Ever lost something somewhere and it is just too large a search? We feel your frustration here at Gadgethelpline and may be able to help prevent future loss with TrackR Bravo.
TrackR is a California based startup company that originally started on Indiegogo and has gone from strength to strength ever since it reached its target.
Founded in 2009 by Bluetooth pioneers Chris Herbert and Christian Smith, their goal is to completely automate the process of keeping track of your items.
TrackR Bravo
The device works via bluetooth and can pretty much be attached to anything that you need to track. TrackR is battery powered and for the features to work the app has to be running with Bluetooth enabled.
So, when you reboot your phone you have to remember to restart the app. While it can be in the background, it has to have been started. Also it’s not waterproof, if you are planning on tracking your dog or cat you will need the water-proof case.
We experimented by putting one on our cat at home. IT worked well for a little while then he decided to get his collar off somehow via the edge of a slightly open window. This caused both collar and TrackR so fall outside and sit in the rain for two days while we hunted for it. Amazingly, it still works, just, but seems to go out of range at small distances.
The coverage in the U.K. is coming along though. If it is attached to something important such as your house keys then chances are good that someone will walk near it eventually causing it to pop up on the location finder.
The tech behind it is quite simple; everyone using the app will help you find your item. If they walk within distance of the lost article and their app is running with Bluetooth enabled then its location will be updated on your own phone.
https://youtu.be/LIMe8cvidGg
Specifics:
- Diameter: 31mm
- Thickness: 3.5mm
- Battery Life: 1 year
- Tracks up to 10 items depending on mobile device
- Battery Type: Replaceable CR1616 Battery
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy)
- Bluetooth range: 100ft
- Crowd GPS range: Worldwide
- Compatible with iPhone 4s & Later, iPad 3rd Generation & Later and Android 4.4 & Later with Bluetooth Low Energy
- Approximately £20.00 in the U.K.
Overall its a very cool little product. You really can apply it to anything. You could even hide it in a car seat and have a permanent tracker on your vehicle for very little cost. Crowd Tracking is great too, like everyone helping you find it. The only problem is that rural areas of the U.K. do not have a lot of coverage yet. This can only improve with time though.