Do you ever feel like you’re constantly worrying about your pet? Maybe you can’t shake the feeling that they’re always getting themselves into trouble.
GPS pet trackers are becoming more popular and for a good reason – they help you track down your dog if they get lost or leaves the yard.
In this post, we’ll compare the Fi Dog Collar vs Whistle tracker to decide which one is right for you and your best friend.
Introduction to GPS Pet Trackers
GPS technology has revolutionized the pet tracking industry in recent years. Gone are the days of bulky, uncomfortable collars with large tracking devices.
Now, sleek, lightweight options use GPS to track your pet’s location in real-time.
Two of the most popular GPS pet trackers on the market are the Fi Dog Collar and the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker.
The Fi Dog Collar is a versatile option that can be used for both dogs and cats.
It uses GPS to track your pet’s location and activity level, and it also includes a built-in SIM card that sends you notifications if your pet leaves a designated safe area.
The Whistle GPS Pet Tracker is another popular option that uses GPS to track your pet’s location.
It also includes a fitness tracker to monitor your pet’s activity level and a feature that notifies you via text and app notification if they wander too far away.
The Whistle GPS dog tracker was also made to be a health tracker.
Read our related article on the Best Dog Tracker Without Subscription. Not looking to spend a monthly cost? Here are the top trackers without subscriptions!
Products at a Glance
| Features | Fi Dog Collar | Whistle Tracker |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | X-Small to X-Large, compact | XS/S, S/M, M/L |
| Battery Life | Up to 3 days on one charge | Up to 7 to 10 days on one charge depending on the dog |
| Location Tracking | Only more expensive monthly plan includes real-time tracking | Able to see current and past locations |
| Activity Tracking | Included | Included |
| Safety Zones | Included | Included |
| Multiple Pets | As long as each pet has its own collar, you can track multiple pets | As long as each pet has its own collar, you can track multiple pets |
Fi Dog Collar Vs Whistle Tracker Compared
Fi is a GPS pet tracker that attaches to your dog’s collar and uses a cellular connection to track its location.
The company offers two subscription plans, with the more expensive one including real-time tracking, an LED light, and temperature monitoring.
The Whistle is another GPS pet tracker that also uses a cellular connection to track your pet’s location.
It has a few extra features, such as activity tracking, a safety zone feature, and the option to set up multiple users to help keep an eye on and locate your dog.
So, which collar is right for you and your pet?
Here’s a detailed comparison of the Fi Dog Collar and the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker.
Read More: Tractive VS Tagg. We put Tractive and Tagg head to head to see how their features compare!
Sizes
The Fi Dog Collar is available in sizes from X-Small to X-Large.
The collar is made of TPU rubber and stainless steel, making it durable and comfortable for your dog to wear.
The Whistle GPS Pet Tracker also comes in a range of sizes from XS/S and S/M to M/L.
The tracker is slightly larger than the Fi Dog Collar, but it weighs the same so your dog shouldn’t even notice it’s there.
Read More: How Does FitBark Work? The FitBark activity tracker will help you keep your dog lean! Learn how it works.
Battery Life
Our tests show that the battery life on the Fi Dog Collar lasts for several days, depending on how often your dog moves around.
One of the great things about the Fi Dog Collar is that the Fi Collar instructions are super easy to follow for setup.
All you need to do is attach the collar to your dog’s existing collar and download the app on your phone to connect the two.
Meanwhile, we found that the battery life on the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker lasts up to 7 to 10 days, again depending on how active your dog is.
Read More: Fi Collar VS Tractive. We compare the Fi tracker to the Tractive GPS pet tracker to see how which features stand out!
Location Tracking
When it comes to features, both the Fi Dog Collar and Whistle GPS Pet Tracker offer basic location tracking as well as some additional bells and whistles.
With either device, you will be able to see where your dog is at any given time and where they have been over the past 24 hours (or longer).
However, only the more expensive subscription plan from Fi includes real-time tracking.
Fi’s real-time tracking updates your dog’s location every few seconds instead of just once per minute, like with standard basic location tracking.
Read More: Tractive VS Weenect Dog Tracker. Here are two other trackers that we think are worth a look! Here’s what we thought of them.
Activity Tracking
Both devices use built-in accelerometers to track how many steps your dog takes each day and how much time they spend running, walking, and playing.
This information can be helpful if you are trying to ensure your dog is getting enough exercise.
Read More: Link AKC Smart Collar Review. The Link AKC smart collar has features like health tracking, alerts, activity tracking, and more! Here’s what we thought.
Safety Zones
Another feature that both devices offer is called “safety zones.”
With this feature, you can create a virtual fence around your home or yard so that you will be alerted if your dog leaves the area.
Both devices also allow you to set up multiple user accounts so that other people who need to track your pet – like friends or family members – can do so easily.
Read our related article on the Link VS Whistle. We compare the Whistle to the Link AKC GPS and activity tracking collar. Is Whistle still the better buy?
Multiple Pets
Both Whistle and Fi allow you to track multiple pets.
You can add all of your pets to the Whistle and Fi apps to keep tabs on your pack! Each will have its own profile.
Check out this comparison of the Fi, Whistle, and another tracker:
Read our related article on How to Change Fi Collar Band. If your dog’s collar breaks or wears down, it may need to be replaced. Here’s how to do it!
Pros and Cons of Each Pet Tracker
Now let’s take a look at the GPS dog collar pros and cons.
Fi Dog Collar
Pros
- One of the key advantages of the Fi Dog Collar is its excellent battery life with the collar able to last up to 3 days on a single charge based on our testing.
- Additionally, the Fi Dog Collar is designed to be comfortable for your pet to wear, and it is also water-resistant, perfect for those rainy days.
Cons
- A downside is that the Fi tracker is a collar and not an individual tracker. You’ll need to replace your dog’s existing collar with this option.
Read our related article, How Do I Cancel My Fi Collar Subscription? Cancel any time using these steps!
Whistle GPS Pet Tracker
Pros
- The Whistle GPS Pet Tracker can attach to your pet’s existing collar and provides real-time tracking.
- There’s an option to buy a Whistle/collar combo.
- It’s very lightweight, so your pet won’t even notice it’s there.
- Built-in activity monitoring so that you can keep tabs on your pet’s physical activity levels.
Cons
- Only offers basic tracking features.
- The battery life isn’t as impressive as the Fi with the Whistle GPS only lasting for 7 hours on a single charge per our testing.
Read our related article, Are GPS Collars Safe for Dogs? Some owners are concerned GPS trackers can lead to cancer. We address common questions here.
Conclusion
The Fi Dog Collar and the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker are excellent options for pet owners who want to keep tabs on their furry friends.
However, each option has its own unique set of features that may appeal more to some pet owners than others.
Ultimately, the best GPS pet tracker for you will be the one that meets your specific needs and preferences.
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