Skinny SIM for a GPS dog tracker

Forums › GPS, maps and mapping software › Skinny SIM for a GPS dog tracker

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#306562 3-Aug-2023 15:37

Hi all

I just purchased a nondescript generic GPS tracker for my dog. The GPS feature is working (well kind of, it seems to want to put me on the nearest road, which is down a very large steep hill) except the main feature I bought it for - being able to call the tracker and talk to whoever found the dog- is not working. At the very least there should be the ability to press the SOS button it should call my phone (I have successfully set the SOS number to my own).

The tracker says it works with a 4g SIM card for an LTE Network. I got a Skinny subscription as this was the cheapest I could find.

If I text the suggested command (pw,<default password>,ts#) I do get a response.

The manual says:

"You will get an SMS replay that includes the following:

wifiOpen: (nope)
wifiConnect: (nope)
gprsOpen: (nope)
NET: OK (100) (nope):

I don't get any of those. i do get however:

ver: <version number>
id: <id>
imei: <imei>
gmsread: 1
sig_level: 5
netid:6
ip_url:
port:80001
linktime:600
sos1: <i set this to my phone number>
apn:wapaccess.co.nz,53005 (we per skinny's website)
bat: <battery level>
gps_type:zkw

Are there some basic network settings that I'm missing maybe? Might it work on another network? Any suggestions appreciated!

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#3111539 3-Aug-2023 16:57

The tracker says it works with a 4g SIM card for an LTE Network.

where did you but it?
What LTE bands does it support?

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111544 3-Aug-2023 17:27

Bought it here: https://new.grabone.co.nz/pets/other-dog-supplies-services/p/4g-dog-gps-tracker

Unfortunately the specs don't say what band it uses ... Google's not coming up with much either 😑

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111549 3-Aug-2023 17:31

The specs for the same unit on made-in-china just lists this:

Band

2g/3G/4G Mini GPS Tracker

Certificate

CE FCC ISO Nbtc AIS140

GPS Signal

L1,1575.42MHz C/a Code

Nate001

640 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3111558 3-Aug-2023 18:02

My understanding is it would need to support correct 3G band for Skinny (Spark) or 4G VoLTE for it to make calls.

Aucklandjafa

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3111608 3-Aug-2023 20:41

If you have an iPhone, have you considered an AirTag? You can pop them open and remove the speaker so the beeping wouldn’t annoy your doggo.

Edit: sorry, didn’t read the calling feature part. If you weren’t going to use that, an AirTag would be the way to go, too, Cheaper as well.

Oblivian

7297 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#3111630 3-Aug-2023 21:49

Making good profit when they $9 on AliExpress

Where they say specify country as there is 2.models with different bands/frequency.

If it's anything like a tracker a friend got recently, only bands it had meant it used GSM 2G despite the marketing. And only worked on one as a result who keep it alive.

sdavisnz

1015 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3111631 3-Aug-2023 21:51

Bit of advice, I've been down this path
Return that product asap.

Get a tractive gps tracker from retail store.or online.

The subscription also pays for the cell service, also, the app is beautiful.

And the battery lasts around a month and a half.

End of story, you won't regret.

Voice gives context

Equinox IT

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MadEngineer

4271 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3111635 3-Aug-2023 22:15

+1 for the AirTag which we’ve done for our Dog. Works perfectly. I’d advise removing however when you take your dog to doggy daycare or during unsupervised play with other dogs.

It also doesn’t take long to train a dog to come running inside when you press the play sound button.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111689 4-Aug-2023 08:45

My understanding is it would need to support correct 3G band for Skinny (Spark) or 4G VoLTE for it to make calls.

Yes and without any specs listed on the item, what that band is, is anyone's guess!

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111690 4-Aug-2023 08:50

Aucklandjafa: If you have an iPhone, have you considered an AirTag? You can pop them open and remove the speaker so the beeping wouldn’t annoy your doggo.

Actually I already use them. They're mostly great, but due to work commitments I sometimes take them to my local reserve off-leash after dark when there's no one around. I have lights on the dogs too but recently, Murphy's Law, the charge on one ran out and that dog went missing for about half an hour. Because no one else was around, the AirTag was of limited use. So I thought a GPS tracker - for her especially - would be ideal.

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111691 4-Aug-2023 08:52

Oblivian: Making good profit when they $9 on AliExpress

That's true, although hopefully the local vendor will honour the Consumer Guarantees Act if/when it doesn't work here! 🤞

wellingtonit

13 posts

Geek

#3111693 4-Aug-2023 08:55

sdavisnz: Bit of advice, I've been down this path
Return that product asap.

Get a tractive gps tracker from retail store.or online.

The subscription also pays for the cell service, also, the app is beautiful.

OK thanks - I may end up doing that. I couldn't immediately find one that allowed for two-way talking, but when I actually think about it, all I need is my phone number on the dog and anyone who finds her would just phone me anyway!