The VL501 is a plug-and-play LTE GPS tracker built for quick installation and reliable fleet monitoring. Designed as a Plaspy compatible device, the VL501 delivers precise location and rich telematics over modern cellular networks and Bluetooth. Its removable cigarette-lighter power design, compact form factor, and comprehensive alert set make it an ideal choice for fleet managers, rental operators, and last-mile delivery services who need fast deployment and continuous real-time tracking.
The VL501 combines multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, AGPS, QZSS) with LTE connectivity and Bluetooth to deliver sub-2.5 m CEP positioning in open sky. Onboard motion sensors, a built-in microphone (North America only), LED indicators and an in-cabin SOS/panic button enable anti-theft and safety workflows. With OTA firmware updates and 64 Mb buffering for intermittent connectivity, the VL501 integrates cleanly with Plaspy to provide telemetry, event alerts, and fleet-level reporting without complex wiring.
Key Highlights
- Plug-and-play installation via cigarette-lighter connector (9–36 VDC) — deploy trackers quickly without hardwiring.
- Plaspy compatible for real-time tracking and fleet management dashboards over LTE and Bluetooth.
- High-accuracy GNSS: reported <2.5 m CEP in open sky, multi-constellation support for reliable positioning.
- Comprehensive telematics and anti-theft alerts: collision/vibration, unplug/installation, low external power, geo-fence and driver behavior events.
- Small backup battery (50 mAh) and 64 Mb local memory to buffer location and events during connectivity gaps.
- Fast charging for external devices via USB-A and USB-C and OTA firmware updates for easier field maintenance.
- Bluetooth support for external sensors and beacons to extend telemetry without additional cabling.
How It Works with Plaspy
When paired with Plaspy, the VL501 streams GNSS position and on-device sensor telemetry over LTE to the Plaspy platform for real-time tracking, alerting and historical reporting. The device buffers data locally (64 Mb) during connectivity interruptions and uploads stored events when the cellular link returns. Bluetooth-attached sensors and onboard motion detectors feed event-driven messages into Plaspy so fleet managers see actionable telemetry, alerts and live maps in one place.
- Real-time location and telemetry updates delivered to Plaspy for live monitoring and route replay.
- Collision, vibration and driving-behavior alerts (speeding, fatigue driving) forwarded to Plaspy for immediate notification and reporting.
- Unplug/installation and low external power warnings that help with anti-theft workflows and device health monitoring.
- Geo-fence notifications and SOS/panic events integrated into Plaspy incident workflows and dispatch rules.
- Bluetooth sensors data (temperature, movement, beacons) relayed to Plaspy where supported to enrich telemetry.
- Buffered storage and OTA firmware updates enable resilient field operation and simplified maintenance via Plaspy device management.
Technical Overview
| Connectivity | Multi-constellation GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, AGPS, QZSS), LTE cellular (regional variants), Bluetooth |
|---|---|
| Bands / Variants | VL501-N: LTE-FDD (Cat 1) — B2/B4/B5/B12/B13. VL501-J: LTE Cat M1 / NB2 — B1/B3/B8/B18/B19/B26 (variant-dependent). |
| Power & Battery | Powered via cigarette-lighter connector (9–36 VDC). Internal 50 mAh backup battery for short-term power loss protection. USB-A and USB-C ports for fast charging external devices. |
| Memory | 64 Mb local buffer to store location and event data during connectivity loss. |
| Interfaces & Sensors | Cigarette-lighter power connector, USB-A and USB-C, LED indicators, in-cabin SOS/panic button, accelerometer & gyroscope, built-in microphone (North America only). |
| GNSS Performance | Position accuracy <2.5 m CEP (open sky). Tracking sensitivity -165 dBm. Acquisition sensitivity: -148 dBm (cold) / -157 dBm (hot). TTFF ≤1 s (hot), ≤32 s (cold) in open sky. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth LE for sensors and beacons (supports external BLE telemetry). |
| Remote Management | OTA firmware updates (FOTA) for field maintenance and firmware distribution. |
| Form Factor & Environment | Dimensions 70.0 × 52.0 × 82.5 mm, weight 60 g. Operating range -20°C to +70°C; 5–95% non-condensing humidity. |
Use Cases
- Courier and last-mile delivery fleets that require fast deployment, real-time tracking and driver behavior alerts.
- Car rental and leasing operations that prefer removable, non-wired trackers for temporary monitoring and anti-theft recovery.
- Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) pilots where driving behavior telemetry and accurate GPS position are essential for risk scoring.
- Temporary or seasonal fleets and contractors that need plug-and-play installation without vehicle wiring, plus buffer storage for intermittent coverage.
- General fleet management and asset protection where geo-fencing, unplug alerts and SOS events improve safety and reduce loss.
Why Choose This Tracker with Plaspy
The VL501 delivers a practical balance of accuracy, speed of deployment and telematics capability for organizations using Plaspy. Its plug-and-play cigarette lighter power and compact form factor reduce installation time and allow rapid redeployment across vehicles. Built-in motion sensors, collision and vibration alerts, unplug detection, SOS and optional remote listen-in provide a strong anti-theft and safety layer that Plaspy can act on in real time. With Bluetooth sensor support, 64 Mb buffering, and FOTA updates, the VL501 supports resilient telemetry and scalable fleet management.
Combined with Plaspy’s dashboards and reporting, the VL501 offers fleet managers reliable real-time tracking and telemetry while enabling integration with broader vehicle systems. Where ignition, immobilizer states or fuel monitoring are available from a vehicle or additional sensors, Plaspy can correlate those inputs with VL501 location and sensor data to give a complete picture of vehicle health and usage. For teams that prioritize quick installation, dependable positioning and streamlined device management, the VL501 is a Plaspy compatible GPS tracker that reduces rollout friction and improves operational visibility.
Set Up VL501
To set the tracker send the following commands by SMS messages
- Reset factory settings
FACTORY# - Set the time zone UTC-0
GMT,E,0# - Set the operator APN
APN,{{apn}},{{apnu}},{{apnp}}# - Set the GPRS server
SERVER,1,d.plaspy.com,8888,0#
or
XqOaER9RDHTgzEFYe0klrFwgxzplYe - Set the update interval every 60 seconds
TIMER,60#
or
qMxPUdLOFWRY - Enable GPRS mode
GPRSON,1#
To check parameter settings GPRSSET#