The Ridge Tracker Card and Apple’s AirTag are two of the most popular tracking devices you can use to monitor your valuables. Both of the devices though come in vary different forms factors – for good reason – and despite it’s limitation, the Ridge Tracker Card can be better than an AirTag, sometimes.
You can watch the full video above and read on for more.
Why The Slim Look?
The Ridge Tracker Card is wallet-friendly with its ID card dimensions while the AirTag has a small puck shape, about the size of a U.S. quarter or 50 cent Euro coin. AirTags are thicker though, so they don’t fit conveniently into wallets, for example. The Tracker Card has a more favorable form factor for slim spaces but that’s because it’s lacking Apple’s Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip.
The UWB lets you visually track a device within about 10-20 meters (more in the AirTag 2) but otherwise you’ve got to rely on Bluetooth and Apple’s Find My network. For most cases, the disadvantages of the Ridge Tracker Card are outweighed by its shape – especially if that means you’re more likely to use it rather than no tracker at all.
The Obvious Fit
Ridge Tracker Cards are ideal for wallets and slim purses because they are credit card shaped. AirTags simply don’t fit well in card holders and your wallet is presumably one of your more valuable possessions. You can still play a chime from the Ridge Tracker Card using Find My, so even though you can visually get a precise lock on it if you misplace your wallet indoors, the sounds should help guide you the rest of the way.
Other good uses include letters and important documents you might have mailed or sent via courier. You can get more precise tracking of those documents and in cases where they’ll be sent back to you (think legal or financial documents) you’ll have an extra layer of reassurance knowing just where they are.
On The Move
Sports gear like belt packs and vests might also be a good place to use a Ridge Tracker Card over an AirTag. The lighter weight and thinnest means less bounce and over long running or cycling distances, ever little annoyance (or lack thereof) can add up. Being IP67 rated also means the Ridge Tracker Card can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes in shallow water, meaning you can use it for swim or kayaking gear as well.
Books, vinyls, and notebooks also make for situations where you might want to use a Ridge Tracker Card over an AirTag. But the Apple is no slouch, here are 8 creative ways to use AirTags.
