People looking for a GPS pet tracker probably want one that alerts them as soon as their pet escapes. The $49.99 Tractive GPS Dog LTE Tracker distinguishes out from the other trackers reviewed because it provides the quickest escape notifications. It uses a rubber clip to firmly attach to a dog’s existing collar and is made for ease. Notably, the tracker offers a Basic membership option that includes activity tracking, live location tracking, and sleep tracking. When compared to its rivals, this subscription is less expensive. The Tractive offers great GPS tracking at an affordable price, earning it the prestigious Editors’ Choice award despite some space for improvement in battery life and the addition of health and social capabilities.
Both of Tractive’s GPS and LTE pet trackers, which are designed for dogs and cats, are available in two different iterations, each of which costs $49.99 plus any applicable subscription fees. Both models promise up to one week of battery life depending on usage and feature IPX7 waterproofing and shock resistance. The canine version is a better choice for smaller dogs than the Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 2, which requires a minimum weight of 10 pounds for use and is only appropriate for dogs weighing at least 8.8 pounds.
Tractive has two subscription tiers: Basic ($12/month, $84/year, or $120 every two years), and Premium ($96/year, $144/year, or $300/year). Both options include unlimited Live tracking occurring at intervals as short as two to three seconds, GPS tracking occurring at intervals ranging from two to sixty minutes, as well as activity and sleep monitoring. One year of location history, GPS data exports, family and public sharing, global coverage across 175 countries, and improved customer service are all included with the Premium subscription. Comparatively, Fi’s subscription option costs $99 a year.
The Tractive GPS app enables the simultaneous tracking of the locations of multiple dogs for owners. Each pet must have their own tracker and membership, though. The program itself features an easy-to-use UI and intuitive design. Map, History, Activity, Profile, and Account are the tabs at the base. The main screen is the Map tab, where users can check the location of their animal, engage the Live and Find modes, check the tracker’s battery life and GPS signal, and change the map’s settings.
When the device is in use, tracking is always activated. The location of the pet and the date and hour of the most recent update are shown on the map. Depending on the pet’s mobility, Tractive’s preset location update interval ranges from two to sixty minutes. The tracker adjusts its update frequency to save battery life if the pet is largely sedentary.
Live mode is useful for real-time tracking in cases where a pet wanders off. The pet’s GPS location is sent by the Tractive every few seconds upon pressing the blue Live button. This location is shown as a blue line on the map. It’s crucial to keep in mind that Live mode uses up the battery more quickly than the default tracking option. Live tracking automatically shuts off after five minutes to prevent battery depletion, though users can alter this time frame under the Profile tab.
When a weak GPS signal impairs position accuracy, the Find mode comes in handy. A pet icon shows above the Live button on the tracker when it is in Bluetooth range. A blue bullseye appears around the pet’s profile photo when you tap this icon. More rings on the bullseye turn blue as they get closer to the pet. The tracker has a tiny LED light and an audible alarm that may both be used in conjunction with the Live and Find modes to quickly locate your pet.
