HI all,
I purchased a wearable GPS unit from Adafruit (not yet arrived, but I'm overseas so it might take a while due to restrictive customs.) I was shocked by the price of some of the available GPS tracking pet collars on the market... all of them require a monthly fee, the lowest being $8 USD a month. Ridiculous, I say.
So it hasn't yet arrived and I don't yet have plans, but I'd like to open a discussion for any suggestions about what web services have good APIs for this purpose. Also, practically speaking, what types of collars would be ideal for other sizes of pets. I have a 40lb dog, but smaller dogs might require smaller collar configurations. The GPS is flexible and looks smaller than a quarter.
I'd ideally like to set up something I can share with others online, and I'd like to keep costs under $30 for anyone who wants to recreate the project (roughly the costs of the Adafruit unit + US shipping... no need to pay $100 for a pet collar then fork over $8 a month to some company.
Thanks in advance for ideas / advice / suggestions!
Project Idea: Open GPS Pet Collar
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
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- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:32 pm
Re: Project Idea: Open GPS Pet Collar
The problem, and why there is a fee, is because of the network access. By tapping into a cell network, it works everywhere, but those cell companies always want their cut.
You could always build out your own network, but that defeats the point of it being cheap.
I don't know if a transponder would work either, enough RF power to respond might fry fido's brain.
Having a modem in the collar that you could initate a data call to might work, but then you have to spend the fee on the cell network access. ALthought that might be the best intermediary.
You could always build out your own network, but that defeats the point of it being cheap.
I don't know if a transponder would work either, enough RF power to respond might fry fido's brain.
Having a modem in the collar that you could initate a data call to might work, but then you have to spend the fee on the cell network access. ALthought that might be the best intermediary.
- john444
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2012 2:42 pm
Re: Project Idea: Open GPS Pet Collar
Hi Pjddc,
I have a GeoGram 1. It is about the size of a Arduino.
It works great. It may do what you want.
I bought mine for $140 with the cell antenna & antenna cable.
Add a $20/year SIM card (1,000 texts / month) and you are set.
You can send it a text anytime and it will respond with it's Geo coordinates
and a Google Map link.
In addition, you may set it up so that it sends a text if it leaves (or enters)
a specific radius (called a 'fence').
It has lots of other features. You might check it out.
(h t t p ://dsscircuits [.] com/geogram-one [.] h t m l)
Note: the extra text characters are to avoid the dreaded spam blocker.
Good Luck, John
I have a GeoGram 1. It is about the size of a Arduino.
It works great. It may do what you want.
I bought mine for $140 with the cell antenna & antenna cable.
Add a $20/year SIM card (1,000 texts / month) and you are set.
You can send it a text anytime and it will respond with it's Geo coordinates
and a Google Map link.
In addition, you may set it up so that it sends a text if it leaves (or enters)
a specific radius (called a 'fence').
It has lots of other features. You might check it out.
(h t t p ://dsscircuits [.] com/geogram-one [.] h t m l)
Note: the extra text characters are to avoid the dreaded spam blocker.
Good Luck, John
- trex777
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:43 am
Re: Project Idea: Open GPS Pet Collar
I am looking to create a pet fence type system for my house. I have 4 dogs and I live in the country(meaning i can't see my neighbors at all). but I am not happy with the prices I am seeing and the options out there, I want to be able to use geofencing and dont want to shock my dog, I feel sound should be more than enough correction.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.