The first question everyone asks before buying a GPS: what does it really cost? Not just the device, but everything included: installation, SIM card, monthly subscription. Here is the complete breakdown, line by line, with no hidden fees.
GPS Installation Cost: Line-by-Line Breakdown
A car GPS involves three separate expenses. Many sellers only display one of them. Here is the full picture:
1. The GPS Device: 25,000 FCFA
This is the hardware installed in your vehicle. At Traxelio, the device is a certified professional unit, weatherproof, with a built-in GPS antenna and 4G connectivity. It is designed to stay permanently connected to the vehicle's power supply.
2. Technician Installation: 15,000 FCFA
Installation takes about 30 minutes. A certified technician travels to your location (home, office, or our Dakar premises), connects the device to the vehicle's electrical system, configures the kill switch, and verifies the GPS signal before leaving.
3. Monthly Subscription: from 6,000 FCFA/month
This is the recurring cost that covers connectivity (SIM card and mobile data), the tracking platform, and support. There is no binding contract: you can stop or change plans at any time.
Cost Summary at Installation
| Item | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Professional GPS device | 25,000 FCFA | One-time |
| Installation by certified technician | 15,000 FCFA | One-time |
| Total at installation | 40,000 FCFA | |
| Premium subscription (recommended) | 10,000 FCFA/month · 100,000 FCFA/year (2 months free) | Monthly or annual |
| Basic subscription | 6,000 FCFA/month | Monthly |
Total Cost for the First Year
The number that really matters is your 12-month budget: device + installation + 12 months of subscription.
With the Annual Premium Plan (Recommended)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Device + installation | 40,000 FCFA |
| Annual Premium subscription (2 months free) | 100,000 FCFA |
| Total year 1 | 140,000 FCFA |
Vs 160,000 FCFA if you choose monthly billing (10,000 x 12). The annual plan saves you 20,000 FCFA from year one.
With the Basic Plan (6,000 FCFA/month)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Device + installation | 40,000 FCFA |
| Subscription x 12 months | 72,000 FCFA |
| Total year 1 | 112,000 FCFA |
Broken down per day, the annual Premium plan works out to roughly 384 FCFA/day in year one, then 274 FCFA/day from year two onwards. For comparison, a stolen car in Dakar typically means 3 to 8 million FCFA gone with no recourse if you have no tracker.
To understand how no-subscription trackers work, see our technical guide.
What Is Included in the Installation Fee
When you pay the 15,000 FCFA installation fee, here is what you actually get:
- Technician travel to your address (across all of Dakar and surrounding suburbs)
- Vehicle diagnostic to find the optimal device placement
- Secure electrical connection to the vehicle circuit
- Kill switch configuration for remote engine cutoff
- SIM card included in the device, activated and configured (no extra charges)
- Dashboard activation on your Traxelio account
- App training: the technician shows you how to track your vehicle live, set up alerts, and use the kill switch from your phone
No travel fees, no activation fees, no setup fees.
Professional Installation vs. Self-Installation
Some trackers sold online (Jumia, AliExpress) are marketed as "easy to self-install." Here is why that is usually not a good idea.
The Risks of DIY Installation
- Short circuit: a bad connection to the electrical circuit can damage the vehicle's systems
- Voided warranty: some manufacturers cancel the warranty for unauthorized work on the electrical circuit
- Degraded GPS signal: a poorly positioned device picks up fewer satellites and returns an inaccurate or delayed position
- Kill switch misconfigured: if the relay is not properly set, the engine cutoff may trigger at the wrong moment or fail to work entirely
What the 15,000 FCFA Installation Fee Covers
A technician knows the optimal connection points on common Dakar vehicle models (Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 206/207, Renault Logan, Hyundai Accent, etc.). He knows where to place the device to avoid interference with other electronic systems, and he configures the kill switch with the required safety precautions (it must never activate while the vehicle is in motion).
Professional installation also comes with a guarantee: if something does not work correctly after the installation, we come back at no charge.
Are There Any Hidden Fees?
Direct answer: no, at Traxelio.
Here is what you will not pay:
- Activation fees: zero. Setup is included in the 15,000 FCFA installation.
- SIM card fees: the SIM is included in the device. Mobile data is covered by the monthly subscription.
- Platform fees: access to the dashboard, app, and reports is included in the subscription, with no extras.
- Binding contract: no long-term commitment. You pay month to month.
- Support fees: phone and WhatsApp assistance is included.
What Other Providers May Charge
It is worth checking these points before signing with any provider:
- Some charge annual "platform license renewal" fees
- Others bill the SIM card and data plan separately
- Some include a 12 or 24-month contract with early termination penalties
- Technical support may be charged per ticket in some cases
Always ask: what is the total cost over 12 months, SIM card and mobile data included?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does installation damage my vehicle? No. Installation is non-invasive: the device connects to the vehicle's electrical circuit without permanent modification. If you decide to remove it, the vehicle returns to its original state in minutes.
Can I install the GPS myself? Technically yes, if you have automotive electrical skills. But you lose the installation guarantee, kill switch configuration, and app training. For 15,000 FCFA, professional installation remains the better option.
What happens if I change vehicles? The device can be transferred to another vehicle. A reinstallation fee of 15,000 FCFA applies to cover the technician visit and new configuration.
Is the subscription mandatory after purchase? Yes. Without an active subscription, the device stops transmitting data: no position, no alerts, no kill switch. The subscription covers network connectivity and platform access.
Can I equip multiple vehicles? Yes. Each vehicle has its own subscription, but all are visible from the same dashboard. Preferential rates apply from 5 vehicles onwards.
Get Started
For 40,000 FCFA (device + installation) and 100,000 FCFA/year (annual Premium plan, 2 months free), your vehicle is equipped with a complete tracking system including live location, remote engine cutoff, trip history, and configurable alerts.