When a GPS tracker on a valuable asset suddenly stops working, it’s a costly problem. Deliveries are delayed, equipment is unaccounted for, and you’re left with a critical gap in your data. The cause is often simple: the device couldn’t handle the conditions. Water from rain or pressure washing, along with fine dust, will quickly damage any tracker that isn’t properly sealed.

To prevent this, it’s essential to select a durable, waterproof GPS tracker from the start. But how can you be sure a device is truly built for the job? The answer is found in its IP rating. Understanding this simple code is the key to choosing hardware that you can rely on.

Decoding Ingress Protection (IP)

The term “IP” stands for Ingress Protection, and it’s a straightforward system used to classify how well an electrical enclosure protects its internal components. The two digits following “IP” provide a clear and specific grading of its resistance to solids and liquids.

The First Digit: Defense Against Dust and Solids

This number, on a scale of 0 to 6, indicates the level of protection against solid objects. While lower numbers protect against things like fingers or tools, for professional-grade electronics, the only number that matters is 6.

• IP6x: A rating of 6 means the device is completely dust-tight. This isn’t just a minor feature; it’s critical for longevity. Fine particles of dust and dirt found on construction sites, farms, and unpaved roads are abrasive and conductive. Over time, they can wear down components, cause short circuits, and lead to premature device failure. A dust-tight seal ensures the internal electronics remain pristine and fully functional.

The Second Digit: Resistance to Water and Liquids

This digit is the true measure of how “waterproof” a device is, and the scale (0-8) represents vastly different capabilities.

• IPx4 – IPx5: These ratings offer protection against splashing water (IPx4) and low-pressure water jets (IPx5). This is sufficient for devices in semi-protected environments, but they are not designed to handle heavy rain or cleaning.
• IPx6: This rating adds protection against powerful water jets. The device can handle heavy seas or intense pressure washing without issue.
• IPx7: This is a significant benchmark for durability. A device with an IPx7 rating can be fully submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. This level of protection provides robust defense against severe weather, accidental drops into water, and the daily rigors of keeping a commercial fleet clean.
• IPx8: This rating is for devices that need to survive continuous submersion in water deeper than 1 meter. It’s typically reserved for specialized applications, like marine equipment.

Which IP Rating Does Your Fleet Actually Need?

Choosing the right rating is about matching the device’s capabilities to its environment. Over-investing isn’t necessary, but underestimating your needs can lead to costly failures.

• IP65: The Minimum for Professional Reliability

An IP65-rated device is fully protected from dust and can withstand water jets, making it a viable option for trackers installed inside a vehicle’s cabin or within a protected enclosure. It can handle accidental spills or light cleaning but is not suited for exposed, external mounting.

• IP67: The Industry Standard for Outdoor Assets

For the vast majority of commercial fleets and assets, IP67 is the ideal standard. It offers complete protection from dust and is fully waterproof against submersion, providing the perfect balance of performance and cost. An IP67 GPS tracker is the correct choice for any externally mounted device on assets like semi-trailers, shipping containers, construction machinery, rental equipment, and motorcycles. It provides assurance that the hardware will function flawlessly through storms and wash-downs.

• IP68: For Continuous Submersion

This level of protection is essential for assets that are consistently submerged in water. It is the go-to rating for marine applications like boats, jet skis, and buoys, or for equipment used in environments with frequent flooding.

The Business Case for High-Quality, Rugged Trackers

Choosing a device with a superior IP rating strengthens operational resilience and positively impacts your bottom line.

1. Lowering the Total Cost of Ownership

A durable tracker lasts longer and fails less often. This drastically reduces the hidden costs associated with hardware failure: the expense of replacement units, the labor costs of technicians driving to sites to swap devices, and the administrative time spent processing returns.

2. Guaranteeing Data Integrity

Your business runs on data. When a tracker fails due to water ingress, your data stream is severed. This creates gaps in your analytics, compromises location history, and undermines the reliability of your entire telematics platform. A waterproof GPS tracker ensures consistent, uninterrupted data flow.

3. Providing Greater Installation Flexibility

Optimal placement is key to tracker performance. A high IP rating allows a device to be mounted externally in a location with a clear view of the sky, maximizing GPS and cellular signal strength. This is often impossible with lower-rated devices, which must be hidden inside, compromising their performance.

Engineered for the Real World: Jimi IoT Solutions

We build our hardware to meet the demands of real-world commercial use. That’s why our leading trackers are IP67-rated, ensuring they deliver on their promise of reliability.

• LL303PRO LTE Solar Powered GNSS Tracker: As a premier rugged asset tracker, the LL303PRO is designed for long-term deployments on assets that operate in the toughest conditions. Its IP67 rating ensures it is impervious to weather, while its solar panel and large battery make it a self-sustaining solution for trailers, containers, and heavy equipment that may be off-grid for months.
• VL808 LTE Vehicle GNSS Terminal: The VL808 provides the same IP67-rated durability for your core vehicle fleet. Its robust housing and wide voltage range make it a versatile workhorse for any vehicle, from motorcycles exposed to the elements to long-haul trucks that are washed frequently.

Your IP Rating Questions, Answered

• What is the real difference between “water-resistant” and “waterproof”?

“Water-resistant” is a subjective marketing term without a unified standard. “Waterproof,” when defined by a certified rating like IP67, is an objective, test-proven measure of a device’s ability to protect itself from liquid ingress. Always look for the specific IP code.

• Is it safe to pressure wash a vehicle with an IP67 tracker?

Yes. The IP67 test for submersion is, in many ways, more demanding than a typical pressure wash. These devices are designed to handle the cleaning and maintenance routines of a commercial fleet. However, as a best practice, avoid spraying any electronic device directly with a high-pressure nozzle at extremely close range.

• Is a higher IP rating always more expensive?

While a device with a higher IP rating may have a slightly higher initial cost due to superior engineering and materials, it is almost always cheaper in the long run. The cost of a single device failure—in lost assets, operational downtime, and replacement labor—far outweighs the small premium for truly rugged and reliable hardware.

Make the Reliable Choice

Your business doesn’t stop for bad weather, and your trackers shouldn’t either. The IP rating is a clear guide to a device’s durability and a predictor of its long-term reliability. By choosing a tracker with a rating appropriate for your operating environment, you are making a smart investment in your operational continuity.

Your fleet works in all conditions. Your trackers should too. Contact a Jimi IoT expert today to find the perfect waterproof GPS tracker for your business needs.