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You’re on a hike with your dog. The view is gorgeous. You’re at ease.
Suddenly your precious pup darts ahead and gradually disappears from view.
You pull out your phone and head over to the tracking app…
You’re presented with the stark “No Signal” on the screen.
For the vast majority of dog parents, that’s the moment they realize something important:
There’s no “Unlimited Range” in most dog trackers.
Similarities and Differences Among Most Dog Trackers
Most dog trackers can be divided into three broad categories:
- Bluetooth Trackers
- Cellular-based GPS Trackers
- RF-based GPS Trackers (not reliant on cellular network)
They work in different ways, and you’re going to realize the importance of the differences might be even greater than the vast majority of people anticipate.
Bluetooth Trackers: They’re Really Not “Tracking”
Bluetooth trackers are fundamentally not designed to be used for long-range tracking. They’re intended for mostly short-range applications, with a very short effective range, and their effective range is typically limited to short distances unless supported by a broader device network, which still doesn’t guarantee real-time tracking.
For a dog with a sense of adventure, it’s clear the range is too limited.Even devices like AirTag, while useful for item tracking, are not specifically designed for real-time pet tracking.
Cellular Trackers: They’re Really Good… Until They Aren’t
Devices like Fi or Tractive depend on a strong cellular network to sendyour dog’s location data to your phone.
In cities and most suburbs, as long as you have a good cell connection, it will always work, and manufacturers claim “Unlimited Range.” But once you head into cell-free regions, even the slightly remote rural areas, the tracking range goes to hell.
No Signal = No Transmission of Location Information.
That’s exactly why the scene at the start of this article makes sense.
If you’re interested in dog trackers that don’t rely on cellular service or monthly subscriptions, it’s worth exploring how these systems are designed to work differently.
The Important Takeaway: It’s Not GPS, It’s Communication
Most people get stumped right here at this point:
GPS determines a location, but it does NOT send that location to you.
Most “GPS dog trackers” are still cellular in nature
So, you might have success and find where your dog is…
That is, the device itself, has successfully tracked your dog’s position
…but you are not always able to see it.
Which is why so many dog owners suddenly realize how much they actually don’t know and then they need it.
What Is Actually Available in Remote Areas
If you and your dog live in an area with poor reception, or if you frequently take your dog hiking, camping, or traveling, it’s no surprise that you’ll find yourself “off the grid” from time to time.Your needs for a tracking solution will change.
Instead of depending on cellular network coverage, you need to be independent of those networks.
That’s exactly what GPS trackers that are not cellular-enabled are for.
Once the device has a GPS fix, these trackers transmit location data directly to a handheld receiver using their own wireless communication systems.
This has some benefits:
- You can still be connected and track in real time, even when there’s no cell signal;
- There’s no need for a data upload to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about your privacy;
- There’s no need to pay a subscription fee (a monthly fee may not seem like much, but the cumulative effect can be frustrating).
That being said, there is a catch. Because these trackers need to carry a wireless communications module, they will be somewhat larger and heavier than their cellular counterparts. Classic dog trackers like the Garmin Alpha, for example, are best used with medium-to-large hunting dogs and working breeds.
There are also newer options designed specifically for off-grid scenarios, such as subscription-free dog trackers for hiking and remote areas, which aim to balance size, usability, and independence from cellular networks.Both of these factors shorten your tracking range (to ~3.5 mi.), but data does show that the majority of lost dogs do not wander very far — in fact, 95% stay within a 1.8-mile radius.
The 3.5-mile track is plenty for the vast majority of real-world use cases.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Style
There is no dog tracker in the world that could be called the “absolute best.” The BEST dog tracker for you is the one that best fits you. Most important, it should match WHERE you spend time with your dog.
Here’s a quick and easy way you can use to make your decision:
1. Situations where you have a strong cell signal coverage.
If the areas of particular interest for your intended use have good reliable cellular signal coverage, then the cellular-based tracker will suit your needs best. Tractive and Fi are examples of this type of brands. Since the fundamental tracking functions are so similar, this decision can be made based on tracker design, subscription cost, customer service, etc.
2. Off-Grid / Remote Areas
On the other hand, if you live in an area where the phone signal is poor or if you are a frequent hiker/adventurer with your dog, then a tracker that does not depend on the cellular network will be your priority. Select one which uses direct wireless communications technology. Brands as examples are Garmin and Aorkuler. In this case, the things to compare would be dimensions and weighing, price, tracking range, etc.
Conclusion
In the end… the promise that dog trackers give to their users all comes down to one thing. Peace of mind.
Whether or not we can keep that promise depends on one thing: if the device is still working at the crucial moment when you really need it the most.
If you’re headed out on an adventure outside of cellular coverage, just ask yourself a very important question:
If your phone loses signal… will your tracker still work?
Because at that moment, that’s the only thing that matters.
