When it comes to your dog’s safety, knowing where they are exactly is very important. GPS dog trackers have become an essential tool for pet owners, offering peace of mind by providing real-time location data. But how accurate are these devices? Understanding the accuracy of a GPS dog tracker and the factors that can affect its performance is important in ensuring it works as expected, especially in emergencies. In this article, we’ll explore how accurate GPS dog trackers are, why that accuracy is important, and how various factors can influence tracking reliability.
How Accurate is the GPS Dog Tracker?
GPS dog trackers generally offer good accuracy, with most systems providing location data within 10 to 30 feet (3 to 10 meters) under ideal conditions. However, the accuracy would depend on a variety of factors such as the strength of the GPS signal, environmental conditions, and the technology used in the tracker itself. This usually works for pet owners to track the movements of their dogs, so they can keep them safe, especially when the dog is within a specific area such as the yard or a park.
Advanced GPS dog trackers might also employ extra technologies like GLONASS, a Russian satellite system; Galileo, a European satellite system; or other local positioning systems that will increase the tracking accuracy and make it more reliable, especially in areas where the GPS signal strength is not good enough, such as in heavy forests or city areas.
Beardpet’s dog tracking collar comes with GPS precision, ranging from 5 to 15 meters for fairly precise location data in most outdoor tracking scenarios. When the GPS is weak in certain environments, it enables multi-positioning in the collar like Wi-Fi positioning. Wi-Fi tracking works indoors and when GPS signals are very weak; it ranges from 15 to 100 meters.
Why Is the Accuracy of the GPS Dog Tracker Important?
The accuracy of a GPS dog tracker is not just a technical feature; it’s a lifeline for pet owners. The more accurate the tracker, the quicker you will be able to pinpoint your dog’s location. When a pet goes missing, every minute counts.
Faster Recovery and Reduced Stress
A more accurate GPS tracker means you can locate your dog more quickly. Imagine this: Your dog has dashed off into a busy park or neighborhood, and you’re struggling to catch up. In such a scenario, a tracker that provides accurate, real-time location data (within 5-15 meters) can make a world of difference. The faster you can pinpoint your dog’s location, the less time they spend out of sight, and the quicker you can ensure their safety.
Emily, a dog owner in Chicago, shared, “Max slipped away in a busy park, but the Beardpet tracker gave me his exact location in seconds. I found him in less than 10 minutes—without that tracker, I don’t know how long it would have taken.” This kind of accuracy not only averts stressful situations but also minimizes the possibility of your dog wandering into hazardous places, like busy streets or unfamiliar territories, where it could easily get injured or stolen.
Safety in Urban Environments
Living in an urban environment often comes with a host of challenges, not limited to limited GPS signal coverage. Tall buildings and closely packed areas cause poor visibility with satellites, making it tough for traditional GPS trackers to work. That’s where the multi-positioning technology comes in. It uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and other positioning methods like Bluetooth and LBS to keep a precise fix on your pet’s location in areas with heavy building density or indoors, where GPS signals are normally weak.
This level of detail saves urban dog owners from worrying about losing their pets within the complexities where signals may be inconsistent. “Cooper loves running in the city, and the accuracy is a lifesaver. It also worked perfectly even in an alley, where GPS often struggles,” relates Ben, a resident of New York City.
Factors Affecting the Accuracy of GPS Dog Trackers
There are a number of things that can affect how accurately the GPS dog tracker works, so learn to your advantage.
Environmental Obstructions
Physical barriers such as tall buildings, dense trees, or narrow alleys can obstruct or distort the GPS signals. This phenomenon is very normal in urban areas with many high-rise structures due to the “urban canyon effect” that leads to incorrect or delayed tracking. That is why the GPS tracker for your dog may not record good data in a park surrounded by buildings. In addition to environmental factors, it also depends upon satellite availability.
GPS relies on the reception of signals from multiple satellites, so if fewer satellites are visible when your dog is indoors or in dense the tracker’s accuracy decreases. Some trackers, such as those by Beardpet, utilize other positioning techniques (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to help when that is happening. Indoors or in the forest, it may not get a signal, while switching to Wi-Fi could yield better results in tracking.
Weather Conditions
Heavy rain, snow, or severe weather conditions can cause interference in GPS signals. Solar storms and geomagnetic disturbances may also affect the satellite’s functionality temporarily and decrease the accuracy or result in a loss of signal. During a heavy rainstorm, the GPS signal weakens, which causes the tracker to show an imprecise location or even fail to update.
Device Technology
The performance of the tracker depends on the quality of the GPS chip and the life of the battery. Higher-quality chips can process signals better and handle challenging environments, like cities with poor satellite visibility. Low power means that location updates may be issued less frequently or the precision of the tracking may be decreased. A high-quality tracker can perform well even in an urban area, while its lower-quality counterpart may lose signals.
How to Improve the Accuracy?
While some factors are beyond your control, such as satellite availability and weather, there is something you can do to make the GPS dog tracker more effective in tracking your dog’s location.
Keep it Charged
Keep the tracker’s battery always up. A full-on tracker ensures that it sends actual and real-time locations since it works at an optimum state.
Choose Open Spaces
Let your dog roam in open spaces for the best GPS signal. Avoid areas with dense trees or tall buildings that may obstruct the signal. In areas with poor GPS coverage, try to keep your dog in places where the device can access a broader range of satellites.
Use Multi-Technology Trackers
Choose trackers that support multiple satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. These systems can work together to improve accuracy, especially in challenging environments.
Adjust Tracker Placement
The position of the tracker on your dog’s collar also matters. Make sure it’s attached securely and in a position where it can receive signals best, like at the top of the neck or along the side.
Conclusion
The accuracy of a GPS dog tracker is essential for locating your dog fast and effectively, especially when the situation is critical. While factors like environmental obstructions and weather can impact accuracy, advanced technologies like Beardpet’s dog tracking collar, with its precise GPS and multi-positioning features, help ensure reliable tracking even in challenging conditions. Whether you’re keeping your dog safe at home with geofencing or monitoring their movements outdoors, Beardpet’s tracker provides peace of mind. For more information or to get started, feel free to contact us today!
