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Sarah Lane, host of Live With It, recently provided an in-depth review of the Fi Series 3 Plus pet tracker, evaluating its long-term utility and potential privacy implications for pet owners. The latest model from Fi offers advanced GPS tracking and comprehensive activity monitoring, promising peace of mind for owners but requiring a mandatory subscription for full functionality.
Key Points
- The Fi Series 3 Plus is a sophisticated GPS pet tracker offering real-time location and detailed activity monitoring for dogs.
- A mandatory subscription, costing $189 annually, is essential for the device to function; without it, the tracker becomes inoperable.
- The tracker requires a specific Fi-compatible collar, which can be either from Fi or a third-party manufacturer.
- It boasts impressive battery life, often lasting months between charges, utilizing Qi wireless charging.
- While praised for its data insights and safety features, the extensive data collection raises privacy considerations for pet owners and dog walkers.
Overview of the Fi Series 3 Plus
The Fi Series 3 Plus is Fi's newest pet tracking device, designed primarily for larger dogs but with options available for smaller pets and cats. It integrates directly into a collar, providing owners with a robust system to monitor their pet's whereabouts and daily activities. The review, conducted by Sarah Lane of Live With It, aimed to assess the tracker's performance and value over an extended period, following her receipt of a promotional unit from her veterinarian, Modern Animal.
Lane highlighted that the device's core functionality extends beyond simple GPS location. "It's very much the latter," Lane explained, referring to the tracker's ability to build a comprehensive data ledger. "The app is actually where the magic happens. It feels like the health app on iOS." This data includes steps taken, sleep patterns, barking incidents, and even water intake, providing a holistic view of a pet's well-being.
Advanced Features and Practicalities
The Fi Series 3 Plus provides several features aimed at enhancing pet safety and owner awareness. It allows owners to define "safe zones," typically a home or apartment, and sends immediate notifications if the pet leaves this designated area. Additionally, the system tracks activity levels, setting daily step goals tailored to the pet's breed, age, and weight, which can be adjusted by the owner.
One of the most praised aspects of the device is its exceptional battery life. According to Lane, the collar rarely needs charging, often lasting "once every few months," a significant advantage over daily charging wearables. The device supports Qi wireless charging, though it does not include a power block, a detail potential buyers should note. However, a crucial aspect emphasized by the review is the need for a specific Fi-compatible collar. "You can't just use any old collar," Lane stressed, noting the fitting process can be somewhat intricate.
Subscription Model and Data Implications
A central point of discussion was the mandatory subscription service. While the tracker itself costs around $99, an annual subscription of $189 (or a more expensive monthly option totaling $228 per year) is required for the device to function. Without it, the Fi Series 3 Plus becomes a "brick." This subscription covers server costs for GPS tracking and data storage, a practice common among similar tech services.
The extensive data collection, while beneficial for monitoring pet health and safety, also raises privacy questions. As Lane observed, "the data is yours, but it's also Fi's." The tracker collects detailed information not just about the dog's movements but, by extension, the owner's as well when they are together. This led to a discussion with co-host Roger Chang about user consent and the implications for dog walkers or other trusted contacts.
"I have a friend who I was explaining all of this to him like this is so great and he was like I would not walk a dog with Fi and I said why? He's just like, 'This is like a privacy issue for me.'"— Sarah Lane, Host of Live With It
Lane acknowledged the concern but countered that for owners primarily focused on pet safety, especially in cases of theft, privacy might be a secondary concern. She suggested that transparency is key: "If both parties understand that these exist, not a huge deal. It's when one party doesn't get it, then that could be an issue." Owners can download their historical data even after canceling a subscription, ensuring personal records are not lost.
Final Assessment and Future Outlook
Ultimately, Sarah Lane was "very, very impressed with the product" from a technological standpoint, praising its accuracy and comprehensive data capabilities. However, she concluded that for her personal situation—working from home and always with her dog—the ongoing subscription cost outweighed the benefits. The Fi Series 3 Plus, therefore, shines brightest for individuals who leave their dogs alone for extended periods, utilize dog walkers, or frequently travel, where real-time tracking and activity insights provide significant value and peace of mind.
As pet technology continues to evolve, the balance between advanced monitoring, user convenience, and data privacy will remain a critical area of development. The Fi Series 3 Plus exemplifies the sophisticated tools now available to pet owners, pushing boundaries in how we interact with and care for our animal companions.
