The use of satellite technologies by man in everyday life is becoming more and more active. Thus, the popularity of GPS beacons is growing - devices that allow you to determine and transmit to the required address the geographical coordinates of objects in motion. Particularly cars. Among the most popular solutions of the corresponding type on the Russian market is Avtofon-Mayak. What are its features?
Device overview
The Avtofon-Mayak device, reviews of which are numerous from Russian users, is a device with the function of geographic positioning using GPS coordinates, which involves the use of GSM technologies of a similar purpose. This device is optimized to be placed in a car and track its current location.
How can I use Autophone?
You can use your device in many ways. Firstly, with the help of "Autophone" you can quickly track the movement of a stolen car. Secondly, using the "Autophone", the reviews of many owners of this device confirm the corresponding possibility, it is convenient to fix the coordinates of one ora different vehicle during the trip - for example, a friend's car that is moving along a different route. Thirdly, the device in question can be used to determine the location of, in principle, any object - it does not have to be a vehicle. You can, for example, put the device in a backpack and use it to transmit the coordinates of its owner, who travels somewhere outside the city, along the river, in the forest, in the mountains.
Autofon-Thermo
Note that the Avtofon brand produces not only devices that involve the use of satellite navigation systems. Among other notable products of this company is the Avtofon-Thermo device. Reviews about this device are also numerous and characterize it quite fully. Avtofon-Thermo is a device for remote control of a starting preheater using GSM channels. The user can thus activate the corresponding device via SMS commands, through the voice menu, or by pressing a button located in the car. The device is equipped with a clock and a timer that allows you to start the preheater at a convenient time and day of the week for the car owner. Both devices: "Autophone-Thermo" and a GPS-beacon, released by the corresponding brand, are in great demand among Russian motorists.
Possibilities of "Autophone"
Let's consider in more detail what capabilities the Avtofon GPS-beacon has. User reviews characterize the device as sufficiently functional. This is probably due to the fact that it has a fairly wide range of possibilities. Namely:
- data transmission using GSM channels in a jammed GPS signal;
- offline operation - from batteries, for 2 years;
- support audio control function;
- the ability to use an accelerometer that allows you to record the beginning of the movement of a car or other object on which the device is placed;
- activation of the heat-resistant SIM card included.
It can also be noted that "Autophone", reviews of the owners of the device confirm this, has a sufficiently high sensitivity even to reflected GPS signals, which makes it possible to use it in conditions where the sky is not in direct line of sight relative to the location device antennas. The device in question is focused mainly on civilian use, but is often also used by government agencies.
Modifications
There are several modifications of "Autophone". The most common device models are: E, S, and GL. The full name of the device may sound like "Autophone S-Mayak". How are they different?
First of all, the support of satellite technologies. So, devices E and S can only receive signals from GPS satellites. In turn, GL beacons also support the Russian GLONASS standard and function by combining the signals of this positioning system and GPS.
The next criterion for differences between the considered device models issupport for the function of interaction with the monitoring server, which involves the use of GPRS technology. Support the corresponding option "Autophones" type S and GL. In turn, E-beacons are not compatible with this function.
The next aspect of the discrepancies in the capabilities of the devices under consideration is the accuracy of determining the coordinates. The leaders here are "Autophones" of the GL type. They have an accuracy of 2.5 meters. The indicator for type E and S devices is 5 meters. How significant can this difference be in practice?
Does coordinate accuracy matter?
As evidenced by many reviews, "Autophone" as a whole is able to solve the tasks, even if its accuracy does not exceed 5 meters. However, if we are talking about narrow areas of application of the device - for example, as a tool for determining the geographical coordinates of expedition members, hikers - additional accuracy will not hurt. It happens that a person traveling in nature needs a very accurate local orientation to determine the optimal route for further movement - a tree, a hill or a path. His friends will be able to help him locate this or that object, having a map at their disposal, only if they know the traveler's location as accurately as possible.
Which devices support A-GPS?
The next criterion of differences between different versions of the device in question is the support of the A-GPS standard, which assumes the determination of coordinates in a more efficient mode than when using a conventional channel. As evidenced by the reviews, "Autophone", compatible with the corresponding technology,exceptionally easy to use. Support, therefore, the standard A-GPS devices in modification S. Devices E and GL are not compatible with this technology.
It can also be noted that the listed modifications also differ in terms of support for external power boards and additional extensions. Compatible with these "Autophones" options in S and GL versions.
The considered modifications of the device also differ in cost. The most expensive "Autophone" - in the GL version, cheaper - E-Mayak, the most affordable - in the S modification.
Of course, there are a large number of other versions of the device - such as, for example, "Autophone D", reviews of which are also very common. What are its features? It can be noted that the corresponding type "Autophone D-Mayak" (many users' reviews of it are especially positive due to the presence of additional functions) has an RF tag designed to identify the owner of the device.
There are other noteworthy modifications of the device. So, for example, "Autophone SE-Mayak", reviews of which are also often found, are characterized by low power consumption. The device comes with a sealed case. There is an "Autophone SE + Lighthouse", which is equipped with modules for making external connections to the device. In particular, to use external power adapters. It also comes with a sealed case.
Another "Autophone" - "Dialogue-Mayak" (reviews about this device are especially positive given its functions) has a wirelessa relay that can be used to block the device.
What do different versions of Autophone have in common?
At the same time, there are a number of characteristics that are relevant for all modifications of the device. So, all types of "Autophone", whether it is E, S, D or "Autophone SE" (user reviews are very positive regarding this aspect), involve the use of 2 CR123A lithium batteries with a resource of 1.5 Ah. The dimensions of the devices are also generally the same. The length of "Autophones" is 70 mm, width - 51 mm, thickness - 21 mm. In all modifications, as we noted above, an accelerometer is built-in, as well as a microphone, modules for monitoring the balance on the account of the mobile operator that has a SIM card, as well as for monitoring the battery charge level. Devices can enable the PIN code protection function. Other noteworthy options include: sending a link to the map via SMS, the presence of a watch, the ability to remotely control the device via SMS, as well as through mobile applications for iOS and Android.
User reviews
Now let's take a closer look at what users say about the Autophone device. Feedback from the owners of the device can be classified into the following main categories:
- those that reflect opinions regarding its effectiveness;
- those that contain an assessment of the convenience of setting up and managing the device;
- those that reflect opinions regarding the functionality of the device.
Let's study them in more detail.
Efficiency reviews
What do users think about the effectiveness of such a device as the Avtofon GPS beacon? Feedback from the owners of this device is very positive in terms of successful precedents for its use. The fact is that Autophone can fully perform its functions only if there are no factors in the environment of the device that interfere with its operation. So, for example, car thieves can use various "jammers" that make it impossible for the "Autophone" to transmit the coordinates of the corresponding object via a satellite channel or communications using the resources of cellular operators. If the illegal action is committed without the use of "jammers" by the offender, the device will indeed work correctly and will allow you to calculate the location of the car.
It is possible, as users note, situations in which other interference occurs in the environment surrounding the object on which the "Autophone" is located - for example, due to the operation of other devices using certain radio channels. In this case, its effectiveness may not be the most optimal. As for the use of Autophone in other modes, for example, to facilitate the interaction of travelers on different routes, the functioning of the device as a whole does not cause any complaints from users. The usefulness and effectiveness of "Autophone" in the relevant scenarios of its use are noted.
Convenience reviews
Do users consider such a device as "Autofon-Mayak" to be sufficiently convenient? Feedback from the owners of the device in this aspect is positive. Setting up "Autophone" does not involve difficulties, as well as using the device. To do this, the owner of the device can use, in particular, a convenient mobile application. There are not too many private nuances of using the device, predetermined by the specifics of its modification. So, if a person has experience using Autophone in version E, then, judging by the reviews, he will master the use of the SE modification without any problems.
Functional feedback
The next aspect of reviews about the device in question are those that reflect the opinions of users regarding the functionality of the device. As we noted above, the capabilities of the device depend on its specific modification. In this sense, the functionality of devices in different versions can vary significantly. We can say that users evaluate the capabilities of the device in two aspects - the ratio of the price of a particular modification of the device and its functions, as well as the assessment of those options that are presented in each version of Autophone. The owners of the lighthouse are quite positive about the combination of the cost of specific modifications and their functions, believing that overpaying for certain options - if you compare different versions of Autophone, is generally justified.
As for the capabilities that are present in all types of devices, their list is assessed by users as quite relevant from the point of view of the needs of a modern car enthusiast, traveler, entrepreneur - anyone who can use Autophone. In general, regardless of the specific modification, whether it be E, S, D or, for example, "Autofon-SE", reviewsof users regarding the capabilities, price and efficiency of the device are positive and reflect the successful experience of using the options implemented by the manufacturer brand.
