A very low consumption GPS beacon smart health innovation

TiFiz from Ticatag. You can't find your car after an evening that is a little too drunk? Did your dog run away? Or just to know where and when is your business? From your purse, to a boat, a car and even an animal, the important thing is to find them. In these many cases, whether they are talkative or not, we would have needed a GPS tag on hand to avoid pulling our hair out… This is what the small Breton company Ticatag and TiFiz offer low consumption GPS beacon. We’ve tested it for you, so take the labyrinth, we’ll get you back.

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Mark : TicatagCategory: smart health connected GPS beaconPrice: 99 euros and 3.60 euros per month for the subscription to the Sigfox networkCompatibility: Android, iOSConnection: Sigfox networkAutonomy: Up to 1 yearWaterproof: YesAvailability: AvailableTested with: Sony Xperia Z5

TiFiz, unboxing

The packaging of the small GPS beacon offered by the Breton brand, Ticatag is quite simple and uncluttered. On the front of the box, we see the tag itself, its name and a small logo that is found on many GPS and other geolocation tools.

So, that immediately sets the tone of the object, we will certainly not get lost with this one. In fact, all the outer packaging has small symbols to indicate to the buyer what uses he may possibly make of TiFiz. Smart.

So if its presentation is refined, it has the merit of being clear, we understand all the little symbols quite well. Inside the box: the star, the tag. Below his bed, Ticatag presents all the accessories delivered with the tag: a carrying strap, a Phillips screwdriver, the 4 special screws that go with it, a CR123 battery and a user manual.

Design and ergonomics

The TiFiz tag itself is very basic, it's a cube, not very high, that fits in your hand. It is completely black, and will therefore fit well in all situations and that is what its designers want to highlight. The logo is reproduced on the front in tone on tone, it is very discreet, it overhangs a large button. This is used by the user to send emergency SMS messages using the Sigfox network. Finally, two small LEDs help the user to know if the beacon can perform geolocation.

As a whole, the TiFiz GPS beacon remains a master key, very simple but clear and therefore quite well designed. Its strap is a good accessory, even essential to take advantage of the obviously nomadic sides of the tag, moreover it is completely waterproof, which greatly adds to its practicality.

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Application

The Ticatag brand tag works with an application bearing the name of the tag: TiFiz, it is available on Android and iOS and has an interface on the site My Beacons. Indeed, the GPS tag is used in two separate sessions: on the My Beacons site, the user will have to register and configure his tag thanks to the ID number, on the back of the tag and finally, on the application “ TiFiz ”, it will be able to manage its routes and its virtual perimeter.

The application is overall well done, intuitive and does not get lost in several interfaces that add to each other. On the other hand, the downside goes to the two somewhat tedious actions, in addition to the “tinkering” to be done before starting the device. It's a lot of manipulation for such a small smart health smart health connected object. But these operations are to be done only at the first use.

Using the TiFiz GPS beacon

Before being able to take advantage of Ticatag's GPS beacon, it is necessary to do a few manipulations: first a little tinkering for getting started and configuration for getting started. These essential steps will then allow you to benefit from a standalone beacon for more than a year.

Getting started

The TiFiz GPS beacon is delivered not completely assembled. Since the brand offers a one-year autonomy, the user must insert the battery into it and screw the shell of the tag back on. An LED flashes to indicate that the battery is correctly inserted. However, you must be careful when screwing the cover back on, if this operation is not finished well, your tag will no longer be waterproof.

Once this is done, there is no need for the tag. It just takesregister on the My Beacons website Ticatag and configure it.

Getting started

A number of parameters are to be entered on theTicatag My Beacons interface, first of all, you need to create an account. After identification, you must navigate in your profile and select in the main menu “my TiFiz” and add your tag using ID located on the back of the tag.

From this interface, you can follow all your tags and configure your virtual perimeter. This feature allows you to define a specific area and as soon as the tag leaves this area, you receive an alert on your smartphone. It’s very useful for monitoring your pet, for example. The operation is a bit tedious, between all the interfaces, it's a shame.

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Connection to the Sigfox network

In order to know if your tag is correctly smart health connected to the network of smart health connected objects, Sigfox, so that she can send emergency text messages to the cell phone of your choice. So you have to go to your card TiFiz, in the main menu and enter the chosen mobile number. The emergency SMS will actually be used, testing the connection.

The user should place the tag outside to mimic real conditions and press the large buttons on the front of the tag. You can now call for help, this feature is a real bonus compared to other more basic tags …

Possible configurations

With its many features available in one device, the TiFiz GPS beacon can find its use in many cases. For each feature, a possible scenario.

If you want know the position of your boat for example, the user just has to place the beacon on it and follow his position on his smartphone at any time of the day. However, if you wish track a moving target, whether a person or an animal, setting up a virtual perimeter is very useful and secure. Finally, if you wear the beacon and you are in a dangerous situation, you can send an emergency text message and someone will receive your location. Very useful for ladies worried about going health home alone at night.

TiFiz facing the competition

TiFiz still presents itself as a fairly complete GPS beacon because with its emergency SMS sending functionality, it far exceeds its competitors. However, its size and shape do not make it a very elegant object. It may seem big for some handbags and other suitcases, this could put off some buyers who would therefore turn to smaller models and therefore more practical for everyday life.

Ticatag is therefore worried about the GPS tags for pets, their size is much smaller and therefore suitable for all types of dogs. However, it should be noted that the direct competitor of the TiFiz GPS beacon is Weenect : it offers animal collars or trackers with a GPS tag for children for example. These Weenect collars and tags cost around a hundred euros. However, in terms of price, Ticatag remains the best value for money on the market. Indeed, other models of so-called emergency beacons, which send SMS, exist but are more expensive than the TiFiz.

The TiFiz GPS beacon appealed to the editorial staff, it was its practicality and very versatile that we liked above all. Its good look does not make it a design object, but it still has the very useful function of sending an SMS in case of danger. It is waterproof and its battery lasts up to a year, making it the champion of GPS beacons. Using the Sigfox network, the tag still has a big drawback … Because if the tag is less expensive than other more expensive models, this is without counting the network subscription: 3.60 euros for a month and up 49.90 euros for an entire year. However, the apps are well constructed and fairly intuitive for everyone. We can say that the Review was successfully passed for the Ticatag TiFiz GPS beacon.

Design and ergonomics – 4

Application – 6

Features – 8

Use – 6

Value for money – 6

6

Design and ergonomics TiFiz is quite large and not very elegant, nevertheless, it remains unbeatable for the battery and it is waterproof.Application Fairly clear but too many interfaces for a single smart health smart health connected object.Features Finally, not many features but very useful.use Very clear and easy, once the step is launched, it's a breeze.Value for money Almost the most complete GPS beacon on the market, too bad its size annoys …Conclusion It's a good GPS beacon that will prove useful in many situations, so if you can complain about its size, you can only congratulate it for its versatility and its battery which lasts up to a year!

AB SMART HEALTH REVIEW