Mini locators for people, animals and objects
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The French consumer magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs publishes a comparison of trackers useful for tracking people, pets, objects and vehicles. These devices are not classified as 'medical' but can also prove useful for the safety of children and people with the first symptoms of Alzheimer's. (1)
Object locators
The first typology of locators is dedicated to finding objects, such as keys, wallet or bag. They weigh less than 20g and work according to Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology, which consumes up to ten times less energy than Bluetooth.
They are used via smartphone and are useful in locating (with audible alarm) within a radius of over 100 metres, with less precise functions in the case of multi-storey homes.
The plus of the small Apple and Samsung trackers
The little trackers of the two big ones Apple and Samsung can also work at greater distances, with an accuracy of a few centimeters, thanks to Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, which uses other users' phones (anonymously) as 'repeaters' for tracking. With one distinction:
– Apple Air-Tags, which costs around 37 euros, by activating the 'Find' function it uses all the iPhones that are nearby as a network,
– SmartTag2 by Samsung (price of around 30 euros) offers a similar localization service, but the network is much more limited as it only includes smartphones on which users have installed the specific application.
This function it is obviously less effective in rural areas, where smartphones are not found.
The locators Apple and Samsung are first in the ranking, according to tests conducted by 60 Millions de Consommateurs. Chipolo One Spot (around 34 euros), for the Apple system, is third. Orbit Key (around 40 euros), compatible with Apple and Samsung, is fourth in the rankings.
Tracker for vehicles and people
The locators to monitor a car or motorbike they are generally larger and heavier, but some models can also be placed in a bag or pocket.
Tracking positioning is done via a GPS chip which transmits the position to the smartphone. In this case, however, a monthly or annual subscription and a SIM card are required.
Discreet surveillance of Alzheimer's patients
Some locators of this category allow you to establish a security boundary beyond which an alarm is sent to your smartphone. This function is very useful for discreetly supervising a family member with the first symptoms of Alzheimer's, but also children on the way to school, for example, or during activities without adult supervision.
The first three locators in the 60 Millions de Consommateurs ranking are:
– PAJ GPS. The device weighs approximately 140g, costs around 30 euros and requires the payment of a subscription of 5 to 7 euros/month for the SIM,
– Geotraceur Locbox Nano (295 euros), not available in Italy,
– Winnes 905 b 4g (around 85 euros), 370g. Requires SIM activation.
From note that while in France the Free company offers a SIM card for just €2/month, in Italy these ad hoc subscriptions seem not very widespread.
Devices for tracking dogs and cats
The third category of trackers examined by the French consumer monthly is designed to monitor the movements of pets.
Like the models To locate vehicles, these devices work with the GPS network and require the insertion of a SIM card and the subscription of a subscription. They also allow you to set a limit area beyond which a notification is sent to the connected smartphone.
The area operating range is indicated at 500 metres, but according to French tests in the city it does not exceed 250 metres.
The first three I'm in the rankings
– Tractive dog (price around 50 euros)
– Weenect (about 50 euros),
– Kippy (around 50 euros), which however struggles to communicate in real time when the set limit zone has been exceeded.
Marta Strinati
Note
(1) See https://www.60millions-mag.com/
