Lug Loc Luggage Locator Review

[JohnM]

FWIW, I purchased 2 on spec (Based solely on their availability in the AFF Store). Like others here, VA and NZ were not at all cooperative and completely failed to loose my luggage... Although they have only been subjected to pretty simple routings... so far.

Trips to date: ABX-SYD-AKL, AKL-SYD-ABX (SYD-AKL was a VA codeshare on NZ metal) and ABX-SYD-CBR, CBR-SYD-ABX.

My feedback, however, would be the absence of a web interface (a la Find my iPhone, or similar) is a negative. I'd definitely much rather look up a website myself than ring the call centre. It would permit testing without pestering an operator. Plus there's the cool factor of being able to look up your luggage any time you want. They do mention that the LugLoc periodically phones home (I believe anytime it stops for a reasonable length of time) so presumably the data is already in the LugLoc servers, they just haven't built a pretty interface with a map.

I agree that checking via a web app would be preferable to phoning an operator.

 

[JohnM]

Happy to do that but it may be too late now if it's going via Aus Post (as it's now gone 4pm). It would need to get to Melbourne by tomorrow evening (unless someone in PER is flying to MEL tomorrow and can bring it!).

Damn and I was in PER on the w/end too :S

But I was in SYD .

I've only just got home, so the express post deadline is well and truly missed.

 

[DeKa]

Following on from my last post, LugLoc have advised me that the App is now available - see https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/lugloc/id647284374?mt=8

$13.99 for the app!? One of the more expensive I've seen.

Don't forget to buy it through shopandearn.com.au to collect your velocity points!

 

[JohnM]

Happy to do that but it may be too late now if it's going via Aus Post (as it's now gone 4pm). It would need to get to Melbourne by tomorrow evening (unless someone in PER is flying to MEL tomorrow and can bring it!).

Damn and I was in PER on the w/end too :S

Hopefully someone from PER travelling to MEL tonight or tomorrow may see this thread and can be courier. I live fairly close to the city & airport so happy to drop it off. I'll put it on charge just in case.

 

[totd]

Following on from my last post, LugLoc have advised me that the App is now available - see https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/lugloc/id647284374?mt=8

Purchased, downloaded and activated. $14 does seem a bit steep for what you get, but I do like the overall look of the app. There are certainly plenty of ugly apps out there, but this one does not seem clunky in the slightest. If you've never created an account with LugLoc (Like me) there is a button on the login screen which collects all your details in the app and lets you login and get going straight away. No "Please verify your email address" shenanigans, which is a nice change.

One seemingly obvious omission from the UI is the ability to add "Nicknames" to the devices. Showing the device as 371xx_x, rather than "Totd's bag" could get really confusing really quickly. I do have a second LugLoc because I usually drag someone else along (Twice the SCs per trip ). I shudder to think what would happen if two VA WPs traveling together lost 1 of their 6 bags...

I've also included a screen shot of the map interface. Acuracy is far less than GPS, which is to be expected when relying on Cellular location. The stated intention is to help you find your luggage has gone to MEL when you're in OOL, which this will do. It will not, however, tell you which carousel your luggage is currently circulating.



Overall though, with the new iOS app, this looks like a well polished and highly useful package. I'm very please with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend this system to anyone concerned about misplaced luggage. It certainly appears to do what it says on the tin... Now I just need to ping the LugLoc while it buried in a suitcase, entombed in a shipping container in the belly of a metal birdy... Then we'll see what the cellular performance is like.

 

[RooFlyer]

One way to trial might be to take an extra but empty bag, check it through to destination (hopefully distant) then 'forget' to pick it up from the carousel.

Then see however it goes, or doesn't go, to wherever it should from that point.

Risk of loss of unit, but if you want to test it....

 

[runawaytrain]

It looks like the forum ate my reply.

i just came here to warn you all that if the tag on your bag somehow comes off your bag in transit to you, they have no replacements. I am travelling in the US now. Please consider that there is nothing that they can do if this happens to you like it did for me. I will probably give my other unit away to my brother since I don't want to resell it.

I am so glad I didn't purchase the app. It has been a waste of money for me.

 

[totd]

I am so glad I didn't purchase the app. It has been a waste of money for me.

I'm curious as to why you rate the service as a 'waste of money'. I've never had to call the luggage location centre and I have purchase the app (It's $14, but you then get discounted renewal and you don't have to call anyone to locate your luggage) so I'm not likely to. Are you calling this a waste simply because of poor over-the-phone support? Personally I've never really understood the red bag-tag they provide. Isn't the whole point of this system the GSM based locator that you put *inside* your luggage? What purpose does the red tag serve other than to provide free advertising to Lug Loc (And possibly flag the usage of a device to baggage handlers)

 

[drewbles]

I have purchased one of these:
Trakdot | Luggage Tracker

There have been numerous delays (blaming their 'SIM Provider' and 'Awaiting Activation', but i'm dubious as I work in the global roaming SIM industry, but I digress...).

Seems a better setup for fees. You pay an annual subscription fee and then it's a free App.

And thanks to all the delays, they've slotted a free second year in for me. They're apparently shipping in a week or so, so i'll see how I go. I've not lost luggage in a long time fortunately but hey, it's a worthwhile investment/tax deduction for me.

(and as it turns out no one lost my luggage on my last big trips so reviewing it would have also proved fruitless for AFF in the end!)

 

[missskybird]

I just purchased two Lug Loc from AFF but found I did not have to purchase the App from the iTunes store, they were free!

 

[runawaytrain]

I'm curious as to why you rate the service as a 'waste of money'. I've never had to call the luggage location centre and I have purchase the app (It's $14, but you then get discounted renewal and you don't have to call anyone to locate your luggage) so I'm not likely to. Are you calling this a waste simply because of poor over-the-phone support? Personally I've never really understood the red bag-tag they provide. Isn't the whole point of this system the GSM based locator that you put *inside* your luggage? What purpose does the red tag serve other than to provide free advertising to Lug Loc (And possibly flag the usage of a device to baggage handlers)

Hi totd, sorry about the late reply. Okay I admit I'm not the smartest person around and I think I see your point. I stand corrected. I would still prefer something more secure