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A runaway pup can race into a forest or across miles of open countryside, leaving its owner with a GPS tracker that suddenly has no way to report its location. But Fi is looking to solve that problem with the Fi Ultra, which is a new dog tracker that falls back on SpaceX’s Starlink network whenever cellular coverage disappears. The company describes it as the first dog tracker powered by T-Mobile’s T-Satellite with Starlink service. It is available now in the US for $199, plus a $20 activation fee and a $189 annual membership.
Your dog just got a satellite connection
The Fi Ultra combines always-on dual-band GPS with LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite connectivity. GPS determines the dog’s position, while the available wireless network sends that location to the Fi app. The tracker switches between those connections automatically, turning to T-Satellite when it wanders beyond a cell tower’s reach. Fi says this allows it to track dogs nearly anywhere in the US.
Owners can activate Lost Mode in the Fi app to receive more frequent location updates. During an early test conducted by The Verge, the tracker connected to Starlink in an LTE dead zone and updated its location roughly every two to three minutes. A few reconnection periods stretched close to five minutes, so real-time tracking may involve some anxious waiting in difficult conditions.
Fi Ultra also introduces Fi Callback, a training feature that sends adjustable sounds and vibrations through the tracker. Dogs can be trained to associate those signals with returning to their owners, without using an electric shock.
Starlink takes a bite out of the battery
Satellite connectivity demands significantly more power than an ordinary pet tracker. The Ultra’s 513mAh battery is rated for around two days, compared with the several weeks or months offered by some conventional Fi models. It supports USB-C charging and reportedly takes less than two hours to refill.
The tracker weighs 68 grams and measures 75mm wide, 40mm tall, and 25mm thick. IP68 and IP66K ratings provide protection from dust, water, and saltwater. Its spring-loaded clip attaches to standard collars and harnesses, while owners of Fi’s Series 3 and Series 3+ collars can snap it directly onto their existing setup. Existing Fi members can buy the Ultra for a flat $299 and use their current membership. This is one of those new pieces of pet tech that actually makes pet owners feel more reassured.
