ANKR Smart Tracker Key Fob Tag Review

ANKR Smart Tracker Key Fob Tag Review

Buy it at Amazon: ANKR Smart Tracker Key Fob Tag [Affiliate Link]

Takeaway: Average smart tracker, light on features, no Android, limited real world application.

The smart tag is about the size of my thumb and no bigger a grocery store loyalty card, though thicker. The tag uses low powered Bluetooth signal to pair with an app on your phone, and that's how it determines the location of your stuff. The catch is, your phone and the tag always have to be near each other (in Bluetooth range, about 33 ft). If you leave your tag and subsequently your keys somewhere and walk out of range, the app will notify you on your phone that you’ve become separated from your belongings. When I got the device it was only compatible with iOS devices but it seems now they've launched the Android app (I have not tested it but it gets poor ratings).

For the iPhone, setup is straight forward and the takes you step by step through the process, allowing you to name the item you’re connecting the ANKR to, and setting up safe zones so the alert doesn’t go off in a specific location, say when you’re at home and run outside to get something from the car. Even so, I found sometimes it's overly sensitive and I get an excess number of notifications and I have to expand my geofence. I also found that when using this with the iPad vs the iPhone, you don't get push notification popups when you walk out of range, the alert only appears in the app itself, which is odd. However, you can add as many ANKRs and safe zones as you want to the app and check on each device’s battery level. The battery inside should last you 6 months to a year and is easily replaceable. The only problem I had with my unit was that initially I was able to turn it on and off using the button on the back, after all I don't need to track my devices constantly and would like to save on battery life, but now it seems I can't shut it off and it's "stuck" in always on which is a minor inconvenience.

The ANKR has an audible alarm on the tag itself to help you locate your item if it’s misplaced but in range of your phone, just press the ping button in the app. Once you’re out of Bluetooth range though, you can only see its last known location, so it’s not a great theft mitigation tool. Also, if you misplace your phone, it can’t help you there. Mine has run out of batteries a few times over the years, though I can't say how long it lasts because by the time I remember to check the battery, it's probably long since been dead.

The ANKR tag is somewhat useful for folks who are forgetful, frequently misplace important things or want to try to keep tabs on their belongings. But if you want something with GPS tracking for lost items, ANKR doesn't have crowd geolocating.

Buy it at Amazon: ANKR Smart Tracker Key Fob Tag [Affiliate Link]

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Vava Egg Shaped Kids Baby Night Light Review

Silkworld Ice Silk Briefs Review