GPCats Usage Tips

Here you will find hints and tips about using GPCats. This page is updated frequently to keep up with your questions and to post up-to-date information about your tracker.
So feel free to bookmark the page for future reference and come back every once in a while!
It’s easy to get started once you receive GPCats
start_instructions
  1. Plug the device into a USB power outlet to charge and start it. You will see a green light indicating charging.
  2. Go to app.gpcats.com and choose an app (iOS or Android, or use the Web app for all other devices)
  3. Enter the code that’s printed on the back side of the tracker.
  4. Charging takes 1-2 hours maximum.
  5. Once it’s fully charged, put it around your cat’s neck.
  6. Depending on the interval you chose in the app, you will receive the first signal after a couple of minutes.
  7. Remember that the tracker is designed to work outside.
More about your GPCats GPS Tracker
Where to get a good signal

Range

The range is unlimited!

The GPS (satellite positioning) signal can be received worldwide, and it’s sent away with the GSM (mobile phone) network. So wherever the tracker can receive a satellite signal and reach the cell phone network, you will know where your cat was.

(The data is also collected when your app is not running. It’s stored on our server for you.)

Intervals and receiving positions

Depending on the interval option that you choose within the GPCats app, the tracker sends a signal to you every 5, 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Accordingly, the battery lasts longer or drained faster.

You can also change the interval while the tracker is away. It will load your new settings at the “Next contact” time (shown on the bottom right of your app).

Why am I not getting a signal?

Remember that GPCats is designed to work outside. Try it outside and check your app to see the signal. In the bottom right corner of the app you can see when the next signal will be sent to you.

If you don’t get any signal (not even a rough position), the GSM (mobile phone) reception in your area might not be sufficient. Without the GSM network, the tracker can’t send the position to you.

Accuracy of the signal

Normally GPCats is accurate within about 10 meters. This should make it easy for you to find your cat again! Note that high walls or large metal roofs can deflect the signal, making it less accurate or shifted a bit (e.g. inside a backyard between two high buildings).

Also, when the tracker is inside a house, you sometimes get a signal but it might be scattered.

When GPCats can’t find a GPS (satellite) signal, it can still display your GSM (mobile cell) position which is less accurate but still helps to see that the tracker is still online, and as a last resort it will help you find your cat in case that it ran to the neighbour village again! The GSM signal is displayed as a circle with a border, without the “cat” symbol in the center.

Battery life

The battery life depends on the tracking mode: When checking the signal every 15 minutes, the tracker lasts for around 12 hours. Setting it to 30 minutes, you get a day and more, and the bi-hourly check can give you 5 days and more, depending on outside temperature and signal strength in your area.

When it’s cold, batteries don’t last as long as they do when the temperature is more mild. So don’t be surprised about shorter battery times in the winter, or when it’s generally cold at your location.

Charging issues?

Charging GPCats works with almost any USB plug and cable, also via PC and laptop (as long as they are running so they can provide power) and USB power banks. However, some few chargers don’t work, so be sure that yours does before sending the cat outside with an empty collar!

Remember that you can always check the battery status by looking at your app.

If in doubt, check the breakaway collar before use
The collar’s safety clip lets the cat escape in case that it pulls strongly on the collar. This means that your cat generally can’t get stuck somewhere due to the collar. However, some might find that the collar opens too easily or not easy enough. So you should give it a try, pulling it open yourself, to determine whether you think it has the correct strength for your cat. If not, you can always exchange the collar for any standard cat collar that you might want to use instead. The current strength of the breakaway clip has been carefully determined by our veterinarian Dr Streicher to find the most suitable point between stability and safety, but of course every cat is different and might require different protection.
More tips are coming up, so stay tuned!
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