Luggage trackers

[Danger]

Who uses luggage trackers and which ones do you use?

Years ago, I used LugLoc with mixed results. I purchased the newer version 18 months ago, but the cost of sim subscription was far too high so I returned it.

AirTags seem to be very popular but I don't have an iPhone, just an old iPad (which I guess would still do the trick). Given it works off others' phones, rather than a GPS signal, I would think the usage is limited, although I guess the majority of the population probably has an iPhone these days.

Tracki has been recommended to me but it, too, requires a sim subscription, the cost of which I can't find.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Who uses luggage trackers and which ones do you use?

Years ago, I used LugLoc with mixed results. I purchased the newer version 18 months ago, but the cost of sim subscription was far too high so I returned it.

AirTags seem to be very popular but I don't have an iPhone, just an old iPad (which I guess would still do the trick). Given it works off others' phones, rather than a GPS signal, I would think the usage is limited, although I guess the majority of the population probably has an iPhone these days.

Tracki has been recommended to me but it, too, requires a sim subscription, the cost of which I can't find.

We used to use luggage trackers years ago but all of them have fallen by the wayside. Now AirTags are the way to go. Plus buy and use, no subscription. There’s also Tile but haven’t used them.

 

[RooFlyer]

I assume your phone is Android; Android users traditionally use Tile and seem OK with it. But as the iPhone user coverage is much broader and denser, AirTags must give a better tracking result. If you carry your iPad with you, I'd give AirTags a go. If you have the time, maybe buy 1 and test it around town to see how it performs.

As TRTMA says, no subscription, just buy and use.

 

[tdimdad]

It sounds like the Apple's tags provide a more ubiquitous coverage than the alternatives. As RooFlyer mentioned, Tile is the most common product for Android users (and I have a couple of those).

Why it seems that the Apple tags give more readings or have better coverage is because they rely on the 'Find my device' function on Apple gadgets, which is active by default together with location & bluetooth (if I've understood this correctly). Tile needs its own app installed (and location & bluetooth active) to scan the environment for tags. Google is working on a uniform standard at the operating system level which would provide similar coverage to Apples but that'll be some time away (in 2024???).

SIM-based trackers might be useful in more remote areas where you have a suitable mobile network but not many phones / tablets roaming around scanning for tags. If you have an iPad, I'd try the Apple tags first and if they fall short in performance, then think of more niche options.

 

[Lynda2475]

I use Tiles and have always been able to verify that my bags are onboard the aircraft (the range is a bit longer than Apple tags) and found there are sufficient users (as can be used by both Android and iPhones) that can also be tracked through the airport and whilst in touristy areas.

You can use them without a subscription but the subscription (AU$48.99/year) provides more options and peace of mind (including free replacement of any tile damaged during subscription period).

 

[Danger]

Yes, I'm an Android user, but carrying an iPad, I'm wondering if AirTags may still be the way to go. The reviews of Tracki read very well but I can't find information on subscription costs.

CNN has a review of the Tile Mate. As noted, they do seem to be more limited in use than the AirTags.

 

[latawiec]

I use Tiles and have always been able to verify that my bags are onboard the aircraft (the range is a bit longer than Apple tags) and found there are sufficient users (as can be used by both Android and iPhones) that can also be tracked through the airport and whilst in touristy areas.

You can use them without a subscription but the subscription (AU$48.99/year) provides more options and peace of mind (including free replacement of any tile damaged during subscription period).

I am also using Tiles purchased at Mayer for $44 about 2 yrs ago.

I have always been able to verify that my bags are on airplanes.

Happy with it but it will soon die as it includes unreplaceable battery.

Therefore, I like to consider purchasing a new one that will be without subscription cost and also with replaceable battery.

Note: EU establishes new requirements that new smartphones will have back replaceable batteries. I expect that it is a great idea for all gadgets.

 

[quick_dry]

I used to use Tiles, but switched to AirTags.

IMO the Tile is a superior thing itself - it is MUCH louder, it has a button so it can be used to trigger your phone to make a sound, and it has the little hole for you to fit a keyring through without an extra case. They also let your register and verify your ID with Tile so it can be used in a 'quiet' mode so thieves can't just scan for the Tile and have it play a tone till thy find it - unlike Airtag.

But as a tracker, it is nowhere near as good. Tile works well if _I_ am in range, but the number of people with the Tile app on their phone is nowhere near the ubiquitous coverage of Airtags. Airtags win because people have iPhones.

 

[tdimdad]

But as a tracker, it is nowhere near as good. Tile works well if _I_ am in range, but the number of people with the Tile app on their phone is nowhere near the ubiquitous coverage of Airtags. Airtags win because people have iPhones.

It's actually dependent on a different approach: Tiles need a dedicated app to be installed on the phones but Airtags rely on the 'Find my Phone' function which is automatically active in every Apple device. I hope Google gets their side standardised and can use something equally ubiquitous.

 

[Lynda2475]

the number of people with the Tile app

Haven't found this to be an issue, you may be surprised that some iphone users also use Tiles.

Even when my Tiles have been out of range of my phone, Ive been able to locate my bags as it seems there is always another traveller or airport employee with the Tile app.

YMMV of course but even when BA were delivering my delayed bags I could see them zig-zaging all around Edinburgh in the delivery van. And it wasnt the drivers phone (I asked), just other Tile users near the van.

 

[quick_dry]

It's actually dependent on a different approach: Tiles need a dedicated app to be installed on the phones but Airtags rely on the 'Find my Phone' function which is automatically active in every Apple device. I hope Google gets their side standardised and can use something equally ubiquitous.

I'd argue we just said the same thing using different words.

It would be interesting if there was a standardisation and every Android came with it built in and active, I might not switch to using an Android phone - but I would pickup some trackers that fit their ecosystem, especially with plenty of travel into Africa where iDevices aren't so common.

Haven't found this to be an issue, you may be surprised that some iphone users also use Tiles.

I was one of those people, the chime on them is SOOO much louder., I _much_ preferred them to the AirTags. Maybe with massive baggage issues people got more heavily into bag trackers and the network has improved greatly - good to hear, maybe I'll put fresh batteries in and they can come along for the ride to see how they go. (If I can find them lol)

 

[maaz]

I have the Tile mate in both our suitcases. We left Perth last night and according to the Tile app our luggage is still in PER but we are in HKG about to board a flight for HEL and then AMS. Our bags were tagged through to AMS.
The location tracker tracks the tiles all the way from our home to PER international and then up to midnight-ish when we boarded CX140 to HKG.
I have WiFi access here in HKG but not network access. I do hope that our luggage is coming with us.
Any thoughts? Do we prepare for no luggage. Seems funny that both of our suitcases are still in Perth?? Thanks

 

[DC3]

These: Apple Airtags

 

[elanshin]

I have the Tile mate in both our suitcases. We left Perth last night and according to the Tile app our luggage is still in PER but we are in HKG about to board a flight for HEL and then AMS. Our bags were tagged through to AMS.
The location tracker tracks the tiles all the way from our home to PER international and then up to midnight-ish when we boarded CX140 to HKG.
I have WiFi access here in HKG but not network access. I do hope that our luggage is coming with us.
Any thoughts? Do we prepare for no luggage. Seems funny that both of our suitcases are still in Perth?? ThanksView attachment 367006

No way to really know until you get to AMS, although it would be strange if they were left behind at PER and HKG is very efficient and quick with bags.

On the topic of trackers, quietly waiting for Google (who's waiting on Apple) to properly turn on their Find My Device network (and their tracker) along with other 3rd parties that are ready to roll too.

 

[latawiec]

I have the Tile mate in both our suitcases. We left Perth last night and according to the Tile app our luggage is still in PER but we are in HKG about to board a flight for HEL and then AMS. Our bags were tagged through to AMS.
The location tracker tracks the tiles all the way from our home to PER international and then up to midnight-ish when we boarded CX140 to HKG.
I have WiFi access here in HKG but not network access. I do hope that our luggage is coming with us.
Any thoughts? Do we prepare for no luggage. Seems funny that both of our suitcases are still in Perth?? ThanksView attachment 367006

Above is shown last record of location for your tiles/suitcases in Perth.

The record will not be updated until somebody near them will have turned on the Bluetooth.

Therefore, the Tile may not show up your suitcases in HKG until somebody near them have turned on the Bluetooth.

Hopefully, they will be in AMS and you may get an update in AMS ...

 

[maaz]

Thank you elanshin and latawec. The bags were (wrongly) tagged to AMS but they did arrive in HEL where we have a one night stopover. I could see them on the Tile App when we landed in HEL as soon as I activated my esim.

 

[Lynda2475]

I always keep my phone on until push back so you can detect the tiles/bags are on board when leaving Aus - the range of Tile is good enough to do this even on a A380 so you dont have to rely on other peoples phones.

I then put travel sim in my tablet during outbound flight so can again detect bags as soon as we land and can turn flight mode off.

 

[latawiec]

Thank you elanshin and latawec. The bags were (wrongly) tagged to AMS but they did arrive in HEL where we have a one night stopover. I could see them on the Tile App when we landed in HEL as soon as I activated my esim.

Good.

It seems that at the HKG during luggage transfers there were not active Bluetooth in vicinity range of Tiles in your suitcases.

 

[tdimdad]

I'm late to this convo but have the same experiences with Tile: the last known location was the departure airport but no "pings" en route. For the trackers to be detected, it requires someone with both the Tile app & bluetooth running in their phone / tablet.

My observation is that this is not common in the airport airside environments, in addition to the bags travelling on conveyor belts often a bit further away from groups of staff (group = increased probability of someone having the app & bluetooth). Many times, I see my tracker reappear in the app pretty much when the bag is already near or on the luggage collection belt.

Once Google gets their 'Find my device' sorted, Tiles (and similar) should become heaps more visible en route.

 

[Flying Fox]

I use Chipolo ONE Spot which still uses the Apple network but you can also use their app instead of Find-Me.

I followed the Youtube reviews and they claim louder buzzer and much much longer ranger. Another bonus is that they already have a hole formed in the device so you can use a generic loop to attached to things that you want to track.