GPS Tracker vs. IGLA:
Do You Want to Find It or Keep It?
GPS trackers and IGLA serve completely different purposes. One helps you recover your car after theft. The other prevents the theft entirely. Here's which you need.
Quick Answer
A GPS tracker is a recovery tool—it tells you where your car is after thieves take it. IGLA is a prevention tool—it stops the car from being driven in the first place. For high-value vehicles, prevention is worth more than recovery.
The Fundamental Difference
GPS Tracker
"Your car was stolen. Here's where it is now."
- Real-time location tracking
- Movement alerts
- Trip history
- Doesn't prevent theft
IGLA
"The car won't move without your secret code."
- Blocks relay attacks
- Prevents engine start
- Invisible to thieves
- No location tracking
Think of it this way: a GPS tracker is like a security camera. It records the crime and helps you identify what happened—but it doesn't stop the crime from occurring.
IGLA is like a lock. It prevents unauthorized access in the first place. No amount of camera footage helps if your car is already gone.
The GPS Tracker Reality Check
GPS trackers seem like a great solution. You can see exactly where your car is at all times. If someone takes it, you just follow the dot on your phone and call the police. Simple, right?
In reality, here's what often happens:
GPS Jammers Are Cheap
For $30 on Amazon, thieves can buy a GPS jammer that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Your tracker goes dark the moment they start driving. No signal, no location.
Trackers Get Found
Professional thieves know the common hiding spots. They'll sweep the car with an RF detector or simply check the OBD port, wheel wells, and under seats. Found trackers get tossed.
Police Response Varies
Knowing where your car is doesn't mean police will immediately respond. In many cities, car theft is low priority. By the time officers arrive, the car may be stripped or moved.
Recovery ≠ Returned to You
Even if police recover your car, it's often damaged, stripped of parts, or held as evidence. Insurance still totals it. You "got it back" but lost it anyway.
The Numbers Tell the Story
*No publicly reported thefts of vehicles with properly installed and armed IGLA systems.
Complete Comparison
| Capability | GPS Tracker | IGLA |
|---|---|---|
| Prevents theft | No | Yes |
| Location tracking | Yes | No |
| Blocks relay attacks | No | Yes |
| Can be jammed | Yes | No |
| Monthly fees | $10-30/mo | $0 |
| Upfront cost | $100-500 | $1,200-1,800 |
| 3-year total cost | $460-1,580 | $1,200-1,800 |
Why Not Both?
This isn't necessarily either/or. Some vehicle owners choose layered security:
- IGLA: Primary defense—prevents the theft from happening
- GPS Tracker: Backup—if somehow compromised, you have location data
That said, if budget forces you to choose one, prevention beats recovery every time. A car that never gets stolen doesn't need to be found.
The Bottom Line
GPS trackers provide a false sense of security. You'll know where your car is as it's being stripped—but that doesn't get your car back. IGLA ensures thieves never get it running in the first place. For high-value vehicles, prevention is the only strategy that makes sense.
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