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Comment by rootusrootus | Hacker News Reader

A quick search on Amazon for 'gps tracker' will yield at least one option on the first page for $29.99. GSM for communications. Not as small as an AirTag, but 1.5 inches by 0.9 by 0.6 inches isn't exactly huge either.

A legitimate point is that the battery life isn't great. But that's not too hard to solve, if you tolerate a little more space for a bigger battery.

I'm sure there are even better options out there, that's just what I could come up with in under a minute. For anybody with more than idle curiosity, I imagine there are some pretty clever solutions available.

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> A legitimate point is that the battery life isn't great.

A big difference is that these GPS trackers broadcast their position continuously, wherever there is cell coverage. The AirTags only update their position when an Apple device (made after 2015) is within the relatively short bluetooth range of the tag.

>> The AirTags only update their position when an Apple device (made after 2015) is within the relatively short bluetooth range of the tag, with an internet connection.

Luckily the "only" is pretty good. There are Apple devices almost everywhere i'd need to track a lost bike/car/schoolbag.

There are plenty of trackers, but they require monthly subscriptions!

Exactly. Somehow need to send that data.

The last time this came up on HN someone suggested this: https://lightbug.io/. I've gotta say it looks amazing, the smaller unit has a battery life measured in months, the big one in years.

I'm surprised they really break down the pricing on their custom tracking devices. Most companies would just have a "contact us" button and then dump out some arbitrary pricing after a few email exchanges.

Monthly fee?

No Monthly fees if you don't want them with Lightbug. We introduced pay per location last week. Swings and roundabouts.. we know it's still money .. but think we've found a way to keep the business running, offer a globally easy to use product AND not rip people off with monthly fees..

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