Every loving owner wants to keep their pet as safe as possible. One way to improve safety is to know your pet's whereabouts. Cats love to “walk by themselves”, so they often get lost. A collar with satellite navigation is designed to find them.
To help the loving cat owner, the following is a rating of GPS collars for cats. All such trackers receive information about the movements of animals through a network of artificial earth satellites. The data is transferred to the cat's owner's smartphone. Beacons store information about where the pet went. This can be a real discovery for the owner and will help to better understand his pet.
At the moment, the cost of such trackers is from 3,000 rubles. All trackers are moisture resistant, because cats can get caught in the rain.
PawTrack
This is a universal GPS tracker for small predators. Its advantage is that you do not need to purchase an additional SIM card specifically for the collar. But you will have to subscribe for $20 per year.
Has good autonomy for 3 days. Charging is standard via microUSB port. There is an energy saving mode: the sensor stops sending a signal when the cat is in the house or when he is sleeping. But there is a nuance here. If the pet dies, the tracker will perceive its immobility as a dream and stop sending a signal.
Weight – 70 g, some pets can feel it. Google Maps allows you to track your cat's route and even save it for a month. Uses GLONASS and GPS navigation systems.
Although they tried to make the collar as close as possible to the anatomical features of the cat’s structure, it can still get caught on something and pose a risk of suffocation. This is true for any collar. This beacon is also expensive, more than 12,000 rubles ($200).
How to choose a GPS collar
When choosing a collar with a GPS navigator, the owner should focus on the purposes for which he is purchasing this accessory for the animal.
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Based on your basic needs, you can review a GPS tracker based on the following parameters:
- Manufacturer.
- Weight and size.
- Price. Depends on the list of functions.
- Strength. The safety of the sensor depends on the wear resistance of the housing.
- Waterproof and dustproof. Weather conditions should not affect the performance of the radio collar for cats.
- Temperature resistance. Possibility of use at any time of the year.
- Battery capacity. Number of hours of work in offline mode.
- Connection quality. Provides continuous control over your cat in any area.
Additional Information! Often those who want to purchase a cat collar with GPS are concerned about the legality of such a device. No special permission or registration is required for use after purchase.
You can ask the seller for a certificate that is notarized that this GPS tracker is not a special technical device.
Futureway
Lightweight, 21 grams, the collar works using a SIM card with Internet access. The error in determining the location of the cat is 5 meters. The tracker application creates a virtual map of the cat's movements. The beacon sends a signal when the cat leaves the safe zone determined by the owner.
Not afraid of rain and snow, moisture resistance class – IP67. The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty. Price in online stores from 3400 to 3600 rubles. Futureway is the leader in this rating of GPS collars.
What is a cat collar with GPS function?
GPS for cats is a beacon and receiver. A small chip embedded in a plastic housing is attached to the collar. The receiver can be either separate equipment or the owner’s smartphone, which will receive data on the animal’s location and alert signals using the application.
Cat wearing a GPS collar
How it works
The main task of a GPS tracker is to track the location of a cat through satellites in Earth orbit. If it is not possible to use satellites as a positioning tool, the tracker determines the location through cell towers. Some tracker models have the function of combining geopositioning methods, which increases the accuracy and speed of the search result.
Communication with the cat's owner is carried out through an application installed on a smartphone using the mobile Internet or GPRS/GSM channels. To do this, a SIM card that supports a 2G network or higher is inserted into the tracker.
Important! The higher the network standard - 2G, 3G, 4G, the lower the risk of losing communication outside the city. For the beacon to work as it should, it is best to purchase a SIM card that runs on 4G.
Also, the owner, for his convenience, can use such built-in parameters as
- Limitation. Virtual creation of a zone allowed for walking on the map. As soon as the animal leaves its boundaries, an alert will be sent to the owner’s smartphone.
- Increased accuracy of geolocation determination. The error is no more than 5 meters.
- Alarm signal. If the cat finds itself in a risk zone, for example, too close to the water or is frightened by a dog, then anyone who wants to help the animal can press a special button on the beacon. Then an alarm signal will be sent to the owner, notifying him of a situation that requires his attention.
- Record. The cat's walking routes can be recorded on a SIM card.
What does it look like
GPS trackers for cats are compact, light in weight and comfortable for the animal to wear. It consists of a collar made of durable material that will not rub the pet’s neck, and a sensor, inside of which there is a chip that performs the main technical tracking function.
There is also a hole in the case for inserting a SIM card so that the sensor can receive information not only from satellites, but also from mobile communication towers.
Note! Any GPS tracker has a battery, the charge of which the cat owner can track through his smartphone. Energy consumption is affected by the frequency of requests for the cat's location.
GPS collar and cat tracking app
TK Star TK-911
The collar is suitable not only for cats, but also for small breed dogs. Weight does not exceed 33 g. The tracker will not work without a SIM card. The cat's route of movement is maintained throughout the year. Of the GPS collars reviewed in this article, TK Star has the highest battery life, up to 10 days.
The accuracy of calculating the geolocation of an animal is 5 meters. tracking via Google maps. The device is protected from splashes and dust, but will not withstand immersion in water. Price – 4500 rubles.
Who will need it?
First of all, for those whose pets are outdoors. And we are talking not only about a summer cottage where the animal is left to its own devices, but also about walks under your supervision. After all, even when you are near your pet, he can get lost from sight, fall into the wrong hands, or simply run away to where it smells delicious. With a tracker, you don’t have to worry about where your cat or dog is wandering—just open the app on your smartphone and see your pet’s geolocation.
Monkey G Dest D79
This collar costs 3,900 rubles, weighs 28 g and operates in standby mode for 1 day. There is no energy saving mode when the cat sleeps. Moisture protection class IP65, i.e. The collar can withstand splashes of water flying under pressure (for example, rainfall). But if completely immersed in water, the housing will leak.
Tabcat
Tabcat is an innovative tracking device that allows you to stay informed about your pet's whereabouts. The device, which easily attaches to a cat's collar, is very light (6 grams, while a GPS device typically weighs 30 grams) but is secure enough to stay put no matter where your pet is.
The directional antenna receives the signal sent by your kitty's device and then tells you where to go. The red light indicates that you are close to the pet, as you move in the desired direction, the light turns yellow, and as soon as you are near the pet, the light turns yellow.
Tabcat can track a pet at a distance of 122 meters, if there are no obstacles, and determine the location of the animal down to 2.5 cm. The company's specialists report that 70% of the buyers they spoke with said that their cats learned to return home on their own before they had to Click on the “Find” button. At the same time, a sound signal is activated on the device. You can teach an animal to respond to sound as a signal for a treat.
GPS tracker Real Find V-30
GPS tracker with good functionality. Recommended for already adult cats, as the weight is 40 g. Some cats do not approve of it. Detects a cat with an accuracy of up to 5 m. The housing is protected from powerful water jets, but not from immersion in water.
Requires purchase of a SIM card. The price of the tracker itself is 3,900 rubles, but the application is free for the entire period of operation of the collar. It is better to buy a collar in a Russian pet supply store, although it will be more expensive. A small overpayment is not as scary as criminal liability.
GPS collars in the Russian Federation are classified as spy equipment, prohibited from import into the territory of our country. There are also models that are not included in this rating of GPS collars for cats, but they are more difficult to buy in Russia.
Additional features of GPS collars
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GPS trackers for cats from different companies combine basic functions. And their difference lies not only in the appearance of the device, but also in additional functions.
- Water resistance. In case of rain or snow.
- Real-time surveillance.
- Built-in microphone and speaker. The owner can give commands to the cat or listen to the sounds of its environment.
- Speed sensor. If the cat's speed increases compared to its normal walking pace, an alert will be sent to your smartphone. This will help prevent an accident if the cat is being chased by a dog or if it is stolen and taken away in a car.
Additional information: a Gypsy collar for cats with basic functions will cost 3,000-5,000 rubles*. The cost of devices equipped with additional functions can exceed several tens of thousands of rubles.
*Price valid as of October 2022.
Advantages over other sedatives
Pet owners note the following advantages of pheromone collars:
- Constant action. Unlike drops and oral medications, the collar has a continuous positive effect on the cat and does not require constant monitoring from the owner.
- Low likelihood of an allergic reaction. Sedative medications taken orally often provoke an acute negative reaction in the body.
- Long lasting effect. The “Sentry” collar is purchased for reusable use, and after completing one course, cats experience a general normalization of the central nervous system.
Beaphar
The collar contains no toxic substances, but contains margosa extract. Thanks to this, the collars are suitable even for small kittens. The best company in terms of price-quality ratio: it costs less than a hundred rubles and protects no worse than toxic collars. The composition makes the product as safe as possible for cats.
Pros:
- low price;
- reliability;
- good service life;
- suitable for kittens;
- safe;
- convenient clasp.
Minuses:
- At first there is a specific smell, which disappears after a while.
Hartz
The company has proven itself so well that it is now considered a standard of quality and a generally recognized leader in the production of safety collars. They do not lose their high and proven effectiveness even when exposed to water, quickly remove fleas and ticks, and are selected according to the weight of the pet. Valid for up to three months.
Advantages:
- long-term action;
- moisture does not affect the effect;
- a variety of models to suit the cat's parameters.
Flaws:
- not suitable for pregnant animals;
- emits a smell that may not be pleasant to everyone.
Hartz Cat Collar
Features of animal tracking systems
The pet tracker was one of the first electronic devices to make caring for pets easier. In its simplest form, it consisted of a compact box containing a receiver and an alarm system. The device was suspended from a collar controlled by a key fob. When the button was pressed, the beacon made loud sounds, which were duplicated by flashing LEDs.
With the development of technology, the animal tracking beacon has received a number of improvements. Cellular communications and satellite navigation began to be used instead of the radio frequency range. In addition to activating the alarm, the owner of the dog or cat was able to find out their location and even track their movements on the ground. Modern means of tracking pets are presented both as separate units and built into the collar.
Benefits and achievable results
Compared to a conventional leash, the Jeepies beacon for dogs and cats has a number of advantages, including:
- Constant control over the location and movement of the pet.
- Giving the animal more freedom.
- Relieving the owner of the need to accompany the pet during a walk.
- Freeing the owner's hands and remotely monitoring the pet from almost any distance.
In addition, the tracker allows you to limit the animal’s walking area. When a pet goes beyond certain boundaries, the beacon immediately sends a signal to the gadget paired with it. Another useful function is the ability for the person who finds a stray cat or dog to inform the owner about the find. Some devices are equipped with a microphone and speaker, which make it possible to remotely give commands to your pet by voice.
The ZhPS beacon for animals is easy to use. Modern models guarantee minimal detection error. The devices are completely harmless to pets and do not cause discomfort in their daily life.
At what distance do GPS beacons work?
The operating range of the first animal beacons was limited by the power of the transceiver equipment and rarely exceeded 100 meters. At the same time, the owner had to strain his hearing to distinguish the signals of the collar in the surrounding sounds. Light signaling also had disadvantages because frightened animals tend to hide in places that are difficult to detect visually. Models with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology provide an animal detection range in open areas at a distance of up to 500 m.
A GPS beacon for dogs and cats has an almost unlimited range. The satellite navigation system allows you to locate your lost pet with an accuracy of 3–7 meters. Modern animal tracking tools use cellular communications along with GPS. It is used when there is no satellite signal. This option has a large error exceeding 10 meters or more. Its capabilities are limited by the presence and location of towers, as well as the standard. 4G has higher accuracy than 2G and 3G. However, cellular trackers are widely popular.
Working hours
The radio beacon for dogs and cats is a completely autonomous device, powered by a compact rechargeable battery. The tracker's operating time depends on the battery capacity. This takes into account the mode in which the device is located. In the active state, the device does not lose its functionality for 240 – 300 hours. In sleep mode, this figure increases to a month, after which the battery needs to be charged.
Possibility of synchronization with a smartphone
An undeniable advantage of GPS beacons for animals is the ability to pair them with a smartphone or other gadget equipped with an appropriate communication system and mobile application.
To activate the tracker you must:
- insert a SIM card into it;
- download the corresponding application to the gadget and launch the navigator;
- pair the mobile device and the beacon;
- securely attach the device to the animal;
- select the period of time after which the mobile device will receive information about the location of the observed object;
- Check the system in test mode.
Increasing the communication intervals between the gadget and the beacon reduces the load on the battery, which contributes to longer operation of the tracker.
Interface overview
The GPS beacon for a cat or dog is equipped with an accessible and informative interface with which you can:
- receive information about the animal’s coordinates via SMS;
- monitor your pet’s movement on a satellite map in real time;
- give voice commands;
- activate the alarm system;
- read data using a PC.
In most cases, reviews of the beacon for cats and dogs are positive. Thanks to trackers, walking animals loses nervous tension, and the pet is not limited in freedom of movement.
