Findster Duo+ Review: Best Pet Finder?

We were bummed by some of the Findster’s limitations, though. Our tester, Kyla, hoped she could check in on her pup, Harlow, when she was away from home. She wanted to see if her roommates were letting him out as needed and giving him walks as promised. But the Findster Duo+ works only when both devices and your phone are in close proximity to one another. Depending on your needs, the lack of remote tracking could make a monthly subscription seem worth the cost.

Our test pup out in the wild.

Findster Duo+ includes...

• Pet Module
• Guardian Module
• Rubber Belt
• Charger
• USB Cable
• Quick Start Guide

We found the Findster Duo+ easy to use and our tester’s dog, Harlow, didn’t even notice it was there. We love that there are no monthly fees, and because it doesn’t rely on cell coverage, you can use it in remote areas. But tracking was spotty in the mountains and there was significant lag time for location updates. Here’s our breakdown of what the Findster does best and where it could improve.

The Findster Duo+ doesn't use cellular service, which sets it apart from other pet trackers. Instead of relying on cell towers to pinpoint your pet’s location, it uses proprietary MAZE technology that communicates wirelessly within a three-mile radius.

The technology communicates between the pet module your dog wears and the guardian module that you keep with you. That data is uploaded to the app to keep you in the loop. The upside to this technology is that you don’t need to be near a cell tower. That means that even in a no-service area you can track your buddy if she wanders off. It’s also the reason you can get the Findster without monthly service fees.

The downside is that you have to keep the guardian module near your phone—otherwise, it won’t be able to update and send you notifications. You get real-time text alerts in the Findster app that let you know about your pet’s movements and the status of the device (if it loses connection or the battery is running low). The app also keeps track of routes you’ve walked with your pup, but Kyla found that the history got erased pretty quickly, which is a letdown if you wanted to keep a record of a favorite new hike so you could do it again.

The MAZE technology also limits your ability to check in on your pet remotely. If you want activity updates when you’re at work or on vacation, you can’t see what’s happening with your pet. The solution the company offers is to have your pet sitter or dog walker install the app and keep the guardian module with them when they’re with your pet. That way the app will be updated and you can check in to see if they got their nightly walk.

What You Need

• A smartphone
• Findster Duo+ equipment
• Findster app
• USB outlet adapter

Nearly everything you need to get the Findster Duo + up and running is in the box. All you need to provide is your smartphone and a wall adapter to plug in the charger.

Kyla had an easy time setting up the Findster Duo+, but she found the setup materials in the box (and the app) lacking. The Quick Start Guide is primarily visual, so if you’re someone who needs more direction than pictures provide, we recommend checking out Findster’s online video tutorial.

Insider Tips for a Smooth Setup
To help make your setup as smooth as possible, here are some things we learned in the process of setting up our Findster:

• Charge the modules first—if they’re not fully charged you can’t pair them with your phone.
• Make sure you validate your Findster account after you create it in the app. Check your inbox and complete that step before moving on.
• If you want to track your pet’s activity level, you need to complete the pet profile, which includes things like weight, gender, and your best friend’s birthday.
• Once everything is paired, use the rubber belt to attach the pet module to your animal’s collar and go outside so the device can obtain your GPS coordinates.

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We sent the Findster Duo+ home with one of our staffers, Kyla. She and her pooch Harlow put the Findster through its paces to see if it performed as expected. She also looked for what was amazing and what missed the mark. While they were romping through the wilds of the Wasatch Front, the rest of us pored over all the information we could find about the Findster Duo+. We looked at pricing, technical specifications, customer reviews, and other expert reviews. We also compared the Findster Duo+ to other pet trackers on the market. And when Kyla was finished, I took it home to try for a couple of days with my new buddy, the Wee Puppy Seamus. For more details about how we review products, check out our methodology page.