Real-World Test: Peplink InControl2 GPS Fleet Tracking with BR1 Mini Uses Less Than 3MB a Day

Chicago to Denver Test Drive with a BR1 Mini Cat 7

Fleet and vehicle tracking is one of the most valuable applications for Peplink’s InControl2 (IC2) cloud-based management system. Whether you operate a delivery fleet, manage service vehicles, or want to keep tabs on personal or corporate cars, IC2 offers a powerful and low-cost way to track vehicle movement in real-time — all without needing an expensive dedicated GPS tracking service.

We recently performed a real-world test of IC2 vehicle tracking by taking a Peplink BR1 Mini Cat 7 router on a road trip from Chicago to Denver. The router was powered in the back of an EV, running solely to report GPS location and provide insight into accuracy and data usage during extended tracking.

Here’s what we learned — and why Peplink IC2 is an excellent solution for fleet and vehicle tracking.

Why Consider InControl2 for Fleet & Vehicle Tracking?

Peplink’s InControl2 is best known as a cloud-based remote management system for Peplink routers. But it also includes a highly accurate GPS tracking feature that works with any Peplink router that supports GPS — including the BR1 series, MAX Transit series, and more.

Key Benefits of Using IC2 for Tracking:

• Real-Time GPS Tracking — Monitor vehicle location live or review trip history on an interactive map.
• Historical Route Playback — See where your vehicle has been over time.
• Low Data Usage — GPS tracking is extremely bandwidth-efficient.
• No Extra Subscription Fees — Tracking is included with your device’s IC2 subscription (included in PrimeCare or purchased separately).
• Fleet-Wide Monitoring — Easily track a single vehicle or a large fleet from the same IC2 dashboard.

For many businesses, this means no need for a separate GPS tracker or monthly fee — just use the Peplink hardware you already have deployed.

The Test: 17 Hours of Driving, One Peplink BR1 Mini Cat 7

On June 6, 2025, we decided to run a test to validate just how well IC2 performs in a real-world tracking scenario — and how much data it would actually use.

We placed a Peplink BR1 Mini Cat 7 in the back of our car, powered it via USB, and simply let it run during a 17-hour road trip from Chicago to Denver (with a few extra hours included due to EV charging stops).

The unit was not connected to any devices for Wi-Fi use — it was running purely for GPS tracking via IC2.

Goals:

✅ Evaluate GPS tracking accuracy over a multi-state drive
✅ Measure cellular data usage consumed by IC2 GPS reporting
✅ Confirm the usefulness of IC2 for fleet tracking applications

The Results

GPS Accuracy: 100% Reliable

After completing the 17-hour drive, we reviewed the route data in InControl2.

• The GPS map was 100% accurate — it traced the full route from Chicago through Iowa, Nebraska, and into Colorado with perfect detail.
• Charging stops, overnight pauses, and driving segments were all clearly visible.
• Route playback was smooth and precise, with no missing data or GPS drift.

For businesses managing fleets or service vehicles, this level of accuracy makes IC2 tracking highly trustworthy — you can confidently monitor routes, driver behavior, and delivery timelines.

Data Usage: Amazingly Low

One of the big questions we wanted to answer: how much data does IC2 tracking use?

Here’s the actual number:
2.99 MB of data used over 17 hours of constant GPS tracking.

That’s it — under 3 megabytes for an entire day of tracking across four states!

If you extrapolate that to a typical 30-day month of daily driving, you’d be looking at approximately 90MB per month.

This is an important finding because it means that even if you are running IC2 tracking on a limited or metered data plan, the impact is negligible.

• No need for expensive unlimited plans
• No risk of exceeding data caps
• Works great even on LTE-only networks where 5G isn’t available

Why This Matters for Fleet Tracking

For companies and individuals thinking about adding tracking to their vehicles, IC2 offers a number of clear advantages compared to traditional GPS tracking systems:

If you already use Peplink routers for mobile or vehicle-based networking (think public safety, transit, trucking, delivery services, utility vehicles, construction equipment), using IC2 for GPS tracking is a no-brainer.

Ideal Hardware for IC2 Tracking

We used a BR1 Mini Cat 7, but there are many Peplink models that support GPS and IC2 tracking:

• MAX BR1 Mini (Cat 4, Cat 7, Cat 12, 5G)
• MAX Transit Duo / Transit Pro
• MAX BR1 Pro 5G
• MAX HD4 MBX / HD1 Dome
• Balance 20X with FlexModule GPS Antenna

If your Peplink router supports GPS passthrough or has a GPS antenna port, you can take advantage of IC2 tracking.

Real-World Use Cases

Here are some ways customers are already using Peplink + IC2 for tracking:

• Public Safety Fleets: Police, fire, EMS vehicles tracked across jurisdiction boundaries.
• Service Vehicles: HVAC, utility, plumbing, and repair fleets.
• Delivery & Logistics: Monitor routes, delivery times, and optimize paths.
• Rental Fleets: Keep tabs on rental cars, trucks, or trailers.
• School & Transit Buses: Real-time tracking for parent and dispatcher visibility.
• Personal Use: Keep track of personal or family vehicles, RVs, or boats.

Final Thoughts: A Simple, Powerful Tracking Solution

Our Chicago-to-Denver test reinforced why Peplink InControl2 is such a powerful tool for vehicle tracking:

✅ Accuracy: The IC2 map was perfect.
✅ Data Usage: Just 2.99MB for a full day of tracking.
✅ Ease of Use: Simply plug in your Peplink router and activate GPS tracking in IC2.

If you already use Peplink gear or are thinking about deploying routers in your fleet, you don’t need to pay for a separate GPS service — IC2 delivers everything you need.

At 5Gstore, we can help you select the right Peplink router, GPS antenna, and IC2 subscription to match your tracking needs. We also offer expert tech support to help you set it all up and get the most value out of your investment.

If you’re curious about how to deploy this in your fleet or want to test it like we did — reach out to us today!

👉 Shop Peplink Routers at 5Gstore.com
👉 Learn More About InControl2 (external link to Peplink)