Search:

The one nice thing about the Tile is that if you are out of Bluetooth range but another Tile user gets close enough, it will update the location on the community map for you. This only works as well...

Sure, and make no mistake about me poo-pooing the idea. In fact, I'm trying to track down how to register the chip in my recently-acquired Calton post-sale (which, oddly, looks harder than it should...

True enough. But I would think very few thieves are going to be mandolin players. They are going to try and sell it. And more and more places are getting scanners.

But you are correct, the...

Maybe y'all are clear on the limitations and trade-offs of various ways to tag an instrument, or maybe not. But asking for info on "GPS tracking chips" tells me there might be higher expectations...

If you forgo the GPS part you can put an RFID tag chip in your mandolin. When the mandolin is scanned, at the pawn shop or where ever, it can be identified. Also if you see it somewhere you can...

Something like a Pebble Bee or Track-R may be good for festivals or something that if it leaves the Bluetooth distance of your phone, you will get an alarm. When you get back in Bluetooth range...

The Tile might provide an affordable, easy to use solution that is worth checking out:

https://www.thetileapp.com/en-us/community-find

The tile unit can be placed easily in a case and it is...

Not unless you are planning on either charging the battery every few days or attaching a car battery to each instrument. Typical current levels are 10's of mA. That 1500 mAh battery in your phone...

Maybe something like this.
You could embed one in the case.
That way when it is stolen you can find it with your phone to an exact GPS location.
https://www.thetrackr.com/

A quick look on the web and I found this device.

https://www.easytracgps.com/other-assets-equipment/guitar-gps-tracking/