Pod 3 gps wifi pet tracker activity monitor

Pod 3 is a modular GPS tracker for use with virtually anything

One of the biggest fears of any pet owner is having their animal escape and get lost outdoors, potentially never to be seen again. But two years ago, a small start-up out of Sydney, Australia, created a device called the Pod to protect against just such an occurrence. The Pod is a GPS tracking device that can be attached to your pet’s collar, allowing you to track their location right from your smartphone.

Since its release the tracker has seen a few incremental updates, and it’s about get its most substantial redesign yet with the release of the Pod 3, a modular GPS device that delivers even more functionality.

Pod Trackers, the company behind the Pod 3, has managed to pack a lot of technology inside this tiny device. Not only does it come with GPS capabilities, but it is also equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 2G/3G cellular networking features too. This gives the user the ability to track the gadget in real time, both indoors and outdoors, across 175 countries worldwide, using an app for both iOS and Android.

GPS tracking of this kind isn’t all that new, and we’ve seen it offered in other devices before. But what sets the Pod 3 apart not only from the company’s previous generation of Pod trackers, but from the competition as well, is its modular capabilities. The gadget has been designed to accept a number of special modules that snap into place along one end. These modules add functionality to the device beyond its tracking capabilities.

For instance, one module converts the tracker into a light and location strobe, while another is an extended-life battery that allows the Pod 3 to continue functioning for up to two weeks between charges. Other modules include a USB dock to keep the GPS working at all times and an ultrasonic speaker that emits a “discreet, high frequency noise” designed to keep birds away. Those last two modules are made to be used on a boat, car, or other vehicle.

The standard Pod 3 device is waterproof, impact resistant, and is smaller and lighter than previous versions. It can run for up to five days on its standard rechargeable battery, and it comes with a simple reusable strap that allows it to be connected to just about anything. This makes it a good choice for not only tracking your pet, but other valuables such as a car, bike, or luggage, too.

Pod Trackers was hoping to raise $50,000 through its Kickstarter campaign to get the Pod 3 into production, but with just a few days left before those efforts come to an end, it has brought more than three times that amount. That means that the device should begin shipping to supports in March, when it will also go on sale for $149. If you hurry and pre-order one now, however, you can get one for as low as $99.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Ultimate Pod 3 GPS Tracker Review for 2020

The Pod 3 GPS Tracker does two things. First, it helps you keep track of where your pets are and, second, it tells you if they are getting enough exercise.

First off, it is very easy to set up the Pod 3 Tracker. You just put it on your pet’s collar, screw on one of the two batteries included in the box, and it will start looking for GPS satellites. Download the mobile app and then pair the tracker with your mobile phone via Bluetooth.

The mobile app will ask you for your Wi-Fi network credentials, then it will ask you about your pet, including its age, gender, and weight. After this, you are set.

Features

Design. The Pod 3 Tracker is quite small, measuring only 2 inches in length and 0.9 inches in diameter. It is also very lightweight at only 31 grams. This makes it very easy for you to put on your pets, or anything you want it to track.

Battery. The battery can go for 4-5 days in standby mode. However, in adventure mode, that battery life is drastically cut down to around 6 to 8 hours. In safe zone mode, the battery lasts for 36 hours to 72 hours.

When the battery runs low, you will be notified on the mobile app, allowing you enough time to change the batteries. The good news is that the company has made it very easy to switch out and charge the batteries.

You just screw the new battery into the Pod 3 Tracker, and then charge the old one by screwing it into the charging dock.

Zone alerts. With the mobile app, you can create a safe zone where your pets are allowed to roam and run free. But once your pet goes out of this safe zone, the system will send you an alert either via e-mail or push notifications.

Adventure recording. If you want to know where your pet goes during the day, you can turn on the adventure recording mode. In this mode, GPS tracking is activated permanently and you can see a map detailing where your pet goes and what route it takes.

Activity tracking. The Pod 3 Tracker also acts as a fitness tracker for your pets. You would see a screen with three rings detailing the number of minutes your pet has spent walking, playing, and resting.

These rings will fill up as your pet starts to get active. Once they reach your set goals, a star will appear.

You are also shown an hourly breakdown that graphs these three activities as well as a daily summary of rings, showing you how active your pets were in the past week.

Works with Wi-Fi. The Pod 3 Tracker has a Wi-Fi antenna that allows it to use Wi-Fi signals to determine location, especially if the pet is indoors and GPS signals might not that reliable.

What’s in the box

What you would like about the Pod 3 Tracker

The Pod 3 Tracker does its job rather well, allowing you to see what your pet has been up to and where it goes when you are not around. It will help you protect your pet and alerts you when it goes to places where it should not be going or when it goes out of your assigned safe zones.

And if your pet ever goes missing, the Pod 3 Tracker can easily tell you where it is and where to go looking.

The package includes two batteries, which means that when the first battery runs low, you would be able to switch it with the second battery while it charges, thus ensuring that you can track your pet continuously.

There are also two straps included. This is because once the strap is fastened, it would be very difficult to unfasten it, so support recommends just cutting out the strap using scissors.

The extra strap is for those times where you would need to cut the strap for whatever reason. This assures you that you will be able to continue to use the Pod 3 Tracker.

You can buy another standard battery and five rubber straps from the company’s online store.

What could be better

The Pod 3 is quite noticeable. On one hand, that could be a good thing because if there are people who would want to steal your dog or cat, they’d throw out any intent to do so once they realize there is a GPS tracker on its neck.

However, for the motivated thief, it would be very easy to take it off and there is no alarm that would tell you if the strap has been cut. This is especially true if you are going to use the Pod 3 on your bike.

A smaller or less noticeable device would be better so that any thief would not know that there’s a GPS tracker there and you have the element of surprise on your side. An audible alarm that would scare off thieves when they cut the strap would also be nice.

Also, the Pod 3 might be designed to fit comfortably on pets of various sizes and it is designed to fasten onto your pet’s collar, but it may prove to be clunky when you have a smaller pet. Expect it to bump into food bowls and other things.

The rubber strap and button can be a little difficult to fasten, but it stays in place, so you do not have to worry about the Pod 3 falling off and getting lost.

The Pod 3 Tracker needs a monthly subscription. Thankfully, you can pay on a yearly basis, which allows you to save 45% off the monthly rates.

There is no free option for the Pod 3 Tracker, and you are required to pay for the monthly SMS and mobile data costs because the device uses 2G or 3G to connect to the mobile app.

Comparing the Pod 3 with other pet GPS trackers

How does the Pod3 Tracker compare with other GPS trackers?

The closest competitor out there is the Whistle 3, which is both smaller and lighter than the Pod 3 Tracker. It is 5 grams lighter than the Pod 3 and delivers most of the same features.

It is also cheaper than the Pod. But it has a more expensive subscription fee as compared to Pod 3.

Whistle 3 also does not have a removable battery and an extended battery option. It also does not have any add-on features and is not recommended for pets that are smaller or those that weigh less than 8 pounds.

For those that do not like to pay a monthly fee, there’s Nuzzle.

However, Nuzzle is more expensive and does not have that many add-on features. Meanwhile, Tractive sells for roughly the same price as the Pod 3, but it does not offer activity monitoring, nor does it have more features.

Tractive is the only other brand that has an extended battery option. It is also not recommended for pets that are lighter than 9 pounds.

Only the Pod 3 and Tractive have coverage outside of the United States. The former, however, has coverage in more countries, particularly cellular coverage in 175 countries compared to only 80 countries for Tractive.

Furthermore, only Pod 3 and Whistle 3 offer upgrade and loss discounts. You can trade in your current trackers with a newer model at a discounted price.

Pod 3 Tracker	Whistle 3	Nuzzle	Tractive
Weight	31 g	26 g	28 g	35g
Upfront Price	(For the latest prices and discounts, check here)	(For the latest prices and discounts, check here)	(For the latest prices and discounts, check here)	(For the latest prices and discounts, check here)
Annual Fees	(Check here for the details)	(Check here for the details)	None	(Check here for the details)
Indoor Locating	GPS + WiFi	GPS + WiFi	GPS + Base Station	No
Waterproof	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Removable Battery	Yes	No	Yes	No
Extended Battery Option	Yes	No	No	Yes
Featured / Enhanced add-ons	Yes	No	No	No
Activity Monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Upgrade & Loss Discount	Yes	Yes	No information	No information
Warranty	12 months	12 months	12 months	12 months
Good for all sizes	Yes	Good for pets over 8 lbs.	Yes	Good for pets over 9 lbs.
Global Coverage	Yes	No	No	Yes

Final recommendations for the Pod 3 GPS tracker

The Pod 3 GPS Tracker is a good device for your pets. It gives you peace of mind as it helps you keep track of your pets’ whereabouts at any given time. It also helps you gain insight into their behavior and fitness level.

These insights would help you do more for your pets. For instance, if you see that your pet is not getting enough exercise, then you might want to invest in a pet treat dispenser that includes games, allowing you to play with your pet even when you’re away.

What would make the Pod 3 Tracker better , though, is the option to use the device for free without paying any recurring fees.

Nevertheless, the Pod 3 Tracker should prove to be the best, or among the best pet GPS trackers and activity monitors available in the market today.

Interested in Getting Pet Smart? Check out our best recommend smart pet gear.

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About Patrick Sinclair

Patrick Sinclair is a geek; make no mistake about that. He runs All Home Robotics in his spare time so he doesn’t have to think about his depressing cubicle and it gives him an excuse to buy expensive gadgets to review!

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