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One of Us |
We flew from Boston to Bozeman, Montana last week on Delta and for the first time I had air tags in our luggage including my gun case. Got on the plane and the Air Tag app on my phone said our two checked bags were "with me" but the gun case was still in the terminal. I asked the flight attendant to confirm that my gun case was on the plane. He was unable to confirm. I checked the Delta app. It indicated that our checked bags were on the plane but that my gun case had only been "checked in." The flight attendant told me we could leave the plane or stay on and have Delta send the gun case along on the next flight. We stayed on. Landed in Minneapolis for our connecting flight and my phone indicated that both of our checked bags AND my gun case were in the terminal! Got on the connecting flight and the phone gave me conflicting readings on where the gun case was located. Landed in Bozeman and the phone indicated that all our luggage including the gun case had made it to the terminal. The Delta app still showed the gun case as merely "checked in." I was alternately pissed off at Delta and Apple and mostly worried for the whole time on both flights! Well, imagine my relief when I learned, at the baggage carousel and the Delta baggage services desk, that everything had, indeed, been loaded onto our planes and showed up at our destination. Is it just me, or have others also had inconsistent or mistaken results with Air Tags? Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | ||
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One of Us |
Like anything malfunctions can occur. I’ve had one, tag showed luggage still at departure airport, but arrive at arrival airport. Updated once on the carousel. | |||
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| Administrator |
So far so good with all my air tags. But, I change battery before each trip. | |||
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| One of Us |
I've never had them malfunction. I have had them tell me a past location. Which isn't wrong, it's just not updated. So whenever I look at the status, I have to make a note of the time. The air tags need a nearby device to send the signal. So there can be long periods of time in between location updates. | |||
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| Administrator |
Apple location devices - all of them including the iPhone itself - are not always updated in real time. | |||
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One of Us |
Does anyone know if airtags will work if placed inside a metal gun case? Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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| Administrator |
I have one inside my ammo box. It is aluminum. It is showing. But I am in the same room. | |||
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| One of Us |
The gun case I took on this trip is aluminum, and as I say, it gave me problems. I don't know but I suspect that the aluminum material of the case may be the problem. Right now, my air tag app shows that our two pieces of air tagged soft luggage are "Home" and "Now". But my air tagged aluminum gun case (which is also home now) shows as "Home" and "Last seen yesterday at 8:57 PM". Our house has at least 3 iPhones in it nearly all the time. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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one of us |
Bobby nailed it. Not a “malfunction” but a characteristic. This and related reading should help understand the technology, and thus the inherent capabilities and shortcomings. Note for confidentiality or security/compliance, many people with iPhones deactivate the setting that allows their device to be used for this communal purpose.
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One of Us |
The location is based on the tags connecting to a device that has the app installed and piggybacking on their network / wifi connection. If they don't connect after moving you don't get updates. It's just a limitation of the technology. I can see that being more of an issue with hard-sided luggage or gun cases than soft-sided luggage. DSC Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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| One of Us |
Signals from the Air Tag inside my 0.08 inch sided aluminum gun case, which is located with me inside my own house, continue to be delayed by several hours, sometimes as much as an entire day. There is no such delay from the Air Tag signals coming from inside our soft-sided luggage, which are also located with me inside our house. All of those signals remain fresh and current. I am convinced it must be the thick, aluminum gun case construction that is disrupting the Bluetooth signals. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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One of Us |
Where in the case is the tag? next to the case wall or somewhere in the 'middle' of the case? | |||
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| one of us |
Regarding Bluetooth signal, as with WiFi and cellular, it will be impacted by physical barriers. Anything metal, like filing cabinets, doors, or metal wall studs have the greatest. Plaster (versus drywall), concrete, stone/brick, and UV glass will also impact signal strength. I would expect any BT device contained in a metal case to have reduced signal range. From what I can tell, the newest AirTags use Bluetooth 5.0 (Apple does not release specs) that has significant range (800 feet with direct LOS) assuming latest iPhones are also being used (which may not be the case in African airports and older class 2 devices have a max range of just 30 feet). They also apparently use something called ultra-wideband as a means of providing a general location using iPhones that have the FindMy off. Again, Apple is always sketchy on specs and tech changes, trial/error experimentation would be what I do, but field results may vary outside the lab (i.e. tracker inside a metal case with only occasional older gen iPhones in proximity likely will not always provide immediate results). | |||
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| One of Us |
I'm now about 40 feet and one floor away from the case. My iPhone (latest and greatest) reads "Home - Last seen today at 9:45 AM." That was about 10 and a half hours ago. The Air Tag is now stuck to the bottom of the case, inside of course. I'm going to try moving it around and see if that helps. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| Administrator |
It is very weird. Mike, you have been in my shooting room. I have my ammo box, aluminum, and locked with air tag inside within 10 yards of me. It does not show on my phone right now, but was picked up 2 hours ago?? I have a backpack with an airtag one floor above sitting next to a carry on bag which also has an air tag. The carry on is showing right now, the backpack only registered 2 hours ago!! I am going to change all the batteries before I travel, may be that will give a better response. | |||
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One of Us |
Well the simple answer why AirTags sometimes don’t work is conductive materials like an aluminum gun case block radio waves unlike those made of plastics. Have you ever gone into a metal building and found your cellphone quit working, same principle at work. This also the reason they sell aluminum lined holders for your credit cards that have a chip so someone close by can’t steal your credit card info. Roger ___________________________ I'm a trophy hunter - until something better comes along. *we band of 45-70ers* | |||
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| One of Us |
Back in the 90's you would have had the same results (bags are there on arrival), but with a lot less worry. | |||
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| Administrator |
I think Apple servers have something to do with it. And GOS too. We have GPS trackers on all our vehicles. Sometimes we get real time tracking, others there is a delay. | |||
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| One of Us |
It does not matter where I place the Air Tag in the case. I am ready to conclude that Air Tags do not work reliably in aluminum cases. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
I use Air Tags on equipment left at locations other than my house, tractors, skid steers, etc. The Air Tags are placed inside the machine someplace inconspicuous, always surrounded by metal of some sort and they seem to work pretty well. One machine is locked inside a metal shipping container, that Air Tag doesn't work when doors are closed but will update as soon as doors are opened. Have you tried a different Air Tag? Karl Evans | |||
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| One of Us |
Tried different Air Tags and fresh batteries. Eventually, it seems, many hours or even a full day or more later, the signal gets through. But that is the definition of unreliability for my purposes. If the Air Tag does not tell me, in real time, while I am waiting to board or sitting on the plane that my gun case is on the plane, then what good is it? Sitting on the plane flying through the air may be too late. At the next destination may also be too late. Unless, in both instances, the case is indeed on the plane and the signal has just been blocked by the aluminum case. I need the Air Tag for real time location information. It may be that it could help me find an otherwise lost gun case. But even then, how long will it take for me to get a signal? And then it's only a cure, not a preventative. Based on my experience and experiments, it's totally unpredictable. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
Michael, your experience doesn't create a high degree of confidence in the Air Tags. On our last trip 6 weeks ago the Air Tags came in handy both in Doha and Joburg in locating my rifle case, but mine isn’t aluminum, old SKB. We leave again in a few days, we’ll see how they work this time. Karl Evans | |||
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| Administrator |
One thing we need to bear in mind with all these trackers. NON of them is good for REAL time tracking. Unpredictable is the word here. Since this discussion started, I thought I would keep track of things. We have several companies that employ different GPS tracking devices on their vehicles. And I have several items, and people, being on Apple's FINDMY app. This includes airtags and individuals using the iphone. Non of them is working on real time tracking 100% of the time. But, one does get an indication where whatever is being tracked was, or has been, a specific time before. Sometimes it would show real time. I have tried all the tricks suggested on the Net to get things updated with this, non actually works for real time updates. I have spoken to reps of the companies that supply us with tracking devices. They say all the glitches one gets are due to the specific GPS device and cell reception. Still, I do have tags in all my luggage. | |||
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| Administrator |
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| One of Us |
"[At the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel], De Castro is accused of having tricked a hotel employee into giving him a key to [his alleged victims' hotel] room, sneaking in while an alleged victim was absent and the other asleep, and lifting the cases." Remind me never to stay at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel! Still, good use of an Air Tag! Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
I am still getting real time signals from all of our luggage except my aluminum gun case. Thanks to Mike Lindsay, I do have what I think will be an excellent solution to the problem. I am going to implement the solution this afternoon and will post results soon. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| one of us |
My hopefull remedy should be delivered to me this afternoon. Mike and I are going to be the envy of everyone with metal cases.lol | |||
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| One of Us |
I also use an aluminum rifle case and having the same problems with AirTags. Looking forward to finding a solution along with several others. | |||
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| Administrator |
I am, according to my iPhone, 26 miles away in the desert. All my items show up. Including my aluminum ammo box! | |||
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| One of Us |
In the course of implementing the Mike Lindsay solution, I have done some more experiments with a smaller and slightly thinner aluminum take down gun case. The signal is somewhat more reliable from inside this case than the other larger, heavier one, but it is still delayed regularly by several hours. So even though the aluminum is the problem, it appears that a smaller and thinner-walled case permits better transmission. Also, it appears that the closer the iPhone is to the metal gun case, the more frequent the signals come through. And as soon and as long as the gun case is open, one gets an immediate update and the Air Tag transmits smoothly in real time. All of the non-metal luggage and cases I have tried so far reliably provide real time signals without significant delays. More soon on Mike’s solution, which I am confident will be workable. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
I can report that I have installed the work-around solution that Mike Lindsay found and it is working. It is called the GRAPID Air Tag Bike Mount and is available on Amazon for under US$20. GRAPID I will not recap all of its features but this is a quality product patented and made in Germany.  The mount is made to fit in standard spaced and pre-drilled and tapped holes in bike frames used for water bottle carriers. (Note: The lock washers and lock nuts are not included in the kit, as they are not needed for bike mounting.) The mount uses M5x0.8 hardened machine screws cut for a special bit. There are two sets of screws included; one set is longer than the other. I used the shorter ones. Normal slotted, Phillips, torx or hex bits will not work with these screws. The special bit that is required is provided in the kit. All you need to do is use it and not lose it.   I drilled and tapped two holes in my case.   Then, just for good measure, I found lock washers and 8mm lock nuts in my bottomless nuts-and-bolts cabinet and used them to anchor the screws inside the case.  They don't intrude any farther than the rivets that hold the lock fittings on the case.  On the outside of the case, the mount is unobtrusive and does not protrude any higher than the lock fittings.  Not a perfect solution, perhaps, but it definitely works. Signals are as strong and as frequent in real time as signals from Air Tags inside my plastic cases or soft luggage. All credit and thanks go to Mike Lindsay.  Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| one of us |
Thanks Mike, I wanted to somehow mount the tag outside of the case. I have several different types of plastic sheeting for projects such as HDPE and ABS that I had planned to somehow make a cover but instead decided to look for something already produced. Found this mount on Amazon and we ordered it, PERFECT | |||
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| Administrator |
Very clever adaptation gents. Still, my AirTag is in an aluminum ammo bag, underground, and still shows like all others. | |||
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| One of Us |
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but do not buy Duracell as replacement batteries to for your Apple Air Tags. They will not work. They have a coating on them that prevents them from working with Air Tags. We use Energizer and they work well. | |||
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| One of Us |
I have Duracell in all mine and they work just fine. | |||
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| One of Us |
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One of Us |
Thanks Mike and Mike. That's a great solution. I'm leaving in just over 5 weeks for another CMS hunt. I bought air tags for this trip. First time to use them. I too am using an aluminum case and was thinking I'd have to go with the removable tag holders that fit on the handle in a similar manner to the name tags Gracy Travel provides, knowing anyone could remove them and defeat the purpose. This is a much better solution. I just ordered one from the Amazon link. Thanks again. | |||
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| Administrator |
I just put a brand new airtag in my aluminium gun case. Shows instantly! | |||
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| one of us |
I tried air tags for the first time last week flying from Dallas to Salt Lake City for a pronghorn hunt. I put one tag in the gun case and one in the ammo box in our other checked bag. When we boarded at DFW the tags shows the ammo box "with me" but the gun case stayed in the terminal about 20 gates away from our departure gate. I kept expecting it to arrive at the plane but it was in fact left behind. Luckily someone realized the mistake and put the case on the next flight a few hours later. So the tags were working properly. Having the tag in the gun case did allow me to see when it finally arrived on the later flight so I could go pick it up. On the flight back the tags showed both bags still in a distant part of the terminal after boarding had started. I asked the gate agents about the bags and one said there is nothing they can do about it and the other said don't worry they will make it to the plane. Neither inspired much confidence. After we boarded, the air tags did show that both bags were moving towards the plane and they did in fact make it on to our flight. In my opinion they do help track and find bags but their usefulness is definitely limited by the airline employees willingness and/or ability to help. | |||
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One of Us |
After dealing with the worry everyone is discussing about Air Tags and how they work, I thought I’d weigh in with what I consider their real benefit… If your luggage doesn’t show up, you can use the Air Tag to show the baggage people where it is most likely to be found. Once I changed my mindset to this approach, I quit worrying about whether my baggage made it onto my flight or not. I did have bags miss a flight from Seattle to Calgary a year ago and simply worked with Alaska Airlines to show them where my luggage was at SEA. They located it and I had it the next morning. They’re a useful tool but have limitations. I no longer pay much attention to where they say my lagging bags are unless they don’t show up at my destination. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Air Tag Malfunctions - Solution Posted
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