So, you’ve chosen to get your dog a smart collar, a good decision! It will be more expensive than a standard collar, but the advantages make it well worth it. Whether you want to find your dog or simply watch their movement, there is a smart collar that will fit your style. As soon as you start searching online, you will be continuously seeing two known brands: Fi collar and Whistle. It’s challenging to compare them because both are created to do exactly the same thing and have awesome features.
Features Comparison: Fi Dog Collar vs Whistle
Fi Dog Collar
The Fi Collar is a smart pet-tracking device packed with the advanced features dog owners look for and genuinely appreciate. It offers geofencing, GPS tracking, and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The collar is built to last, boasting a durable, chew-resistant design and an IP68 waterproof rating. Another standout feature is its use of the LTE-M network, which delivers reliable, wide-reaching coverage giving pet parents peace of mind no matter where their adventures take them.
For more details about features and technology, visit the Fi Official Website
Design
The Fi smart tracker is built with outdoor adventures in mind. Its design includes an aluminum faceplate and internal metal reinforcement, making it both chew-proof and dirt-resistant so you can count on its long-lasting durability. The unit features a GPS tracker that attaches to your dog’s collar, and it’s meant to sit facing upward to ensure the strongest possible signal for accurate, reliable tracking.
Sizes
The Fi tracker is available in several sizes to accommodate a wide range of dogs:
- Small: for neck sizes under 13 inches
- Medium: 13.5 to 16.5 inches
- Large: 16 to 22.5 inches
- Extra Large: 22 to 34.5 inches
This variety makes it easy to find the right fit, especially if you have multiple dogs of different sizes.
Durability
The Fi tracker carries an IP68 rating for both dirt and water resistance. This was confirmed through testing that involved fully submerging the device 1.5 meters (about 4 feet 11 inches) underwater for 30 minutes, as well as exposing it to saltwater. Its aluminum faceplate and internal metal reinforcement add extra protection, making the tracker more resistant to biting and the occasional chew.
GPS Tracking
- The Fi tracker provides 24/7 GPS tracking using the LTE-M network. It relies on a trio of satellites to boost accuracy and tracking speed, allowing GPS precision of up to a 7-foot radius in open areas. Fi is the first pet tracker to utilize the LTE-M network, which reaches about 30% farther than other networks like 3G, 4G, 5G, and standard LTE. This ensures dog owners can monitor their pets’ movements even when they’re away, such as during walks with dog walkers or time with pet sitters.
- Geo-fencing lets you create safe zones for your pets. The device instantly notifies you if your dog leaves a designated area. You can set up multiple safe zones, which is especially useful when traveling.
- Escape Detection activates the Lost Dog Mode, switching the tracker to real-time updates and enabling a red LED flashing light. This makes it easier to locate your dog in low-light conditions or if they manage to slip away.
Activity and Fitness Tracker
The Fi tracker allows you to monitor your dog’s step goals on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. You can keep track of your pet’s activity levels even when you’re not with them. The device also lets you compare your dog’s activity with other dogs and review historical records, including daily, weekly, and monthly step counts, helping you stay on top of their overall health and fitness.
Smartphone App
The Fi tracker app, compatible with Android 6.0 and iOS 12.0 or later, displays your dog’s location right on the main screen. You can navigate the map to see additional details. Your pet’s icon shows their current coordinates, while your first initial represents your location; if you’re together, the two icons appear side by side. The app also lets you activate Lost Dog Mode and provides access to live chat support during business hours for any questions or assistance.
Whistle Collar
The Whistle collar is a compact, lightweight GPS tracker that provides coverage across the entire U.S. It offers impressive features, including high-accuracy tracking, long battery life, and the ability to monitor both your pet’s location and daily activity. Additionally, it includes customizable safe zones, giving you greater control over your pet’s safety and routine.
Want to dive deeper into how these collars work? Check out the Whistle’s website for complete specs.
Design
The Whistle tracker comes in three colors blue, gray, and green and features a rounded cuboid design measuring 1.82” × 1.45” × 0.61” (length × width × depth). It is waterproof and easily attaches to your dog’s collar, so you don’t need to worry if your pet explores puddles, pools, or rainy conditions.
Sizes
Whistle does not offer different sizes although the device fits most collars that are up to an inch wide. The weight is different, but it’s very hard to get a proper understanding of the weight comparison, because the collar on the switch is not removable, the best reads I’ve gotten on them is:
Whistle Switch: 52g
Durability
The Whistle tracker carries an IP67 rating, making it dirt-proof, shock-resistant, and waterproof. This was verified by submerging the device 3 feet underwater for 30 minutes during testing. The included attachment strap is made of durable rubber, providing strength and resistance to chewing or biting.
GPS Tracking
- The Whistle tracker provides GPS tracking using AT&T LTE service, allowing real-time location updates every 60 seconds. It also maintains a 24-hour location history so you can review your pet’s movements.
- Safe zones let you create multiple customizable areas in different shapes and sizes. If your pet leaves a designated zone, you’ll receive email, text, and push notifications.
- The sharing feature allows you to grant a friend or family member full access to your pet’s tracking information, making it easy to stay connected and informed
Activity and Fitness Tracker
The Whistle tracker displays your pet’s 24-hour activity in an easy-to-read graph, providing detailed insights into distance traveled, active versus inactive time, activity levels, and calories burned. You can also customize activity goals based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight, helping you better monitor and manage their health and fitness.
Smartphone App
The Whistle tracker app, compatible with Android 5.0 and iOS 10.0 or later, lets you view your pet’s location using Google Maps, including a 24-hour location history. The app also displays your pet’s activity and inactivity data, safe zones, battery status, and provides options to adjust device settings for a personalized experience.
Performance Comparison: Fi Dog Collar vs Whistle
Regarding performance, Fi and Whistle Go Explore are both useful and reliable in their respective services.
There are close to no connectivity issues reported by the users of Fi Collar, thanks to its LTE-M Network technology. However, you can rely on it to find your dog in general areas and shouldn’t expect the exact precise location.
Also, if you are in an area with poor network service, using the Lost Dog Mode is not recommended, as it depends on the cell signal.
Nonetheless, Fi Collar is popular for its long-lasting battery, which lasts for nearly three months. However, if you use it dependent on Bluetooth only, it will last three weeks. Also, if you continuously use the lost dog mode, the battery lasts two days.
On the other hand, the Whistle Go Explore device is no less, either. It has maintained a good record of the users with extraordinary services. Like Fi Collar, Whistle also uses AT7T network technology, which is as reliable as the Fi Collar.
However, Whistle Go Explore’s battery is not as effective as the Fi Collar’s battery, but it provides a power-saving mode when the WiFi is connected. The power saving mode turns off the device, and every few minutes, it turns on to check if your dog is inside the safe zone.
Unfortunately, this feature can lead to a little delay in the escape alerts when your dog crosses the boundaries.
However, as per Whistle, the battery should last for at least 30 days only when your dog stays within the range of the WiFi connection.
Otherwise, you can expect it to last up to 20 days. Plus, just like Fi Collar, its battery will drain faster if you continuously use the tracking mode.
Pros And Cons: Fi Dog Collar vs Whistle
Fi Dog Collar
Following are the Pros and Con of the Fi Smart Dog Collar:
Pros
- Sturdy designs with improved durability.
- It has a long-lasting battery life.’
- It is certified with an IP-68 waterproof rating.
- It reacts fast to escape.
- It has fun socializing features via the app.
Cons
- It requires a subscription.
- It’s not suitable for dogs that weigh under 10 lbs.
Whistle Dog Collar
Following are the Pros and Con of the Whistle Dog Collar:
Pros
- It is quite lightweight.
- You can use it for your cat along with your dog if you have one.
- It has long-lasting battery life.
- You can establish multiple safe zones with it.
- It has an extended set of activity-tracking features.
- It is ideal for small-sized dogs too.
Cons
- Like Fi smart dog collar, Whistle Go Explore also requires a network subscription.
- It’s not as fast as Fi collar in responding to alerts.
While Fi and Whistle are among the top smart collars, Halo is another strong competitor in the market. You can explore a full breakdown in this Fi vs Halo Collar
FAQs
How much percent accuracy does Fi Collar claim?
As the LTE-M network can keep track of low-power and long distances, the signal sensitivity ensures 100% accuracy.
What is the farthest a Fi Collar can reach?
The best part about the Fi Collar is that it has no limit and works worldwide.
Does Fi Collar work well in woods or a dense area?
If you use it in the woods and or an area full of tall buildings, you may not get the result with 100% accuracy.
What is the best pet tracker without a subscription?
The non-subscription PETFON 2, which has a small form factor that makes it simple to attach to your dog’s collar and can be set up in a matter of minutes, is a good choice if you don’t mind paying a little extra upfront. It did well in our tests, receiving one of the highest marks overall.
Conclusion
After trying out both the Fi Dog Collar and the Whistle, it’s obvious that both devices are good in their own right and your decision really hinges on what you desire most from a smart dog collar.
If your highest concern is location tracking in real-time, long battery life, and a slim, rugged design for outdoor use, the Fi Collar is an excellent choice. It’s designed to keep your dog’s location on track with low-maintenance charging perfect for active dogs and owners with extensive outdoor activity.
On the other hand, if you’re more interested in health insights, behavior tracking, and staying informed about your dog’s daily routines , Whistle offers a more data-rich experience. It’s particularly useful for monitoring long-term wellness and managing a dog’s lifestyle or medical needs.
