How Do Bluetooth Key Finders Work and What They’re Good For?

We all have those moments when we can’t find our keys. We start to panic, wondering if they were left in the office or at home. In these situations, Bluetooth key finders are a lifesaver. They allow you to locate your misplaced items without having to search for hours and hours. So how do they work?

Bluetooth Key Finders work by communicating with your Bluetooth-enabled device (phone or tablet). The finder needs to be within a certain range of the lost item for it to work. This is generally between 30-50 ft but can depend on factors such as obstructions, how many Bluetooth devices are in use.

It’s a simple and affordable solution! Imagine, you could have your keys at the end of your fingertips. You’ll never need to search high or low for them again. As with most tech advancements these days one has to keep up and know how these things work. So do please read further to find out more.

Which sort of signals do Bluetooth Key Finders emit?

Bluetooth key finders emit radio frequencies and radio signals. These are electromagnetic waves that will bounce off of an object, which is how a Bluetooth tracker can detect the signal of where your keys might be located.

The Tracking Technology used in Bluetooth key finders is reliant on Radio Waves which are electromagnetic fields that bounce off of objects and allow your Bluetooth key finder to detect where the keys might be located.

The range of a Bluetooth key finder is dependent on the strength and signal strength. The best way to get around this problem, when it comes up, is by purchasing a device with an increased range for your needs.

Overall Bluetooth Keyfinder Battery Life 

The overall battery life of a Bluetooth key finder is usually 12 months. Some brands offer replaceable batteries which have an even longer battery life, such as 24 or 36 months.

An extra battery can be added to the product so that it doesn’t need to be replaced every year and will last until the end of its lifespan. If you’re looking for a product with even longer battery life, a replaceable battery can be swapped out when it starts to run low.

Additional Battery: If you’re looking for a Bluetooth Key Finder Product that has the longest overall runtime and doesn’t need to be replaced yearly, then one option is called the Tile Mate. It features a replaceable battery and the ability to recharge the device’s power.

Battery Life of Magnetic Trackers

Magnetic trackers only work once their metal body comes in contact with another magnet at a close distance within just three feet when activated manually by pressing its activation button or automatically when something is moved out of range. This means that Bluetooth magnetic trackers start working when there is a sudden change in the magnetic field.

Did you know:

There are 26 million Tiles out there (based on 2019 figures), with 6 million location requests every day – and Tile reports that it has over 90 percent of the US Bluetooth tracker market – (pocket-lint.com)

Can I Build My Own Bluetooth Key Finder?

If you want to find out more about the functionalities of these devices you might want to try and build one yourself. So yes, you can build your own Bluetooth key finder but it is important to note that you will need the right tools and expertise in order to do this.

You could also buy all the parts separately from suppliers such as Sparkfun or AliExpress and assemble them yourself which would be more cost-effective than buying an already assembled product with similar features.

Just make sure when building the device that you have considered how easy they are going to be able to use on a daily basis! It’s worth noting too that there may not actually be many products out there for sale if you decide to go down this route.

Which parts do I need to Build My Own Bluetooth Key Finder?

You will need the following parts in order to build your own Bluetooth Key Finder:

• A microcontroller such as a Sparkfun Redboard. This can be purchased separately or already assembled from retailers like AliExpress and Sparkfun.
• An RF Receiver, which is usually included with an Arduino Starter Kit but again you can buy it separate if that’s what you’re after. You’ll also need some supporting components for example capacitors, resistors etc.
• A USB cable so that you are able to upload code onto your device via its programming interface (USB port). The last things you’ll need are various cables and wires needed to connect electrical signals between different pieces of equipment – this could include jumper cables, bread and female-to-female jumper wires, a breadboard and some wire.

The most important part is getting your code right so that it picks up on key presses from your Bluetooth device.

The goal here would be to set an Arduino with a Redboard microcontroller as our receiver which will then detect when buttons are pressed or released using pins A0 and A101 respectively.

It can also listen for any incoming signals instead if you want to have the option of detecting other devices like cell phones and laptops etcetera (although this could drain battery power).

Additional Features of Bluetooth Key Finders

Additional features of Bluetooth key finders include a virtual assistant, smart tracker, shutter button and two-way finding features.

• Virtual Assistant: Many Bluetooth trackers come with their own virtual personal assistant that can establish reminders or set up an alarm for you. These assistants are helpful because they give directions without the need to stop what you’re doing in order to check your phone.
• Two Way Finding Feature: The two-way finding feature is especially useful if one of your keys gets lost at work or home since it will locate them anywhere within 200 feet (60 meters).
• Shutter Button: One of the most convenient features on some models is the ability to remotely control whichever device has your photos stored inside its memory by pressing just one simple button.
• The Digital Leash Feature is also an excellent security measure that alerts you when your keys get too far away from your mobile device.
• Key Locators: Some models come with a key locator feature that will keep track of all of the items on the list while they are within a range of 200 feet (60 meters).
• Mobile Device: Some Bluetooth tracker brands also work with various apps and devices, such as Apple Watch or Google Now.

Average and Optimal Range of Bluetooth Key Finder?

The average range of a Bluetooth Key Finder is about 30 feet. The optimal range depends on the size and type of what you’re looking for.

For example, if you are using something like this to track your keys, it’s best if they can be within a 15-foot radius at all times because that’s how far away most people keep their house or car keys when not in use…

Differences Between Bluetooth, GPS and NFC Tracking. 

The main difference between Bluetooth, GPS and NFC tracking is how they communicate with your phone. A Bluetooth tracker communicates by using a Bluetooth signal to pair with the device you have it paired with (typically your smartphone).

A GPS will use cell towers or Wifi signals in order to find its location.  An NFC tag can be used as a pairing key if an app supports this type of function. You also need another device that has NFC capabilities such as most smartphones or tablets these days for it to work well. The main difference between those three types of trackers is how they transmit data to their host devices.

Will Future Key Finders Use Bluetooth?

The future of Bluetooth key finders will most likely involve new technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC) tracking.

NFC is a set of wireless standards for phones and other devices to establish communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more than a few inches.

Alarm Key Finder Feature 

If someone has lost their phone, wallet or keys and doesn’t know where they left them, this feature may come in handy!

There’s an option to set off an alarm when one gets too far away from their device – perfect for those who have trouble remembering items like wallets or purses on occasion.

• Separation alarms work differently than range notifications because it works as soon as something goes out of range rather than continually telling you how close your item is until it reaches its max setting.
• The sound volume can also be adjusted so even if you’re not overly sensitive to loud noises, you’ll still hear the alarm go off once the distance has been exceeded.
• Range notifications are more subtle in the way that they will show you how close your item is to its max setting.

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