Programmable GPS Trackers Comparison: Event Engine 2026
🎯 Who is this article for: Developers, system integrators, and technical managers who need to choose telematics hardware with embedded programming capabilities.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This analysis reflects our perspective as Rinho manufacturers, but with a commitment to technical honesty. We believe that there is no perfect tool for all cases — each project has different needs. Our philosophy is to help you choose the best for your specific case, even if that means recommending another brand.
📋 TL;DR - Quick Summary
| If you need... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Maximum programmability and automation | Rinho |
| Visual interface for non-technical team | Galileosky |
| Plug & play CAN Bus without configuration | Teltonika / Ruptela |
| Lower cost (server-side logic) | Queclink |
| Truck fleets with tachograph | Ruptela |
📑 Table of Contents
If you're evaluating GPS trackers for a telematics project and need real on-device automation, this article is for you. We'll directly compare the programming capabilities of the main manufacturers in the market.
Verticals That Require Programmable Equipment
There are industries with very specific needs where a "standard" tracker isn't enough:
- Cold Chain: Temperature alert logic with multiple thresholds and times. Read more in our article about IoT in the cold chain
- Cash-in-Transit: Security sequences, conditional locks, silent panic
- Oil & Mining: Multiple zones with different speed limits, harsh braking thresholds, fatigue control
- Agricultural Machinery: Hour meters by implement state, dynamic geofences
- Fleets with Rotating Drivers: Identification + personalized rules per driver
- Areas without coverage: The device must act autonomously. This is where WiFi + Starlink makes the difference
- Diverse peripheral interfaces: RFID readers, BLE sensors, displays, actuators with conditional logic
- Integrators with diverse clients: One firmware, multiple remote configurations. See our platform integrations
In these cases, the ability to program logic on the device makes the difference.
Why Does Having an Event Engine Matter?
Most telematics solutions process logic on the server. But there are cases where you need the intelligence to be on the device:
| Scenario | Why do you need local logic? |
|---|---|
| Areas without coverage | Without signal, the server doesn't receive data |
| Instant response | Network latency = delayed reaction |
| Data savings | Send only events, not the entire stream |
| Autonomy | The tracker acts even if the server goes down |
| Per-client customization | One firmware, multiple configurations |
An event engine or programmable rules system allows you to define logic like:
WHEN [event] OCCURS
IF [condition] IS MET
THEN [execute action]
The question is: how flexible is this programming in each manufacturer?
The Direct Comparison
Capabilities Table
| Feature | Rinho | Galileosky | Teltonika | Queclink | Ruptela |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event engine | ✅ Yes | ✅ Easy Logic | ⚠️ Scenarios | ❌ No | ⚠️ Basic |
| Rules/Scripts | 196 rules | Scripts | ~10-15 | 0 | ~10 |
| Expressions | ✅ EVAL | ✅ Blocks | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Variables | ✅ 64 | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Remote config | ✅ SMS/TCP/UDP | ✅ TCP | ❌ | N/A | ⚠️ |
| Interface | Text | GUI | GUI | N/A | GUI |
| Native CAN | ✅ Spider/Smart | ✅ All | ✅ FMC | ⚠️ Adapter | ✅ HCV5 |
| Custom CAN | ✅ CXECU | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ |
| Vehicle database | ⚠️ Standard | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Extensive | ❌ | ✅ Extensive |
| WiFi | ✅ All | ⚠️ Only 7x | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| BLE | ✅ All | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ Eco5+ |
| Price (USD) | $80-150 | $150-300 | $80-180 | $50-120 | $100-200 |
Approximate prices 2025-2026. Vary by region, distributor, and volume.
Analysis by Manufacturer
🔵 Rinho - Event Engine
Philosophy: Maximum flexibility through text commands.
Rinho's Event Engine works with a clear structure:
TRIGGER → CONDITION (optional) → ACTION
Supports over 50 trigger types: digital inputs (IN), analog (AR), geofences (WP/RG), timers (TD), BLE (BE/BS/BSW), CAN Bus, WiFi, and many more.
Example: Report when timer expires (with condition)
>SRL07E;TRG=TD01+;CND=U09U01!&;ACC={GCP01H}<
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
SRL07E |
Rule 07, enabled |
TRG=TD01+ |
Triggers when Timer 01 ends |
CND=U09U01!& |
Condition: U09 AND (NOT U01) |
ACC={GCP01H} |
Generate report CP01 high priority |
Example: Movement alert via SMS
>SRL33E;TRG=AC+;ACC={GTX00L;@SM0;TXT=MOVEMENT DETECTED}<
TRG=AC+→ Accelerometer detects movement@SM0→ Send to SMS number configured in SM0- Result: Instant SMS to owner's phone
Example: Speeding in school zone
>SRL00E;TRG=VL00+;CND=WP05;ACC={GTX00L;@TRM;TXT=Speeding in school zone}<
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
TRG=VL00+ |
Triggers when speed exceeds limit 0 |
CND=WP05 |
Only if inside geofence 5 |
ACC={...} |
Send text alert to server |
Example: Vehicle moved with ignition off
>SRL02E;TRG=WP00-;CND=IGN!;ACC={GCQ00H;TXT=Vehicle moved}<
TRG=WP00-→ Left geofence 0CND=IGN!→ Condition: ignition OFF- Result: Possible theft alert
EVAL Expressions: Calculations on the Device
Rinho includes a mathematical and logical expression evaluator:
// Check if voltage > 15V and analog input < 100
>EVAL (V gt 150) && (AIN(0) lt 100)<
// Result: 1.00 (true) or 0.00 (false)
// Weighted average of analog inputs
>EVAL ((AIN(0) * 10) + (AIN(1) * 5)) / 2:%.2f:NA<
// Result: value with 2 decimals, or "NA" if fails
// Temperature conversion (ADC to °C)
>EVAL (AIN(0) * 0.1) - 40:%.1f:ERR<
Variables available in EVAL: V (voltage), VBU (backup battery), OT (odometer), HO (hour meter), VEL (speed), LAT, LON, IGN, GPS, and all I/O inputs.
Rinho Strengths
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| 196 rules | One of the highest capacities in individual rules |
| EVAL expressions | Complex math and logic: EVAL (V gt 150) && (AIN(0) lt 100) |
| 64 user variables | Counters, flags, custom states |
| Plain text | Automatable from any platform |
| Remote config | SMS, TCP, UDP - no physical connection needed |
| Deep CAN Bus | 28 CXECU parsers to capture specific bits |
| Native WiFi | On all models: Spider IoT, Smart IoT, and Zero IoT |
| Spanish documentation | Complete at docs.rinho.com.ar |
CAN Bus: Deep Access with CXECU
A key difference with Rinho is the ability to capture custom CAN frames at bit level. With the CXECU command you can define dynamic parsers:
// Capture RPM: CAN ID 0x3E8, bit 24, 16 bits, factor 0.125
>SCXECU00E,3E8,24,16,0.125,0,0,8000,BE,U<
// Capture temperature with -40°C offset
>SCXECU06E,2A0,0,8,1.0,-40,-40,215,BE,S<
Supported protocols:
- ✅ OBD-II Standard (light vehicles post-1996)
- ✅ J1939 (trucks, buses, machinery)
- ✅ IESCAN Mercedes Benz (proprietary protocol)
- ✅ ISO 15765 (European vehicles)
- ✅ Custom - define your own parser
This allows integrating vehicles that aren't in predefined databases.
Rinho Limitations
- No graphical interface (requires knowing the syntax)
- Initial learning curve
- Smaller CAN vehicle database than Teltonika/Ruptela (but custom tools compensate)
📖 Complete documentation:
🟡 Galileosky - Easy Logic
Philosophy: Visual programming with drag-and-drop blocks.
Easy Logic is Galileosky's programming system. It uses a graphical interface where you connect blocks to create logic.
How it works
[Trigger Block] → [Condition Block] → [Action Block]
Configuration is done from the Galileosky Configurator, a desktop application.
Documented use cases
- Weather station with combined sensors
- Vineyard automation (irrigation control)
- Bus washing control
- Hopper opening control in harvesters
Galileosky Strengths
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visual interface | Easy for non-programmers |
| Templates | Downloadable script library |
| Easy Logic School | Official training |
| Recognized brand | Global presence |
| Exigner | IoT system design without programming |
| Advanced CAN | Also allows deep frame configuration |
Galileosky Limitations
- Higher price ($150-300 USD per unit)
- Different architecture (visual scripts vs individual rules)
- Remote config only via TCP (not SMS)
- WiFi only on 7x model
- Support mainly in English/Russian
- CAN vehicle database similar to Rinho (not as extensive as Teltonika)
📖 More info: Easy Logic - Galileosky
🟠 Teltonika - Scenarios
Philosophy: Configurable predefined scenarios.
Teltonika is the most popular manufacturer in the market. Their devices have "Scenarios", but it's not a programmable event engine - they are pre-configured functionalities.
Available Scenarios
| Scenario | What it does |
|---|---|
| Eco/Green Driving | Detects harsh accelerations and braking |
| Over Speeding | Alerts when exceeding maximum speed |
| Jamming | Detects GSM signal inhibition |
| Immobilizer | Lock with iButton/RFID |
| SECO | Secure Engine Cut-Off |
| DOUT Control | Output control by call/ignition |
Configuration Example (Over Speeding)
Scenario: Over Speeding
Priority: High
Max Speed: 120 km/h
Send SMS to: +5491155551234
SMS Text: "Speed exceeded"
Teltonika Strengths
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Largest installed base |
| Integrations | Supported by all platforms |
| Availability | Easy to get globally |
| Competitive price | Models from $80 USD |
| Documentation | Very complete wiki |
| CAN vehicle database | ✅ The most extensive on the market - thousands of pre-configured vehicles |
Teltonika Limitations
- No flexible programming - you configure parameters of predefined scenarios
- Cannot create custom logic
- Cannot combine complex conditions
- No native WiFi
- CAN limited to database (difficult to add custom vehicles)
- For complex projects, all logic goes to the server
📖 More info: Teltonika Wiki
⚪ Queclink
Philosophy: Solid hardware, server-side logic.
Queclink manufactures good quality trackers at competitive prices, but they don't have an event engine. They use the @Track protocol for communication, which is a data transmission protocol, not a programming one.
Automation logic must be implemented 100% on the server.
Queclink Strengths
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | Models from $50 USD |
| Quality | Robust hardware |
| @Track Protocol | Simple to integrate |
| Variety | Many specialized models |
Queclink Limitations
- ❌ No event engine
- ❌ No on-device programming
- All logic must be on the server
- No autonomy when connection is lost
- CAN only via external adapter (CAN100 BLE)
📖 More info: Queclink
🟣 Ruptela
Philosophy: Hardware for heavy fleets, basic scenarios.
Ruptela specializes in truck fleets and heavy machinery. They have basic scenarios similar to Teltonika.
Strong point: Very complete heavy vehicle database (similar to Teltonika), especially for tachographs and J1939.
Ruptela Strengths
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Heavy fleets | Specialization in HCV |
| Vehicle database | ✅ Very complete for trucks (J1939, FMS) |
| Tachograph | Complete solution with TrustTrack |
| Advanced CAN | J1939, FMS pre-configured |
| LATAM office | Mexico |
Ruptela Limitations
- Basic scenarios, not programmable
- No real event engine
- Less flexible than Rinho/Galileosky for custom logic
- Focused on HCV (fewer options for light vehicles)
📖 More info: Ruptela Documentation
CAN Bus Comparison
A critical point for fleets: how well does each tracker read vehicle data?
| Aspect | Rinho | Galileosky | Teltonika | Ruptela |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocols | OBD-II, J1939, ISO 15765, IESCAN Mercedes, Custom | OBD-II, J1939, FMS | OBD-II, J1939, FMS | J1939, FMS |
| Vehicle database | Standard | Basic | ✅ Thousands | ✅ Thousands (HCV) |
| Custom parsers | ✅ 28 (CXECU) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Basic |
| Bit capture | ✅ Bit by bit | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Factor/Offset | ✅ Configurable | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| New vehicles | ✅ Easy | ✅ Possible | ⚠️ Wait for update | ⚠️ Wait for update |
When does this matter?
- You have common vehicles (Toyota, Ford, VW): Teltonika/Ruptela give you data "out of the box"
- You have mixed fleets or rare vehicles: Rinho/Galileosky let you configure custom
- You need Mercedes Benz with IESCAN: Rinho is one of the few that supports it natively
- You want to capture specific proprietary data: Rinho with CXECU gives you total control
Example: Capture driver door state (proprietary data)
With Rinho CXECU:
// Configure parser: CAN ID 0x420, bit 5, 1 bit, no conversion
>SCXECU25E,420,5,1,1.0,0,0,1,BE,U<
// Now ECU25 returns 0 or 1 (door closed/open)
>QECU25<
With Teltonika: If the vehicle isn't in the database, there's no way to do this on the device.
Code Comparison
To understand the real difference, let's see how to implement the same use case on each platform:
Case: "Alert if the vehicle exceeds 80 km/h inside a school zone"
Rinho Event Engine
// Create school zone geofence (200m radius)
// WP05: Lat -34.60370, Lon -58.38160, Radius 200m
>SWP05E-3460370-05838160002000000000<
// Configure speed limit at 30 km/h with GPS filter and 3s stabilization
>SVL01E03013<
// Create rule: if exceeds speed AND is in zone, alert
>SRL83E;TRG=VL01+;CND=WP05;ACC={STX ALERT: Speeding in school zone!;@SM0}<
| Command | Detail |
|---|---|
SWP05E... |
WP05: 200m geofence |
SVL01E03013 |
30 km/h limit |
SRL83E;... |
If VL01 + WP05 → SMS |
✅ 3 commands, fully remote via SMS/TCP/UDP, no physical connection
Galileosky Easy Logic
- Open Configurator
- Go to Easy Logic
- Drag "Speed > X" block
- Drag "Inside Geofence" block
- Connect with AND
- Drag "Send Message" block
- Configure parameters
- Save and send to device
✅ Visual, but requires connection to device or using server
Teltonika
Over Speeding Scenario:
- Max Speed: 80 km/h
- Send SMS: Yes
❌ There's no way to condition by geofence on the device
The zone condition must be processed on the server.
Queclink
❌ Not applicable - all logic must be on the server
Ruptela
Similar to Teltonika - speed scenario without zone condition.
Which One to Choose?
Decision Diagram
Summary by Use Case
| Need | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum programmability | Rinho | 196 rules, EVAL, variables |
| Non-technical team | Galileosky | Visual GUI |
| Simple project | Teltonika | Scenarios are sufficient |
| Lower cost | Queclink | Server-side logic |
| Truck fleets | Ruptela | HCV specialization |
| WiFi + Cellular | Rinho | Only one with WiFi on all models |
| Spanish support | Rinho | Documentation and local support |
When NOT to Choose Rinho
In favor of transparency, these are cases where another brand may be a better option:
| Situation | Better alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Your team isn't technical and prefers GUI | Galileosky | Easy Logic is visual and more friendly |
| You need "plug & play" CAN without configuring | Teltonika/Ruptela | Their pre-configured CAN databases are more extensive |
| Simple project without on-device logic | Queclink | Better price, server-side logic |
| You already have Teltonika infrastructure | Teltonika | Maintain operational consistency |
| 100% truck fleets with tachograph | Ruptela | Specialization and TrustTrack |
Conclusion
There's no universal "best tracker". There's the best tracker for your specific project.
If your project requires real embedded logic and flexible programming, the serious options are Rinho and Galileosky.
- Rinho if you value automation, maximum rule capacity, native WiFi, and local support in LATAM.
- Galileosky if your team prefers a visual interface and you don't need to automate massive configurations.
If you only need predefined events (speed, jamming, eco-driving), Teltonika is a solid and popular option.
If logic can be 100% on your server, Queclink offers excellent value for money.
Resources
Rinho Telematics:
Other manufacturers:
Methodology and Transparency
This comparison was prepared based on:
- Official public documentation from each manufacturer
- Direct experience with the devices
- Feedback from integrators and clients
Found an error? We value accuracy. If any data is incorrect or outdated, write to us and we'll correct it gladly.
Last updated: January 2026
Do you have a specific project and don't know which tracker to choose? Contact us and we'll help you evaluate the best option — even if it's not Rinho.