Invoxia GPS Tracker Review: Elegance boasts Phenomenal Battery Life
Invoxia's GPS tracker is an elegant and functional device, but its the outstanding six-month battery life that makes this really special.
Credit: Sigfox
Published 17/08/18
Invoxia's GPS tracker is a simple device, both in terms of its design and functionality. As you would expect, this is a GPS tracker that can be utilised to track whatever you want, wherever you want. Pop the device in your bag, car, or give it to your child. Whatever purpose this device serves in your life, it gives you the peace of mind that the things you care about are safe.
This device uses the Sigfox network, the largest network for the Internet of Things in the world, to connect to the Internet. For those of you who have never heard of Sigfox, allow me to enlighten you with a brief explanation of the technology. Just as your phone requires a network to connect to the Internet, Invoxia's tracker does too. However, using a cellular network (the type of network provided by companies such as Vodafone which gives you 4G) is unsuitable for a device as simple as a GPS tracker. Sigfox is the network which connects this tracker to the Internet, and its a network that was purpose-built to ensure ultra-long battery life and affordability for tiny devices which only require a tiny amount of bandwidth to upload and download information.
The fact that Invoxia's GPS tracker connects to the Sigfox network rather than a cellular network means this device benefits from an industry-leading battery life, unparalleled simplicity and great reliability. After all, if your bag suddenly disappears, a tracker must work flawlessly if it is to warrant its very existence.
This device uses the Sigfox network, the largest network for the Internet of Things in the world, to connect to the Internet. For those of you who have never heard of Sigfox, allow me to enlighten you with a brief explanation of the technology. Just as your phone requires a network to connect to the Internet, Invoxia's tracker does too. However, using a cellular network (the type of network provided by companies such as Vodafone which gives you 4G) is unsuitable for a device as simple as a GPS tracker. Sigfox is the network which connects this tracker to the Internet, and its a network that was purpose-built to ensure ultra-long battery life and affordability for tiny devices which only require a tiny amount of bandwidth to upload and download information.
The fact that Invoxia's GPS tracker connects to the Sigfox network rather than a cellular network means this device benefits from an industry-leading battery life, unparalleled simplicity and great reliability. After all, if your bag suddenly disappears, a tracker must work flawlessly if it is to warrant its very existence.
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The Box, Set-Up and Pricing
Unlike traditional GPS trackers which require you to fork out money every month for using the service, Invoxia provides free access to the Sigfox network for three years. The initial cost of purchasing the device is €99, slightly more expensive than some of its competitors. However, because you don't have to worry about monthly fees, this device is actually significantly less expensive over the long term. After the first three years expire, it will cost you €0.83 per month (or €9.99 annually) to maintain access to Sigfox. Vodafone's similar V-Bag tracker costs a ridiculous €2.99 every single month, with an upfront cost of €60 (total of €132 for the first three years).
Invoxia has clearly put some thought into the unboxing experience with this product. I know many don't care about the quality of boxing, but it can go a long way to impact your subconscious initial impressions of the device. Within the box, you will be met with the tracker first and foremost, followed by an amusingly short Micro USB cable and starter guide.
The set-up process for this device is effortless and I would be surprised if anyone couldn't set it up within minutes. Simply connect the Micro-USB cable to the device and to a power supply to power the device on. After this, Invoxia recommends that you allow the device to charge for up to eighty minutes. Next, you'll need to download the app on your phone, activate Bluetooth and follow the instructions on-screen. It's as simple as that, I have to praise Invoxia for the simplicity that this device boasts, anyone could use it without running into trouble.
Invoxia has clearly put some thought into the unboxing experience with this product. I know many don't care about the quality of boxing, but it can go a long way to impact your subconscious initial impressions of the device. Within the box, you will be met with the tracker first and foremost, followed by an amusingly short Micro USB cable and starter guide.
The set-up process for this device is effortless and I would be surprised if anyone couldn't set it up within minutes. Simply connect the Micro-USB cable to the device and to a power supply to power the device on. After this, Invoxia recommends that you allow the device to charge for up to eighty minutes. Next, you'll need to download the app on your phone, activate Bluetooth and follow the instructions on-screen. It's as simple as that, I have to praise Invoxia for the simplicity that this device boasts, anyone could use it without running into trouble.
Design: Elegant, Durable and Ambigous
The design of any device is an important factor that will dictate your experience. Invoxia's GPS tracker is a beautiful device, partly because of its minimalistic approach to design. The tracker is composed of a long and narrow casing of plastic and aluminium. Perhaps my favourite aspect of the design is Invoxia's choice of colour, matte black. This looks like a modern device whatever angle you observe it, and if you intend to place this in a bag, it will only add to its design.
I've dropped the tracker numerous times, clashing with tiles and concrete, and there are no visible signs of trauma anywhere on the device. I believe this device will hold up very well with sustained usage, something that can't be said for many other tech devices today.
The minimalism that this device boasts extends to the buttons, or more importantly, the lack thereof. I think Invoxia made a great decision by avoiding to use any physical buttons because as we know, they are subject to failure over the long term. Instead, there is just one method of interacting with the device, located in a dimple on the rear. This is a pressure sensitive area which will perform different functions when pressed. Located above the dimple is a small LED, which pulses in conjunction with an internal speaker when the dimple is activated.
Another key feature of the design which adds to its character is the leather lanyard which originates at the bottom of the tracker. The lanyard can be used to secure the tracker around your wrist or for other uses. This feature makes the device more ergonomic, I had no issue holding it for long periods of time.
Nestled on the opposite end of the lanyard is the charging port. This is the only downside I discovered with the design. It is a Micro-USB port, I would have liked to see Invoxia choose USB-C instead as all of our devices are shifting to the new port. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a major concern, as there is still significantly more Micro-USB cables out there now, but it would future-proof the device for longer. Furthermore, the fact that you'll only need to charge this every few months means this is only a small drawback on an otherwise flawless design.
Finally, the ambiguity that this design brings is a key feature which will prevent someone discarding of the device when they discover it in the bag that they have stolen. It is not immediately obvious that this is a GPS tracker, and that's a great thing to say. In fact, I gave it to someone and they thought it was a small power bank to charge a phone.
I've dropped the tracker numerous times, clashing with tiles and concrete, and there are no visible signs of trauma anywhere on the device. I believe this device will hold up very well with sustained usage, something that can't be said for many other tech devices today.
The minimalism that this device boasts extends to the buttons, or more importantly, the lack thereof. I think Invoxia made a great decision by avoiding to use any physical buttons because as we know, they are subject to failure over the long term. Instead, there is just one method of interacting with the device, located in a dimple on the rear. This is a pressure sensitive area which will perform different functions when pressed. Located above the dimple is a small LED, which pulses in conjunction with an internal speaker when the dimple is activated.
Another key feature of the design which adds to its character is the leather lanyard which originates at the bottom of the tracker. The lanyard can be used to secure the tracker around your wrist or for other uses. This feature makes the device more ergonomic, I had no issue holding it for long periods of time.
Nestled on the opposite end of the lanyard is the charging port. This is the only downside I discovered with the design. It is a Micro-USB port, I would have liked to see Invoxia choose USB-C instead as all of our devices are shifting to the new port. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a major concern, as there is still significantly more Micro-USB cables out there now, but it would future-proof the device for longer. Furthermore, the fact that you'll only need to charge this every few months means this is only a small drawback on an otherwise flawless design.
Finally, the ambiguity that this design brings is a key feature which will prevent someone discarding of the device when they discover it in the bag that they have stolen. It is not immediately obvious that this is a GPS tracker, and that's a great thing to say. In fact, I gave it to someone and they thought it was a small power bank to charge a phone.
Battery Life: Class-Leading
As you can probably guess by now, I've been very impressed by the battery life provided by Invoxia's GPS Tracker. The company claims it can last for up to six months on a single charge, and while I haven't had the chance to verify that claim just yet, I can tell you that I've used the device thoroughly over the last few weeks without it needing a charge. This level of battery life is astonishing compared to other GPS trackers on the market, which die within a few days.
As an example of just how good the battery life is with this tracker, let's compare it to a similar device offered by Vodafone called V-Bag (Alcatel Move Track). This Alcatel tracker boasts a battery life of up to four days, a fraction of that provided by Invoxia's tracker. If you plan on going on a trip and bringing a tracker, it's just not feasible to charge it every few days.
Furthermore, when I received the device, I decided to charge it fully. To my surprise, the tracker took less than an hour to reach full capacity, an amazing feat. As I mentioned earlier, the primary reason for this excellent battery life is the use of the Sigfox network which consumes significantly less power than a cellular network. Whats more, with Sigfox, power consumption remains steady even as the quality of the signal degrades, so it is easy to predict consistent battery life with this device.
As an example of just how good the battery life is with this tracker, let's compare it to a similar device offered by Vodafone called V-Bag (Alcatel Move Track). This Alcatel tracker boasts a battery life of up to four days, a fraction of that provided by Invoxia's tracker. If you plan on going on a trip and bringing a tracker, it's just not feasible to charge it every few days.
Furthermore, when I received the device, I decided to charge it fully. To my surprise, the tracker took less than an hour to reach full capacity, an amazing feat. As I mentioned earlier, the primary reason for this excellent battery life is the use of the Sigfox network which consumes significantly less power than a cellular network. Whats more, with Sigfox, power consumption remains steady even as the quality of the signal degrades, so it is easy to predict consistent battery life with this device.
Geolocation Performance: Reliable and Accurate
At its most basic level, this is a tracking device. As the name suggests, GPS is the technology that is used for geolocation with this device. Invoxia has implemented some clever tricks to maximise battery life without hindering the operation of the GPS, which is an infamously power-hungry technology. The settings for geolocation can be adjusted within the app, which I will discuss further later. Invoxia's GPS tracker will only broadcast its location when it detects movement, for example, when someone grabs your bag and runs away with it. After this initial trigger, it will continue to broadcast its location every five to ten minutes (you choose the interval) until it detects that the device is no longer moving.
This method for geolocation is very innovative because it essentially eliminates power consumption when the device isn't moving. There is no purpose in broadcasting the location of the device when it isn't moving. Invoxia does not use GPS to detect the initial movement, which is clever because the technology doesn't work great indoor anyway. An accelerometer is used to detect initial movement.
I have tested its ability to track items quite thoroughly and I've been impressed. On the vast majority of occasions, the device correctly reported its location when I wanted it to, and it would allow me to recover the device had it fallen into the wrong hands. As an example of how I tested the device, I've brought it with me for several walks, long car journeys, and cycles.
On one or two occasions, I did experience a gap between GPS broadcasts, where the device failed to report its location when moving within the five/ ten-minute intervals. However, I believe this drop in performance may have been caused by a lack of coverage with the Sigfox network in the area where I was testing the tracker. This issue with coverage should become less prominent as VT IoT, the provider of the Sigfox network in Ireland, expands its network by deploying more base stations. In terms of the accuracy of the tracker's GPS, it appeared to be excellent with my testing. The tracker managed to consistently pinpoint my location within metres of where I actually was.
There is also the option to manually force the device to report its location by pressing the aforementioned pressure-sensitive dimple. Something which will be of paramount with such a device is reliability. Invoxia's decision to use Sigfox means this tracker is resistant to jammers, something which isn't the case with trackers that connect to traditional cellular networks. The device will produce three messages, all identical, on three different frequencies and at three different times (time and frequency diversity).
This method for geolocation is very innovative because it essentially eliminates power consumption when the device isn't moving. There is no purpose in broadcasting the location of the device when it isn't moving. Invoxia does not use GPS to detect the initial movement, which is clever because the technology doesn't work great indoor anyway. An accelerometer is used to detect initial movement.
I have tested its ability to track items quite thoroughly and I've been impressed. On the vast majority of occasions, the device correctly reported its location when I wanted it to, and it would allow me to recover the device had it fallen into the wrong hands. As an example of how I tested the device, I've brought it with me for several walks, long car journeys, and cycles.
On one or two occasions, I did experience a gap between GPS broadcasts, where the device failed to report its location when moving within the five/ ten-minute intervals. However, I believe this drop in performance may have been caused by a lack of coverage with the Sigfox network in the area where I was testing the tracker. This issue with coverage should become less prominent as VT IoT, the provider of the Sigfox network in Ireland, expands its network by deploying more base stations. In terms of the accuracy of the tracker's GPS, it appeared to be excellent with my testing. The tracker managed to consistently pinpoint my location within metres of where I actually was.
There is also the option to manually force the device to report its location by pressing the aforementioned pressure-sensitive dimple. Something which will be of paramount with such a device is reliability. Invoxia's decision to use Sigfox means this tracker is resistant to jammers, something which isn't the case with trackers that connect to traditional cellular networks. The device will produce three messages, all identical, on three different frequencies and at three different times (time and frequency diversity).
The App: Intuitive and Feature-Rich
Invoxia's app is available on the Google Play store for Android devices and on Apple's App Store for iOS devices. The app is simple and intuitive to use, opening with an interactive map showing the tracker's last recorded location when launched. The app also uses your phone's location services to show your location on the map, as well as that of the tracker. Clicking on the tracker's location will show you it's address and the time at which it reported that location. Swiping up from the bottom opens a menu with an option to see a history of recorded locations of the tracker, ranging from one day to one year ago. The history of recorded points is portrayed on the interactive map as a route of points, similar to the way apps map your running route.
There is also the option to create zone alerts, which is another term for a geofence (a virtual barrier around a physical location). You can configure the name and size of the geofence. Furthermore, there is also the ability to set the geofence to push notifications when the tracker is detected leaving and/or entering the zone. I know this can sound a bit complex so I'll give you an example of the feature in practice. I have a geofence set around my house, after the device leaves this geofence, it will begin to report its location and send a push notification to my device that it has left the geofence. This is a very useful feature as it prevents the device reporting its location when you don't need it to.
To configure your Invoxia tracker with the app, you must enable your phone's Bluetooth to pair with the tracker. When the two are in range and connected, you'll be given some more controls such as changing the frequency at which the device reports it's location when it detects movement (five minutes or ten minutes interval). There is also a section to check for updates for the tracker, which will be downloaded using your phone's internet connection and then applied via Bluetooth to the tracker. Finally, there is an option to use a feature called "Find Me". When activated, this feature prompts the tracker to produce some sounds and blink its LED so you can locate it.
There is also the option to create zone alerts, which is another term for a geofence (a virtual barrier around a physical location). You can configure the name and size of the geofence. Furthermore, there is also the ability to set the geofence to push notifications when the tracker is detected leaving and/or entering the zone. I know this can sound a bit complex so I'll give you an example of the feature in practice. I have a geofence set around my house, after the device leaves this geofence, it will begin to report its location and send a push notification to my device that it has left the geofence. This is a very useful feature as it prevents the device reporting its location when you don't need it to.
To configure your Invoxia tracker with the app, you must enable your phone's Bluetooth to pair with the tracker. When the two are in range and connected, you'll be given some more controls such as changing the frequency at which the device reports it's location when it detects movement (five minutes or ten minutes interval). There is also a section to check for updates for the tracker, which will be downloaded using your phone's internet connection and then applied via Bluetooth to the tracker. Finally, there is an option to use a feature called "Find Me". When activated, this feature prompts the tracker to produce some sounds and blink its LED so you can locate it.
Verdict: An Excellent Device for a wide Audience
Invoxia has designed an excellent product with their GPS tracker, and I find it difficult to pinpoint any flaws in its design or operation. The phenomenal battery life and pricing that this device exhibit makes it very easy for me to recommend to anyone looking for a solution to lost or stolen belongings.
Furthermore, the effortless set-up and ease of use are key factors that allow it to cater to a wider audience, an audience that may not be as comfortable using new technology like you or me are. The geolocation features which this device offers are top-notch, whether that's the accurate GPS or clever geofence "Zone Alerts". It worked when I wanted it to work, and that's the best seal of approval that I can give to any product. This is a wonderful example of the power of the Internet of Things to enhance our lives and break down our barriers.
If you would like to learn more about Invoxia's GPS Tracker, you can visit this page. For those of you eager to own your own Invoxia GPS Tracker, you can purchase one on Amazon below.
Furthermore, the effortless set-up and ease of use are key factors that allow it to cater to a wider audience, an audience that may not be as comfortable using new technology like you or me are. The geolocation features which this device offers are top-notch, whether that's the accurate GPS or clever geofence "Zone Alerts". It worked when I wanted it to work, and that's the best seal of approval that I can give to any product. This is a wonderful example of the power of the Internet of Things to enhance our lives and break down our barriers.
If you would like to learn more about Invoxia's GPS Tracker, you can visit this page. For those of you eager to own your own Invoxia GPS Tracker, you can purchase one on Amazon below.
I would like to thank Invoxia for providing this device to review.
The Power of Sigfox: Pioneering the IoT RevolutionA deep dive into the prospects of Sigfox, the network that wants to blur the divide between the physical and digital world.
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