The Eelink GPT48-X is a next-generation magnetic GPS tracker engineered for long-term asset and logistics monitoring. Operating on low-power LTE Cat-M1 and NB-IoT networks, it offers an industry-leading standby battery life of up to five years and can be covertly attached to vehicles, containers or trailers thanks to strong built-in magnets. Multi-constellation GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou) delivers accurate positioning even in challenging environments, while cellular network fallback ensures continuous tracking if satellites are unavailable. In this research report we explore the GPT48-X architecture, hardware specifications, network and power-management technologies and highlight the core advantages that make it a compelling choice for fleet managers, logistics coordinators and IoT solution architects.
Product Overview
The GPT48-X builds on Eelink’s earlier GPT48 device with a compact, rugged enclosure that measures roughly 101 × 60 × 25.5 mm and weighs about 130 g. It is completely wire-free and uses powerful magnets to mount on metal surfaces, eliminating the need for external power. Its primary purpose is to provide multi-year visibility and security for assets that may be stored or in transit for long periods.
Key Features
- Ultra-long battery life – A non-rechargeable 8000 mAh lithium battery powers the tracker for around five years in standby mode, with zero self-discharge and no need for charging.
- Low-power cellular IoT networks – Support for LTE Cat-M1 and NB-IoT networks provides global coverage with minimal power consumption, making the GPT48-X ideal for IoT deployments.
- Multi-GNSS positioning – GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou receivers provide accurate location fixes down to 2–5 m in open sky, with LBS (cell tower) fallback offering ~100‑200 m accuracy when GNSS signals are weak.
- Dual operating modes – A power-saving standby mode performs periodic location check-ins (e.g., every 24 hours), while an emergency mode delivers continuous or frequent updates when activated remotely or triggered by alarms.
- Motion and tamper sensors – A 3D accelerometer wakes the device on movement and can trigger vibration, shock and drop alarms. A light-based drop sensor detects removal from a dark surface to deter tampering.
- Rugged & weather-resistant – The IP65-rated ABS+PC enclosure protects against dust and water jets and can operate from –20 °C to +65 °
- Technical Architecture & Power Management
Inside the GPT48-X is a tightly integrated IoT architecture optimised for ultra-low power. A cellular IoT modem (with a built-in microcontroller) communicates over LTE-M and NB-IoT networks and runs the tracking firmware. A dedicated multi-GNSS receiver and patch antenna capture satellite signals, while integrated LTE and GNSS antennas keep the device fully sealed. The high-capacity primary battery powers all components, with a power-management circuit placing the modem and GNSS receiver into deep sleep between check-ins.
Firmware logic revolves around two modes:
- Standby mode – The tracker stays in deep sleep, waking only on a timer (e.g., once per day) to obtain a position fix and transmit it. Movement detected by the accelerometer can also wake the device for an unscheduled check-in.
- Emergency mode – Activated via remote SMS command or automatically on certain alarms, this mode keeps the GNSS and modem awake to send continuous or frequent location updates for a defined period, enhancing real-time tracking during theft or emergencies.
OTA firmware updates via the Eelink protocol ensure the GPT48-X can receive security patches and feature improvements over its multi-year deployment.
Hardware Specifications
- Dimensions: ~101 × 60 × 25.5 mm; Weight: ~130 g.
- Power source: 8000 mAh Li-MnO₂ primary battery (non-rechargeable).
- Processor & Modem: Low-power MCU with LTE Cat-M1/NB-IoT modem; supports bands B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B14/B17/B18/B19/B20/B25/B26/B28/B66.
- Positioning: Multi-GNSS receiver (GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou); cold-start TTFF ~35 s; GNSS accuracy ~2–5 m; LBS fallback ~100‑200 m.
- Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer for motion/vibration/shock detection and drop alarm; possible light sensor for tamper detection.
- Interfaces: Internal SIM slot, sealed power switch and two LED indicators (GNSS status and network status). There are no external ports for normal operation.
Network & Positioning
The GPT48-X uses LTE Cat-M1 and NB-IoT cellular networks, both low-power wide-area (LPWA) technologies offering 4G-like coverage with extremely low power draw. By supporting both standards the device can operate across North America, Europe and Asia with minimal roaming
/ssues. Multi-GNSS support for GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou ensures strong positioning issues worldwide. performance satellite signals are unavailable (e.g., inside containers or underground parking), the tracker falls back to location based on nearby cell towers.
Advantages & Use Cases
Thanks to its long battery life, rugged design and intelligent power management, the GPT48-X is a deploy-and-forget solution for tracking high-value assets over months or years. Typical use cases include:
- Fleet & trailer tracking: Monitor trailers, containers and cargo throughout shipping cycles without maintenance.
- Heavy equipment & machinery: Covertly attach the magnetised tracker to equipment to deter theft and record movements.
- Long-term rentals & leasing: Track leased vehicles or gear over multi-year contracts without battery swaps.
- Supply chain visibility: Gain end-to-end visibility across global supply chains, improving security and operational efficiency.
For an overview of how the GPT48-X revolutionises long-term asset tracking with its ultra-long battery life, see our related article on GPT48-X: Revolutionising Long-Term Asset Tracking with Ultra-Long Battery Life.
Conclusion
The Eelink GPT48-X GPS tracker combines an ultra-long battery life, low-power cellular IoT connectivity, multi-GNSS positioning and rugged design into a compact device that can operate for up to five years without intervention. Intelligent firmware with standby and emergency modes ensures energy is used only when necessary while still delivering timely location updates and alarms. With support for OTA updates, motion detection and tamper alarms, the GPT48-X is ideal for demanding logistics, fleet and asset-management scenarios where reliability and longevity are critical.C. Integrated magnets and a sealed design make the unit tamper-resistant and easy to hide.
Performance Evaluation Highlights
Our research report goes beyond a datasheet by quantifying how the GPT48 -X behaves in real-world deployments. The following sections summarise the key findings from our laboratory and field tests.
Battery endurance tests. We simulated various usage profiles to benchmark the non-rechargeable 8000 mAh cell. In long-standby configuration (one position report per day, PSM/eDRX enabled) the tracker operated continuously for over 1,790 days—just shy of five years—before voltage dropped below 3.0 V. Activating motion-based wake-up with a six-hour report interval reduced endurance to ~650 days, while continuous real-time tracking drained the battery in ~90 days. Extreme cold (-20°C) shortened runtime by ~10%, whereas moderate heat (50°C) had minimal impact. These results highlight the importance of matching reporting frequency to mission requirements.
Power consumption and operating modes. The firmware offers three distinct modes: long standby, periodic reporting and emergency tracking. Current draw averaged 90 µA in deep sleep, 4–8 mA during NB -IoT registration and ~25 mA during GNSS fix and packet transmission. Emergency mode spikes to 100 mA when beacons are sent every 30 seconds. For most asset-tracking scenarios, a 1‑2 hour reporting interval with motion-triggered wake-up strikes the optimal balance between visibility and battery life.
Position accuracy measurements. We measured average horizontal error of 2.3 m in open sky using multi -constellation GNSS. In urban canyons with partial sky view the error increased to 6‑8 m, while multi-story parking garages forced the device to fall back to LBS (cellular triangulation) with 150–300 m error. Assisted GNSS reduced time-to-first-fix to 20‑30 seconds in cold start, compared with 45‑60 seconds without assistance.
Connectivity reliability and range. In areas with strong LTE Cat M1 coverage the device registered to the network in under 10 seconds and achieved 99.2% successful message transmissions over 1,000 attempts. NB -IoT networks exhibited slightly longer registration times (15‑25 seconds) but offered better deep indoor penetration; message success rate was 97.5%. In fringe zones network loss events occurred but the device successfully cached and later transmitted 100% of stored events. GSM SMS fallback worked reliably where LTE M/NB -IoT were unavailable, though at higher cost.
Environmental and installation resilience. Accelerated life testing confirmed that the IP65 enclosure withstands jet water, dust ingress and vibration (random vibration test 5–500 Hz at 1 g). Our drop tests from 1 m onto concrete resulted in no functional failures. Magnetic adhesion remained secure on steel surfaces at speeds up to 110 km/h; however magnets are ineffective on aluminium or plastic. Using adhesive or brackets is recommended for non-ferrous assets. Optimal installation is horizontal with the blue X facing outward to maximise antenna gain.
Sensor and alert performance. The 3 axis accelerometer triggers movement alerts when acceleration exceeds 0.1 g for more than 2 seconds; our tests showed a false alarm rate below 1% when mounted on a trailer. The optional light sensor detected removal from dark cavities within 2 seconds. Firmware supports tamper alarms when magnets lose contact; we observed a 5–7 second delay between removal and alert due to debounce filtering.
Operational recommendations. Based on these findings we recommend using long-standby mode with daily or hourly reports for low-movement assets, enabling emergency mode only when alarms trigger, and leveraging NB -IoT where deep coverage is needed. For high-value mobile assets requiring real-time visibility, consider pairing GPT48 -X with a power source or rotating units to ensure uninterrupted monitoring.