenna sensitivity allows your device to record more accurate data in less-than-ideal conditions. If you’re constantly off the beaten path or driving around the city, this ensures it actually tracks your current and historical location as accurately as possible.
A bum antenna will end up getting the data totally wrong, and it could jeopardize your business or at the very least cause issues with data accuracy.
Data Comprehensiveness
Some GPS loggers only record your route or location. Others record data, show you real-time location, include features like a pedometer, and even include a direct line to emergency personnel.
The more comprehensive the data picture, the better. That’s especially true if you’re using it for your business.
That’s why we ranked the SpaceHawk #1. It does everything that the other loggers do, plus a ton of things they can’t do.
10 Benefits Of GPS Receivers
Here are 10 real-world benefits of data loggers:
- Accurate location and speed data with cm-level accuracy
- Lap timing for motorsports enthusiasts
- Can record temperature data with the use of external sensors
- Can be integrated with Arduino Uno and other microcontrollers
- Can be used for fleet vehicle management and monitoring
- Vibration sensors for monitoring equipment and assets
- Can operate on external power, making it ideal for long-term tracking
- Can store data on SD or microSD cards for easy transfer and analysis
- Can be connected to Bluetooth or USB for wireless data transfer
- Can display data on Google Maps or Google Earth for easy visualization
Some popular GPS data logger models include Columbus V-990, BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS, GPS Pro Bluetooth Data Logger, and Bad Elf GPS Pro Bluetooth. These devices have a ton of useful features, such as water resistance, high update rates, and Bluetooth BLE connectivity.
Understanding Passive GPS
Passive GPS is one of the two types of GPS tracking. The other is real-time GPS.
Passive GPS receivers pick up radio signals from satellites, and let you determine location, speed, altitude, and other useful data—all without needing an Internet connection or cell service.
These systems, often called GPS data loggers, are great for keeping a record of where you've been, so they’re ideal for personal safety or managing a fleet of vehicles.
However, unlike real-time GPS, passive GPS doesn’t give you live updates.
Instead, you’ll need to remove the device from whatever you’re tracking, plug it into a computer via USB, and download the data. Once you’ve got the data, you can easily check vehicle speeds, stops made, and address information. The information is easy to read and can even be overlaid on maps from programs like Microsoft Virtual Earth or Google Earth, giving you a clear visual of where everything happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best GPS Data Logger?
The LandAirSea GPS is the best hidden GPS tracker with no subscription fees. This mini GPS offers real-time tracking updates for a year and does not require any monthly fees. Pretty great right? With unlimited updates every minute, this top-rated GPS vehicle tracker can be easily attached to any asset. Plus, the powerful magnet mount allows you to easily install the tracker discreetly on a vehicle without the driver knowing!
- Wireless GPS Tracker 100% Waterproof
- Less Than $100 For Real Time GPS Car Tracker Updates
- Legal Vehicle Tracking Device
Can I Use A GPS Tracker Without An Internet Connection?
Yes, passive GPS trackers or loggers like the Bad Elf GPS Pro Bluetooth can work without an Internet connection. They use GNSS data to track your location and can store data for later analysis.
What Is The Difference Between GPS And GNSS?
GPS is a type of GNSS, or Global Navigation Satellite System, that was developed by the United States government. Other examples of GNSS include Russia’s GLONASS and Europe’s Galileo.
Can GPS Trackers Work Without A Power Source?
Some GPS trackers like the Columbus V-990 and the BT-Q1000XT Bluetooth Data Logger GPS can operate on external power, such as a battery pack or USB power bank.
How Do I Download Data From A Passive GPS Tracker?
Most GPS trackers or receivers like the ELF GPS Pro Bluetooth come with a USB cable or a microSD card that you can use to transfer data to your computer. Some models may also offer wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.