Luggage Tracking Technology
May 21, 2015, 3:29 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Beeing one who's luggage has been displaced twice in 6 weeks, 8˝ and 4 days respectively, I'll look more into this device. Seems to be worth the cost for knowing where your luggage actually IS
May 22, 2015, 4:45 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Newport Beach / San Francisco / Seattle
Programs: UA GS 1MM, Amex Centurion, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 289
Jun 1, 2015, 9:52 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DC/SF/Herault
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; AA 2MM
Posts: 174
I have now used mine from IAD-SFO, SFO-IAD and IAD back to SFO. Still perfect; still on original batteries and still happy finding out where my luggage is even before I get to baggage claim. So far I am very pleased.
Jun 2, 2015, 5:02 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,075
Jun 3, 2015, 9:26 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
TrakDot
I used my TrakDot late last year on my IAD-SFO-SEA-LAX-IAH-MUC-HAJ outbound. Luggage got stuck in MUC (Munich), filed a claim right away at HAJ (Hannover) and went to the hotel. Got alerted when it landed at HAJ, and went downstairs to the lobby about an hour after it showed up in the vicinity of the hotel. It had been delivered, but they didn't even have a chance to call me yet. 
Forgot to turn it off, went with me down on the ICC train to Munich, which was cool to see on the map. Batteries died after 6+ days.
This year it went with me DCA-JFK-SFO-HKG-NRT-HNL-EWR-IAD. No service in Japan (as explained on their site), but otherwise performed perfectly. No problems on my other short trips thru CLE/DEN/DFW/LAS/IAH/MCO/ORD/YYZ.
For added protection of the unit, I keep mine in a bubble-wrap mailer. Also good to keep spare batteries in there.
Location isn't as accurate as GPS (up to 1/2 mi off), but easily enough for what it's made for. I bought mine with a year of service, upgraded to Lifetime when it was offered. I am very pleased with my purchase.
Forgot to turn it off, went with me down on the ICC train to Munich, which was cool to see on the map. Batteries died after 6+ days.This year it went with me DCA-JFK-SFO-HKG-NRT-HNL-EWR-IAD. No service in Japan (as explained on their site), but otherwise performed perfectly. No problems on my other short trips thru CLE/DEN/DFW/LAS/IAH/MCO/ORD/YYZ.
For added protection of the unit, I keep mine in a bubble-wrap mailer. Also good to keep spare batteries in there.
Location isn't as accurate as GPS (up to 1/2 mi off), but easily enough for what it's made for. I bought mine with a year of service, upgraded to Lifetime when it was offered. I am very pleased with my purchase.
Jun 19, 2015, 7:47 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Hyatt Globalist (2020:Exp), United Gold
Posts: 1,525
Trakdot with free Lifetime Subscription
In case anyone is interested, I got an email for:
GET FREE LIFETIME ANNUAL SERVICE
When you purchase a new Trakdot Luggage Tracker at $49.99
http://Trakdot.com/en/trakdot-luggage
Add to cart, and you will see Lifetime Plan included free. Good thru June 30 2015.
Enjoy!
GET FREE LIFETIME ANNUAL SERVICE
When you purchase a new Trakdot Luggage Tracker at $49.99
http://Trakdot.com/en/trakdot-luggage
Add to cart, and you will see Lifetime Plan included free. Good thru June 30 2015.
Enjoy!
Last edited by wh6cto; Jun 19, 2015 at 7:48 am Reason: Added title
Jun 19, 2015, 5:45 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
In case anyone is interested, I got an email for:
GET FREE LIFETIME ANNUAL SERVICE
When you purchase a new Trakdot Luggage Tracker at $49.99
http://Trakdot.com/en/trakdot-luggage
Add to cart, and you will see Lifetime Plan included free. Good thru June 30 2015.
Enjoy!
GET FREE LIFETIME ANNUAL SERVICE
When you purchase a new Trakdot Luggage Tracker at $49.99
http://Trakdot.com/en/trakdot-luggage
Add to cart, and you will see Lifetime Plan included free. Good thru June 30 2015.
Enjoy!
Jun 22, 2015, 7:37 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Programs: United Mileage Plus, EVA Infinity Mileage Lands, Alaska mileage plan
Posts: 41
I have had my trackdot for several years now. I have had excellent results on domestic travel. I have had mixed results in Thailand and one kind of funny thing happen in Costa Rica.
In Thailand I have usually not gotten my notification that my bag has reached Thailand until after I am in a car and out of the airport. In May and June of 2015 I had absolutely no results inside of Thailand. I have always a had very quick notification that my bag has reached TPE where I change planes.
In December when I went to Costa Rica I had a second notification that my bag had reached an airport when I was in a car service heading into town. My driver said that there was no airport with that name or letters. I found out later that there had been an airport there but that it had been closed a long time ago.
Since I have only ever had baggage problems with USA domestic airlines (never with EVA, Thai or Cathay) I really rely on my Trackdot to confirm that my bag has made it to each stop and that the information it would provide me would help locate my bag if it does not make it to my final destination.
I have never been able to get the Bluetooth portion of the app to work. That is the feature that is supposed to tell you how far away your bag is from you.
In Thailand I have usually not gotten my notification that my bag has reached Thailand until after I am in a car and out of the airport. In May and June of 2015 I had absolutely no results inside of Thailand. I have always a had very quick notification that my bag has reached TPE where I change planes.
In December when I went to Costa Rica I had a second notification that my bag had reached an airport when I was in a car service heading into town. My driver said that there was no airport with that name or letters. I found out later that there had been an airport there but that it had been closed a long time ago.
Since I have only ever had baggage problems with USA domestic airlines (never with EVA, Thai or Cathay) I really rely on my Trackdot to confirm that my bag has made it to each stop and that the information it would provide me would help locate my bag if it does not make it to my final destination.
I have never been able to get the Bluetooth portion of the app to work. That is the feature that is supposed to tell you how far away your bag is from you.
Aug 1, 2015, 8:15 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,104
PocketFinder / Eviate ?
really useful info in this thread.
just wondered if anybody had used PocketFinder or Eviate ?
http://www.pocketfinder.com/gps-locator/luggage-tracker/
http://www.eviate.com/
just wondered if anybody had used PocketFinder or Eviate ?
http://www.pocketfinder.com/gps-locator/luggage-tracker/
http://www.eviate.com/
Aug 7, 2015, 10:53 am
#42
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 17
Eviate aren't shipping the eTrack yet. When I pre-ordered on months ago it was due to ship in August. Yesterday, I received the following uninformative email:
"Over the past months, the interest in our Eviate products from both consumers and businesses (like airlines, suitcase companies and travel agents) has been overwhelming.
This has led to some very good discussions that will further improve our product and service offering. Unfortunately this will require adjustments to the product and additional certification work, and we regret to inform you that we will not be able to ship our first Eviate eTracks until Q1 of 2016.
We apologise for this delay, but we do not want to launch anything less than the best possible product to ensure the total satisfaction of our customers.
We appreciate your understanding and hope you are willing to wait a bit longer for your eTrack.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
The Eviate Team"
"Over the past months, the interest in our Eviate products from both consumers and businesses (like airlines, suitcase companies and travel agents) has been overwhelming.
This has led to some very good discussions that will further improve our product and service offering. Unfortunately this will require adjustments to the product and additional certification work, and we regret to inform you that we will not be able to ship our first Eviate eTracks until Q1 of 2016.
We apologise for this delay, but we do not want to launch anything less than the best possible product to ensure the total satisfaction of our customers.
We appreciate your understanding and hope you are willing to wait a bit longer for your eTrack.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
The Eviate Team"
Aug 9, 2015, 3:54 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: bmi DC, BAEC
Posts: 1,104
Aug 12, 2015, 4:09 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM MM SC; GE; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,310
It doesn't get you your luggage any quicker, it shows you where it is. I could have used something like this in April when, for two days, AZ told me they had "no idea" where my bag was. At least I'd have had some useful information.