AutoFon - Альфа-Маяк

The AvtoFon Alfa Beacon (АвтоФон Альфа‑Маяк) is a matchbox‑sized GPS/GLONASS tracker built for long‑term autonomous operation and discreet installation. Plaspy‑compatible out of the box, the Alfa Beacon reports precise location via GSM using SMS and GPRS, making it an ideal GPS tracker for real‑time tracking, anti‑theft recovery, and lightweight fleet management where compact form factor and battery life matter.

Designed on the v.7 hardware platform with a GLOBALTOP MTK3333 navigation chipset and SIM800H GSM modem, this compact device focuses on dependable positioning and low maintenance. With up to three years of autonomy on its internal 1100 mAh specialized battery pack (typical one daily GPRS/LBS check‑in), the Alfa Beacon offers reliable telemetry delivery to Plaspy or any compatible monitoring server using standard SMS/GPRS channels.

Key Highlights

• Ultra‑compact form (59 × 38 × 20 mm) for covert installation in vehicles, bikes, boats, and portable assets.
• Extremely long battery life — up to 3 years under typical settings — reducing maintenance and recharge cycles.
• Dual GNSS positioning (GLONASS + GPS) for accurate location fixes in mixed environments.
• Built‑in M2M SIM with lifetime preloaded credit (factory provisioned for roughly 3,000 connections within Russia), simplifying deployment and connectivity management.
• SOS micro‑button for manual alerts and an integrated microphone for remote audio monitoring in full‑access mode.
• Flexible reporting by SMS link‑to‑map and GPRS to a monitoring server; factory‑configured for automatic operation with minimal setup.
• Black‑box buffering for unsent GPRS packets (6 packets) and retry logic to preserve critical alerts when connectivity is intermittent.

How It Works with Plaspy

The Alfa Beacon sends position and status messages over GSM using SMS and GPRS. As a Plaspy compatible GPS tracker, it can deliver location updates and event notifications to Plaspy’s monitoring server or to a user’s mobile via mapped SMS links. Integration relies on the device's standard reporting formats and GPRS/SMS channels, so Plaspy can ingest the core location and status data without additional hardware.

• Real‑time location updates: periodic GPRS reports and on‑demand SMS location (link‑to‑map) enable near real‑time tracking when configured for frequent check‑ins.
• Primary GNSS positioning (GLONASS + GPS) with GSM cell (LBS) fallback when satellite fixes are unavailable.
• Battery and device health telemetry sent via GPRS or SMS for remote monitoring of autonomy and maintenance needs.
• SOS panic alerts generated by the built‑in micro button and relayed via SMS/GPRS to Plaspy for immediate notification.
• Remote audio monitoring: integrated microphone can be enabled in full‑access mode to provide on‑demand audio telemetry when required (subject to local law and device configuration).
• Buffered message handling: device stores unsent packets (black box) and retries delivery so Plaspy receives missed events after reconnection.
• Remote configuration and firmware updates over GPRS allow Plaspy administrators to manage reporting intervals and device firmware without physical access.
• Note: The Alfa Beacon does not include accelerometer/tilt, ignition inputs, immobilizer control, fuel monitoring, or Bluetooth sensors — Plaspy can still accept position and status data, but telemetry types such as ignition or fuel need a different device or additional sensors.

Technical Overview

Use Cases

• Anti‑theft protection and recovery for cars, motorcycles, scooters, and boats — covert installation with long battery life reduces detection risk.
• Monitoring of service vehicles and small fleets where periodic real‑time tracking and low maintenance are priorities.
• Personal safety tracking for children, elderly family members, or patients requiring discreet location reporting and SOS alerts.
• Asset and cargo protection for containers, trailers, and portable equipment that need long autonomous operation and remote position reporting.
• Pet and livestock tracking for locations where satellite and GSM coverage allow periodic updates; suitable for simple location monitoring rather than sensor‑rich telemetry.

Why Choose This Tracker with Plaspy

Pairing the AvtoFon Alfa Beacon with Plaspy gives you a compact, low‑maintenance GPS tracker that excels where long battery autonomy and covert installation are required. Its GLONASS+GPS positioning, preloaded M2M SIM with lifetime credit, and support for GPRS and SMS reporting mean quick deployment and straightforward Plaspy integration for real‑time tracking and alerting. While the device does not provide ignition inputs, immobilizer control, fuel monitoring, or Bluetooth sensors, it delivers dependable location telemetry, SOS alerts, buffered message delivery, and remote firmware updates — all key ingredients for reliable anti‑theft response and basic fleet management scenarios.

For operators who need rich telemetry such as fuel level, ignition state, or external sensors, consider complementing this Plaspy compatible GPS tracker with specialized sensor solutions or choosing platforms that aggregate Alfa Beacon location data alongside sensor feeds in Plaspy. The Alfa Beacon remains a strong choice when compact size, long autonomy, and simplicity of deployment are the top priorities.