Chipolo Tracker Review

The Chipolo tracker was on display at CES 2016. Their sales team provided a unit for me to evaluate.

This is a tracker that connects to your iOS, Android, or Windows phone using the Chipolo app and provides the ability to track and find your keys, handbag, backpack, or pet.  It is about the size of a quarter, is 5mm thin, and comes in a choice of nine bright colors.  It has about a 200 ft range (Bluetooth) and plays a tune to help locate your lost item.  The CR2025 battery lasts about 6 months and is easily replaceable.

If you’ve misplaced your phone, shaking the Chipolo rings your phone, even if it is on silent.  If your item is left behind, you will receive a notification and the Chipolo app automatically records the last time and place it saw your item.  When you search for your Chipolo, you aren’t just searching with your phone, but with everyone’s phone running the Chipolo app, which enlarges the search area to assist with locating your item.

I’ve found the best use for Chipolo is to place one in each piece of checked luggage when travelling.  You can make sure it on the same plane with you and it notifies you when your luggage is within range at baggage claim.  Many times I have had flight delays and plane changes with my luggage thus traveling up on a different plane.  When I land I have to find where my luggage is being stored for my pickup.  A simple check of the Chipolo app and I can confirm if I have the correct area to pick up my luggage.  With today’s increased security, travel delays and airport crowds, the use of the Chipolo is a game changer.

By, Joe Schneider International Technology Reporter