MARCUS GPS Vehicle Tracking System - MARCUS versus Nextel GPS Cell Phone

As business owners begin their search for information about GPS tracking devices, most come upon what appears to be an easy affordable solution. GPS enabled phones from Nextel offer the cheapest way to start tracking your employees and your fleet. They seem like an easy way to begin reaping the benefits of GPS tracking, but for a slightly larger initial investment business owners can have 10 times the functionality using the MARCUS system.

Several of our customers started out using these gps cell phones, but after a few months they began to realize the downsides of the phone tracking solution versus the dedicated GPS tracking solution.

Please take a moment to read some comparisons below.

MARCUS v. Nextel GPS Cell Phone    Features & Benefits MARCUS Nextel GPS Cell Phone Driver intervention No, always on Yes, must turn on Java application daily Hassle factor Low, no driver intervention High, more excuses due to driver interaction Position update rate 2 minutes standard 3-15 min. depending on monthly service fee Start-Stop Report- time at stop location Yes No, can't be calculated accurately if phone is moving with driver or going into buildings Driver tampering Difficult, can be mounted inside the dash of the vehicle Easy, simply turn the phone or GPS program off or block the phone from getting a GPS signal by putting under a seat or in a tool box GPS signal reception Dedicated GPS antenna mounted on roof or dash Antenna is in phone which can be easily blocked by going inside or placing under seat of vehicle After hours detection Yes No, simply leave the phone at the house or do not turn it on System is always with vehicle Yes No, phone goes with driver Total average monthly service fee $35 total $15-55 depending on update rate and phone and radio service Nextel phone fees $0 $30 Life expectancy of hardware 3-7 yrs 1-1.5 yrs Hardware replacement or repair in 1 year 1:75 1:10 Warranty 1 year 90 days Average hardware investment $499 $150 Network taxes on mobile wireless data, per vehicle $.90 $.90 FCC fees on cell phone account $0 $25 Requires Nextel phone service to operate No Yes Stolen vehicle recovery assistance Yes No, only if the phone is left in the vehicle and on