XPost: comp.sys.mac.advocacy, alt.computer.workshop   
   From: recscuba_google@huntzinger.com   
      
   On 1/28/26 18:53, Alan wrote:   
   > On 2026-01-28 15:40, pothead wrote:   
   >> On 2026-01-28, Joel W. Crump  wrote:   
   >>> On 1/28/26 5:56 PM, pothead wrote:   
   >>>   
   >>>> Even though I have both an Android and iPhone, I use   
   >>>> "Spotminders tags" because they work great, at least for me. Make   
   >>>> sure you order direct from them because there are many   
   >>>> knockoffs out there.   
   >>>   
   >>>   
   >>> I just wouldn't need that.  I see why they could be useful.   
   >>   
   >> They are. From AI "airtag vs spotminders" Brave search.   
   >>   
   >> "Spotminders and Apple AirTag both use the Apple Find My network for   
   >> tracking, but they are designed for different use cases and offer   
   >> distinct advantages.   
   >   
   > That's not the Spotminders TAG you claimed to be touting.   
   >   
   > That's the Spotminders "Tracking Card".   
      
   FWIW, what I find curious is the "both use the Apple Find My Network":   
      
   does this mean that Spotminder is freeloading their product off of   
   someone else's services/infrastructure?   
      
   >> Spotminders: $44 (discounts available), one-time purchase with no   
   >> ongoing costs. AirTag: $29, but requires repeated battery   
   >> replacements, leading to higher long-term cost. Bottom Line   
   >   
   > Even a name-brand CR2032 battery (Duracell), purchased as a single costs   
   > $3.29 at Amazon. So the difference in cost pays for 4.5 battery   
   > replacements.   
   Amazon's current price on a Duracell CR2032 8 pack is $9.18 .. that's   
   just over a buck each.   
      
   I have heard of some travelers who will pull the batteries out when   
   their suitcase is in storage to extend life...but I've found it easy and   
   probably more effective just to track battery replacement dates.  For   
   example, I have two tags from 2022 whose batteries have only ever been   
   replaced once (in 2024), so they've already averaged over 18 months and   
   are due, so I'll just change them out before the spring trip.  At   
   ~$1/year and 4/$99, the financial breakeven is out in the Year 2042.   
      
      
   -hh   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)