Tracking Device Review: Loc8tor vs Marco Polo (Petfinder, Tracker, Planefinder)

Marco Polo:
Loc8tor:
(use Loc8tor Lite and my RCSCHIM as buddy code to get 15%)
►SUBSCRIBE:
►Another good review:
After my "Auronzo Debacle" (where I totally lost my biggest and most expensive Quad (Black Snapper) of course I did some research which tracking solution could prevent total losses in the future.
Friends of mine use GPS Trackers where you have to install a prepaid cellphone SIM Card and in case of a crash you SMS your GPS tracker and he sends his coordinates back. This sounds really well thought out BUT: if you fly in areas where you have no cellphone coverage - you won't hear from your device!
So a tracking device based on wireless signals is better. Here I found two promising devices:
Marco Polo Pet Tracker and Loc8tor
------Comparison:
Marco Polo:
+ 2 miles range! (in my tests easily 840m)
+ RC stripped down versions of tags relativly small and lightweight (12 or 24gr)
+ rechargeable batteries (1 month standby in larger tag!)
- bigger (both tag and handheld device)
- a bit more expensive (around 200$)
Loc8tor:
+ cheap (100$)
+ easy to use
+ small tags (5gr, 1,5cm)
+ small handheld
+/- tags "always on" (waste energy, 2-5month livetime, but can't forget to turn on)
- batteries not chargeable (buy replacements and set a reminder!)
- range (157m max distance)
So it's hard to tell you which device is better. If you really do a lot longrange the Marco Polo will be better - because in case of a crash you will have to search a larger area. Loc8tor would be lost here if you have no downlink video and can´t estimate the crash location.
Loc8tor on the other hand is optimal let's say for the mini quads in the park. Even crashing a mini in higher grass can mean really long searches! - Loc8tor pays off here quick.
I keep both and will also use both and we'll see which one is better (altough I hope I would never activly have to use them - just as an insurance).
Important Update in Marco Polo:
You have to hold the locating device "like a can of water" (so that the LCD screen is facing the sky). This way the antennas have optimal reception and you get a solid pointer.
Also my tests here with the % value weren't conclusive. Up on the hill I had clear LOS, down on the half distance I was near to the ground, a tree blocked LOS so the value was the same altough the distance was much shorter...
Batteries for Loc8tor Tags:
►►SPECIAL PRICE for Loc8tor:
Order it from their site and use "RCSCHIM" as code! and get 15% off the Loc8tor Lite!
► EQUIPMENT:
DRQ250 MiniQuad
SETUPVideo(en):
SETUPVideo(de):
►FACEBOOK:
►BLOG:
▼Music▼
Kevin McLeod - Movement Proposition (Intro)
Radio Techspecs
Marco Polo system:
Method -- Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) 50 Channels
Band: ISM 902.5 Mhz. -- 906.5 Mhz. (Tag is set to "Receive Mode" until it receives a "Activate" signal from hand held tracker.. At which point it then goes into "Transmit" mode.. (So no RF emissions until you need to find your aircraft after a crash)
License Requirements: ISM/unlicensed, operates under FCC Part 15 Section 247
Modulation: FSK
Single Frequency Dwell Time: 50 msec. once every 4 mins.
Transmit Power: 250 mW
Receiver Sensitivity: -125 dBm
Communications Coding: Data coding and forward error correction allow the system to operate with a BER as low as 1:10, significantly improving overall system range.
Loc8tor:
2.45GHz ISM Frequency (no info on power level)
this one als works with the "activate the beacon/tag" method. So both, the loc8tor and the tag do send and receive...