Each RoamEO system has two components: a portable, handheld receiver used by the pet owner and a special collar for the dog. The collar transmits GPS coordinates back to the receiver, where the information is translated and then displayed on the color LCD screen.
Technically, there is no reason RoamEO would not work on cats. However, the smallest circumference on a collar we currently manufacturer is 14 inches. Generally, this size collar would be too large for most cats. We have received considerable input from cat owners asking for a product like RoamEO for their pets. As a result, we are actively investigating whether we can make a collar small enough to fit on cats. Please watch our website for further updates on this.
RoamEO was designed to be simple. The only set up required is adjusting the collar for your dog. There is no hardware or software installation required. The system is operational the moment you turn it on.
In line of sight conditions, RoamEO has a range of one mile in all directions. Buildings, trees, and hills can affect the range of RoamEO, although every condition is unique and results will vary. If possible, we recommend that you test for range so that you have an understanding of this distance in the environment that you will be using your system.
RoamEO was designed with three distinct screen shots. The unit defaults to the screen that was active at shut-down. The first screen provides very basic information, and an additional level of detail is added as you scroll to the next screen. Moving from screen to screen requires only hitting the 'Screen' button, should you decide at any time that more or less information is needed. The following information is available: your location, your pet's location, distance in feet, velocity in MPH, direction your pet is heading, general compass, Electronic Fence (if activated), battery life of collars, battery life of handheld unit, GPS signal strength, radio signal strength, and zoom scale. Examples of these screenshot of the LCD screen are available here.
RoamEO displays the last known location of your pet. If at any time your pet comes back into the range of the system-whether because you are moving toward him or he is moving toward you-RoamEO will resume tracking immediately.
Depending on the environment you are in, it is possible that either you or the collar on your dog may lose a GPS fix. If this occurs, RoamEO will show the last known position of the unit, and continue its attempts to acquire a GPS lock. As soon as a GPS fix is re-acquired, the system immediately displays the updated information. If this condition persists, especially on the collar, it may be possible your dog is under some type of covering-man made or otherwise-that is preventing his collar from receiving a signal.
RoamEO is designed to track up to three pets at once. Each pet would require their own collar. RoamEO uses a color system to distinguish between multiple pets on the LCD screen.
The GPS Fence option allows you to establish an electronic perimeter for your pet. For example, this could be the perimeter of your yard or your property line. Once established, the fence will reside in the system memory. If you choose to activate your fence when your system is turned on, you will receive an audible warning if your dog exits the fence perimeter. RoamEO still tracks your pet, even without an active fence. You can store a fence in memory without activating it.
The GPS Fence feature is very easy to set up. It is best if you decide before hand the perimeter you wish to establish for your pet. Then, holding the handheld unit, walk the perimeter you have selected, pressing the 'Fence' button at strategic points. This action causes the system to establish GPS fence posts in memory, which serve as the outline of your fence. You may establish up to 256 GPS fence posts, although we would not recommend that. The fence is then stored in memory until or if you choose to create a different fence.
Theoretically, you could make your fence as large as the range on your system in your given environment, or as small as a 10 foot perimeter. The GPS Fence feature was designed to give you maximum flexibility in terms of both shape and distance. Some experimentation may be necessary to establish the most efficient fence for your particular situation. With this mind, we have designed the fence building process to be very simple.
Yes. We have designed RoamEO to allow for you to track your dog from indoors. However, RoamEO will need to be placed close to a window so that the radio signals can be received.
The smallest collar is designed to fit a dog with a neck circumference of 14 inches, and the largest is designed for a neck circumference of 27 inches. There are three different sizes of collars offered, so it is important to match the collar size for your dog.
RoamEO uses lithium ion re-charagable batteries in both the GPS Receiver and the collar. These batteries are enclosed in their respective cases and are not field replaceable. Battery life on the GPS Receiver is 8-10 hours; on the collar, it is 10-12 hours. The batteries for the RoamEO GPS Receiver and collar were specifically designed for use with our system, and as such, are not available as a standard product offering in retail stores.
The only feature of RoamEO that requires any degree of installation is building the GPS Fence. This involves walking the perimeter of your fence outline to program the fence posts into memory. All other features of RoamEO are operational from the moment the system is activated.
