"During Prime Day, snagging an Airtag for just $20 offers a clever opportunity to safeguard various equipment such as telescopes, cameras, drones, and more."
Apple AirTags, launched in April 2021, have become a popular solution for tracking valuable gear such as telescopes, cameras, and drones. These compact devices offer reliable location accuracy, especially within Bluetooth range or via the Apple Find My network, which crowdsources location from nearby Apple devices.
The AirTags' impressive battery life, lasting up to one year, ensures that users won't have to worry about frequent battery replacements. The battery can be replaced easily, making AirTags a cost-effective choice in the long run.
In terms of performance in low light, while AirTags themselves do not have sensors for detecting light conditions, they feature an LED light that improves visibility and ease of locating items in the dark. This can be particularly helpful for finding equipment in dim environments, though the light’s brightness is limited and intended as a locating aid rather than illumination.
For tracking expensive gear outdoors or during travel:
- AirTags benefit from the large Apple device ecosystem’s Find My network, enabling long-range locating even when the gear is out of your Bluetooth range.
- For precise locating, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in AirTags allows directional and distance guidance when in close proximity, useful for recovering items in cluttered or natural environments like campsites.
- However, AirTags rely on other nearby Apple devices to update their location when beyond your immediate Bluetooth range, which may impact effectiveness in very remote locations.
In contrast, alternatives such as some Android-compatible trackers may offer similar features with LED lights for visibility and UWB for precision but may depend on different ecosystems.
For nighttime or low-light use cases—as when tracking telescopes or cameras used for astrophotography or nocturnal wildlife—AirTags provide basic locating assistance via their LED, but the actual effectiveness depends more on the user’s proximity and network coverage rather than specialized low-light tracking capabilities.
The AirTags are compatible with iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices. However, they are not compatible with Android or PC devices. A holder is required to attach the AirTag to the equipment, and can be purchased for a few dollars. A four-pack of AirTags is available at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $20 each.
The AirTags have received positive reviews, with TechRadar awarding them four stars and calling them "An invaluable and easy-to-use tool for reuniting you with your misplaced possessions". Despite not being designed to track stolen devices, as they do not have a built-in GPS, AirTags remain a reliable choice for tracking valuable gear in various locations, including dark environments.
- Smart-home devices such as AirTags can be paired with iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices for tracking valuable gear, providing reliable location accuracy even in low-light conditions, thanks to their LED lights and long-range capabilities via the Find My network.
- When it comes to gadgets for tracking valuable equipment outdoors or during travel, some smart-home devices, like AirTags, offer features such as ultra-wideband technology for precise locating and coughing up behind nearby Apple devices for long-range locating, making them a valuable technology tool for finding equipment in dark or remote environments.
