A high-level guide to the protocol families you will meet most often when running a GPS platform.
// Teltonika (Codec 8, 8E, 16 and 12)
Teltonika is a Lithuanian manufacturer widely used in commercial fleets. Its devices use binary protocols: Codec 8 and 8 Extended for data and I/O, Codec 16 for events and Codec 12 for sending commands to the device.
// Queclink
Queclink makes trackers for vehicles (GV series) and for assets and people (GL series). Its protocol is text-based, with messages starting with +RESP:GT, which makes debugging easier.
// GT06 and compatible devices
GT06 is a compact binary protocol popularized by Concox (now Jimi IoT) and used by many low-cost trackers. There are many compatible devices of varying quality, so validate each model.
// JT/T 808 and JT/T 1078
Chinese standards for vehicle terminals. JT/T 808 covers position and events; JT/T 1078 adds live video, common in cameras and MDVRs.
// How to choose for your operation
For demanding commercial fleets, Teltonika is a common choice. For volume on a tight budget, GT06 devices. For assets and people, battery trackers such as Queclink's GL series. For video, JT/T 1078 devices. Check the TrackeraX catalog to confirm each model.