I've only lost my wallet twice in 34 years. Once, as a child, it slipped out of my pocket on New Year's Eve while I was rummaging through it for a cracker pea.
The second time it happened to me was last week. In my wallet there was not only 100 euros in cash, but also all the important chip cards for banking, healthcare, etc.
Luckily, a little gadget alerted me to the loss and prevented the worst from happening. I don't want to be without the device anymore and recommend it to each of you.
What kind of gadget is this?
You've probably already guessed: I'm talking about a GPS tracker, in my case the Chipolo Card Spot. This is a plastic card that connects to the cell phone via Bluetooth and can therefore determine its location relatively precisely. The model is specifically intended for iPhone and iPad.
The tracking card is water-resistant, can play a loud sound, and is about the size and thickness of two credit cards, making it ideal for a wallet. As an iPhone user, I normally use Apple's AirTags, but they are too bulky for my wallet.
The Chipolo card is also compatible with ApplesWhere is
-Network. As long as there are other Apple devices nearby, I can view the location in real time in my app at any time. I will also be notified if I lose the tracker. This feature was crucial in my last oneincident
.
This is how the Chipolo card saved me from losing it
It happened on a Saturday morning: I was sawing a Christmas tree with my wife and child in the local forest. Then I dragged the tree to the car; my wife paid with my wallet.
But as soon as I got home, my Apple Watch vibrated:Wallet was left behind
. Panic shot through my body like lightning. I looked at my wife, who was searching her jacket pockets:I don't have it
. Great!
My wife must have lost my wallet while putting our son in the car seat. In fact, the GPS signal from the tracking card also confirmed this: My wallet was apparently where we had parked.
I drove back within three minutes and found my wallet at first glance, in the middle of the parking lot and speckled with muddy tire tracks. You wouldn't believe how relieved I was.
Forgive me for not taking a photo at that moment, but it looked something like this:
That’s why a GPS tracker makes sense
I was lucky in misfortune, because you don't always get away from such a difficult situation. For one thing, the wallet was in the middle of the parking lot, which is only a three-minute drive from my home.
If the wallet had been in the forest, the search would have been difficult, even with a GPS signal. However, if more time had passed, someone else could have found my wallet and, if in doubt, stolen my money or thrown the wallet away.
Nevertheless, such GPS helpers can save you a lot of trouble.
I've been using Apple's AirTags for years for my valuables, including:
- my travel bag
- my robotic lawnmower
- our stroller
- our e-bikes
- my son's bike
- my car key
Knowing that I will be notified at any time if an item goes missing and that I can see its approximate location gives me peace of mind.
Around this year, my mother found her apartment key again thanks to an AirTag. Even in a parking lot. The around 20 to 30 euros for the tracker are definitely worth it if an emergency occurs.
You should take this into account
The disadvantages of the Chipolo card:The Chipolo Card Spot has a built-in battery that you cannot charge. After around two years you have to have it recycled by the manufacturer and get a new one for half the price. After all, the new card should arrive before you have to send in the old one.
It's also a shame: Although it has already been developed specifically for iOS, the Tracking Card Spot does not offer the function of determining the exact location, as is the case with AirTags. So you have to live with a rough radius; exact localization is not possible with newer iPhones.
Alternatives to the Chipolo Tracking Card
There are numerous tracking cards on the market, most cost between 20 and 30 euros. The eufy SmartTrack Card is almost identical to the Chipolo card, but promises three years of battery life instead of two.
According to the manufacturer, Reyke's tracker only lasts five months, but it can be charged. All three cards are specially developed for iPhone and iPad and therefore with theWhere is
-Network compatible.
There aren't many devices available for Android so far, because Google'sFind my device
network is still quite young. A compatible tracker is, for example, the map from tile. More are likely to follow.
What do you think of such trackers: Do you already use one or are you thinking about buying one? Have you ever lost an item? Let me know in the comments. I would also be happy to answer your questions.
