Are you tired of spending money on multiple trackers to track your cats? Or is charging GPS trackers frequently a hassle?
If your cat tends to hide away, finding them can be quite a task. A cat tracker can help in such a situation. But buying GPS trackers comes with its own set of challenges. For example, GPS may not work indoors or in places like garages. They need frequent charging and a monthly subscription to work.
An alternative to GPS trackers can be a tracker equipped with RF technology. A tracker that can work indoors and outdoors. One such device we will review today is the Girafus cat tracker.
The tracker comes as a combination of a base and tag module. One base module can track up to four tag devices, which you can attach to your pet’s collar. Using the base module to track your cat can take some time. And changing the battery can be a bit inconvenient.
But with no subscription fees and the ability to track multiple pets, the tracker is a good bargain. The article will take you through the tracker’s design, features, and performance. Let us get started.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Girafus |
| Model | Girafus Pro Track |
| Dimension (base module) | 3.7 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight (base module) | 1.2 ounces |
| Dimension (tag module) | 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight (tag module) | 0.14 ounces |
| Battery (base module) | 3A battery |
| Battery (tag module) | Rechargeable battery |
| Tracking Range | 500 meters |
| Tracker Cost | Starts from $85.99 |
| Subscription | No monthly fees |
| Warranty | NA |
| Customer Support | EmailCall |
| Amazon Rating | 3.5 out of 5 |
Our Rating
About Girafus
Girafus is a brand developed by parents for parents. It is based out of Germany. The founder is a parent to three children and started the brand to help parents track their toddlers.
Their tracking space now includes products like the Pro Track device that can help track your pets over a short distance. You can also buy accessories like cat collars, chargers, and batteries.
You can contact the customer support team via email and call. They are not the best in the market when it comes to customer service, so you will have to be patient with your queries.
Who is the Girafus Cat Tracker For?
The tracker is designed to track pets over a short distance of up to 500 meters. You keep the base module with you for tracking purposes.
The tag device attaches to most of the standard cat and dog collars. It is small and lightweight and thus suitable for small to big pets.
This can be a good buy if you want to track multiple pets with a single tracker purchase. For example, you get one base module and up to four tag modules.
If your cat tends to hide and does not respond when you call out its name or is genuinely stuck somewhere, the tracker can help locate it.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Girafus On
We tested the tracker on several parameters like build quality, setup process, usability, and features. We tried locating the tag device indoors and outdoors. Here is how the tracker performed.
1. Design
When you purchase the Girafus tracker, you will receive a base module, one to four tag modules (depending on what configuration you buy), two AAA batteries, lithium coin batteries, a charger, and a USB cable.
You get screws and a screwdriver to secure the tag device. A silicone cover, tab, hook, and velcro attachment are also included.
You will need a power adapter to connect to the USB cable and charger.
The base module remains with you. Its dimensions are 3.7 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches. It weighs 1.2 ounces. It is a reasonably small device you can carry around in your pocket or bag or attach to a lanyard.
The tag device you will attach to the cat’s collar. Its dimensions are 1.4 x 0.9 x 0.4 inches, and it only weighs 0.14 ounces. You must slip the silicone case over the tag device and attach the velcro strap. The case is supposed to make the device splash-resistant, but I would not put much faith into the case and attachment.
There is the risk of the tag device falling out from the case. I also found user reviews mentioning the same concern. A solution that would work is fastening the silicone case with additional tape.
The tag device does not have any buttons on it. You insert the battery, and it is ready to use. The base module has four buttons on its face, which are meant for the four tag devices.
The tracker has a decent design, but the brand should focus on improving the devices’ quality, usability, and durability.
2. Battery
The base module runs on two AAA batteries, which you will receive in the box. The tag devices each run on a lithium battery lasting seven to ten days.
When it comes to battery life, the device performs better than GPS trackers. With GPS trackers, you typically have to charge the device once every few days. But with Girafus, the battery charging and replacement is brought down to once a week or once in ten days.
You can charge the battery for the tag device using the charger provided with the box. Connect the micro USB cable to a compatible power adapter. Insert the battery into the charging slot with the plus side facing upwards.
The LED next to the charging slot will turn red if the battery percentage is less than 50%. The LED will turn green when the battery percentage is between 50 to 95%. Once completely charged, the LED will turn off.
The process may seem straightforward, but I had trouble getting the battery out of the charging slot. I recommend you use a non-metallic object to remove the battery.
After you insert the charged battery into the tag device, you have to ensure the casing is closed by screwing the two screws provided. This takes a few minutes, but it is not the most user-friendly way to change batteries, especially if you must maintain four-tag devices.
The battery life is good, but this again comes down to the fact that Girafus must make design improvements.
3. Usability
Insert the AAA batteries into the base module to start using the tracker. The power switch is located on the side.
Charge the tag batteries as mentioned above and insert them into the tag device. When you close the case, the tag device should emit a short beep, indicating it is on and ready to use.
If you receive the base and tag modules together, they are already synchronized. The base modules can work with four tags at a time, so the four buttons are already synchronized to the respective tag devices.
For example, the white tag connects to the first button, the black to the second, the purple to the third, and the pink to the fourth. This is the default setting provided by the brand.
The tag device sends out a signal once every minute. The base module should pick up the signal if it is in range. The LED lights on the device should light up. The more the number of LEDs light up, the closer you are to the tracker.
When the base module catches a signal, you should walk forward and see if the signal is getting stronger. If yes, continue walking; if not, walk in a different direction.
It will take you a few tries to understand and use the tracker. The base module can also take a few minutes to update the signal strength. So you have to be patient.
It does sound like a lot, but once you get through the learning stage, the tracker becomes fairly easy to use.
4. Features
The tracker provides a tracking range of 500 meters. It works best in open areas. It can also be helpful to find cats hiding under furniture inside the house or under bushes in the backyard.
There are 6 LEDs on the top corner of the base module. The top LED indicates if you are walking in the right direction. The bottom five LEDs tell you how far you are from the tag device.
If the bottom two LEDs light up, the tag module is in range but far off. Three LEDs indicate still a large distance, and four LEDs mean you are getting close. And five LEDs indicate you are close to the tag device.
You can also enable an audio alert on the base module. On the side of the device, you will find a switch for alarm and mute. If the alarm is on, you will receive an audio alert as you get closer to the tag device. But if you do not have to scare your cat away, you can simply move the switch towards mute and turn off the sound on the base device.
5. Performance
I have a mixed review about the Girafus base and tag device combination. The plus points are the device uses RF technology and can be used anywhere in the world. You do not have to pay a subscription fee or use your smartphone.
In terms of design, the tag device is pretty lightweight. With the silicone case, you can attach the tag device to an existing collar or use the velcro attachment. As mentioned above, the case seems flimsy, so use tape as reinforcements.
In terms of location accuracy, it is a hit-and-miss. It does not tell you in numbers how far you are from the cat. Understanding if you are searching in the right direction takes trial and error.
I was able to find the cat on multiple occasions, but in some cases, everywhere I walked, the base module would not pick up a stronger signal.
The tracker is best suited to find cats indoors or close by in the backyard or neighborhood. If your cat has wandered off somewhere far, you will have to move around with the base module, trying to catch a signal.
What Sets the Girafus Cat Tracker Apart from its Competitors?
The best part of the Girafus tracker is that one base module can help track up to four pets.
Typically, with GPS and Bluetooth trackers, you can monitor multiple pets through a single account. But you must buy separate trackers and subscription plans for each pet. These costs can add up in the long run.
There are no follow-up costs with the Girafus tracker. You do not have to pay a subscription. You do not have to use your smartphone or pay for data. The battery is also rechargeable.
I would recommend the three or four-tag configuration. Even if you do not have multiple pets, these additional tags can be backups.
Should You Purchase the Girafus Cat Tracker?
If you want to track multiple pets over a short distance, pay no subscription fees, and track your cat independently of your phone, the tracker from Girafus could be a good option.
The tracker was able to locate our cat on most occasions. It has a good battery life, but charging and replacing the batteries can be quite a task. The tag device is lightweight and can easily fit small and large cats, but you must use some sturdy attachments as the ones in the box do not seem durable.
Here are some pros and cons for you to consider before buying the cat tracker.
Pros
- The tracker can be used indoors and outdoors
- The tag module is lightweight and compact
- You can track multiple pets with one base module
- You do not need a smartphone to track your cat
- You do not have to pay for a subscription
Cons
- Batteries need to be frequently replaced
- The silicon case and the velcro strap are not sturdy
- It can only track your cat over a short distance
Price
The price for the Girafus tracker varies as per the tag configuration you purchase. The prices for different tag configurations are as follows:
- Base module + 1 tag – $85.99
- Base module + 2 tags – $97.49
- Base module + 3 tags – $116.99
- Base module + 4 tags – $139.99
The tracker does not use a SIM. You do not have to use additional apps to track your cat. So, there are no subscription fees to be paid. Overall, the base module with multiple tags is a budget-friendly option that you can use to track multiple pets or use as backups.
You can also buy accessories like chargers, batteries, reflective cat collars with safety locks, silicone cases, and tags. These can cost you anywhere from $11 to $49.
FAQ’s
Yes, if you lose a tag, you can buy them separately to track your cat. You must synchronize the tag device with the base module before attaching it to your cat’s collar.
You can track up to four pets with a single Girafus base device and four tags. You can buy the tracker with one, two, three, or four tags.
The battery on the tag device can last for seven to ten days, depending on usage. So you will have to charge and change the battery for the tag device a minimum of once a week. You will receive the charger with your purchase.
Summary
The Girafus cat tracker can help locate your pet using RF technology. It provides a tracking range of up to 500 meters. It is best suited for short-range tracking indoors and outdoors in your yard and neighborhood.
The tracker includes a base module that you keep on yourself to track the cat. You attach the tag module to your cat. The base module can support up to four tag devices at a time.
You only have to pay for the device. The batteries are rechargeable, and it is a no-monthly fee tracker.
Girafus should look at making design improvements to provide a more user-friendly experience. The tracker can be a good investment if you want to track multiple pets.
Carson Harris is a highly qualified author and expert in GPS tracking technology. With a background in electrical engineering and machine learning, he has established himself as a trusted source of information. Carson’s work experience at Garmin and Panasonic has further enhanced his expertise. He possesses creative skills in website design and AI applications. Known for his clear and concise communication, Carson’s articles on Trax Family’s website provide valuable insights on GPS trackers.