Curiosity, territorial instinct, heat, stress, and fear are reasons cats tend to run away from home and hide. At the end of the day, most of these cats find their way home, but some may get lost.
As a cat parent, not finding your beloved pet when you call out their name can be stressful. Cats typically do not venture far off from home, but you are bound to get anxious when looking for them around the neighborhood.
I know this because I get anxious when I cannot find my pets. Since I am experienced in GPS tracking, I have switched to pet trackers to keep an eye on my furry family. I routinely test different trackers and explore new features to find the best device on the market.
One such device we will review today is the Weenect cat GPS tracker. It uses GPS technology to provide live location updates. It has features like safety zones, history, and activity tracking.
But you need a subscription to use the tracker. And it must be charged frequently. The article will take you through Weenect’s performance to help with your purchase decision.
| Product Overview | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Weenect |
| Model | Weenect XS Mini GPS for Cats |
| Dimension | 2.3 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches |
| Weight | 0.95 ounces |
| Color | Black, White |
| Battery | Rechargeable Lithium-ion, 500 mAh |
| Connectivity | GPS, Compatible with 4G and 2G, 5G-ready |
| Coverage | 30+ countries including the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Italy |
| Compatibility | Apple iOS 13.6 or above, Android 5 or above, Web-based app supported on all browsers |
| Waterproof | IP68 rating |
| Tracker Price | $29.99 |
| Subscription | Starts from $4.72 to $9.99/month depending on payment period |
| Warranty | Two years manufacturer warranty, Multi-risk warranty offered for $3.99/month |
| Customer Support | Help center, Website form Email Online chat (premium plan) |
| Amazon Rating | 3.5 out of 5 |
About Weenect
Weenec is a global brand with offices in Miami, Paris, and Brussels. They are committed to providing tech solutions to help track, find, and share your pet’s location. They have partnerships with over 2000 vets and pet stores worldwide.
Weenect offers GPS trackers specially designed for cats and dogs. Their devices meet the standard US certification requirements.
You can visit their help center to learn about Weenect trackers, the app, and their features. To access premium customer service, you must have an active subscription.
Who is the Weenect Cat GPS Tracker For?
As the name of the tracker suggests, it is designed for the safety and protection of cats. The tracker is equipped with GPS technology. So, you are not bound by a range limit when looking for your pet, which is the case with Bluetooth and RF-based trackers.
Weenect trackers include a SIM card. They can be used in 30+ countries across the globe. It provides cross-network coverage. You must pay for a subscription plan to use the tracker. SO factor in the cost in the long run.
The tracker with the case and the collar can become a bit bulky for small cats. Consider the weight and measurements of the tracker before buying.
The tracker needs a good network connection to work. The tracker’s performance may be affected if you live in a remote area with a spotty network or are surrounded by buildings or tall trees. It works best under open skies with minimal obstacles.
5 Important Factors We Tested the Weenect On
After reviewing its description and several customer reviews, I decided to test the tracker. The features look promising on paper, with comparatively low subscription fees.
The below section covers the Weenect tracker’s design, setup, usability process, and performance.
1. Design
The GPS tracker comes with a silicone case, a breakaway collar, and a charging cable. You do not have to necessarily use the collar in the box. The silicone case works with any standard cat collar.
The tracker device’s dimensions are 2.3 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches. The device weighs 0.95 ounces, but with the silicone case, the weight goes slightly above an ounce. The tracker has a curved design so it can fit around the natural shape of your pet’s neck.
It is lightweight, but I would not recommend the tracker for kittens or small cats. It could be bulky for them. I have encountered customer reviews wherein the cats were uncomfortable with the tracker around their neck.
The device has an IP68 rating. This means it is protected from dust and should be fine in water for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. So, the tracker should technically work if your cat gets caught in the rain.
The device has a built-in flashing light, which can help you find your cat at night or in dark places. It can also ring and vibrate, letting the cat know it is time to get back home.
Overall, the Weenect tracker has a durable design, but the company should focus on reducing the tracker’s size. This can help it expand its user base as well.
2. Battery
The Weenect tracker is equipped with a rechargeable battery. It has a capacity of 500 mAh. Weenect claims if you continuously use the tracker, the battery can last up to 3 days. If you majorly use it with features like WiFi zones, the battery can extend up to 10 days.
Your device may meet these battery life estimates, but it significantly depends on how you use the tracker. For example, I set the interval between two GPS positions to 30 seconds to test the accuracy. The battery drained much quicker and lasted up to one and a half days.
The battery can last much longer if you set the interval to a few minutes or an hour apart.
You will receive a low battery alert when the battery first goes below 30% and then 15%.
To charge the Weenect XS tracker, attach the charging cable to the magnetic points at the back of the tracker. You should hear a faint click when the cable is properly attached.
You can use 5V power adapters for charging. Avoid using high-voltage adapters like 9V as they may damage the device.
When the tracker’s battery is low, the LED will flash red. When it is being charged, it will turn a solid red, and finally, it will turn solid green when charging is complete.
3. Usability
To activate the Weenect tracker, you can download the Weenect app or visit their website. Keep the IMEI number of the tracker handy, as you will need it during the activation step.
Create an account and sign in. Choose a subscription plan and pay for it. The tracker is now ready to use. One benefit of the Weenect account is that you can add unlimited trackers to it. So, if you have multiple pets, you can view them at a glance with a single account.
The app is well-designed, and it is easy to use once you go through the options. Using the map view, you can access basic tracker information like how far the tracker is from your location, network strength, GPS precision, and battery percentage.
On the map, you will see icons for the SuperLive feature (will explore below) and refresh. Pressing the refresh icon will update your cat’s location regardless of the location interval you have set.
The one concern I have is that the recent update to the Weenect app has negatively impacted its performance. Some users have reported battery drainage issues, while others could not connect to GPS. Weenect should look at addressing these issues.
4. Features
With a subscription plan, you can get GPS updates every 30 seconds to 60 minutes. So whether you are tracking an indoor cat or one that likes wandering outside, the interval between updates can be adjusted for both.
The safety zone is a common feature that most GPS trackers offer. For example, you can set your home or office as a safety zone. If your cat leaves these predetermined zones, you will receive an alert. The best part of the safety zone feature is that you can create unlimited such zones.
You can then enable the SuperLive feature to know where your cat is. SuperLive provides location updates on your cat every 10 seconds for up to five minutes. This can tell you where your cat goes or hides when it leaves home.
You can remotely get the tracker to ring or vibrate through the app. These triggers can be used to train your cat to return home. Start by training your cat indoors.
You can ring the tracker, call your cat to the living room, and treat it when it obeys. Do this for a few weeks so the cat learns the ring means it is time to get to the living room. This way, you can ensure your cat is not left outdoors and returns home before nightfall.
If your cat is still wandering outside at night, you can enable the flashlight feature that will help you spot it quickly.
5. Performance
The Weenect tracker looks good on paper. But it is a mixed bag when it comes to performance. As I have mentioned above, it is best that you use it for bigger cats. If your cat is sensitive, it may not let you attach the Weenect tracker around its neck.
The battery is decent. You must have your own power adapter for charging. Experiment with interval time, WiFi networks, and safety zones to extend battery life.
In terms of GPS accuracy, the performance is a hit-and-miss. I could locate my cat in open spaces like the park or when it hid around the bush in my neighbor’s backyard. But in some cases, the accuracy was off by a few meters.
When I was at a friend’s place with my cat, the map showed me my cat was outside. But it took us a while to search around the backyard. We finally found my cat resting at the back of the garden shed. It was still on the property, which was a relief, but you should know that the accuracy could be off.
With the subscription plans, you get push and email notifications. To receive text alerts, you must opt for a premium plan.
What Sets the Weenect Cat GPS Tracker Apart from its Competitors?
The Weenect tracker provides a glimpse into what your cat is up to and where it spends most of its time. History tracking lets you map your cat’s routine and know its hiding places. So, if your cat ventures outside without the tracker, you still know where it could be.
Apart from location, Weenect also offers activity tracking. Start with customizing your pet’s profile with details like age, breed, gender, size, spayed/neutered status, and vet visit dates. You can then track your pet’s activity levels, rest, and wake-up time.
You can set activity goals and see how your pet performs. You can also share these results on social media and engage in friendly competition with other pet parents.
Should You Purchase the Weenect Cat GPS Tracker?
If you do not want to be limited by distance, consider purchasing the Weenect GPS tracker. It offers multiple map views and can update your cat’s location every few seconds to an hour.
It offers live tracking, unlimited safety zones, recall training, and territory analysis. Its battery can drain quickly, depending on usage. You must also pay for a subscription plan.
Here are some pros and cons to consider before buying the Weenect tracker.
Pros
- You can get GPS updates every 30 seconds to 60 minutes.
- With SuperLive mode, get location updates every 10 seconds for up to 5 minutes.
- You can define security areas and receive entry and exit alerts.
- You can track your pet’s activities and set activity goals.
- The tracker’s remote ring and vibrate feature can be used for recall training.
- You can know where your cat spends the most time with history tracking.
Cons
- Live chat support is only available with a premium plan.
- The battery life is on the shorter end.
- The tracker may not be suitable for small kittens and cats.
Price
You can buy the Weenect WS tracker for $29.99. The tracker is available in black and white colors. The GPS tracker includes a SIM card. You must pay for a subscription plan before you use the tracker.
Here are the subscription plans on offer by Weenect:
| Plan | Payment | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $9.99/month | Minimum commitment of 3 months |
| Annual | $7.49/month$89.99/year | Pay in a single installment for a year |
| Triennial | $4.72/month$56.66/year | Pay in a single installment for 3 years |
Regardless of your chosen plan, you get the same features like GPS tracking, live tracking, recall training, and heat maps.
You can optionally invest in a premium plan on top of your subscription. It can cost you about $2.99/month.
With the premium status, you get benefits like live chat with a Weenect advisor, available seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM EST. You get additional maps like HD satellite views, hiking trails, and forest roads. You get alerts through text messages (limited to up to 40 a month).
FAQ’s
The Weenect tracker comes with a multi-operator SIM. It will pick up the local network in countries with coverage. For example, T-Mobile, AT&T, Commnet, CellularOne, and AWN carriers are supported in the US. Vodafone, EE, and Telefonica are supported in the UK.
No. The Weenect tracker comes with an integrated SIM. Design-wise, you cannot remove or replace the SIM. You must pay for a subscription plan to use the network.
Yes, you can add multiple cat trackers to a single account. You can view the status of all trackers at a glance or drill down for a more detailed view.
Summary
The Weenect cat GPS tracker can help find cats that wander away from home. It can track over a long distance as the tracker relies on GPS technology. The device has an IP68 waterproof rating. It is best suited for tracking and finding big cats.
You can choose from three subscription plans – monthly, annual, and triennial. Regardless of your chosen plan, you can get location updates every 30 seconds to an hour. The tracker offers live tracking, unlimited safety zones, history, and activity tracking.
You can opt for a premium plan for a superior customer service experience.
The tracker has a decent performance in terms of accuracy and functionality. The Weenect app is easy to use but needs to improve its user experience.
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.