whitevanwoman
Guest
Further to my recent drama involving my lost puss cat (no smutty comments please! 
), I've decided it will probably work out cheaper in the long run and could save considerable stress and time to crack open my emergency savings tin to invest in one of these...
Loc8tor Pet Cat Tracker - Cat Homing Device | Loc8tor for Pets UK | World's Best Pet Trackers
There is a more expensive GPS model by a different company but it needs regular recharging every couple of days and there is a monthly charge as it uses a Giffgaff sim and transmits location via text message so I decided not to go for that one but to try the Loc8tor, having spent several hours doing online research into reviews.
The range is up to approx 100 m and optimum range depends on a clear line of sight so signal could be blocked by walls, vehicles, undergrowth etc but most of the reviews do seem to indicate that it works well and that combined with a foot search, it could be a bit help in tracking down lost pets, or whatever else it is attached to, as it will pick up the signal as you approach the lost object and will then hone in on the object by means of visual and audio alerts. There are no running cost with this particular one except for replacement batteries every 6-7 months.
There are a few cons to it - reports that it isn't waterproof so the silicon covers are needed, the limitations of the range and signal disruption, and lack of low battery alert but there are work rounds to these ie wrapping in cling film inside the silicon cover, checking devices regularly to ensure batteries are ok etc,
I've decided to spend a little more of my coppers and get the model which gives you 4 transmitters as I only have one set of keys for my van and if I lose them, it could cost me several hundred pounds in locksmiths and replacement keys from Ford so I can attach one of the transmitters to my ignition key and one to the central locking fob - I keep them separate so that if I lose one, I don't lose everything, the fob is usually around my neck but I recently spent several hours in an absolute panic looking for ignition key, only to eventually find that I'd clipped it using a karabiner to the dog cage where they would be safe - of course, I didn't remember I'd done that until I actually spotted the keys dangling there in full view.
The normal price for the bundle with 4 transmitters is £89.99 + £3.99 delivery but I've managed to find a discount code for 15% which brings the total price down to £80.48.
I don't know how long the discount code is valid for but if anyone is interested the code is TWIT15 - you enter it into the discount box at checkout and it auto calculates the new discounted price.
I'm going to be ordering one today and can let you know how I get on with it. Several reviews suggest that the quiet beeping sound of the receiver attached to a cat's collar, when transmittiing, can result in the cat associating the noise with returning if given a food reward each time the pet returns, so it could be doubly useful as a "Return to van" signal as well as a Locator device.
If they work as per the reviews and product information, they could be useful for many different situations - lost pets and keys especially, but also lost mobiles, stolen hand bag, or even attached to the clothing of small children or dementia sufferers. They may even work on husbands / partners in the pub as a "dinner's ready" signal.
I know there are a couple of travelling cat owners who might be interested in this so I'll post up on this thread how we get on with it.
), I've decided it will probably work out cheaper in the long run and could save considerable stress and time to crack open my emergency savings tin to invest in one of these...Loc8tor Pet Cat Tracker - Cat Homing Device | Loc8tor for Pets UK | World's Best Pet Trackers
There is a more expensive GPS model by a different company but it needs regular recharging every couple of days and there is a monthly charge as it uses a Giffgaff sim and transmits location via text message so I decided not to go for that one but to try the Loc8tor, having spent several hours doing online research into reviews.
The range is up to approx 100 m and optimum range depends on a clear line of sight so signal could be blocked by walls, vehicles, undergrowth etc but most of the reviews do seem to indicate that it works well and that combined with a foot search, it could be a bit help in tracking down lost pets, or whatever else it is attached to, as it will pick up the signal as you approach the lost object and will then hone in on the object by means of visual and audio alerts. There are no running cost with this particular one except for replacement batteries every 6-7 months.
There are a few cons to it - reports that it isn't waterproof so the silicon covers are needed, the limitations of the range and signal disruption, and lack of low battery alert but there are work rounds to these ie wrapping in cling film inside the silicon cover, checking devices regularly to ensure batteries are ok etc,
I've decided to spend a little more of my coppers and get the model which gives you 4 transmitters as I only have one set of keys for my van and if I lose them, it could cost me several hundred pounds in locksmiths and replacement keys from Ford so I can attach one of the transmitters to my ignition key and one to the central locking fob - I keep them separate so that if I lose one, I don't lose everything, the fob is usually around my neck but I recently spent several hours in an absolute panic looking for ignition key, only to eventually find that I'd clipped it using a karabiner to the dog cage where they would be safe - of course, I didn't remember I'd done that until I actually spotted the keys dangling there in full view.
The normal price for the bundle with 4 transmitters is £89.99 + £3.99 delivery but I've managed to find a discount code for 15% which brings the total price down to £80.48.
I don't know how long the discount code is valid for but if anyone is interested the code is TWIT15 - you enter it into the discount box at checkout and it auto calculates the new discounted price.
I'm going to be ordering one today and can let you know how I get on with it. Several reviews suggest that the quiet beeping sound of the receiver attached to a cat's collar, when transmittiing, can result in the cat associating the noise with returning if given a food reward each time the pet returns, so it could be doubly useful as a "Return to van" signal as well as a Locator device.
If they work as per the reviews and product information, they could be useful for many different situations - lost pets and keys especially, but also lost mobiles, stolen hand bag, or even attached to the clothing of small children or dementia sufferers. They may even work on husbands / partners in the pub as a "dinner's ready" signal.
I know there are a couple of travelling cat owners who might be interested in this so I'll post up on this thread how we get on with it.
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