Do you always end up looking for your dog? Does it wander off to your neighbor’s yard? Or does it have a hiding spot you do not know of? In such cases, a GPS tracker can help you find your dog and get it back to safety.
One such device we will review today is the PETFON pet GPS tracker. It is a set of tracker and controller devices. It offers features like the real-time location of your pet, virtual fences, boundary notifications, light alarms, and voice commands.
The device does not need a SIM card or a subscription to work. It does not rely on a cellular connection to work. It uses a combination of technologies like GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and LoPoWan to track and transfer data.
The tracker has a short battery life and can be a pricey option. So, is it worth the investment? Let us start with our PETFON pet GPS tracker review to know more.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | PETFON |
| Model | PETFON Pet GPS Tracker |
| Dimensions | 1.65 x 1.65 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 0.9 ounces |
| Color | Blue & White |
| Material | Glossy Dark Blue ABS Cover |
| Transmit Power | 22 dBm |
| Tracking Distance | • Urban areas - 0.65 miles • Open areas - 3.5 miles |
| Battery | Chip - SX1262 |
| Location | Initial positioning time - 32 seconds |
| Cost | Starts from $239.99 |
| Subscription | No monthly fee |
| Warranty | 1-year |
| Amazon Rating | 3.7 out of 5 (1563 ratings) |
Our Rating
About PETFON
PETFON is a brand by the tech company UBISIGHT. It focuses on developing wearable technologies for pets. The core team at the company has over 15 years of experience working in the pet product space.
PETFON’s product range includes smart trackers, dog collars, and accessories like colorful cases and chargers.
The brand offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products. The PETFON app is available in languages like English, French, Spanish, German, and Japanese.
You can reach out to the customer support team via chat and call.
Who is the PETFON Pet GPS Tracker For?
Your dog may like spending time outdoors, running around chasing butterflies. Curiosity and playfulness are traits expected from most dog breeds. But you must ensure your dogs are also protected and safe.
For example, your dog may run outside when it hears a car honking. Such a situation can understandably be distressing for you. There is the risk of your dog making it past the house’s boundary and getting into an accident.
A pet GPS tracker like PETFON can keep your dog safe. You can create virtual fences and get alerts when the dog crosses the fence. You can use the light on the tracker to find your pet or use voice commands to get it back to safety.
If your dog tends to wander around on its daily walks, you can use the real-time tracking feature to know its location. When in a dog park, you can give it the freedom to run and play around but also ensure it is within the park’s boundaries.
You can also monitor your dog’s activity with information like step count, distance, and duration.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Product On
The PETFON GPS tracker offers various features like GPS tracking, virtual fences, multi-color alerts, and voice commands. But how well does the device perform? How easy is it to set up and use the device? Let us find out.
1. Design
Inside the PETFON box, you will receive a tracker and controller device, two loops and bands, one portable charging box, a USB cable, and a quick start guide.
The tracker device is a compact device with the dimensions of 1.65 x 1.65 x 0.7 inches and weighs about 0.9 ounces. The controller device weighs about 0.8 ounces, which you must have on yourself to track your pet.
The tracker device has an IP65 rating. This means the device is protected from dust and low-pressure water jets. The device can be used in light rain or snow but is not meant to be used while swimming.
The white end of the tracker device lights up depending on its state. For example, it could be a light alarm, or the device could be charging.
If you wish, you can buy the PETFON dog collar to go with the device. The collar is available in three sizes:
- Small – 11 to 14.5 inches
- Medium – 14.5 to 19 inches
- Large – 19 to 23 inches
The collars have a neoprene padding, protecting your dog’s skin from any irritation. It also includes reflective stitching so you can find your pet more easily.
2. Battery
The battery lasts for 3 to 16 hours, depending on use. For example, with intensive use, the battery lasts 3 to 8 hours. With regular use, the battery lasts for 8 to 16 hours.
PETFON has a pretty short battery life compared to other pet GPS trackers in the market. To extend battery life, you use the device in power-saving mode. You will not receive auto updates on your pet’s location in this mode, but you will have to check it manually.
The LED light indicates the battery level at different stages. For example, if the LED light is green, the battery is between 100 and 21%. The battery is between 20 and 0% if the light is red.
While charging, the LED will be blue, and when fully charged, it will turn green.
To charge the device, insert the USB cable into the portable box. Once the light turns blue, let the box charge for 30 minutes, and then place the tracker and the controller in the box.
There could be cases wherein the devices will not charge after you place them in the box. You will have to interchange the tracker and controller device positions and then try charging.
If the device still does not charge, please contact PETFON. They will send you a separate charging line to charge the devices.
3. Usability
To start using the PETFON device, you first must activate the tracker and the controller.
Remove both devices from the box, remove the film on the bottom, and place them back inside the charging box. The tracker and the controller should flash blue, which means they are activated.
Next, download the PETFON app and create your account. The app may need permissions like Bluetooth, camera, location, and microphone. Next, scan the tracker and the controller to add them to the app and bind them to each other.
You may be required to update the firmware, so connect to a strong WiFi or 4G network.
You can now set up fences, track your pet in real-time, or look up its activity.
The control terminal is with the owner, and the tracker remains with the pet. The devices should be near each other for the tracking to work.
The PETFON needs a lot of improvement in terms of features and user experience.
The PETFON tracker is meant for outdoor use only during activities like walking, hiking, or camping. Do not use the tracker when inside the house.
4. Features
You can set up to three virtual fences with the PETFON app. If the dog goes out of the set boundary, you will be alerted about the same. You can then move in the direction of the pet so it does not get out of range.
You can set sound and light alarms on the tracker when it crosses a boundary. You can use the sound as a corrective stimulus and train your dog to stay inside the virtual fence area.
The light alarm can be handy if you go for night walks with your pet. When turned on, the tracker will emit an 11-color LED light show, which can help you quickly spot your pet.
The fences can also be used to keep dogs outside a particular area. For example, if you have a water body on your property or a tool shed you do not want your dog to venture into, you can set these places as out of bounds. The tracker will send an alarm if the dog tries to get near the boundary.
5. Performance
The PETFON tracker works with technologies like GPS, WiFi, and LoPoWan. It does not rely on cellular networks. So, you do not have to worry about buying an additional SIM card or paying monthly service fees.
Ideally, you can use the tracker globally as long as good GPS signal quality is available and you have a phone compatible with the PETFON app.
When it comes to accuracy, the tracker is a bit of hit and miss. Firstly, the tracker and the controller must be near each other. You must adhere to the tracking range of 0.65 to 3.5 miles, or the tracker will not work.
Secondly, the GPS accuracy is not the best compared to other pet trackers. You could possibly get false alerts. You need to be careful while setting the fences. Do not set them too close to your property line. Due to GPS inaccuracies, the virtual fence could very well end up on the road.
The app performance is another issue. The app froze on multiple occasions. This can be a difficult situation to be in, especially if your pet is missing.
Overall, PETFON has the potential to be a good pet tracker, but the brand should concentrate on improving accuracy and app performance.
What Sets the PETFON Pet GPS Tracker Apart from its Competitors?
The PETFON GPS tracker has a voice commanding system. You can use a preset voice command or record a custom command in your voice.
The feature can be helpful when you do not want your dog to venture out far from the safe boundary. For example, if the dog goes beyond your yard area, you can set the tracker to sound the voice command. It could be a simple command like ‘go home.’
Your dog will respond more to your voice than a sound or light alarm and return home.
Should You Purchase the PETFON Pet GPS Tracker?
The PETFON pet GPS tracker offers features like GPS tracking, geofences, sound and light alarms, and voice commands.
The setup process is straightforward, but using the device can be a hassle due to the app’s performance. The location updates can be slow.
You should consider some pros and cons before buying the pet tracker.
Pros
- You can know your pet’s location at any time
- You do not have to pay a monthly fee to use the tracker
- You can create up to three virtual fences
- You can set up hazard zones
- You can set a light alarm on the tracker to find your pet in the dark
Cons
- It has a short battery life
- It can be an expensive pet GPS tracker
- The app’s performance needs improvement
Price
At the time of writing the PETFON pet GPS tracker review, the device costs about $239.99.
Additionally, you can buy accessories like colorful dog collars, clear and colorful case kits, and portable charging boxes. These accessories can cost you $20 to $25.
FAQ’s
No. The PETFON tracker device is weather-proof and dust-resistant. Your dog can wear it while playing around the yard in light rain, but it is unsuitable for swimming. If the device gets damaged by water submersion, it will not be covered under the warranty policy.
No. The PETFON device uses GPS to track your dog and Bluetooth and LoPoWan for transmission. It does not need a cellular signal or data to work. The tracker will work as long as it is connected to your phone’s Bluetooth.
Yes. You can use the PETFON device outside of the US as long as the area receives a good GPS signal. Google or Mapbox should also cover the area.
Summary
The PETFON GPS tracker is an IP65-rated device. It comes as a set of tracker and controller devices. You attach the tracker device to the dog’s collar and keep the controller device on yourself.
The tracker has a tracking range of 0.65 to 3.5 miles, depending on the area you are in. You must be inside the range for the tracker to work.
The tracker offers features like real-time GPS tracking, geofences, light alarms, and voice commands. It does not need a SIM to work, and the app is free to use, so no monthly fees are involved.
The tracker can be expensive, and it needs several performance improvements.
We hope our PETFON pet GPS tracker review helps with your purchase decision.
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.