All-in-One AI Dashcam or Tracker Plus Camera? A Guide for PHV Fleets

New AI dashcams now do tracking too, which raises an obvious question: do you still need a separate tracker?

What’s changed

Until recently, most fleet dashcams relied on a separate tracker for location data. Teltonika’s older DualCam, for example, plugged into a Teltonika tracker. The tracker handled GPS and connectivity, and the camera handled video.

New devices like the Teltonika KeepCam, Hikvision G40 and Streamax AD Plus combine tracking, 4G, live video and AI in one unit. One install, one SIM, one device to manage. Our KeepCam and ProCam explainer covers what Teltonika’s new cameras can do.

For cost-conscious PHV and taxi operators, that’s tempting. But it isn’t the right answer for every vehicle.

How each setup works

All-in-one AI dashcam

One unit on the windscreen. It records video, runs AI alerts, reports GPS location and connects to your platform over 4G. Everything comes from one device.

Tracker plus camera

A hidden hardwired GPS tracker somewhere in the vehicle, plus a separate dashcam on the windscreen. Each does its own job. Some setups link them so camera alerts include tracker data.

The case for all-in-one

Cheaper to install. One device means one install job per vehicle. For a fleet of 50 cars, the saving in labour adds up fast.

One SIM, one data plan. Fewer contracts to manage and fewer things to renew.

Location and video in one place. Every alert comes with a map position and a clip, without stitching data from two devices.

Simpler for drivers. Less kit in the car, fewer things to break or unplug.

Simpler support. One device to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.

The case for a separate tracker

Security

A dashcam sits in plain view on the windscreen. A thief can rip it off in seconds, and with it goes your tracking. A hidden tracker keeps reporting location after the camera is gone.

For PHV fleets, this matters. Popular PHV models are high on thieves’ lists. We covered why in Toyota hybrid theft for taxi and PCO fleets. Our guide on where to put a tracker on a car explains why hidden placement matters.

Immobilisation

Hidden trackers paired with an immobiliser can stop a vehicle being driven away. Some all-in-one cameras, including the KeepCam, have an output that can drive an immobiliser relay. But the wiring is only as hidden as the camera. A thief who removes the camera may disrupt the immobiliser too.

For serious theft protection, see our ghost immobiliser guide and our comparison of a ghost immobiliser or dash cam.

Redundancy

If the camera fails, gets damaged in a crash or loses power, a separate tracker keeps working. Two devices means two chances of knowing where the vehicle is.

Jamming and blocking

Thieves increasingly use jammers. No single device is immune, but a separate tracker in a different spot makes life harder for them. See can a GPS tracker be blocked.

Easier upgrades

Camera tech moves fast. AI that’s new today will be standard in two years. With separate devices you can upgrade the camera without touching tracking, and vice versa.

Side-by-side

What we’d recommend

Low theft risk, cost-sensitive fleet

All-in-one works well. Older standard saloons and estates in lower-risk areas often fall here.

High-value or high-theft vehicles

Use both. Let the dashcam handle video and AI, and keep a hidden tracker with an immobiliser for recovery. Popular PHV hybrids, premium vehicles and rental cars often fall here. Use our theft cost calculator to see what a stolen vehicle really costs you.

Finance-backed or leased vehicles

Use both. Lenders and leasing companies usually want tracking that survives the camera being removed. See vehicle finance recovery tracking and our lenders page.

Rental fleets

Usually both. Rental cars change hands constantly and theft by deception is common. See our rental vehicle tracking guide.

What it means for cost

All-in-one usually wins on upfront cost. But a single theft wipes out years of savings. Before deciding, compare:

• Install cost per vehicle for each option
• Monthly data and platform fees
• Your theft rate over the last two years
• The average cost of a theft, including downtime and lost earnings

For many PHV operators, the extra tracker pays for itself the first time a vehicle is recovered.

Questions to ask your supplier

• If the camera is removed, what still reports location?
• Can the camera trigger an immobiliser, and where is that wiring?
• What happens to tracking if the camera loses power?
• Is it one platform for tracking and video, or two?
• Can I add a hidden tracker later without changing platforms?

That last question matters. Traknova works with Teltonika trackers and Teltonika dashcams, so you can mix both on one platform.

FAQ

Where should the hidden tracker go?

Somewhere a thief won’t find in a quick search, away from obvious spots like the OBD port. Professional installers vary placement across a fleet so one discovery doesn’t expose every vehicle.

What if a thief disconnects the battery?

Hardwired trackers usually have a backup battery, so they keep reporting for a while after power is cut. A dashcam with supercapacitor backup only stays on long enough to close recordings, not to keep tracking.

Is this different for EVs?

The principle is the same. See our post on EV fleet theft.

Can I start with all-in-one and add a tracker later?

Yes, if your platform supports both. Plan for it from the start.

Does an all-in-one camera count as a tracker for insurance?

Ask your insurer. Some require a hidden or approved tracker for certain vehicles.

Will drivers mind two devices?

Usually not. The tracker is hidden and the camera works the same either way.

Summary

All-in-one AI dashcams are a real step forward for cost and simplicity. But a camera on the windscreen isn’t a security device. For vehicles that thieves target, keep a hidden tracker in the mix.

Explore our GPS tracking and dash camera options, or see our taxi and PHV page.

Book a demo to see tracking and video working together →