Metabo announced on social media that they’ve launched a new “ingenious Metabo Tracker” that works with Apple’s Find My app.
They say it’s “like an Apple AirTag, but for the trades.”
The Metabo Tracker features IP67 dust and water protection – which is the same as for the Apple AirTag.”
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If you lose it, you can use the Apple Find My functionality to activate the 120 dB signal tone.
Metabo advertises that the Tracker is “almost invisible when clipped into any metaBOX,” and it can be fastened to other tools and equipment as well.
The tracker has 3 years of battery life. From the online user manual, the Metabo Tracker works with CR2450 button cell batteries, and so replacements should be easy to source.
Metabo included Apple-like anti-stalking features. You’ll get a warning on your phone if there’s a Metabo Tracker in your vicinity that you isn’t yours, and your Tracker will start making a noise after a certain time out of your possession.
Its operating temperature range is 5°F to 122°F, which is a little lower than for Air Tags (-4°F to 140°F).
USA pricing and availability have not yet been announced.
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Discussion
It looks to me like Metabo matched core AirTag functionality, boosted battery life, and designed the case to be easily adaptable to the needs of tool users.
Metabo is leveraging the density of Apple’s “Find My” network, which unfortunately means the Tracker is only for iOS device users; there’s no compatibility with Android devices.
There is no shortage of AirTag-compatible holders that stick, screw, or clip to your tools. The Metabo Tracker stands out by having built-in mounting capabilities and a larger battery.
Kingsley
Is it BLE only or does it also work with UWB?
Stuart
They don’t specify in their website tech specs or datasheet.
eddiesky
Its about $28US. Which for 3years runtime… ok.
Jared
You can swap batteries after that. It could have been like early-gen Tiles, where they (presumably intentionally) sealed them so you’d have to buy new ones each year.
Patrick T
Seems pretty good to a regular air tag and then needing to source some sort of case.
I have a number of air tags and an air-tag compatible “credit card” tracker for my wallet. One of my favorite features is the “you’ve left your device behind” feature. I could see that being handy for someone mobile that has a lot of boxes.
Jronman
Replaced the battery in my AirTag the other day for the first time. After about 1-2 years of use. The speaker on the Metabo on paper sounds quite loud too. I’m not sure what the db rating on an AirTag is. I like how the Metabo has the Screw point built in vs having to buy a case for the AirTag that has that built in. For something like tracking my trailers I would probably go with the Metabo next time as the more secure mounting point is a big deal and in the event it has no ultra wide band chip I wouldn’t care because it isn’t as necessary on large items like a trailer as it would be on smaller items like my keys or wallet.
TomD
The AirTag speaker is always LOUD enough for me to hear it but it’s so high pitched I can never figure out what direction it’s coming from. I wonder how this one sounds.
James Madara
I’ve bought a 3D-printed holder for an Airtag that screws into the lid of my Packout and is unnoticeable.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1199285951/apple-airtag-stealth-mount-holder
Robert
I don’t have a need for tool tags, so I haven’t paid too much attention to other systems, liked dewalt, Milwaukee, and how they attach. But if you have to attached the tag to your. Metabo tool, can’t the thief unattached the tag and then take off with the tool? So you track the signal to find your tag, but not the tool you purchased it to protect.
Scottaroo
AirTags are meant for lost items. They are not meant for theft tracking.
However, many people use them as a small affordable insurance policy for high value items.
The downsides with using as theft tracking:
1. If the thief has an iPhone, they will be notified they are being tracked. This is a by-product of the unfortunate need for stalking situations.
2. If the AirTag is found, it can be discarded and will only give the last location.
I used them on my bicycles as a hopeful alternative to getting my bike back if stolen.
blocky
I haven’t had to deal with traditional theft, but an AirTag did inform me when my van was towed to a police impound an hour away — and they didn’t file a report — meaning it could have gone to auction before I could track it down.
I put an AirTag in the bottom of my toolkit, one inside the frame of my bike, and one in a ladder that goes to convention centers. I removed the piezo speakers so that they don’t announce their presence.
Jason M
This is what Milwaukee’s tick should have been, instead they forced it and the new one to rely on people with the one key app. I ended up replacing mine with AirTags and durable housings but I like this option better
Stuart
Milwaukee Tick: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-tick-tool-tracker/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
AirTag: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/apple-airtag-tool-tracker/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
The Milwaukee One-Key Tick launched in 2017, 4 YEARS BEFORE the AirTag launched in 2021.
Apple only opened the Find My network to 3rd party accessory makers in mid-2021, around the time when the AirTag launched.
I can understand a preference for the AirTag, but saying that Milwaukee “instead” tried to force their own network on people is inaccurate and extremely unfair.
The One-Key Tick has been on the market for 7.5 years, and the AirTag 3.5.
Jason M
You’re totally right, man it was rumored for so long I didn’t realize it had only been a few years for the AirTag.
So I guess I should refine to say the second gen Bluetooth tracker they came out with would have been great if they could utilize Apples network and the one-key network.
TomD
One-Key is obviously designed for fleet operations – all the marketing is around that.
Air-tag is designed for individuals.
Goodie
Apple pretty aggressively pushed into this space in 2021 when there were other players who had been there for years. Milwaukee (2017), Tile (2013), PebbleBee (2012). Apple is rarely the first to enter a segment; when they do it’s usually led with their exceptional marketing, has a few usability tweaks, and is priced like other Apple items. This is not an indictment of Apple, just a comment.
Chris
The image of it being zip ties to a power cord is hilarious to me.
Peter Unlustig
Yeah maybe they were thinking if you cant hide show it!