Marco Polo Advanced Pet Monitoring, Tracking and Locating System (for Dogs and Cats 5 lb and Larger)

In 2023, I needed a tracker for my 12 pound cat because bobcats stroll through our back yard, and our cat likes to roam the neighborhood, which is in the hills. I decided I did not want to buy a tracker that required a subscription or was dependent on cell service.Although pricey initially, this tracker has been a god-send, especially for my piece of mind. My cat, who was already used to wearing a collar, accepted the few extra ounces around his neck. I have had to track him many times, and have been amazed at how accurate the tracker is. It shows 99%, I look down and there is my cat in the bushes. You can use the tracker to walk right to your pet.Tips: Take the time to read the instructions carefully and play around with the device before you ever really need it. Keep the tracker plugged in all the time other then when you are recharging the emitter which I do on the first of every month, as I want the emitter to be at the maximum duration if my cat really gets lost. Just leave the emitter on one collar between recharging the emitter once a month, so you aren't pulling too much on the velcro. I've had the same emitter cover for over 2 years. All in all, a great item that really does perform as advertised.

Starting with the price, which is not cheap... I've owned different types of trackers, with this product you get what you pay for.It's a bit challenging If you only follow the arrow. The signal is likely to bounce from buildings and you might end up chasing the wrong animal. What doesn't go wrong is the strength of that signal. If you follow the arrow and the percentage goes down, go back and change the direction of your search. When it gets to 90% you're in the visual range, max. 10 yards.About the range: the manufacturer wasn't kidding, in within 100 yards in a very populated residential area, you will be able to monitor your pet, 24/7. Leave the base plugged in and keep an eye on your target.I'll post again regarding the battery life.

Update Monday 9/24: Excellent response from manufacturer. New transmitter / receiver working as advertised. Used the transmitter on the old dog that might get fatigued or stuck down a creek bank - not that far away but still invisible to us. Definitely the system seems as though we could use it to locate her. It is not some sort of military spy-ware tracker to the nearest foot with a dotted line to follow, but clearly it can get us moving towards the dog's location. I am going to order another transmitter on the far-voyaging young dog to check the range and will update in a month or so.Update Tuesday 9/4: Left manufacturer a voicemail about 2 hours ago and got a fast return voicemail and then spoke directly to Tim, the owner of Eureka / Marco Polo. He will be shipping new equipment. He is clearly committed to this product. It is nice - OK wonderful - not to have to wade through 5 layers of robots to reach a human.~~~~~~~~~~~I am going to contact the manufacturer on Tuesday and I will update this review based on their response.I was looking for a system that would let me locate 3 50+ pound hounds who had decided to chase deer over hill and dale in the local national forest, where we hike every Sunday. Area is mostly deciduous trees, wide open at ground level or loose underbrush. Generally we are uphill of the dogs if they take off. So based on other reviews it seems like this system would work in this terrain for this purpose. I've used a variety of radio-based collar systems before but nothing with a longer range. Turned off by GPS systems for reasons other reviewers have mentioned plus $ for 3 dogs is like $1500.No problem unpacking and charging transmitter and receiver. Transmitter very solidly built and the fabric / velcro attachment to the collar was well designed - no way to shuck the transmitter. The received is kind of "The Jetsons" (I'm dating myself) or maybe an early Star Trek tricorder. Of note, it is basically impossible for the transmitter to accidentally turn off and for the receiver to accidentally turn on.Both pieces received separate overnight charges. Pairing was simple. Positioned collar on dog's neck as specifically described so that antenna wraps up the dog's neck. Receiver held out flat "like carrying a pan of water."First problem was that even in the parking area the receiver seemed confused and reluctant to find the dog who was maybe 100 feet away. We gave it time, walking along watching the screen and listening for beeps.There was a moment went the receiver really seemed to function as it was supposed to, the dog went downhill towards a stream and it found the signal through trees / low underbrush and seemed fairly accurate as to how far she was away. The arrow movements were improbable with large shifts when this would pretty much be impossible but at least we knew the dogs was alive and moving.However after that it was no dice. The receiver would not find the dog when she was on the trail with us and only 20 or so feet away. So we gave up.We went home and I tried again in the kitchen and the receiver said "no signal." I am re-charging the transmitter in the "on" mode so I can watch the blinking light change from once per second to every 10 seconds, indicating a full charge. However there was no reason for it not to be fully charged the first time.I'll update when I get a response from the manufacturer. Unfortunately due to schedules it will be 3 weeks before another hike.

Performs as advertised. I am an experienced amateur radio operator with a good understanding of radio direction finding and this equipment is top notch! I live in a mountainous valley where there is no cellular service, sketchy GPS and my cat roams freely daily. I was able to track my cat close to a mile away with dense forest. Fallen trees and thick brush cover the area here and this tracker still works fabulous. I don't know how Eureka Tech was able to get such great battery life and range but I'm very grateful for the peace of mind this device gives me. Tracking the cat is fun too.