We like to give customers plenty of choices.

You can get a demo unit to try before you commit. You can choose to rent or buy. But once you’ve seen the value of using GPS trackers on construction equipment, the next question to consider is whether to opt for internal or external antenna.

Screw-mount (left) and magnetic antenna

Here’s the trend we’re seeing from our current customers: The standard SolarTrak tracker contains internal GPS and cellular antennas. As long as the tracker can be installed on the roof of your equipment (with access to satellites), the internal antenna is ideal. The tracker will also work mounted under plastic, glass or fiberglass.

However, if your construction equipment takes a beating, or theft is a particular concern, you may want to opt for hiding the tracker in a safer place (under the hood is typical) and using an external antenna to send a receive signals.

There are two version of external antenna – magnetic or screw mount. Magnetic antenna is most often used on vehicles. Screw mount is used where magnets won’t work (plastic, aluminum, fiberglass or other non-metal surfaces), and will involve drilling a small hole to install the antenna.

Examples: our customers use trackers installed on top of generators and air compressors (which are generally parked out of harm’s way), and external antenna on skid steers, boom and scissor lifts.

If you still can’t decide, ask your rep for a copy of our “Complete Installation Guide” (with photos) and see exactly how customers have installed trackers on specific equipment. Or send us your equipment list and we’ll be glad to provide recommendations.

Talk to the SolarTrak Tech Team by calling 484-223-4994. We’d be happy to help you decide.

Our SolarTrak GPS tracking system is a growing and changing entity, and – thanks to continual dialog with customers – we’ve identified areas we could make improvements. We’ve freshened the look, the icons and the map – which now also appears on the Assets Page.

One of the most popular additions is a pop-up box that displays multiple assets at one location (for instance, your equipment yard), making it easier to click on a single asset when equipment is parked in a group.

New Pop-Up shows a complete list of equipment when a group of assets are parked in one area

Below are some of the other improvements you can enjoy:

• Mobile-friendly formatting for your smartphone now makes it easy to view data from your handheld devices.
• Improved “Events Log” tab now allows the user to filter by branch, asset type or event.
• While in the “Timeline” tab of the “Assets” page, you can click on either Google or Bing and find step-by-step driving directions to the asset.
• The new “Location Feature” allows users while in the “Map” or “Geofence” views to zero in on a specific location by entering the address of that location.
• The former ‘List View” has been renamed “Assets”, and includes a map and more legible data.
• Our “Reports” tab now allows users to view or download information on assets that will be due for service based on days or engine hours. This will allow for efficient planning of work by your service team.

We hope you agree that these new features make using SolarTrak even easier. If you’d like to send us your thoughts, use the Feedback link on the login page or email info@solar-trak.com. We appreciate your suggestions!

Congratulations to SolarTrak customer Wistar Equipment of Carney’s Point, NJ for being chosen as the featured rental house in the March/April issue of Pro Contractor Rentals.

The article talks about how the company focuses on customer service and the talents of the technicians, and specializes in pneumatic and electrical power generation rentals. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer company!

Thanks also to Wistar for the complimentary SolarTrak mention. Steve Scattolini, V. P., Business Development explains in the article how telematics and SolarTrak play an increasing role in managing their fleet. As he said, “This technology is incredible and helps us better monitor our equipment. It allows us to monitor the equipment, we can set up a geo-fence that can notify us if equipment is moved.”

And since Wistar repairs and serves the equipment, “We can set up maintenance notification as the equipment puts on hours so we can better plan technician’s work schedules,” added Scattolini.

Our prospective customers frequently ask for recommendations – and we’ll let Wistar brag about SolarTrak any day!

Our friends at Wistar Equipment in NJ. Photo courtesy of Pro Rental Contractor magazine.