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Being Ultra is the first Starlink public tracker you can buy. It enhances GPS and LTE trackers, and adds emergency failover T-Mobile’s T-Satellite—called direct-to-cell service when entering the cellular dead zones. This allows owners to enter the SpaceX constellation low earth orbit Starlink satellite to follow their pets anywhere in the US. But it does come with a few tradeoffs based on our early testing, including poor battery life for a pet tracker.
Designed to fit “walking dogs of all sizes,” according to the company, the Fi Ultra is designed to fit your existing dog collar or harness. It costs $199 for the device (plus a $20 service fee) and requires a $189 annual subscription. Along with LTE connectivity, it’s always on, dual-band GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi for added accuracy.
$199
Fi Ultra is the first dog tracker to combine T-Satellite and Starlink, GPS, and LTE to help you find your lost dog anywhere. There’s an annual fee of $189, and it’s only two days per session, but if you’re traveling with your child, it might be worth it.
There is a 513 mAh battery that should last two days in this large 75mm × 40mm × 25mm tracker, which weighs 68g. Its IP68 and IP66K ratings protect against dust and water ingress, including salt water. It also packs a small vibration motor and speaker to support Fi’s new Callback training program.
To test the Fi Ultra, I drove about an hour to the nearby Francis Marion Forest in South Carolina, where LTE drops, and alligators come out of rivers. It was easy to attach the tracker to my dog Gus’s collar, thanks to the spring-loaded fastener. But “all kinds of dogs” feels like a stretch. It looked big on Gus, an 80-pound wire-haired griffon, and is easily stretched over a Chihuahua’s neck, even though the toy isn’t known for its walking gait.
Fi Ultra connects to the Fi app, which shows Gus’ status. I captured the dog’s emergency by hitting Lost Mode, which activates all radios to try to track him in real time (rather than just checking periodically).
Outside of normal LTE, the tracker was quickly connected to the T-Satellite network from Starlink (shown by the satellite icon in the app), and the map updated in about 2 to 3 minutes, showing where my relative was. Although slower, this is the same time as I tested on 1 bar of LTE in my area.
Three minutes is a long time, and by changing again, Gus could be anywhere (if he were on a lamb). But it’s better than nothing, which is another option in the dead end of LTE.
1/5
During my 30 minutes of live tracking connected to Starlink satellites, there were a few times where it got stuck at “reconnecting” and didn’t change position for about 5 minutes.
According to Fi, the tracker prioritizes global platforms. But when you use T-Satellite, it has to switch satellites many times in an attempt to get a terrestrial signal – because even one LTE bar often beats the satellite to connect. Fi says this sometimes results in disconnections when the tracker logs in and out.
Both radios are tough on the tracker’s battery, and I didn’t charge for the promised two days during my week of testing. I had to charge every day if I went on a long trip, or every day when we weren’t doing much. Within 30 minutes of live tracking, it dropped nearly 20 percent.
Although it charges in under 2 hours via USB-C, the short battery life makes this an affordable tracker for occasional rather than daily use. Other followers of Fi, a Being Mini and Fi 3 Plus collar, can a few weeks ago for one price and offer more, including health, sleep, and behavior tracking. They are also included with a paid membership.
The company said the battery life is due to “the additional cost of electricity to support satellite connectivity over cellular, as well as frequent updates of more accurate locations.” This device relies heavily on GPS for constant tracking, unlike other Fi trackers that do not use Satellite.
However, Fi Ultra can be added to existing subscriptions for the low price of $299, which is much better in the long run than buying it on its own. You can attach it to an existing Fi collar, and the two devices will work together in the app, giving you confidence that you are protected when traveling in areas without a mobile phone, while also benefiting from a standard Fi tracker.
I used to live in rural Idaho, where my dog Stanley was always missing in the desert chasing deer, so I understand the appeal of a tracker that works beyond the confines of a cell phone. If you travel frequently or camp in remote areas, Fi Ultra can be useful as a premium insurance policy. T-Satellite fallback works and provides real peace of mind. Just be prepared to pay more than a regular GPS tracker.
Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy/The Verge
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