This review isn’t your typical breakdown of connections and critiques; it’s a real-life test focused on accuracy and performance. Naturally, comparing different series directly wouldn’t be entirely fair (hence the side-by-side approach), which is why we also included an unknown OBD tracker for a balanced evaluation of their capabilities. Thus, let's start with a recap of the overall features.
Bonus: we will compare old and new Teltonika configurators as well ;)
Teltonika FMC920
The FMC920 is called a 'legend' and is a solid pick if you need a basic, all-purpose tracker with Bluetooth® and robust casing protection.
Bluetooth® LE seamlessly pairs with external sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, beacons, and OBDII adapters). The standout feature is the ability to configure via Bluetooth, which is much more convenient than using a cable (there is no need to rummage under protective covers, pull the tracker out, and position it for a wired connection).
Standard voltage range (10–30 V). Ideal for passenger cars, minivans, and motorcycles.
Low power consumption. Flexible sleep mode settings, including support for Deep Sleep and Ultra Deep Sleep for energy-saving.
Crash detection is grounded on the accelerometer.
Teltonika FTC921
However, the FTC921 makes more sense for higher GNSS accuracy, a broader voltage range, and electric vehicle compatibility.
Advanced GNSS support. Tracking up to 40 satellites (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU) with improved accuracy (~1.8 m).
Wide input voltage range (10–90 V). Compatible with passenger cars, trucks, heavy machinery, electric vehicles (e-scooters, e-motorcycles, e-rickshaws), and vehicles with non-standard power systems.
Optimized sleep modes. While less customizable, they offer greater energy efficiency.
Nano-SIM and USB Type-C. Modern SIM card format and easy PC connectivity for configuration.
Enhanced safety features. This includes jamming detection, precise crash detection, excessive idling alerts, and more.
Road test
All three devices were configured as similarly as possible to ensure consistent behavior across tests. FTC921 path colored in green, FMC920 — blue, and the ODB — black.
Firmware versions tested:
FTC921: 0.40.3
FMC920: 03.29.00 Rev:19
The FTC921 demonstrated a noticeably faster cold start and more accurate tracking compared to the other two trackers. For example, when leaving an underground parking garage, it instantly locked onto the location as soon as we rolled out (all the devices spent the night in the same parking lot). Here's the first track of their performance.
The OBD tracker followed about five seconds later, while the FMC920 took an additional... two to three minutes. Of course, such a long delay with the FMC920 is rare; under normal circumstances, it usually performs almost as quickly as the OBD tracker.
During regular driving on public roads, the behavior was mostly identical, though the FTC921 occasionally encountered issues. This is most likely due to an outdated device firmware version and Teltonika ensured us that the issue has already been resolved since version 1.5.1.
When leaving a store parking lot, only the FMC920 tracked correctly at first, followed by the OBD tracker, while the FTC921 appeared to "take a break" and did not log any location during this time. Overall, all three trackers produce good-quality tracks, which is reflected in the data.
Probably, this kind of comparison gives an understanding that today, the difference for the end user comes down to the small details, while for the manufacturer, it defines an entire series of devices. Overall, modern vehicle telematics is moving towards improving positioning accuracy and adding measures for secure and reliable data transmission.
While FTC921 is not specifically designed for car-sharing applications, it can sometimes be used as a workaround. It won't outperform CAN devices, which are recommended for such cases. Still, the FTC921 can be a great solution for monitoring electric vehicles, scooters, and light vehicles (basic track & trace) as well as for anti-theft protection.
Its jamming detection feature adds a layer of security, whether you’re protecting a scooter or a shared car. The improved GPS accuracy and faster fixes make it an excellent choice for scooters and bicycles, ensuring highly detailed tracks with minimal data loss. Its ultra-sleep mode is particularly useful for scooters with small batteries.
FMC920, on the other hand, is a universal solution for tracking vehicles with internal combustion engines, where voltage fluctuations aren’t a concern. It's rarely used for truck monitoring due to the limited number of PINs. Nevertheless, it supports OBD connectivity via a Bluetooth adapter and offers BLE functionality.
Bonus
Teltonika currently offers two approaches to device configuration: the new Telematics Configuration Tool (TCT) and the previous Teltonika Configurator (TC). The key difference is that previously, each model had its own separate configurator, and there could even be multiple versions of it. For example, an older version wouldn’t support configs from newer firmware. This meant constantly keeping everything up to date and tracking versions, which was a hassle. The new approach introduces a single, modern configurator with a user-friendly interface that works for all devices at once — way more convenient. But should you completely forget about the good 'ol tool?..
Teltonika Configurator
Actually, no. Teltonika Configurator is designed for FMB platform devices, so most models can definitely be found here. However, the new TCT won't support them, so if you have an FMB fleet, stick with the TC.
It features a “simple” and “minimalist” interface while offering access to all the tracker’s capabilities. The functions are neatly categorized, making it clear which options belong where.
However, the downside is that the interface is overloaded with features, making it harder to navigate — especially for inexperienced users. It’s not immediately obvious where to save what, and a single wrong checkbox can mess things up. Entering the wrong server address, or misconfiguring timeouts, sleep modes, or APN settings can cause the tracker to go offline, making setup even trickier.
On the flip side, having all settings visible at once speeds things up once you know what you’re doing. Config troubleshooting is also much faster since everything is on a single screen — no need to scroll or switch between tabs. Plus, in most cases, trackers are configured by professionals, not casual users.
So, calling one approach "better" than the other isn’t quite right — it’s all about the details. And that definitely might be a reason to rebuild it :)
Also, the old configurator is still used for the majority of models — so it’s not being retired anytime soon! It’ll stay relevant for a while since the new configurator only supports a handful of the latest models (around 5 at the moment).
Telematics Configuration Tool
TCT is exclusively dedicated to FT platform devices, which is why only a few models are available. Over time, newly launched models will be added to TCT. The list of features visible here aligns with the latest firmware. It's important to note that all features and functionalities of FT platform devices are introduced through firmware updates, meaning additional features will continue to appear on TCT as time goes on.
The new configurator is supposed to allow device configuration over Bluetooth, which is a fantastic feature with a lot of potential. Usually, trackers are installed in hard-to-reach places, or at the very least, they’re not easy to access quickly. And considering you’d typically have to untangle some tape or ties, open the casing, and do all of this in an awkward position (often outdoors!), being able to configure via Bluetooth means you can do it all from the cozy interior of a car. ;)
It has a convenient and user-friendly UI, even newbies can figure it out. Plus, it has a built-in terminal connection to the tracker, allowing you to read logs immediately, which is super handy for debugging. You can save the log right away and send it for analysis — another convenient touch!
Here’s a side-by-side look at the parameter setup in both configurations.
Visually, the new one is definitely more appealing. But the old one packs way more parameters and info on a single screen — even if it does look like software straight out of the ‘80s. As I mentioned earlier, this makes setup and debugging much faster.
Conclusion
New tech is great, especially when it comes with fresh features and fixes for old issues. But right now, the new configurator still feels like a work in progress for the future. The market is full of older tracker models running different firmware versions, and unfortunately, there’s no magic button to instantly support them all. Each model has its own quirks, functions, and "special" behavior that take time to integrate.
So, while the new configurator will keep evolving with more features and wider adoption, the "oldie" isn’t going anywhere — it’ll remain essential for legacy devices.