Which Bluetooth Tracker to get for your Stethoscope? (2024 review)
There are so many Bluetooth trackers available now. It is hard to decide which one to get.
Here we discuss which Bluetooth tracker you should get for your stethoscope so you don’t have to worry about losing it again.
Unfortunately, they are all not made equal.
What is the quick answer?!
The quick answer is: It depends which is the most commonly used operating system and which one you use for your phone. Which app is the most prevalently used is the second question.
Apple user? just by the AirTag. Android user? Use the Chipolo or Tile.
Before you commit, it might be useful to see which bluetooth tracker generally performs the best in real life scenarios:
AirTags vs Samsung SmartTag vs Tile – The ULTIMATE Comparison!
If you’re keen to find out more, continue to read below:
Several factors need to be considered prior to buying a bluetooth tracker:
- Compatibility: Make sure that the tracker is compatible with your stethoscope and your smartphone. Most trackers will specify which devices they are compatible with, so you will want to check this before making a purchase.
- most popular operating system and app used: What kind of phone do most people have and what is the most commonly used app
- Range: Consider the range of the tracker. You will want to choose a tracker with a range that is sufficient for your needs. Some trackers have a longer range than others, which can be helpful if you need to track your stethoscope over a larger area.
- Price: Consider your budget when choosing a Bluetooth tracker. There is a wide range of prices for these devices, so you will want to choose one that fits your budget.
- Additional features: Whether additional features such as alerts or notifications when the tracker is separated from the stethoscope are available. Consider which features are important to you and look for a tracker that offers them.
- Reviews: Look for reviews of the tracker you are considering. This can help you get a sense of the pros and cons of the device and whether it is likely to meet your needs.
- How do you aim to put it on your stethoscope? Zip-tie or using a key chain mount? If that was the case, do you mind it if it was moving about quite a lot when you use it?
A selection of Bluetooth trackers are listed and compared below:
| Attribute | Tile (pro) | Tile (sticker) | Chipolo ONE | Samsung Galaxy SmartTag | Apple AirTag |
| Compatibility (iOS/Android) | Both | Both | Both | Samsung Galaxy only | IOS |
| Range – meters (feet) | 100m (300ft) | 75m (250ft) | 60m (200ft) | 120m (400ft) | 240m (800ft) |
| Price (USD) | $24.99 | $22.99 | $28 | $28.99 | $29 |
| Does it have a keyring hole | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| How loud is the alarm (dB) | 113 | 114 | 120 | 89 | 60 |
| Weight | 12.8 | 5g | 7.7g | 13g | 11g |
| Diameter/ dimensions | 41.6 x 41.6 x 6.5mm | 27 x 27 x 7.3 mm | 6.4 mm (0.25 in) thick. 37.9 mm (1.49 in) wide | 1.54 in (39 mm) x 1.54 in (39 mm) Thickness: 0.39 in (9.9 mm) | 1.26 inches in diameter (31.9mm) and 0.31 inches thick (8mm) |
| water resistant? | Yes (IP55) | Yes (IP67) | Yes (IPX5) | Yes (IP53) | Yes (IP67) |
| GeoFence? – sends notification when you leave an area | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Last known location? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Average customer review rating (out of 5) – amazon.com | 4.6/5 (16359 ratings) | 4.2/5 (1520 ratings) | 4.1/5 (845 ratings) | 4.3/5 (2622 ratings) | 4.7/5 (93,553 ratings) |
| Link | https://amzn.to/3VKi0hO | https://amzn.to/3VP005R | https://chipolo.net/en/ | https://amzn.to/3jXvGsm | https://www.apple.com/airtag/ |
It is definitely important to note that whilst Tile Bluetooth trackers are widely used, they do not offer free geofencing.
This means that when you leave an area beyond the tracker, to get a notification on your phone, you will have to pay for a subscription. Chipolo ONE, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag and Apple AitTag offer this for free
The following is what you get with the paid subscription from Tile:
Still undecided which Bluetooth Tracker?
If you are an Apple user and iphone users are commonplace for you, use an AirTag Bluetooth tracker
As you can see in the table, if you have an Apple iPhone, it is probably best to get the Apple AirTag.
Why? Because the AirTag is connected to any iPhone user that walks past. Where I am from, approximately 50% of users are Apple iPhone users.
They do not have to have an app downloaded.
If you are a Samsung galaxy user?
Straight up, the Samsung Galaxy generally the most accurate as well as the most frequent pings as seen in the youtube video
To properly decide, it really depends on how many Samsung galaxy users there are around you in your area.
For example, 20% of the users in my area use Samsung galaxy. Also, it offers a keyhole ring that allows you to simply zip-tie it.
Having said that, the Samsung tag is one of the bigger Bluetooth tracker types available which can be cumbersome.
What about a normal android user?
Well, it really leaves you to Tile vs Chipolo.
Personally, I preferred the Chipolo because it was easier to mount on my stethoscope and was simply smaller in terms of thickness, diameter and weight compared to the Tile (pro)
Both allow you to zip-tie
What about the smallest form factor?
However, if you wanted the smallest, that goes to tile sticker. It is still highly functional despite being slightly inferior to the Tile (pro).
But without a keyhole to attach things to, it can be difficult to mount it onto the stethoscope without a dedicated stethoscope tag.
In conclusion
The best option is the one that suits your phone, your area (where there are many app/ certain type of operating system users eg android/IOS) and how you like to attach the Bluetooth tracker to your stethoscope.
From there, that should help prevent you from losing your stethoscope again.