Contigo 1600 Installation Manual

Introduction
The Contigo 1600 is a versatile GPS tracking beacon with many installation
and configuration options. This installation guide provides instructions for
an installation in a vehicle or asset with constant DC power, using the 1600
Vehicle Adapter Module (VAM).
Applications and Contents
The 1600 is designed for productivity management and theft recovery of
vehicles and other assets that have a DC power source available. It is ideally
suited for installations in construction machinery, trailers and portable buildings, off-road, utility, and field
service vehicles.
The beacon must be connected to an external DC power source but it contains an internal, rechargeable,
backup battery that keeps it running for up to 4 hours even if main power is cut.
Please check the contents of the beacon kit to ensure it contains all of the following:
• 1 x GPS Beacon
• 1 x SIM card (installed)
• 1 x Vehicle Adapter Module (VAM)
• 1 x External GPS Antenna (optional)
• 1 x Mounting Bracket (optional)
1

Select Installation Location

It is important to select your preferred beacon location prior to beginning the installation to achieve the best
combination of performance and suitability for your application.
The 1600 comes equipped with internal cellular and GPS antennas, but there is also the option of using
an external GPS antenna. You would use the external GPS antenna option in cases where the beacon
itself needs to be installed covertly or in a location that would impede the GPS signals (such as under the
dashboard of a backhoe or other construction equipment). Note that the external GPS antenna must be
purchased separately.
The guidelines below apply to either the beacon itself when using the internal GPS antenna or the beacon with
the external GPS antenna attached. Make note of suggested alternatives for the two antenna options to help in
your installation decision.
Installing for optimal GPS performance: To ensure the best GPS performance, select an installation location
where as little metal as possible is between the beacon (or the external GPS antenna) and the sky. It's not the
thickness of metal that counts — it's the percentage of the sky that is blocked by metal. Blocking the horizon is
not as bad as blocking the view straight up. Non-conductive materials such as glass, plastic, wood, or fabric do
not block signals.
Copyright © 2007 Contigo Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
www.contigo.com
Installation Guide
Contigo 1600 – VAM