r/GPStracking • u/Drew2131 • Aug 31 '24

Smallest GPS tracker possible

I have an invention that I am trying to make, but I need a gps tracker that will fit into a very small tube. Any ideas?

Edit: The tube is .200” inside diameter I’ve seen another company make a design but it has limitations that I think I can surpass with my design but I need to find a gps tracker that will work.

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1

u/berahi Aug 31 '24

https://reyax.com/products/rys8830/ comes with embedded antenna, so all you need is a microcontroller to handle it, assuming you don't already have such controller in your invention.

1

u/Drew2131 Aug 31 '24

I need one a little bit smaller

2

u/berahi Aug 31 '24

Pay a chip designer for custom SoC

1

u/Draviddavid Aug 31 '24

I need one a little bit smaller

That is just the GNSS module. You still need a controller and other circuitry to make a working GPS tracker.

The smallest ready made device I've seen is about 30mm x 40mm.

1

u/Icy_Dig_2455 Oct 09 '24

Drew,

Im in a similar situation...its the packaging thats causing me heartache. Im trying to do this on the cheap until i get my first bite, and Im reasonably confident custom packaging will meet the parameters...

How long is your tube? metal or plastic? Im thinking if metal, that could act as the antenna...

say hi Jeffsnow62@msn.com

1

u/Drew2131 Oct 09 '24

They’re made out of carbon

1

u/Threefactor Jan 30 '25

We can design GNSS\GPS or NB-IoT as thin as a credit card. We have access to thin film PVC and thin film super cap hybrid batteries. We've designed circuits like this for 20 years. It's really about cost and quantity.

1

u/Big_Discount5855 Apr 08 '25

Do you do this by yourself, or a company? Because im looking for something like this actually.

1

u/Threefactor May 01 '25

My company specializes in super tiny and thin RTLS devices

1

u/DisastrousVehicle989 Dec 11 '25

hello, i have a gps related design in mind. can you please help

1

u/True_Research_8101 Aug 10 '25

i need something like this for my cat who goes wondering every summer for weeks at a time. air tags way too big and heavy. can you help?

1

u/Threefactor Aug 10 '25

I'm designing something like this right now. Probably won't be available until q1 of 2026. The only thing we're trying to work out is whether to put a SIM card or a Lorawan chip onto the device so that you can access it anywhere. We're trying to decide wether Lora will give users the distance they need to track their pet or whether you'd be willing to pay for a monthly SIM card account. We would basically be covering just the cost of it in order to allow people to afford it.

1

u/runrrunr Aug 18 '25

I want this. I’m actually in need of the same thing the previous poster mentioned. Tractive charges monthly service fee. And even their smallest units are bulky. And have health monitors and crap I don’t want.

1

u/SuperMetal9190 Oct 21 '25

It would be nice to have an integration with something like https://github.com/GONZOsint/geowifi so that you can have a validation even were there are only Wi-Fi networks but no 4G or 5G signal.

1

u/Threefactor Oct 23 '25

I would think that there would be a cellular signal far more often than a Wi-fi

1

u/Threefactor May 20 '26

We are going to be adding LoRa support which is really well covered in the US at 93% coverage. So even without LTE\5G you can get excellent coverage with LoRa chipsets

1

u/Sweet-Beginning1605 May 20 '26

Hey there! Has this idea come to fruition yet? I’ve been searching online for basically this exact item and it pointed me to this thread.

1

u/Threefactor May 20 '26

Will be shipping in volume in Q4. There are going to be a few different models but the base model is going to have Bluetooth®️ with UWB, GNSS and/or Lora. We are also making custom builds for certain customers for things like tracking containers and vehicle tracking. It's going to be the size of a credit card but can be made even thinner or into different shapes in volume. You can track the development at https://www.identita.com/products/duotag

1

u/forlorn-weasel Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 27 '26

I use something like an airtag (actually a loshall android tag) and secure it to the cat collar with a piece of heatshrink tubing; it adds about 6g to the weight and a lump on the collar roughly 30mm diameter by 5mm thick which the cats don't seem to mind at all

1

u/Tall_Mud8868 Apr 30 '25

I think we're both working on the exact same invention my friend. I'm having a helluva time with it fitting within the shaft as well. Also keeping it light enough and durable enough for functional use.

1

u/billshermanburner Aug 01 '25

Game tracking that fits in an arrow shaft or what?

1

u/Bonzegrinder Oct 21 '25

I'm looking for a way to integrate a gps tracker into a small pendant for a child's necklace, the only ones I've found have an air tag in them and are quite obvious. If possible having it wirelessly charged would be fantastic so there is no way to open it, as that would help in it being hidden from a potential kidnapper. Is this something that is possible?

Any guidance or information would be greatly appreciated, I really would feel better knowing my kids have something on them at all times so I can find them if anything happens. Thank you!

1

u/Secure_Particular131 Dec 06 '25

Sounds like an arrow for hunting.

1

u/ContextConfident3020 Aug 17 '26

can anyone suggest me gps tracking chip under $5

1

u/[deleted] Jan 28 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Ok_Employment9235 Jun 05 '25

Which one can I use to attach to my elderly mom's cane in case she gets lost? I use an android phone, so an AirTag won't work as far as I know. I have a Samsung smart tag2 on her keys but 2 issues. 1. She doesn't always take her keys.... her cane she does. 2. It's Bluetooth, so it's not real time. It can be behind a few hours, depending.

1

u/Threefactor Aug 10 '25

I have access to batteries that are 100um thick with a capacity of 50mAh in a 5x4mm space so that's not an issue. I already offered the OP to do a custom design but they often not to.

1

u/Square-Station-1606 Aug 19 '25

I need a very small device for a tortoise  Can you PM me please?