With today’s technology, losing your keys or wallet should be a thing of the past. Bluetooth trackers like the Tile Pro aim to be the solution for locating those important belongings that you might misplace. A small, lightweight device that attaches to a variety of personal items, the Tile Pro is one of the more popular tracking solutions available today. But just how well does it work? And is it the best option at its price point?
What is the Tile Pro?
The Tile Pro is a compact and user-friendly Bluetooth tracking device designed to help you locate your essential belongings. Everyone knows the pain and inconvenience of misplacing their car keys, wallet, remote control, or other small (but important) possessions.
Bluetooth trackers come in various shapes and sizes, but Tile was among the first to ship a small, lightweight tag that can easily attach to keyrings, wallets, bags, and the like. The Tile Pro retains the shape and design of other Tile tags but offers a wider tracking range.
The Tile Pro is a convenient tool for daily life, as it makes it easy to find lost personal items. Simply attach the Tile Pro to the item you want to track and install the Tile app on your iOS or Android device. Within a limited Bluetooth range — Tile claims it’s up to 400 feet for the Pro model — you can use the app to make the tag ring loudly, helping you find nearby lost items.
Casual users who need a simple yet reliable way to find misplaced items within a limited range will find the Tile Pro useful. Its simple integration with its mobile app has earned the Tile Pro a reputation as a user-friendly, cost-effective tracking solution. Given its reasonable price point, it’s easy to see why Tile Pro tags have become a popular choice for everyday tracking needs.
How Does the Tile Pro Tracker Work?
The Tile Pro uses Bluetooth technology to connect with the Tile app on your smartphone or other mobile device. This enables you to track tagged belongings up to the advertised range of approximately 400 feet (120 meters).
It should be noted that reaching the full range of 400 feet requires optimal conditions, where few other devices are emitting other radio signals. Most Tile Pro users report tracking tags within an impressive range, but generally not 400 feet.
This means the Tile Pro works great for finding items lost within your home, office, or car. But what happens when your Tile Pro is outside Bluetooth range? This is where the Tile Network, a unique crowdsourcing feature, comes into play.
The Tile Network: Tracking Beyond Bluetooth Range
The Tile Network leverages the large community of Tile app users to create a larger tracking network. If your Tile Pro goes out of your Bluetooth range and another Tile user happens to pass by it while their Tile app is running, their app anonymously detects your Tile's signal. This information is then relayed to you through the app running on your device, providing you with the last known location of your item.
The Tile Network increases your chances of recovering lost items beyond Bluetooth range. It’s an innovative, anonymous feature, as other Tile users are not aware that they’ve helped you find your item. However, the downside of this approach is obvious — if you (or your lost item) are in an area without other Tile app users, you’re back to tracking in the limited Bluetooth range.
The Tile App: More Features
The Tile App is actually the source of much of the Tile Pro’s functionality. The app is critical to making the Tile Network functional. Beyond making your Tile tag ring, the app displays the last recorded location of your Tile on a map, which can be useful when you’re outside of tracking range.
If you subscribe to the Premium version of the Tile app ($2.99 monthly or $29 annually), you gain access to the Location History feature. Here, you can see where your Tile Pro has been over time, which can be used for tracking analytics or simply retracing your steps.
Key Features of the Tile Pro
Here’s a summary of the Tile Pro’s top features:
- Long Bluetooth range: The Tile Pro offers up to 400 feet for nearby tracking.
- Crowdsourced location network: The Tile app leverages other Tile users’ devices to locate lost items outside Bluetooth range.
- Ring functionality: Tile Pro tags emit a loud sound to help you find nearby items.
- Durability: The Tile Pro is water-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor use.
- Replaceable battery: The Tile Pro ships with a one-year battery life, which is easily replaced.
Pros of Tile Pro Tracker
The positive traits of the Tile Pro include:
- Affordable: The Tile Pro offers budget-friendly item tracking.
- Compact design: Tile Pro tags are small, lightweight, and easy to attach to various items.
- User-friendly app: The Tile app sports an Intuitive interface with useful features like a map and the last recorded location.
- Wide community network: The Tile Network enhances the ability to locate lost items, extending the range past Bluetooth’s limitations.
Cons of Tile Pro Tracker
Despite having many pros, there are several cons of the Tile Pro tracker, like:
- Limited range: Bluetooth technology limits tracking to short distances.
- Dependence on crowdsourcing: The effectiveness of the Tile Network relies heavily on the density of Tile users nearby.
- No real-time tracking: The Tile Pro cannot provide live updates on the location of tracked items.
- Not ideal for vehicles or trailers: Tile and Tile Pro trackers are designed for personal items, not larger assets such as vehicles or trailers.
How Does the Tile Pro Compare to LandAirSea Devices?
While the Tile Pro is a convenient solution for tracking everyday personal items within a limited range, it has several limitations compared to GPS tracking devices like those offered by LandAirSea. That’s understandable since Bluetooth trackers and GPS devices utilize fundamentally different technologies and cater to distinct needs. Here’s a look at some of the key differences.
Technology and Range
The Tile Pro relies on Bluetooth technology. This limits the tracking range to an area of up to 400 feet. The Tile Pro is, therefore, suitable for finding items within your home, office, or other relatively small spaces. Meanwhile, LandAirSea devices offer GPS technology. GPS uses a network of satellites to determine a tracked item’s precise location anywhere on Earth.
Real-Time Tracking
LandAirSea GPS devices provide real-time location updates around the globe, delivered through satellite and cellular networks. The Tile Pro, on the other hand, cannot track items in real-time. When an item with a Tile tag is out of Bluetooth range, it relies on the crowdsourced Tile Network. A lower density of Tile users can severely limit the network’s functionality.
Use Cases
The Tile Pro works great for tracking small personal items like keys and wallets. However, for critical applications like fleet management, trailer security, or long-distance tracking, LandAirSea devices are the clear winner, thanks to their GPS capabilities and durability.
Battery Life and Durability
LandAirSea trackers are built for longevity. They often feature extended battery life options, allowing for weeks or even months of continuous tracking without a recharge. Many LandAirSea models are designed with rugged, weatherproof casings to withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
While water-resistant, the Tile Pro is not designed for heavy-duty use or prolonged exposure to the elements. Its battery is typically designed to last for about a year and then needs to be removed and replaced.
Why the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker is the Better Choice
If you need more than simple item tracking within close range, the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker is the better choice. Among its features are:
- Global real-time tracking: LandAirSea devices are perfect for trailers, vehicles, and valuable assets.
- Reliable connectivity: GPS and cellular technology ensure uninterrupted tracking.
- Advanced features: LandAirSea trackers offer geofencing, motion alerts, detailed location history, and more.
- Versatility: LandAirSea trackers are suitable for personal, business, and industrial applications.
- Durability: LandAirSea devices are built to handle multiple harsh environments and long-term heavy use.
LandAirSea GPS Devices Outperform the Tile Pro Tracker
While the Tile Pro is a convenient solution for limited tracking needs, the range of LandAirSea GPS devices outperforms Bluetooth trackers in nearly every category. LandAirSea trackers with worldwide GPS capabilities are simply more versatile and offer advanced tracking capabilities. Whereas the Tile Pro’s effectiveness is limited to small, personal items, LandAirSea devices are ideal for vehicles, trailers, and other valuable assets.
In addition, LandAirSea GPS trackers provide advanced features like motion detection and geofencing. They also offer extended battery life, making them ideal for both personal and industrial applications.
Did you know that LandAirSea has an extensive global reach? LandAirSea GPS trackers offer international tracking, which works in over 155 counties. Learn more about the LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker today to start tracking.
If you want more information on GPS trackers, contact LandAirSea, and a member of our friendly team will answer any questions.
