In recent years, GPS pet trackers have become an increasingly popular way for pet owners to keep track of their furry friends. One of the most well-known brands in this market is Fi, which produces the Fi Smart Dog Collar. This high-tech collar allows you to monitor your dog’s location and activity levels via a smartphone app, providing peace of mind when your pup is off exploring. But with all these advanced features, many prospective customers find themselves wondering: how much is a Fi collar, exactly?
Fi Collar Overview
Before diving into the pricing details, let’s first take a quick look at what makes the Fi Smart Dog Collar such a useful tool for pet parents. The collar itself is a sleek, lightweight device that attaches to your dog’s existing collar. It contains advanced GPS and WiFi tracking capabilities to pinpoint your dog’s location, either through a cellular network or by connecting to local WiFi hotspots when in range.
In addition to tracking your dog’s movements, the Fi collar also records their daily activity levels based on the collar’s built-in motion sensor. It can distinguish between normal activity, rest, and active playtime. The accompanying Fi mobile app displays all of this location and activity data in real-time on an easy-to-read map or timeline. You’ll get notifications if your dog leaves a designated safe zone that you set up in the app. And if the worst happens and your dog goes missing, you can activate the Live Tracking feature to get updated location data every second.
Fi Collar Plans & Pricing
Now that we’ve covered the Fi collar’s key capabilities, let’s discuss the important question of cost. Fi offers three main subscription plans to choose from:
| Plan | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $99 per month | GPS location tracking, activity monitoring, virtual fences, lost-dog tracking, access to Fi app |
| Annual | $799 per year (or $67 per month) | GPS location tracking, activity monitoring, virtual fences, lost-dog tracking, access to Fi app |
| Lifetime | $2,399 one-time payment | GPS location tracking, activity monitoring, virtual fences, lost-dog tracking, access to Fi app |
As you can see, the Monthly plan is the most expensive at nearly $100 per month. For a significant cost savings, the Annual plan brings it down to $67 per month when you commit to one year upfront. But the most budget-friendly option is the Lifetime plan at $2,399 for the duration of your dog’s life.
One-Time Purchase Costs
In addition to the recurring subscription fees outlined above, there are some one-time purchase costs to factor in when buying a Fi smart collar:
- The Fi collar device itself: $149
- Taxes: Varies by location
- Shipping fee: $9.95 for standard shipping
So for example, if you selected the popular Annual subscription plan, your total upfront cost would be:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fi collar device | $149 |
| 1 year subscription (at $67/month) | $799 |
| Tax | Varies |
| Shipping | $9.95 |
| Total Upfront Cost | $957.95 + tax |
So your total first-year cost would be around $958 plus taxes. Subsequently, you’d pay $799 per year to renew the Annual plan and continue services.
Key Factors That Impact Cost
When estimating your potential Fi collar costs, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Subscription plan – As outlined above, the Monthly, Annual, and Lifetime plans have significantly different costs. Opting for an Annual subscription can save over $300 per year compared to Monthly payments.
- Subscription add-ons – Fi offers additional subscription add-ons such as Premium Cellular Coverage for $10/month that improves coverage in remote areas.
- Number of collars – If you have multiple dogs, you’ll need multiple Fi collars at $149 each.
- Accessory purchases – Extra charging cables, collars, tags and other accessories are available for purchase.
- App features – “Adventure Dog” and “Young Pup” modes offer extra tracking features and insights for an added monthly fee.
Carefully select your subscription plan length, weigh any optional features or accessories you may want, and account for taxes and shipping fees. This will give you the most accurate estimate of your total upfront and ongoing costs of ownership.
Cost Comparison With Other Models
How does Fi collar pricing stack up against competing GPS pet trackers? Here’s a look at how it compares to two popular alternatives:
| Collar | Upfront Hardware Cost | Monthly Subscription Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fi Collar | $149 | $99 |
| Whistle GO | $129.95 | $9.95 |
| Tractive GPS | $69.99 | $4.99 |
The Fi collar carries a higher upfront cost than the Whistle and Tractive models. However, Fi’s advanced feature set makes it more comparable to Whistle in monthly pricing than the more budget-friendly Tractive.
Is the Fi Collar Worth the Cost?
At close to $1,000 for the first year, the Fi Smart Dog Collar represents a significant investment. However, for pet owners who want maximum features and peace of mind when it comes to their dog’s safety and location, many find the cost to be well worth it.
Some of the key benefits that make the Fi collar a worthwhile purchase include:
- Advanced tracking – Fi offers best-in-class tracking capabilities, with GPS locating down to within a few feet.
- Detailed activity monitoring – Get unparalleled insights into your dog’s daily activity and rest patterns.
- Customizable safe zones – Set up custom boundaries where you’ll be alerted if your dog wanders.
- Lost dog features – Optimized tracking modes and integrations with lost pet recovery networks.
- Premium materials – The collar housing high-quality, waterproof components to withstand dog adventures.
For those willing to invest in their dog’s safety, the combination of advanced technology and premium construction make the Fi Smart Dog Collar a top choice, despite its higher price tag.
Conclusion
The Fi Smart Dog Collar delivers an unparalleled set of GPS tracking and activity monitoring features. While the upfront and ongoing costs are higher than many competing models, for owners who want the very best when it comes to keeping tabs on their pup, the Fi collar is likely worth the investment.
Opting for an Annual subscription over Monthly payments can help reduce the long-term cost of ownership. And accessories or add-ons like Premium Cellular Coverage can be purchased down the line if needed. With smart planning, the Fi collar can provide maximum capability and peace of mind, making it a worthwhile purchase for most dog parents who can fit it into their budgets.
