News: V-Bag by Vodafone

With the next round of school holidays fast approaching you might be planning a trip to the UK and Europe, or if you already live here, planning on finding some winter sun or heading of on your annual Skiing trip.  If so Vodafone have an attractive offer for families that like to get out and about!

V-Bag by Vodafone

The V-Bag is an Alcatel Movetrack GPS tracker but branded, and connected by, Vodafone’s new V-Sim as one of their new Connected Devices range.  Aimed at keeping your luggage safe(r) it works in conjunction with the V by Vodafone App (Android | iOS).

Unlike Bluetooth trackers, the V-Bag can work anywhere that it can connect to a Vodafone Cell signal making it not only ideal for your bags, but young children too, if you are visiting a new city!

Features

There are of course many GPS tracking devices hitting the market, and I will always point the smaller more robust ones towards travelling families.  They can help you keep a track of your luggage when in transit, but then popped into a childs pocket when out and about.  So should the worst happen you could locate them with just a few taps of your smartphone.

The V-Bag, when out of its silicone holder is only 1.6 x 1.6″ in size and can therefore fit into most children’s pockets!  It is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion 460mAh battery  that should give you 4 days of use per charge.  But thanks to the Micro USB2.0 port it can be easily charged at the end of each day.

To control the V-Bag and make the most of its tracking capabilities, you will need to use the smartphone app.  Along with storing a history of the trackers location, you can also create safe zones.

Using the GPS technology the app can set up a virtual perimeter at your chosen location.  Then if or when the tracker goes beyond the boundaries it will automatically notify you via your handset.

The biggest hurdle for any GPS tracker has always been the cost of running one.  As they connect to cell towers, the same as your smartphone, they need a SIM card, and these cost money!

But it is for this reason the V-Bag stands out.  There is no fixed term contract with Vodafone to be had!  You activate the device when you need too and it will cost you £3 for that month.  You can then disconnect and reconnect it as and when you need it, for just £3 each time!

A list of all the countries covered in the £3 monthly price is as follows:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

If you need to use the V-Bag outside of these countries you can connect with Vodafone for additional pricing and monthly roaming fees for the V-SIM.

Specifications

This compact tracker is just GPS technology with a small display wrapped in a splash proof case, no frills or extra functions which is fine with me.  The purpose of it is to gain a strong cell connection at all times, so it works when you need it the most.

• Weight 33g
• 42 x 42 x 16.3mm
• Micro USB for charging
• 460mAh Rechargeable Battery
• Connectivity GPS/LBS/WIFI

Price

The V-Bag tracker is £59 with Vodafone UK, but looking around it is a similar price with other Vodafone stores around the EU.

It is then £3 per month for each month that you have it active.  There is no option to use if for half a month at half the price, so activate it just before you need it and remember to cancel it per the month is up!