As much as we wish we could keep our dogs with us 24/7, everyday life has a habit of getting in the way. Most dog owners are forced to leave their best friend behind for many hours each day while they’re at work, school, or out running errands. It’s easy for both dog and owner to feel some major separation anxiety.

While you might not be able to explain to your pup why you need to leave every day, there is an easy way for you to keep tabs on things while you’re gone.

The Fi Collar is a smart dog collar that tracks your dog’s location and activity 24 hours a day, with technology that allows you to get live updates right from your smartphone. You’ll never miss a moment in your dog’s life, no matter how far away you are.

Why do I need a GPS dog collar?

GPS dog collars help you track your dog’s whereabouts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 10 million pets are lost each year in the United States, and only 15 percent of those without ID tags or microchips ever make it home.

While microchips and ID tags give you a better chance of finding your pup again, they still rely on the goodwill of others to take action and contact you.

With a GPS dog collar, you can take your dog’s location into your own hands. If your dog escapes the backyard or makes it off the leash, you can track exactly where he is in real time through the GPS locator. Your pup can be home in a matter of minutes, instead of days or even weeks of phone calls, flyers, and constant worrying.

Fi Smart Collar Design

The Fi collar’s design includes several features that help monitor your dog’s location and well-being. Let’s take a look at what exactly you can expect from your Fi smart collar.

Appearance

At first glance, the Fi collar looks just like any other dog collar. It features a buckle, size adjuster, and D-ring for attaching tags and a leash. The only standout feature is the GPS device.

One nice feature about the Fi Smart Collar is it has very sturdy hardware. The buckles are a serious alloy metal that will be sure to withstand years of wear. The nylon collar itself is also significantly strong.

LED light

If you frequently let your dog out at night, the built-in LED light will help you keep him in sight. The light can be turned on and off via the smartphone app with the simple click of a button. You can even choose between seven different light colors.

In my testing, the light isn’t terribly bright and can be partially blocked by your dog’s fur. While it’s helpful at night, I wouldn’t say it’s a foolproof way to spot your dog at all times.

Built-in GPS tracking module

The Fi collar’s built-in GPS module is a small, black-and-silver box that lays flat against your dog’s neck. It’s barely noticeable and certainly won’t irritate your pup. The GPS device needs to be charged approximately every three months, and is done by simply plugging this part of the collar into the wall using the included charger.

Sizing

To fit dogs of all shapes, the Fi collar comes in four different sizes. To determine which you’re your pup needs, all you need to do is measure the circumference of his neck. The size options and measurements are as follows:

• Small: 11.5” – 13.5”
• Medium: 13” – 16.5”
• Large: 16” – 22.5”
• X-Large: 22” – 34.5”

Color choices

Fi makes its collar available in four different colors: gray, yellow, blue, and pink. While your pup might not notice the difference, we appreciate the opportunity to add our own sense of style.

Waterproofing

Does your dog love swimming? Not a problem. The Fi collar is designed for pups with all types of activity levels. The collar holds an IP68 waterproof rating, the highest possible rating. It means the GPS module can be submerged in both fresh and salt water for long periods of time without being compromised.

Fi smartphone app

In order to track your dog using the Fi collar, you’ll need to download the Fi smartphone app. The app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play and has a long list of great features you’ll love.

LTE-M network coverage

The Fi collar connects to the LTE-M network, which has 20-30% more coverage than regular 3G/LTE cell networks. However, the collar also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.

Create safe zones

For everyday use, you can create safe zones in areas such as your backyard. If your pup escapes the safe zone, the Fi app will automatically send you a notification.

This is one of the most useful features of the Fi collar in my opinion. The only downside is when you’re setting it up, you have to use a circle-shape to set the safe-zone. If you have a rectangular shaped property, this means you’ll have to overshoot your boundaries to cover all the safe area.

Lost dog mode

If your dog does escape while wearing the Fi collar, what happens? All you need to do is activate Lost Dog mode in the Fi app. This automatically turns the collar’s bright red LED light on and begins sending live GPS updates to your phone to help you track down your pup more quickly.

Activity tracking

If you use an activity monitor to track your own fitness level, you’ll love the Fi collar activity tracking feature. The app keeps track of your dog’s daily, weekly, and monthly steps, even allowing you to set step goals and compete against other pups in the area.

Multi-user access

From family members to pet sitters, you can invite anyone you choose to access your dog’s Fi collar by downloading the Fi app to their own phone. Change permission levels between “owner” and “walker” and remove access at any time.

Fi Collar Battery Life and Charging

The Fi collar lasts an average of three months on a single charge when in everyday use mode. However, highly active dogs who go on frequent walks or trips outside the home may need their collar charged every three weeks to two months. When in Lost Dog Mode, the collar’s battery life is limited to just two days as it’s pinging updates frequently.

The Fi app will let you know when your pup’s collar is low on battery and needs to be charged. All you need to do is use the included charger to plug the collar into any wall outlet until it’s fully charged again.

Charging is very simple, you just pop the collar off and place it on the dock. The status light on the collar will let you know when charging is complete. The dock is the only way to change the collar, there are no other USB inputs on the device that you could use if you don’t have the dock with you.

Fi Collar Cost and Subscription

The Fi collar can be purchased from the Fi website for $149. You’ll also have to pay for a GPS plan if you wish to use the LTE-M network tracking feature.

The collar comes with a free 30-day trial of the GPS service. After this, you can choose to pay $99 for one year, $186 for two years, or $248 for three years.

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