Tractive offers two models of pet trackers, specifically designed for dogs and cats. These trackers are priced at $49.99 each, excluding any additional membership fees. Both models have a battery life of up to one week and come with IPX7 waterproofing and shock resistance features. In comparison to the Fi Smart Dog Collar Series 2, Tractive’s tracker is a better option for smaller dogs. While the Fi collar requires a minimum weight of 10 pounds, Tractive’s tracker is suitable for dogs weighing at least 8.8 pounds.
Tractive provides two subscription plans: Basic and Premium. The Basic plan costs $12 per month, $84 per year, or $120 for two years. The Premium plan is priced at $96 per year, $144 for two years, or $300 annually. Both plans offer unlimited GPS tracking, unlimited Live tracking with intervals as small as two to three seconds, and activity and sleep monitoring. Premium members also enjoy benefits such as a year’s worth of location history, GPS data exports, family and public sharing, worldwide coverage across 175 countries, and enhanced customer service. In comparison, Fi’s subscription plan is more affordable at $99 per year.
Tractive’s GPS software allows dog owners to track the locations of multiple dogs simultaneously. However, each pet requires its own tracker and subscription. The software has a user-friendly interface with tabs for Map, History, Activity, Profile, and Account. The Map tab is the main screen and allows owners to locate their pets, activate Live and Find modes, check the tracker’s battery life and GPS signal, and adjust map settings.
The tracking feature is always on when the tracker is in use. The pet’s location, along with the time and date of the most recent update, is displayed on the map. The tracker has pre-set location update intervals ranging from two to sixty minutes, depending on the pet’s mobility. To conserve battery life, the tracker reduces its update frequency when the pet is stationary.
The Live mode is particularly useful for real-time tracking when a pet goes missing. By pushing the blue Live button, the Tractive tracker communicates the pet’s GPS location every few seconds. A blue line appears on the map to indicate this movement. It’s important to note that Live mode consumes battery power faster than the default tracking setting. After five minutes, Live tracking automatically turns off to save battery, but users can adjust this time limit in the Profile page.
The Find option helps when a weak GPS signal affects position accuracy. When the tracker is within Bluetooth range, a pet icon appears above the Live button. Tapping on this icon displays a blue bullseye around the pet’s profile picture. As the user approaches the pet, the rings of the bullseye turn blue more frequently. Additionally, the tracker is equipped with a small LED light and an audible alarm to assist in quickly locating the pet.
