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Frequently Asked Questions
- Please note that as per our user guides, you are required to make sure the SIM in your Petrek device needs to be topped up once every 12 months. If it is not topped up within 13 months after the first or last top up it will be deactivated by One NZ. When this happens, the device is best to be sent back to us for a SIM replacement. You can purchase a new SIM + Setup pack here.
- After the first year of usage, there will also be a Google Map app fee which was announced in 2020. Further information can be found at the provided link.
- If your area has limited reception to Spark, Skinny, or 2degrees, please inform us when placing your order so we can provide the preferred SIM cards. Please note that other carriers may incur costs ranging from $5-10 per month, depending on their available plans. We typically activate the SIM cards on the smallest data packs, typically 100MB per month. Spark for example, costs $5 per 4 weeks to run on Petrek units.
- The SIM card is specific to the Petrek device, so be careful not to confuse it with the one in your phone. It is not necessary to use the same SIM provider for your phone.
- Users are not advised to replace their own SIM cards due to the IP67 waterproof rating of the device. The seals must be replaced and torqued after each removal to minimize water damage.
- We suggest utilizing One NZ Pay & Go plans for all our GPS-based trackers to ensure cost effectiveness for users, provided that there is ample reception available.
Note: If you have purchased or given a used unit please contact us first. As a used unit or a unit that has been left for more than 12 months after purchase may have an expired SIM and Google map app fee. The guide below is for brand new unit purchased directly from us and/or our retailers.
If you have recently bought, received or got given a Petrek or PetFinder device you can find the full latest setup guides Here
- If you bought or have been given a used unit, it is likely your SIM and/or Google map app fees has expired. If you're uncertain, please get in touch with us so that we can investigate the device history and identify any components that may require replacements or updates, such as the battery, which deteriorates over time or from inadequate usage.
- If your device has been fully set up and previously operational, ensure it is charged and powered on before allowing your pet outside. In the event the device is in locations or structures without signal coverage, it may face difficulties in updating. Once the device enters an area with proper reception, updates will resume, similar to how a phone requires sufficient signal strength to send a message.
- If your unit is brand new, make sure the SIM has been topped up properly as per instructions on the SIM card top up sheet. If you have accidently entered an Non-One NZ 021 number into the second notification box this can freeze the credit in the One NZ Fastpay system. Please call One NZ to verify that the credit has gone through but try refrain from telling them it's in a tracking device as this only confuses their call centre.
- If you have not topped up your SIM card for more than 12 months since you last topped up or got the unit then this will likely be why. As it would be like trying to send a text or make a call on a prepay phone without credit, resulting in the the device not being able to send the latest information onto your app.
- If it has been more than 13 months since your last SIM top up, then do not top up as One NZ would have likely deactivated the SIM. Please follow this link to get a new SIM fitted into your device.
- If your SIM has been topped up every 12 months but your device still does not update, please check and make sure the Google map app fee has been renewed.
- If both your SIM is up to date and your Google map app fee has been renewed and it still does not update, please restart your phone, and/or fully close the app before reloading it. Check the device is outside in the open, has One NZ 2G/3G reception and is in urgent mode. If all fails take it for a drive to town and back.
- If still no luck or if the unit is brand new, please contact us so we can help troubleshoot further as it might be a hardware fault.
- If you bought or have been given a used unit, it is likely your SIM and/or Google map app fees has expired, so please contact us if you are unsure so we can look into the history of the device for you to see what needs replacing/updating.
- You will typically need to return the device for inspection, updates, and a new SIM card replacement to ensure that it functions properly, as this will be carried out by our technicians.
- If your device has been fully set up and previously operational, ensure it is charged and powered on before allowing your pet outside. In the event the device is in locations or structures without signal coverage, it may face difficulties in updating. Once the device enters an area with proper reception, updates will resume, similar to how a phone requires sufficient signal strength to send a message.
- If it has been more than 13 months since your last SIM top up, then do not top up as One NZ would have likely deactivated the SIM. Please follow this link to get a new SIM fitted into your device.
- If your SIM has been topped up every 12 months but your device still does not update, please check and make sure the Google map app fee has been renewed.
- If both your SIM is up to date and your Google map app fee has been renewed and it still does not update, please restart your phone, and/or fully close the app before reloading it. Check the device is outside in the open, has One NZ 2G/3G reception and is in urgent mode. If all fails take it for a drive to town and back.
The iPet App made for Petrek GPS & Petrek 3G units and the SafeTrek app made for Petrek GPS-4 works on both iOS and Android based phones. It is highly recommended that you have a newer phone with at least 1.5ghz dual core processor and 4gb ram to run smoothly.
The iPet and SafeTrek Apps have minor distinctions between iOS and Android versions, but their functionality and logic remain consistent.
Settings: (the three dots on top right corner)
LBS location – We highly recommend this to be UN-ticked to save confusion.
If this is left enabled, you may get an updates miles away via cell tower whenever the device is indoor, under cover, and/or your dog/cat is lying on the ground with the device wedged between it's body and the ground.
Make mode: Make sure this is set on hybrid.
Alarm settings – This is required if you’d like to be alerted via notifications on your smartphones for when your Petrek GPS requires charging or when your pet triggers the Geo-Fencing/parameter alarm. Once ticked you can choose the notification/alarm sounds that you want via your smartphone’s own setting menu under “notifications”
Note that for iPhone users, your Alarm notification settings is under "Geo-fence settings" and "Enable notification"
Geo-Fencing / Parameter alarm: (Slide left menu/ or press top right icon)
Once Geo-fencing is set, you can easily move the circle parameter around via putting your finger on the centre grey pin point and then move the circle around. This is particularly useful especially if your pet normally escapes through one area whether it’s the front door and back fence. You can move the line of the circle to just outside of that fence etc so you may get alerted earlier. the + – logo on the outer circle can be used to adjust the diameter.
Note:Parameter alarms are triggered depending on the update modes. If on urgent you will get an alert within 30 seconds provided there is GPS and GSM reception. If on normal mode you will be alerted within 5-10 minutes depending on when the pet leaves the parameter after it’s last update. If on Power saving mode it will alert you every 2 hours should the Petrek find your pet outside the parameter on that update interval, provided there is GPS + GSM signal at the time of update. When in power saving mode, the App will immediately change to normal tracking mode, provided there is relevant signals at the time.
False alarms can be triggered from time to time due to sway/weak GPS signals so if this is the case please extend your Geo-fencing circle.
We highly recommend using Normal mode on the first month if you have a naughty pet that moves very fast. Only use Power saving mode when you know your pet’s territory and where it goes during the day.
Searching Mode: (location update frequency)
Urgent mode = 30 seconds, battery life = 3-5 hours depending on GPS and GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used only in an emergency when you need to zero in on your pet.
Normal mode = 5-10 min, battery life = 7-10 hours depending on GPS and GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used for escape artists that do wander off frequently or when you want to have a good idea of where your cat roams during the day.
Power saving mode = 2 hours, battery life = 2-4 days dependent on GPS and GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used for pets you have tracked for few weeks with a good idea of their habitual spots. You can set a Geo-fencing parameter in the area and still get alerted if they decide to go further than they normally do one day, this will switch to normal mode if it is triggered to help you get them back quicker, you can also change to urgent mode immediately.
Note: If you are in power saving mode, as it will be doing it’s best to save power, you may have to wait up to 2 hours for the tracker to adjust to another searching mode. If you have your Petrek GPS around you can change the setting immediately by turn the tracker off and on after changing the search mode. If your pet is missing, just set Geo-fencing parameter alarm, and set to urgent first and wait for notification. As long as tracker is charged prior you will get an update within 2 hours or less, in most cases normally within 1 hour.
Upon adding your Petrek unit's IMEI number, you will be prompted to enter the passcode, which is "12345678".- After adding the IMEI to this account, it cannot be added to another account unless it is removed. You can share the tracker's location by clicking the "share" button, but the recipient will not have full control over the app.
- If the recipient or all family members wish to have full control, including the ability to access location history and adjust reporting settings, they just need to sign in to the SafeTrek account linked to the specified IMEI number of the Petrek unit. For instance, if you log into SafeTrek with abc123@abcmail.com and have linked IMEI 12345678910 to that account, that IMEI will be associated with that specific account.
- If you have logged back into SafeTrek and noticed that the IMEI is no longer associated with that account, it could be due to a prior login with a different email or account. Contact us with either the IMEI number or your order number, and we will assist in identifying the correct account and potentially removing the IMEI for re-addition to your new account.
ZZZ Icon:
The device last received a signal but did not detect any
movement. It will update when movement is detected if the signal is available,
and the battery has adequate power remaining.
Exclamation ! Icon:
The app and your device have lost connection (offline) due to a lack of signal,
potentially caused by being in an area with poor GSM reception. Once the device
has sufficient GSM and GPS signal and adequate battery power, it will update
accordingly.
Cell Tower icon:
The device detects movement and has GSM reception but is likely indoor where GPS
signal may be obstructed. The device will update accordingly when placed
outdoors where both signals are accessible.
Satellite GPS icon:
The device detects movement and has access to both signals to provide an update. It is
important to check the strength of the GPS signal to ensure accuracy, as weak
GPS signals can be detected indoors as well from time to time.
Lightning icon:
With the necessary signals in place, the lightning mode will commence a continuous search and update of its location every second for a duration of 60 seconds. It is recommended to utilize this
function judiciously as it may lead to substantial battery consumption and is best suited for emergency scenarios. Will not work if device is offline.
Park "P" icon:
Alerts are triggered when motion is sensed and can be applied to either stationary
objects or to dogs or cats in situations where you wish to be notified upon their return to service i.e. emerging from areas of poor signal reception.
Bullseye icon: (Top right )
The map is reoriented to your phone's current or last known location, facilitating a
comparison of your position relative to the device's most recent update.
Important note:
If an icon remains inactive for extended
periods, particularly hours or days beyond the last update displayed on the
timestamp in the information menu, it indicates that your device may be
switched off, the battery might have depleted before an update could be
performed, or the SIM card or the App fee for Google Maps may have expired.
Refer to our FAQ section for additional details.
Below is an idea of how long your batteries can last on the modes available.Note these are tested under the condition the tracker has good reception and outdoor at all times. If the tracker spends a lot of time under shelter or indoor it will hunt harder for signal and thus decrease battery life under the rated hours below.
Urgent mode = 30 seconds, battery life = 7-9 hours (Petrek GPS) 3-6 hours (Petrek 3G) depending on GPS/GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used only in an emergency when you need to zero in on your pet.
Normal mode = 5-10 min, battery life = 14-20 Hours(Petrek GPS) 7-10 Hours (Petrek 3G) depending on GPS and GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used for naughty dogs that do wander off frequently or when you want to have a good idea of where your cat roams during the day.
Power saving mode = 2 hours, battery life = 3-8 days (Petrek GPS) 2-4 Days (Petrek 3G) depending on GPS and GSM reception and your pet’s activeness. Best used for pets you have tracked for few weeks and have learned their patterns and where they normally wander or visit. You can set a Geo-fencing parameter in the area and still get alerted if they decide to go further than they normally do one day, this will switch to normal mode if it is triggered to help you get them back quicker, you can also change to urgent mode immediately.
Note: Battery life can change significantly depending on usage and reception. In bad reception areas the Petrek GPS will constantly search for better signal and thus use more power and reduce battery life. If in a area with good reception while with less active pet the battery life will be extend further. If your pet stays indoors frequently the battery will decrease faster.
Getting inaccurate location updates every now and then? There are many factors to this, first you must understand how the Petrek GPS/3G work, the limitations of it as well as limitations of GPS and GSM reception. In a nutshell, GPS signal is most accurate when directly under the sky. While GPS signal can be detected indoors or under shelter from time to time these signals will normally be weak and can be a signal being bounced in from over 300 metres away and in some cases even 1km+. So hence checking the GPS signal strength level of each update to determine the accuracy of that update is vital when using any GPS based tracker.
Before attaching the tracker onto your dog or cat, it is advised to best take your tracker for a walk round the outside your property, area or even a drive to the grocery store to see what your area's accuracy is like. When a tracker wakes up from sleep mode or goes from indoor to outdoor they do require 3-4 updates before it locks onto 5-6 satellites in space to start providing more accurate updates.
If in doubt in regards to your tracker's accuracy, always do a road test, have it in urgent mode and drive it away on your next grocery run. This way you can confirm whether the product will work when your dog or cat truly wanders far away. On every update, always check the GPS signal strength before determining it's accuracy. If you are finding that most of the time it is struggling to update correctly within the specified distance (i.e within 30 metres even with Excellent GPS) outside your house but updates fine as long as you drive out of your property then this is normally a GSM or GPS reception issue round the property.
There are certain areas that can receive a signal from up to 1km+ away when and still show GPS signal as being good, thou majority of the time it will still show as weak. However when a cat or dog starts moving the accuracy will increase as GPS trackers work best when they are actually moving. You may get some inaccurate readings in your backyard too especially when the tracker is wedged between the neck of your cat or dog against the ground. So you'll find when your dog or cat is sleeping right against the house wall, fence or ground the GPS signal will likely not be in "excellent" and thus will be a bit off depending on your area's accuracy.
The Petrek GPS & 3G also heavily relies on Google map accuracy of the area because each location is planted on Google Map. Google map is quite accurate in most areas but also can be up to 20-30 metres off in certain places or even up to 30-40 metres off in new development areas or rural areas. So how accurate the tracker is really depends on
1) GPS Signal strength (As long as not indoors or under shelter)
2) Google Map accuracy in your area
3)Your area's environmental surroundings or density level.
4)If your cat or dog likes to brush their body up against walls and grounds.
Settings for iPet App user to help deal with inaccuracies:
Please go to “settings” on the top right corner of the app and un-tick LBS mode, this means your Petrek unit will only update if there is GPS signal. If you enable LBS mode the tracker will triangulate a centre location via nearby cell towers when there is no GPS signal, however this can be up to 3km away in less populated areas so this is not recommended.
On each location update, press and bring out the menu/status bar from the bottom and you will see GPS Signal and GSM signal strength bars. GPS is important for location accuracy while GSM (mobile reception) you don’t have to worry too much about.
Under the GPS signal there is four settings:
No GPS = Tracker is under thick shelter, soil etc - Stay patient and wait
Weak = Indoors, accuracy = 30 – 60+ Metres (In extreme cases up to 1km off)
Normal = Under light shelter or hilly terrain, accuracy = 15-35 Metres
Excellent = Outdoors under clear sky, accuracy = 0.5 – 30 Metres +
I've checked and understood everything above but it's still inaccurate?
If your area seem to have poor reception or poor Google Map accuracy, it does not mean you cannot make use of the tracker. You can walk around your area and learn where the bad inaccurate spots are and adapt. So for example, if your tracker is in the garage or is by the garage and it's showing 50 metres down the driveway, this means in the future if it shows in that spot again you know the cat is actually by the garage.
Please note the Petrek GPS has larger antennas so if you require more accuracy in areas with poorer signals we recommend the Petrek GPS over the 3G unit.
There is a few reasons as to why your tracker might be sending you some false alerts especially when you find your cat or dog just lazing round the living room or in the back yard. The most common cause is weak GPS signal, because as you'll read in the product page descriptions that when the tracker is under shelter, indoor or wedged between your pet's neck and the ground this can block direct GPS signal from above which is required for a more accurate location.
When this happens, inaccuracies of up to 200m or sometimes even up to 1km in extreme cases will occur. Hence, false alerts will occur when direct GPS signal is blocked.
So the best way to reduce false alarms is simply move the Geo-fence out a little at a time until the false alarms becomes minimal. Unfortunately due to current technology limitations associated with small GPS tracking devices this is a common characteristic for small size GPS trackers. This is why in our online guide we stress that if Geo-fence is triggered always check the GPS signal strength, if it shows “Excellent” and you see a pattern of your cat or dog moving in one certain direction then you should switch to urgent mode and start walking towards the same direction.
If you find that there is still inaccuracies even when out in the open/on the move move please get in touch with us and our technicians will do a full inspection for you.
Ideally to make sure your tracker will work when it's needed the most, switch to urgent mode and put it in the car on your next grocery run to confirm that it tracks majority of the route you drive on. If it does not, contact us so we can get a full inspection and repair done for you.
Unfortunately not, a microchip does not have any sort of “location tracking” based technology in it. It is simply a hidden address tag that helps animal shelters, vets and RSPCA etc identify who the pet belongs to when found. A GPS Tracker requires too many components to be able to be made small enough to fit into a chip, on top of that it requires charging and we don't recommend plugging your cat into the wall for charging!
If you have a Petrek GPS or 3G unit, both these devices have clips and fitments made to come off under stress. This means if your cat or dog gets stuck on a fence, tree or in a rabbit hole the tracker will break off to prevent your pet from being strangulation. If your tracker falls off say on a fence, you will likely get good GPS signal and be able to get within 5-10 metres of the device. If you see no GPS or weak GPS signal on the last update, this means your tracker has broken off under a shelter, indoors, or inside a rabbit hole and could be anywhere within 50-100m of the area.Unfortunately this means the chances of salvaging your tracker becomes much lower. So we suggest looking into the location history and see where the last few updates are. Try and find a pattern to it, was it heading towards west? East? or South? Look around the area in that certain direction. As mentioned in our T&C if you have a lost tracker we will not be liable and will not be able to send you a replacement. However, contact us and we will provide a special discount for returning customers.If you have a PetFinder, Provided the transmitter tag on the collar is switched on and is still within range of the remote unit you will be able to start tracking down via signal strength. When within 10-20 metres you can switch to mute mode and zero in bybeeping soundscoming from the tag when required.If you are out of range, simply start walking in the areas where you normally take your dogs for a walk as dogs tend to wander in their own territory especially if they are taken out for walks often. If you have a cat start by walking in a 200 metre radius round your house. Chances are if your cat is is out and about it’s normally within the 200 metre boundary, simply keep walking until the remote unit gets an connection within it’s range.
In short, yes they do, but do they harm anything? Not one bit! All Lintek Radio frequency and GPS Trackers have been CE (Europe compliance) and FCC (American compliance) approved. Meaning we have had to send everything we make to their international testing labs and go through up to 150 pages of safety tests and checks.
This is simply to make sure that all of our products are 100% safe to be used on and by anything! The radiation levels given by our trackers are next to none compared to the average cellphone humans use today!
The batteries in the Wi-Leash and PetFinders use small CR2032 button batteries which are cheap to replace and can last up to 90 days depending on model and usage. If you leave it on every day and it is being triggered every day, it may only last a few weeks or less. Both The Wi-Leash, PetFinder LR and PetFinder Multi all come with a silicone splash case(s) for the transmitter tag(s), so are resistant against rain and water splashes but are not submersible, e.g not to be used for swimming.
Have more than one pets? Want to purchase more than one RF or GPS tracker to track them all?
Lintek’s RF trackers have over 20000 unique IDs so the chances of you tracking the wrong pet is miniscule!
Indeed! The most common reason for this is radio frequency signals like to bounce off metal and concrete while normal human bodies can also absorb RF signals (not in any way harmful!)
Hence at times if your pet walks behind a wall or 2 that might give off a few chirps! Simply treat it as a reminder to keep an eye on your pet but do expect a chirp here and there at times because unfortunately this is the characteristics of a Radio frequency based tracker.