GPS Pet Tracker - Are they worth it?

Do they offer a free trial to show how well the product works?

If you try one of these, I'd appreciate a report back on how it worked. I'm looking for a GPS locator for Radio Controlled gliders and airplanes.

Thanks.

RT

I've read of people doing something like that with an iPhone & the "Find my iPhone" feature

Plus, you could start it recording video & get a little aerial view

I really don't want to do that as if something goes wrong and I loose the plane/glider, there goes my phone. Also, unless one is flying a large size plane, the phone may be too heavy for it.

Still looking for a GPS locator. Any other options out there?

RT

Garmin sells a small gps tracker https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=387&pID=67686

It all depends on where your pet goes after it is lost.

The company I worked for before retiring had GPS tracking devices installed in all service trucks, repairmen soon figured out if they parked under an over-pass or under a tree with heavy foliage the dispatcher couldn't tell the location of the vehicle.

So if your pet is picked up by a Good Samaritan and taken inside the house with intensions of returning it your GPS tracker will not work there either.

The model rocketry guys do this all the time, and they are very weight/space constricted. Might try posting on one of the model rocketry related boards, such as http://www.rocketryforum.com

You might want to read this:
http://www.gps-dogcollar.com/

or this:
http://www.dogfencediy.com/

or even this:
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-construct-a-chain-li...

Many lower price GPS tag/tracker can not report position in real time, so it really does nothing if your pet is lost.

Some trackers need monthly service fees so you can see the locations in real time. However, almost all of them use cellular networks. That's great in the urban area. But it is almost totally useless if you take your pets out in the woods, that is where they most likely will get lost.

As personal experience, a microchip is still the best way and cheapest way to go if outdoor activities are not in your life style.

I agree that a GPS device that can't report in real time is only useful for spying on where your dog likes to hang out, not for recovering a lost pet. And unfortunately, at least in the USA, cell phone plans generally are not priced in a way that would make such a device affordable for a middle class owner, even if it only reported the location rarely when called.

But as to the suggestion you made for chipping the pet, I can't agree with that. Many people do believe in chipping pets. But, in addition to the problem of most (maybe all) scanners failing to detect all chips, there are serious medical issues that would keep me from chipping my own pet. In fact I know of a dog that had to have some serious surgery to remove a chip that had been implanted improperly and migrated, and the implant was done by the local animal clinic that implants many animals each day. Worse, there is a lot of evidence that the chips have caused tumors in animals. See
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09...
for just one example, or google "pet microchip cancer" for plenty more. Sure, the shelters just dismiss this information, but they seem to have an agenda that isn't always in the best interest of the individual animal.

On how well they work and how much you love/are willing to spend on your pet.

There are some pwets I'dsooner want to get back than family members.

and to date they are pleased with its performance.

RoamEO GPS Enabled Receiver and Collar is designed using WAAS-enabled GPS technology, the complete unit sells for $199. and capable of:

• Tracking multiple satellites to provide quick and accurate positioning data even in harshest environments.

• Distance and Direction: The RoamEO receiver interprets a continuous stream of GPS data that is refreshed every four seconds to display the proper direction and distance to travel to find your pet.

• Receiver can monitor two dogs: The RoamEO receiver can track up to two pets simultaneously.

• Easy to Read, Backlit LCD: The RoamEO receiver's high contrast display can be easily read in bright sunlight and has a backlight for use at night.

• Adjustable collar: The RoamEO collar is designed to fit necks as small as 12 inches and can easily expand to 24 inches for larger pets.

• Sleek, Water Resistant Construction: The RoamEO system is designed for outdoor use in the elements, including rain and snow. The collar is made of a rubber material that can be easily cleaned if needed.

• Rechargeable Batteries and Charger included: Every system includes two lithium ion batteries and a charger. The system has 24 hours of battery life in typical use conditions.

• The coverage area has a minimum diameter of one mile.

• No Subscription, No Activation, No User Fees: There are no third party fees required to use the RoamEO Pet Monitor System. The system is fully configured at the factory and can used right out of the box.

http://www.pettronix.com/how-it-works.php

Not affiliated with or own one, however I do have a friend that uses one. He claims he has recovered his dog several times, by walking right up to him several blocks away.
he also uses the device in reverse when hiking just in case he gets lost.

The link above is worth a read, and has more info.

but alas my dog is just your everyday house dog who does not venture far from his home.