So our twins refuse to be kept on harnesses, leashes and any other of anti-child escape device we have tried and now that they are too big to be strapped down in a pushchair they find nothing more fun than darting off in every direction at any chance they get got me thinking about if there were any possible technology solutions out there that could help with this dilemma.
I embarked on some serious research discarding nearly all that Google presented to me as most require subscriptions or SIMs cards = ongoing costs. Which when you weigh level of usage with these ongoing charges it didn't justify the investment. The cheaper offerings looked to be pretty unreliable and there just didn't seem to be anything inbetween.
So I firstly decided to go low cost and ordered two ID bands from eBay which are worn on their wrists when we go out with a full explanation that this is the information in case they get lost. There are a few different types available at a reasonable price some with clasps that cannot be opened easily. So - at least this way I know when we go out that if they do get lost and are found that our contact information is easy to find.
But as a parent this isn't enough and I felt like I could do better. It was after that thought and subsequent search on the Internet that I stumbled across Findster's Kickstarter projects. I was intrigued by their ethos and belief that as a parent this sort of technology should not have any ongoing costs the system also looked simple to use and not bulky (as some other units were).
So I contacted Findster to ask if they were shipping to the UK and if they would be interested in being featured in my blog. I received a fairly medium of the road response and indifference about being written about here since 'we are so popular that we sell out all the time thanks to Kickstarter'. 'Wow' I thought, 'They must be good' so placed the order and patiently waited.
The package arrived over a week later from Portugal. The following video was made minutes after it arrived after which I put all three units to charge.
Later that day I started to try and set it up hoping to be able to use if. Unfortunately that has simply now been the case and I am beyond disappointed. Three days later I am still no closer to having a working Findster system and having waited very patiently with their 48hr technical support response times my much awaited 'technical support' help was less help and more of an email that arrived while I was asleep (seems to be based west coast USA) containing lots of links to the Findster FAQs which I have thoroughly already pawed over in desperate quest to resolve this issue myself.
Just to give some context to the level of frustration that I am experiencing right now I am going to reset everything to zero and demonstrate in a second video my Findster groundhog day loop which I am so disappointed about because I wanted this to be another great gadget!
UPDATE: Findster have been in touch. It appears that they have sent me a Findster Duo Guardian module in error which is for their pet GPS tracking system and won't work with the Kids system. So its going back and I await a new set to try again!
I embarked on some serious research discarding nearly all that Google presented to me as most require subscriptions or SIMs cards = ongoing costs. Which when you weigh level of usage with these ongoing charges it didn't justify the investment. The cheaper offerings looked to be pretty unreliable and there just didn't seem to be anything inbetween.
So I firstly decided to go low cost and ordered two ID bands from eBay which are worn on their wrists when we go out with a full explanation that this is the information in case they get lost. There are a few different types available at a reasonable price some with clasps that cannot be opened easily. So - at least this way I know when we go out that if they do get lost and are found that our contact information is easy to find.
But as a parent this isn't enough and I felt like I could do better. It was after that thought and subsequent search on the Internet that I stumbled across Findster's Kickstarter projects. I was intrigued by their ethos and belief that as a parent this sort of technology should not have any ongoing costs the system also looked simple to use and not bulky (as some other units were).
So I contacted Findster to ask if they were shipping to the UK and if they would be interested in being featured in my blog. I received a fairly medium of the road response and indifference about being written about here since 'we are so popular that we sell out all the time thanks to Kickstarter'. 'Wow' I thought, 'They must be good' so placed the order and patiently waited.
The package arrived over a week later from Portugal. The following video was made minutes after it arrived after which I put all three units to charge.
Later that day I started to try and set it up hoping to be able to use if. Unfortunately that has simply now been the case and I am beyond disappointed. Three days later I am still no closer to having a working Findster system and having waited very patiently with their 48hr technical support response times my much awaited 'technical support' help was less help and more of an email that arrived while I was asleep (seems to be based west coast USA) containing lots of links to the Findster FAQs which I have thoroughly already pawed over in desperate quest to resolve this issue myself.
Just to give some context to the level of frustration that I am experiencing right now I am going to reset everything to zero and demonstrate in a second video my Findster groundhog day loop which I am so disappointed about because I wanted this to be another great gadget!
UPDATE: Findster have been in touch. It appears that they have sent me a Findster Duo Guardian module in error which is for their pet GPS tracking system and won't work with the Kids system. So its going back and I await a new set to try again!
Read the Road test and verdict here: http://kaosfusion.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/findster-finally-road-test.html
Hi Have you been able to get this working? Have you received the new module? I'm thinking of buying it but there isn't many reviews out there!
ReplyDeletehi Lacey! In short - no. Its been over a month and I have not received a replacement for the original faulty set. I got an update today to say that they were looking into why a new one hadn't been sent but I can't deny that I am finding their support frustrating because whilst there has been this waiting around we went on holiday and indeed had one of my boys wander off. I would have sincerely liked to have been writing the review by now. I will of course update this blog as soon as I get some kind of resolution and/of the thing working. :(
DeleteThat is unfortunate. I did order one today before I realized that lots of people have the complaint of slow shipping times. However, I have seen that the people that have received them, generally have good reviews. I'm wondering now if I should cancel my visa payment to avoid the headache but I also think the product would be awesome. We are just getting into camping season and my son (4 yrs old) wants to ride his bike but I don't really enjoy myself when I can't see him through the trees. I'm hoping it will actually be delivered...
DeleteIts a gamble! Mine was shipped from Portugal the first time as I am UK-based. Its supposed to be a good bit of kit but these days the make and break of a company is around the service it provides - and I have to admit Findster needs to step this up! They appear to only have one person who responds to support cases, a lady called Jane and yet she doesn't even seem to be updated with the return requests.
ReplyDeleteWell good news. I did receive my tracking info today and it should be here (Airdrie, AB, Canada) from Portugal by Thursday. We'll see! Crossing my fingers I don't have any problems linking it all together when it gets here.
DeleteHi Lacey - love Canada. OK, latest update is that mine should also be on its way.....so tell me how you get on and I'll do the same with a new post and a couple of videos when mine gets here as well. Fingers crossed....if it works it should be great!
DeleteSounds great! I will keep you posted. Good luck!
DeleteHow did you get on with Findster?
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI am considering to buy the findster for my 5 year old son. I was wondering if you have been able to finally connect and test the new one they sent you?
best
Hi Amandine - yes, in short I have managed to get them connected but have not yet had the opportunity to test them. I have noticed that having them connected to my phone significantly drains the battery but in terms of using them when we are out I am due to take our summer holiday soon and planned to robustly test them then. If not perhaps even this weekend. I will be posting a review though!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I am looking forward to read your review.
ReplyDeleteHi - Finally got round to properly testing the system and I think I know what's been putting me off. http://kaosfusion.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/findster-finally-road-test.html
ReplyDelete