Beacons in the UK. Where to buy? Any criteria for testing?

[docp]

Hello

Has anyone got any suggestions on which beacons to try in the UK? The xy find it beacons seem to be sold out everywhere. I have found a few sites selling different type software beacons and want to try some of those. Are there any specific criteria to look out for when buying or is it just trial and error?

Thanks!

[benip]

Firstly, Karl's page on tested beacons is really helpful, although as you say, a good many aren't available here in the UK.

I have had good results with the jaalee beacons (sold as AnkhMaway on beaconzone) that Karl talks about. Large social media beacons are good for the car - from France via Amazon when available. I've bought one or two from Avvel (own website and on Amazon as well.)
More recently I'm liking the Tile Mate keyfob beacons. They work well, but the app musn't be running on your phone. Signing out of it is best.

I'd be interested in knowing about any other good beacons/sources you come across.

[kw123]

this will only get better with brexit

as for the selection: the simpler the better.
They are supposed to do one thing and one thing only: send an ibeacon message every 0.x seconds at a signal strength of ~ -59 dBm.
With some of them you can set signal strength and interval. Interval should be <= 1second ; 10/second is overkill and will flood the airwaves.
if you chose 1 second the battery will last longer.

Some of them (more sophisticated .. ) will send an iBeacon message and then some other types with another UUID. That will make the UUID flip in your device listing randomly

Karl

[durosity]

this will only get better with brexit

Oddly enough I had a dream last night where after brexit they forced a change in frequencies used for HA stuff and obsoleted old equipment. And Teresa may was just standing there laughing her head off. I really wanted to punch her but her she was like 20 meters tall.. and then started rampaging through town destroying buildings like Godzilla...


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[docp]

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered a tilemate to start with!

[howartp]

Bit late to the thread, but I use RadBeacons ordered directly from USA - they arrive almost next day to say they're coming cross-Atlantic!


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[kw123]

I will be in Europe middle of February. I could bring some beacons from the us. If anyone wants some please let me know.


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[kw123]

got "orders" for 10 xy3 beacons
the cost is now: $15/piece +6.25%Texas Sales Tax + shipping I guess $3-5 in EU
So for 3 it would be:
$47.81 = 3*15+6.25%
$ 4.00 = shipping (exact amount tbd)
$51.81 = Total

I will order this weekend if anyone wants to join: send me colo(u)r, how many and address.
Will be put into mail on Feb 16/17 in Frankfurt/Germany
Payment through PayPal


Karl

[docp]

Thanks for the offer. I got the tile beacon working now so will stick with this! Great plugin!

[sgbirch]

this will only get better with brexit

Oddly enough I had a dream last night where after brexit they forced a change in frequencies used for HA stuff and obsoleted old equipment. And Teresa may was just standing there laughing her head off. I really wanted to punch her but her she was like 20 meters tall.. and then started rampaging through town destroying buildings like Godzilla...


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That wasn't just a dream, it was a precognition



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[durosity]

That's just a disturbing thought. Matt & Jay please ban sgbirch for making me have more bad dreams!

[johnpolasek]

Hey, I heard the other day that there may be no brexit, since your supreme court declared the vote to be nonbinding unless Parliament ratifies it... which if your government is anything like ours will be about as successful as herding cats.

[kw123]

But the Don will offer you a great deal .. no need for the EU.

[stuartcolman]

I'm in the UK and I have been using the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301977554533? ... EBIDX%3AIT

They seem to work like a treat, they keep the BLE signal going all of the time, and so far so good with regards to battery. Plus the major advantage is that they are dirt cheap.

I have 3 Rpi3s in the house and these tags are recognised pretty much wherever they are.

Hope this helps.

[AndyVirus]

I'm in the UK and I have been using the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301977554533? ... EBIDX%3AIT

They seem to work like a treat, they keep the BLE signal going all of the time, and so far so good with regards to battery. Plus the major advantage is that they are dirt cheap.

I have 3 Rpi3s in the house and these tags are recognised pretty much wherever they are.

Hope this helps.

Are they easy to identify which is which?
Do they have identifiers that are similar or just random?
So far, has any failed. I have TrackR ones and they fail constantly, battery lasts a few weeks at best.

For the price they sound great for experimenting. How has your experience been to date with these?