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Has anyone used a Tile type device? Was it useful?
Old 01-12-2017, 08:51 AM   #1
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Has anyone used a Tile type device? Was it useful?

Has anyone used a Tile type device to find a lot wallet, keys, phone, etc.?
Was it as easy to use and useful as they claim? Did they fit your key ring, wallet, etc easily?

https://www.thetileapp.com/
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Old 01-12-2017, 09:08 AM   #2
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Have been considering it but haven't pulled the trigger.
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Old 01-12-2017, 10:16 AM   #3
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I've wanted one of these, which is a new GPS app based dog tracker for the runaway dog of my pack. Tempted to order one to see how it works in our rural area.

https://www.getfindster.com/

For the phone, I use the Find My Phone feature, just need to have another phone or computer to log into so I can locate, which is usually not a problem.
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Old 01-12-2017, 01:00 PM   #4
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I use TrackR (https://www.thetrackr.com/). I haven't lost anything yet but it did pass all of my testing. If you are within Bluetooth-range it will take you to the lost object with the warmer/colder method. It does make a sound to help with the location process but it is the same frequency (apparently) as my tinnitus so I can't hear it (but others can). The frequency cannot be changed or volume increased at the present time but they tell me they are working on it.


They say that this will also work if the lost object is within Bluetooth range of anyone else that has the App installed on their phone... I suppose this would be useful if someone stole your car, for instance.
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Old 01-12-2017, 01:44 PM   #5
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A business I work closely with sent me a Tile for a Christmas thank you gift. Haven't even opened it up as I'm not really sure what I would do with it. I guess I could stick it in my bookbag in the rare event we become separated. Might be more handy this summer when we're traveling through Europe in case it gets stolen or lost.

The limited battery life (a year??) doesn't make it appealing to me long term given the cost and hassle of periodic replacement.
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Old 01-12-2017, 04:52 PM   #6
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I've heard of folks putting them on their pet, although it's not designed for this, since anyone with the app can find your pet, it raises the odds of them being found, vs flyers taped to the poles/polls
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Old 01-12-2017, 04:53 PM   #7
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Bought a 4 pack for the family for Christmas.
Put one on my key ring and downloaded app to my Moto G phone. It works well so far. Only complaint is I accidentally pressed the find phone button a couple times. Couldn't figure out what was chiming the first time.
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Old 01-12-2017, 04:56 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Sarah in SC View Post
I've wanted one of these, which is a new GPS app based dog tracker for the runaway dog of my pack. Tempted to order one to see how it works in our rural area.

https://www.getfindster.com/

For the phone, I use the Find My Phone feature, just need to have another phone or computer to log into so I can locate, which is usually not a problem.


One GrandDog wears this or something similar.
Worked well when he ran off and some girls snuck him into the bar down the street from his home. (He's as handsome as GrandPa.)
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Old 01-12-2017, 05:25 PM   #9
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...for the runaway dog of my pack.
He's usually at the taproom

How much are the monthly subscription fees for "Tile" and "getfindster"? The only time I considered something like that was for locating a lost aircraft (something like https://www.uavfind.com/, but there are many). This particular one has no fees. One-time $220. "up to" 2 mile range, according to the web page. There are GPS technology types as well for UAV's.
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Old 01-12-2017, 07:04 PM   #10
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Haha! The canine runaway dog, not DH! Him, I can track via the Find Friends on his phone!

That's actually the cool thing about the dog gps is that there's no fee. It's just the tracker and an app--no subscription. That's why it appealed to me.
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Old 01-13-2017, 12:03 AM   #11
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Tried TrackR to find my car. Did not work for me and I had to return it.
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Old 01-13-2017, 06:59 AM   #12
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Find my phone works well. We found DWs twice when it fell out of her bike mount. But these inexpensive tile type trackers only work short range. As near as I can tell a true GPS tracker (like find my iphone) takes a bigger device and a monitoring service. I don't see much value in a short range tracker.
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Old 01-13-2017, 08:20 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Sarah in SC View Post
I've wanted one of these, which is a new GPS app based dog tracker for the runaway dog of my pack. Tempted to order one to see how it works in our rural area.

https://www.getfindster.com/

For the phone, I use the Find My Phone feature, just need to have another phone or computer to log into so I can locate, which is usually not a problem.
The range on the Findster is only 1 Km. Better than nothing, but I'd be skeptical. I had a Garmin tracker, that is now discontinued, that worked well but needed frequent recharging.

https://techcrunch.com/2014/08/28/fi...a-monthly-fee/
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Old 01-13-2017, 08:28 AM   #14
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I think the Tile-tag is a great idea and I would go for it (my DW constantly misplaces her car keys, for example), but the fact that it is basically a consumable and only lasts for a year has so far kept me from buying one. Does anyone know whether the batteries are user-replaceable at all?
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Old 01-13-2017, 09:32 AM   #15
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I think the Tile-tag is a great idea and I would go for it (my DW constantly misplaces her car keys, for example), but the fact that it is basically a consumable and only lasts for a year has so far kept me from buying one. Does anyone know whether the batteries are user-replaceable at all?
From what I have read the batteries in the Tile device are not replaceable. You have to buy a new one each year. IIRC, the TrackR has replaceable batteries however check the reviews on Amazon regarding how often they are replaced and how well the devices are liked.

I guess if one misplaces the wallet, purse or keys very often, the expense is well worth it.
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Old 01-13-2017, 09:47 AM   #16
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From what I have read the batteries in the Tile device are not replaceable. You have to buy a new one each year. [...]I guess if one misplaces the wallet, purse or keys very often, the expense is well worth it.
In the past, I have been known to misplace my wallet or keys. However, for the last year or two both have been firmly attached to my purse with a sturdy lanyard built into the purse, that has an even sturdier clip on the end of it. This setup seems to be working nicely for me.

I think the last time I lost my purse, was in 1968. So, maybe that's one expense I can dodge.
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Old 01-13-2017, 10:27 AM   #17
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The day after the ncaa national championship game this week our buddy texted five of us wondering if we had accidently taken his keys. Of course he found them five minutes later but I can see he is a candidate for this asap
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Old 01-13-2017, 02:10 PM   #18
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Not a Tile but I bought this for my MIL since she is frequently losing her keys and other items in her house. Works ok.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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