Pod 3 VS TabCat
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While both TabCat and Pod 3 can help prevent your pet from becoming lost, they are not equally well-suited for pets of all shapes, sizes, preferences, and habits. Explore our thorough TabCat vs. Pod 3 comparison to discover how well each of these two pet trackers fits the unique needs of your best pal and which one is just right for him or her.
Pet tracker for adventurous cats
VS
Feature-Rich Location & Activity Tracker
Highlights
TabCat is the smallest and lightest RF-based pet tracker launched by Loc8tor Limited. Apart from impressive accuracy and world coverage, it also allows cat owners to train their pets to come home on their own.
- Compact design with lightweight and convenient homing pet tags
- Proprietary Directional Technology with light & sound indicators
- Easy-to-use and intuitive interface/accuracy within 2.5cm/1 inch
- Price: $99.99
- Shipping: $
Pod 3 is a GPS pet tracker that uses GPS, cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth technologies for outdoor and indoor tracking. It works in 175+ world countries and has a virtually unlimited communication range.
- Waterproof & shockproof tracking unit weighing just 1.1 oz.
- Minimum location update interval of just 10 seconds
- Activity and movement monitoring and adventure recording
- Price: $129.00
- Shipping: $0 *
*free shipping in the US, the UK, and Australia, other countries qualify for flat rate shipping of up to $15.35
Compare Features
Highlights
TabCat is one of the most compact pet trackers on the market. It does not incur any monthly fees, it features worldwide coverage, and it sports a communication range of up to 400 feet with a 1-inch accuracy. The battery can last between 7 and 12 months, depending on usage.
Type
Radio-Frequency-Based Pet Tracker
Design
TabCat features a headset and two pet tags you can attach to your cat’s harness or collar. The locator itself is very compact (approximately the size of a regular credit card) and comes with an ON-OFF button, 4 location buttons, a volume rocker, and 8 directional lights. The pet tags are small disc-shaped devices equipped with their own speaker and LED light. They measure 1.2’’ x 0.8’’ x 0.3’’ (HWD) and weigh only 0.2 ounces.
Available Sizes
TabCat is a one-size-fits-all pet tracker.
Suitable For Cats
Durability
TabCat pet tags do not boast extreme durability, but the provided tag cases grant them a certain level of resistance against splashes and physical trauma. If your pet manages to compromise the structural integrity of the case, you can order a replacement on the official TabCat website. With this in mind, your device can technically last for years, as long as you keep the tags protected.
Key Tracking Features
TabCat features only one search algorithm, based on audio and visual cues that intensify as you approach your pet.
Pet Activity Monitoring
TabCat does not monitor pet activity
Training Assistance
TabCat pet tags feature integrated speakers that can be activated remotely using the main headset. You can train your cat to recognize these sounds and start heading home whenever he or she hears them.
Additional Features
TabCat does not offer any extra features
Communication Range
400 feet
Weight
Around 0.2 ounces
Shockproof
Waterproof
Night Mode
Battery Life
7-12 months (disposable)
Smartphone App
TabCat does not feature a phone app
Connectivity
TabCat pet tracker uses RF-based technology to communicate with up to 4 pet tags at the same time.
Coverage
TabCat provides worldwide coverage
Pricing
- TabCat Pack - $99.99; - Replacement headset - $59.99; - Replacement tag - $29.99.
Shipping and Delivery
TabCat pet tracker comes with free 2-day shipping within the US, but you can also opt for USA overnight shipping ($24.99). Worldwide shipping is available with varying shipping fees.
Refund Policy
TabCat pet tracker comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Warranty
TabCat pet tracker comes with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty against any defects in material and/or craftsmanship.
Highlights
Pod 3 is a Bluetooth and WiFi enabled GPS pet tracker that allows for both indoor and outdoor tracking, works in 175+ world countries, has a virtually unlimited communication range, offers location, activity, and movement monitoring features, and boasts a minimum location update interval of just 10 seconds.
Type
GPS Pet Tracker
Design
The Pod 3 tracking unit is black, cylinder-shaped, and measures just 2’’ in length and 0.9’’ in diameter. It is attached to the pet’s collar using a rubber strap suitable for virtually all collars, as well as larger objects like bicycles or drones.
Available Sizes
Pod 3 does not come in different sizes and it fits most collars.
Suitable For Cats
Durability
Pod 3 can last for at least a couple of years with proper use. It is both shockproof and waterproof and it is not prone to damage.
Key Tracking Features
Pod 3 allows you to track your pet’s location with:
- 3 tracking modes, including Standby for battery saving, Safe Zone with instant notifications when the pet leaves the safe zone, and Adventure, with the most frequently updated location information;
- Near-real-time tracking, with location updated every 10 seconds in live tracking adventure mode;
- Multiple safe zones, which you can customize both in terms of location and size;
- Location history, which allows you to view your pet’s past locations for the period of 24 hours;
- Sharing, which allows multiple users to track the location of the same pet at once.
Pet Activity Monitoring
Pod 3 allows you to track your pet’s activity with:
- Constantly refreshed details on rest, walk, and play activity, with time spent walking and playing expressed in minutes and rest time expressed in hours;
- Daily, weekly, and monthly activity overviews;
- Custom-defined daily activity goals.
Training Assistance
Pod 3 does not provide training assistance.
Additional Features
Extra features available with Pod 3 include:
- Movement tracking, with the device constantly monitoring your pet’s movement and identifying unusual and sudden changes in your pet’s activity and behavior;
- Adventure recording, which allows you to record your pet’s walks and revisit them later, with adventures shown on a map and including information on distance walked, time spent walking, area covered, and your pet’s speed.
Communication Range
Pod 3 works over any distance within cellular and WiFi coverage.
Weight
1.1 oz.
Shockproof
Waterproof
Night Mode
Battery Life
Up to 5 days in standby mode, up to 8 hours in Adventure mode (refresh rate of 10 seconds)
Smartphone App
The Pod 3 smartphone app is compatible with Android 5.0+ and iOS 8+. The app can be used for multiple pets. Login details can be shared with friends and family in order to enable multiple users to simultaneously track the same pet via the Pod 3 app.
The app features 2 main screens, including the Pet screen and the Map screen. The Pet screen allows you to view details of your pets, their last known locations and location times, and their 24-hour location history. It further lets you manage safe zone, refresh rate, activity monitoring, and adventure recording settings. The Map screen allows you to manage your account settings, add new pets, view location information for your pets, refresh their locations manually, and access Pod Help.
Connectivity
Pod 3 uses GPS technology for outdoor tracking. It is WiFi and Bluetooth enabled for tracking indoors. It uses 2G and 3G cellular networks to transfer location information to the pet guardian's smartphone.
Coverage
Pod 3 works in 175+ countries on 6 continents
Pricing
Device: $89 Service Plan: $8.95 per month with the monthly subscription; $4.95 with the yearly subscription.
Shipping and Delivery
Pod 3 comes with free shipping for deliveries to the US, the UK, and Australia. For other countries, there is a shipping fee of up to $15.35.
Refund Policy
Pod 3 comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can return the device within 30 days and get a full refund if it is saleable or faulty. If the device is not in a saleable condition, there is a $25 fee. If the device is broken or lost, you do not get a refund but you do get a 50% discount on a new Pod 3.
Warranty
Pod 3 comes with a 12-month warranty. The warranty covers malfunctions that are not caused by improper use.
Compare Ratings
Winner
TabCat is a lightweight and reliable RF-based pet tracker that allows you to pinpoint the location of your cat within 2.5cm/1 inch. It was launched by Loc8tor, a well-known English company with a proven track record of excellence in the field of tracking devices. Read our TabCat review to learn all about this device and discover how it can help you keep an eye on your adventurous pets at all times.