Invoxia has launched a unique product on the market with their trackers. I have had the Invoxia Bike Tracker for a while now and thanks to this handy gadget I know exactly where my bike is. It seems to be the solution for bicycle theft, but without an expensive subscription or bicycle insurance.
Invoxia trackers transmit their GPS position using the Sigfox network. An IOT network that is specifically intended to enable Internet of Things solutions. This means you don’t need a SIM card or mobile subscription. Moreover, the trackers work in many European countries (and beyond) without restrictions.
The smart trackers from Invoxia
Nowadays there are various smart trackers for sale that you can link to your precious belongings and devices. Tile is especially well-known, but it uses Bluetooth to determine its position. Invoxia’s trackers go a step further and offer a much smarter solution. The Invoxia devices are equipped with GPS that transmits its position to the app every 10 minutes. After a period of inactivity (5 min), the Tracker can detect vibrations and immediately alert the owner that their product is being moved.
Invoxia has three trackers in their range:
- GPS tracker for vehicles, belongings and children
- Pet tracker for pets
- Bike tracker for bicycles
For our review I tested the Invoxia Bike Tracker, but I soon discovered that you can also use it for your pets or belongings. You can read all our findings in the review below.
Difference with Apple’s AirTag
You would expect Invoxia’s trackers to be similar to Apple’s AirTag. However, that is not the case. The AirTag is dependent on other Apple devices nearby and Bluetooth. The Invoxia goes one step further and connects to Sigfox’s ‘mobile’ network. This allows you to always locate the tracker because the position is continuously transmitted. With the AirTag this is only the case when there is an Apple device nearby, but even then this is not a certainty because it takes quite a while before the AirTag transmits a location.
Invoxia Bike Tracker review
The Invoxia Bike Tracker belongs to the latest generation of GPS tracking and contains a number of useful functions. The Bike Tracker is designed to look like a regular bicycle lamp or reflector that you place under your saddle. This makes the Invoxia inconspicuous and you will not immediately see that you are dealing with a GPS tracker.
GPS positioning is used to determine the location of the tracker, this data is uploaded via the Sigfox network. To understand how the tracker works, you need to know what exactly the Sigfox network is.
Sigfox network for Internet of Things
Sigfox is building a worldwide reliable network and is mainly intended to enable Internet of Things solutions. The network consists of a special radio frequency that is separate from, for example, the mobile data network that you know from a SIM card. The Sigfox network is wireless and can be compared to WiFi, Bluetooth and the mobile network. However, this network is only intended for sending small data packets such as a GPS location.
The network has low power consumption, which ensures a long battery life for the devices. For example, Sigfox is also used in sensors for lamp posts or electricity meters, but also the GPS trackers from Invoxia. The combination of GPS and Sigfox means you always know exactly where the tracker is located, without a mobile subscription or being dependent on other devices. The tracker records the location, transmits it to your account via the Sigfox network and you can immediately view the exact location via the Invoxia app.
When you purchase an Invoxia tracker you can use the SigFox network for free for three years, after three years you pay €9.99 per year to use the service. Excellent price/quality ratio if you ask me.
Unobtrusive and of good quality
When you purchase the Invoxia Bike Tracker, you will receive a number of parts at home. The box contains the GPS tracker, a reflector in which you place the tracker, mounting materials, charging cable and documentation. The tracker is placed inconspicuously in the reflector and must be secured with special screws. This is quite a job because they have to be tightened with the supplied specific wrench that fits exactly.
With this key you open the housing and you can place the tracker in it and close it again. The housing, tracker and materials feel sturdy and solid. The colors are universal so that they can be placed on any bicycle without being noticeable. In addition, the tracker is waterproof to a depth of 1 meter.
Invoxia GPS app
To use the Bike Tracker you must have the Invoxia GPS app. After creating an account you can add trackers to the app. This process is very simple and is explained step by step in the app. Once the tracker is connected you can use it. When opening the app you can immediately view the location of the trackers.
By selecting the tracker from the list you can view its history and see where it has been. You can choose to have the exact position of the Invoxia Bike Tracker recorded every 5 or 10 minutes when it moves. The app then shows the route that the bicycle has taken in a selected period.
Anti-theft protection anytime, anywhere
You will mainly install the Invoxia Bike Tracker to outsmart thieves. Is your bicycle stolen? Then you can call the police and locate your bicycle thanks to the tracker. After a period of inactivity (5 minutes), the Invoxia Bike Tracker can detect vibrations to warn the user. If the bicycle suddenly moves or is knocked over, you will receive a notification via the app. This way, any damage can be prevented and those responsible can be held accountable.
In case of suspicious movements or attempted theft of your bicycle, a notification will immediately appear in the app, regardless of the distance. So if your bicycle has been stolen and crossed the border, that is no problem.
Zone warnings and important locations
The GPS tracker also features zone warnings and important locations. This means that as long as the tracker is in a zone, you will not receive any notifications. As soon as the Invoxia leaves the zone you will immediately receive a notification. This function is not really intended for bicycles and vehicles, because you want to know when it is stolen. Zone warnings are especially interesting when you use the tracker in combination with children. They can then play in the immediate vicinity without you receiving notifications.
False notifications when you use the bicycle yourself
As mentioned earlier, you will receive a notification as soon as your bicycle is moved. Unfortunately, this is also the case when you take the bike yourself. So if you often go out by bike, this can be experienced as disturbing. However, you know that the tracker is still active and you can easily keep an eye on it. It would have been better if the app and smartphone communicated with each other via Bluetooth, as this already takes place. As soon as you come close to the tracker with your smartphone, a connection is established to activate additional settings. Perhaps this would have been a good way to prevent ‘false positives’.
Battery life Invoxia GPS tracker
Invoxia has taken a number of precautions to keep the battery life of the tracker as long as possible. The SigFox network ensures that communication has as little influence as possible on the battery of the device. When the tracker is moving, you have the choice of sending the location every 5 to 8 minutes or every 10 to 14 minutes.
If you choose 5 minutes, the battery will last 5 days to 4 weeks depending on the use of your bicycle, vehicle or tracker. Do you share the location every 10 minutes when there is movement? Then it will last from 10 days to 7 weeks. Please note, this is only when you use the tracker constantly and it is in motion. Is your bike parked or is the tracker not being used? Then the location will be sent every four hours to save battery life. Does the tracker move? Then becomes immediately location sent and notification sent!
Invoxia reports that with normal use the battery of the Bike Tracker lasts 3 months, in practice this is lower and you will have to charge the tracker every month. Fortunately, it is fully charged from 0% to 100% within 90 minutes and you will receive a message at 20% that you need to charge the battery.
Bike Tracker also suitable for pets
When you purchase the Bike Tracker from Invoxia, you actually get the pet version of the tracker and the ‘Bicycle Light’ housing in which you can place it. This gave us the opportunity to also test the Pet Tracker. You can connect the tracker to your cat or dog’s collar using the special mounting material. In the app you can indicate that it is a Pet tracker and the app will do the rest.
This way you can see how much distance your pet has traveled, where it has been (useful for cats) and you can also check other things. For example, the tracker registers when your pet eats, drinks, barks, scratches, etc. The tracker works OK, but it is mainly intended to track the location when your pet is lost. Because the tracker in the background only records the location every 5 minutes when there is movement, you cannot see exactly which lap you have walked.
The Invoxia Pet Tracker has recently also become an e-health device that tracks their activity, sleep score and whereabouts 24/7. The small but powerful device is enhanced with artificial intelligence, provides important data on the physiological data of pets to ensure their health. Walking, running, eating, sleep quality, dogs barking, scratching, etc.
Cat and dog owners may finally notice signs of illness, such as osteoarthritis, the presence of parasites or anxiety. These features complete the geolocation allowing the owner to track the GPS area where their pet is located, set safety zones and be notified when their pet wanders into unusual or unknown places. You can read more information about these functions on the Invoxia website
Conclusion: Invoxia Bike Tracker
REVIEW SCORE
Invoxia’s GPS trackers are super smart because they use their own network that does not require any SIM card costs. Thanks to the smart notifications, you immediately know where your bicycle is or whether it is being moved. The Tracker actually does exactly what you expect from such a product. This way you receive notifications in strange situations and every movement is recorded.
Because Invoxia’s tracking system is the same for all their products, the Pet and traditional GPS variant for vehicles, people and belongings are also recommended. Via the app you stay informed of the location of all your belongings and you don’t have to worry.
Of course, a GPS tracker cannot prevent your bicycle from being stolen, your pet running away or your child being lost. But you can take immediate action if your bike or vehicle suddenly moves or your pet or child leaves an area. You will then be quicker than if you have to find out later that something went wrong. Moreover, you can continue to monitor the location closely via the app.
- Smart design with extra storage options
- Works without a SIM card, but via the Sigfox network
- No expensive monthly subscription
- Can also be used for other purposes, including pets
- False notifications when you use the bicycle yourself
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