Tabcat V2 Cat & Kitten Tracker - More Accurate Than GPS - No Monthly Fee or Subscription - Includes 2 Homing Tags - Up to 500ft Range - Small & Lightweight Tags Perfect to Find Indoor & Outdoor Cats

This is by far the coolest thing I've bought in a very long time. It works extremely well. Unlike bluetooth or gps, which use your phone and an app, this is just a simple beacon and detector. Unlike bluetooth or GPS, this gives you *directional* hotter/colder locating. The one disadvantage is the range, but that's really not a big deal (for me) because just a little walking around will usually get you a signal. Some people have mentioned that it takes a little getting used to to follow the signal. As an electrical engineer, I was kind of expecting this, so it didn't surprise me. It basically comes down to understanding the physics of radio signals, and how different objects affect them. Metal objects, like cars, will block the signal. So if your cat is on the other side of a car, for example, the detector will "hear" the signal more strongly if you point it to the sides of the car which might make you think your cat is off in that direction. Soon as you walk around the car, it will start to point you to your cat on the other side. The signal is also subject to reflecting off of objects, like cars, steel buildings, or even some walls. It can even be *refracted* by some objects depending on its material. Remember, radio signals are basically light (actually, they ARE light, just at a lower frequency that you can't see). As such, they pass through some objects, bounce off of others, and even refract through others. Think of it like trying to locate a sound in your house. Sometimes it can be tricky with the sound bouncing off of walls and such, but you'll always find it. It's kind of like that. For example it may point you at your house making you think your cat is inside, but if you turn around 180 degrees, you may find that it was picking up the signal from behind you, reflecting off of your house. This will be obvious because the source will be stronger than the reflection. All that to say, if there are houses, cars, tool sheds, etc.. especially metal, they will block and bounce the signal around, but keep moving around and you'll quickly hone in on your cat.Another awesome thing about this tracker is that it has taught me a lot about my cats' habits. 2 things I've learned: 1) cats are instinctive hiders. I've found a lot of my cats' favorite hiding spots that I never would've known about before. 2) cats rarely, if ever, wander far (if they're fixed). When they don't come when you call, you may think they've wandered too far to hear you. That's almost never true. Cats are jerks and have no problem ignoring you, and chances are they are just hiding because that's just what they do. Hiding is a very strong instinct for them, especially if they got spooked by something. This tracker will prove to you that 95% of the time, they didn't leave; they're just hiding. Because they're cats.Anyway, this tracker is awesome. Not only does it give me peace of mind because I can always find them, it also gives peace of mind because it has taught me about their habits. To that extent, I don't worry so much anymore because I have a much better understanding of "what they're doing out there". I understand a part of their lives that I didn't before. Now when they don't come home for dinner when I call them, I don't think "oh no, has the time finally come? Are they gone?" (because that's usually how it happens. They just, disappear). Now I think, "she's probably under the shed ignoring me." Cats are jerks, but we love them anyway for some reason. The tabcat is worth every penny. Oh and the trackers are tiny and don't bother my cats at all.

My dog is a scent hound and loves to hunt! I take her out in the field about 4 times per day. It is easier to navigate around trees and bushes if I let her go off-leash. Now that the grass is 3' tall, it can be scary to let her off leash even though she stays fairly close by. I tested both transmitters with the Tabcat before using it on my dog. What I found was that I could set the transmitters down and go 300' down my driveway and then 600' down the road and still locate both transmitters. (If you tilt the receiver to match the angle of the transmitter, the range can be extended.) This was with the new, included batteries. Since the transmitters never turn off, I bought 30 spare batteries for the transmitters on Amazon for less than $7. While the silicone for the cases stands up to the environment, it may not be ideal. I think a more slippery plastic or a woven case might be better. I used two tie wraps to connect the silicone jackets to my dogs harnesses and I hope the silicone does not tear. I am hoping to find a better case for keeping the transmitters attached to my dog. Happy after 1 day of use!Update: Still very happy after 3 days of use. I no longer panic when my dog makes like a velociraptor in the tall grass!Update: Happy after 2 weeks. Still using original batteries. On day 3, my wife made fleece sleeves to protect the transmitters. This item is fantastic!

I waited a year to write this review. We have a 60 acre property in a rural area. We got a kitten who was obsessed with being outside and it was tough to find her at night time when the coyotes, owls, foxes, etc. come out. We got this collar because it was not as bulky as the fancier collars and because we have no wifi or cell service on most of our property. After a year, I can say that this thing is amazing. While you do have to walk around a bit to pick up a signal (if your cat wanders like ours), once you pick one up it is pretty easy to follow it to your cat. I can usually find our cat in less than 5 minutes. On the rare occasions that she wanders further than usual, when I'm starting to question whether the collar works as I can't find a signal, I push her usual roaming area on foot and, sure enough, I find her in some far flung location that is off her beaten path. I bought the two pack. I have changed the batteries once in the remote that picks up the signal, and I have switched from the first signal sending collar to the second. I have not tried to change the batteries in the actual thing sending the signal on the collar. I'm not sure if that's possible (feel free to tell me what I need and what to do, if you know). But to be honest, I would buy more collar signalers from the company even if those batteries cannot be changed. It works that well. I have not used the fancier kinds which have a map on a screen but I honestly couldn't see the reason to buy that more expensive option when this works so well. Once you use it for a while, you begin to discover your cat's regular routine and it becomes even quicker to find him/her. I have been meaning to rave about this for a while and finally remembered to do it. I highly recommend this.