With emerging technologies, your privacy has become very vulnerable. Anyone can track your every move by placing a small chip in your car, without you even knowing it. If you suspect being tracked by someone then you should probably invest in a GPS tracking detector.
There are many GPS tracking detectors on the market today. We have done the research so you don’t have to, and we have come to the conclusion that the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G is the best GPS tracking detector available on the market today. The runner up and a close contender for first place is Spy Matrix Law Grade.
Here is our table of the best GPS tracking detectors. Below we have also reviewed each of our top picks and outlined our research methodology in the buyer’s guide.
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Table of Contents
The Best GPS tracking detector – Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
Making it to the top of our list is the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G. This multi-functional detector comes with an exceptionally sleek design and provides all that it takes to be among the best. This multi-channel detector can locate any bugs that transmit sensitive information along with other devices like GPS trackers, hidden cameras, wiretaps, etc. Spy-Hawk Pro-10G can catch any frequency between 10 MHz and 10 GHz. This is a significant advantage as devices are now operating at higher frequencies than before.
This wide range of frequency operation puts the Spy-Hawk Pro-10G well above the competition. This device can comfortably detect the transmission of most signals which justifies its high price. The product includes the following parts and accessories:
- 9 V Battery
- Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
- Telephone Line Adapter
- Headset
- Instruction manual
PROS
- High frequency range
- Can detect modern surveillance devices
- Intuitive and easy to operate
- Portable
- Free technical support for the lifetime of the product
CONS
- Short battery life
User reviews
According to the verified reviews, the customers were very satisfied with the Spy-Hawk. However, some of the users faced problems regarding the battery life and sensitivity of the device. According to some of the customers, the battery life on this device did not last very long and needs a lot of improvement in this area.
Other customers faced problems with the high sensitivity of the device. To resolve this issue, one must move the car far away from any Wi-Fi network otherwise, the RF transmission from the Wi-Fi will override everything else. You also need to turn off your mobile devices when searching for GPS trackers or any other surveillance equipment.
Another problem that very few of the customers faced was the low durability of the device. According to some reviews, the device started malfunctioning after one year or a year and a half. Nevertheless, these cases were few and far between.
Runner-up – Spy Matrix Law Grade
Spy Matrix Law Grade is also a multi-functional bug detector just like our top pick. Both devices are very similar. For instance, both are able to detect signals between 10 MHz and 10 GHz. The Spy Matrix however has some additional hardware extensions to it.
The portability of this device is extraordinary and you can easily operate this device with just your one hand. The simple control pad allows the user to navigate through all the detection modes effortlessly. There is also a camera lens finder mounted on the top of the device which allows the user to locate any hidden camera with pinpoint accuracy.
The antenna on the Spy Matrix is adjustable and can be adjusted for better reception. This device comes with the following parts and accessories
- Spy Matrix Sweep
- Camera lens finder attachment
- 2x Straps
- Power adapter
- Telephone cable & Jack connector
- Earphones
- 9 V battery
- Basic instruction manual
PROS
- High frequency range and multi-functional
- Separate camera lens finder
- Durable
- Easy to navigate
CONS
- Overheating
User reviews
According to the reviews, the the Spy Matrix provided a great user experience. You just need to understand some basics and you’re good to go. The navigation panel on this device allows the user to operate the device with ease. The durability of this device is probably the best in the market.
Some users had an issue when detecting frequencies between 8 GHz to 10 GHz but other than that the device performed flawlessly. To avoid such issues, it is recommended to move away from any other form of RF signals and then try to detect higher frequencies.
Best Value – JMDHKK M8000
The JMDHKK M8000 anti-spy is a 4-in-1 sweeper that operates within the 1 MHz to 12 GHz frequency range. The device casing is made up of Duralumin which adds to the build quality of the device without compromising on the weight and portability of the device. The design is quite compact and light as compared to the other mid-range devices available in the market.
This device operates in the following four modes:
- RF signal detection mode
- Magnetic Field Detection
- Camera Detection
- AI Auto Scan
M8000 has a 10-Level LED Signal strength indicator. For alerts, the device supports 3 different methods i.e. Beeping Alert, Vibration Alert, and Light Alert. The battery life on this device is remarkable. On average it gives around 8 to 10 hours of battery on each charge.
The device comes with the following hardware and accessories
- Detector
- RF Antenna
- Magnetic Probe
- Camera Lens Finder
- A USB charger and cable
- User Manual
Finally, here is a list of pros and cons of the JMDHKK M8000
PROS
- Four modes of operation
- Portable
- Multiple alert modes
- Good Battery life
CONS
- Difficult to operate
User reviews
The customers had a very great experience with the device. According to some reviews, you need a bit of knowledge to understand the directions. The device was not easy to operate for beginners and you will have to go through the instruction manual multiple times. Some users faced problems when using the magnet mode on the device. Other than that, the device performed exceptionally well and the users were very amazed by the battery life on this device.
Budget Pick – JMDHKK Anti-Spy
On the lower end of the budget, JMDHKK Anti-spy is the best device you can find. This is the upgraded version of the previous G318 with a more powerful built-in battery. The build quality on this device is not so great but at this price point, it is acceptable. This device can locate any transmission source within 35 to 40 feet of range.
This device is very portable and comes along with the following things
- Detector
- Antenna
- Charger
- User manual
PROS
- Price
- Portability
- Battery Life
CONS
- Build Quality
- Less reliable
User reviews
According to the reviews, JMDHKK Anti-spy performed well for the price. But the durability of this device was not so great. The users were very impressed by the portability and the battery life of this device. For the most part, this device is recommended for people that travel very often or don’t want to make a large investment in a GPS detector.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do GPS tracker detectors work?
Yes they do work. However, some work better than others. A GPS tracking detector relies on the GPS tracker to emit wireless signals. If there are other wireless signals around, it will confuse the detector. Therefore it’s best to scan a vehicle for GPS trackers in a place where there are no other strong signals that could otherwise trigger the detector.
How does a GPS tracker detector work?
GPS trackers determine their own location using GPS satellites. They then transmit their location periodically or continuously using a cellular or another wireless link. The GPS tracker detector is able to detect these signal transmissions. Sometimes a GPS tracker only logs position over time and stores it in internal memory. A GPS tracking detector will not be able to detect trackers that don’t transmit any information.
How do you find a hidden GPS tracker?
Below is a video that walks you through various types of GPS trackers, what they look like and some of the nuances of GPS trackers. For instance a GPS tracker might not transmit a signal so it’s difficult to detect one with the devices in this post. In such situations you have to rely primarily on a visual inspection of your car.
As well, many GPS trackers will only start emitting signals once the car moves faster than 11 miles/hour. So you have to drive while leaving the bug detector turned on in the passenger seat.
How we Picked the Best GPS Tracking Detector
There are multiple things that one must consider before buying a GPS tracker detector. Let’s have a look at some key features that one must consider before buying one of these devices.
Battery Life
The battery life is one of the major aspects to consider when buying one of these devices. You don’t want to end up with a device that drains itself within a few hours. Ideally, you must look for a device that has a battery life of at least 6 to 8 hours when operated continuously.
Frequency Range
Pick a detector with a wide range of frequencies. The wider the frequency range the more devices it can detect. Generally, the GPS trackers operate over cellular networks. Some modern surveillance devices operate at a higher frequencies so it is always better to get the one with the largest frequency range.
Durability
Another key feature of detectors is durability. Most of the time you have to carry these devices with you in the bags or the pockets. Therefore, it is always recommended to buy the one with the best-built quality and so that it doesn’t break off easily.
Easy to operate
Some of these bug detectors are very sophisticated and hard to operate. Most of the time it is not worth learning difficult hardware just to detect some GPS trackers. So always look for an option that is more straightforward to use and is easy to set up.
Cost
The cost of these devices can vary from a couple of dollars to thousands of dollars. Every device has its pros and cons but if you’re someone that is only using the device for detecting the GPS trackers then going for an expensive device is not the best option. Unless you’re working for some intelligence agency, stick between the price range of 30 to 500 USD. Anything above that is probably not for you.
The Future of GPS Tracking Detectors
There’s growing interest in SBCs for a variety of applications. In general there is a trend toward smaller size and more intensive processing of larger amounts of data. All this at lower price points to allow SBCs to be included in more products.
Summary
Single board computers or SBCs are the modern do-it-all. They are available with different features and suit beginners and advanced users. Based on detailed research and analysis here are our top picks:
- The Best GPS Tracking Detector: Spy-Hawk Pro-10G
- Runner-up: Spy Matrix Law Grade
- Best Value: JMDHKK M8000
- Budget Pick: JMDHKK Anti-spy
