Marco Polo Review

UPDATED Mar. 2024
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Marco Polo advanced pet tracking system is one of the best-known radio frequency pet trackers currently on the market. It was developed by Eureka Technology Partners, a California-based company specializing in tracking and recovery systems.

Apart from being independent of cellular networks, Marco Polo is highly accurate, surprisingly light, and fully waterproof. What’s more, it is extremely durable and boasts an incredible battery life. It is used by numerous professionals, including performance animal trainers, pet-dog rescue groups, and obedience trainers, and represents a powerful tracking solution that allows you to quickly locate your pet both indoors and outdoors. Keep reading this Marco Polo review to discover how this unique device can help you improve your pet’s safety.

Marco Polo homepage

How Marco Polo Works

Marco Polo advanced pet tracking system consists of a tracking tag attached to the pet’s collar and a handheld locator particularly designed to allow the pet guardian to keep an eye on the pet’s location 24/7. The tracking tag and the locator communicate via radio frequency signals.

The pet guardian’s locator continuously sends radio signals to the tracking tag, requesting its location. The tag responds to the locator’s requests and allows for the identification of the distance and direction to the pet. The pet’s location is always displayed relative to the pet guardian’s location.

The system allows you to set a safe zone for your pet and thus define the area within which no active tracking is required. If your pet wanders outside the safe zone, you are notified within about 1 minute, so you can start actively tracking your pet, with location information updated in mere seconds.

Marco Polo advanced pet tracking system is designed to allow the pet guardian to track up to 3 pets at once. It comes with no service fees, as it does not rely on cellular networks, and it can work even in the most remote areas, since it uses no external services, such as GPS.

Marco Polo how work

Marco Polo Design

As mentioned previously, Marco Polo pet tracking system consists of a tracking tag and a locator. Both devices are more lightweight than many other radio frequency trackers and they are designed with comfort, functionality, and usability in mind. The locator measures 6 inches in height by 3.5 inches in width by 1.75 inches in depth and weighs 7.8 ounces. It comes in a light shade of gray and features a large display, 2 sets of light blue buttons underneath the display, and an ergonomic handle.

The tracking tag measures 1 inch in height by 5 inches in width by 0.5 inches in depth and weighs just 0.8 ounces. It is attached to the pet’s collar with the use of a ballistic nylon holder that protects it from damage and straps made of Type III, Class 4 Military Spec Velcro material. The collar holder is compatible with collars up to 2 inches wide and 0.25 inches thick.

The recommended pet size is not specified. However, since the tracking tag is incredibly lightweight and designed to perfectly fit most collars, it is suitable for most cats and dogs, as long as they are used to wearing a collar.

Marco Polo Technical Specifications

In this section of our Marco Polo review, we will explore the rather impressive technical characteristics of this advanced pet tracking system, including its resistance to impact and water, battery life, communication range, and accuracy.

Shockproof

The Marco Polo tracking tag is resistant to impact. It is designed to be a perfect companion for active pets that run through brush and play rough with other animals. The tag itself is not prone to damage and is further protected by a durable nylon holder.

Waterproof

The tracking tag is resistant to impact and meets IP67 specifications. It can withstand submersion in water of up to 3 feet for around 30 minutes.

Battery

The device comes with a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that can last for up to 45 days on a single charge. In the active tracking mode, with location information refreshed every couple of seconds, the battery can last for up to 3 days.

Communication Range

In flat open terrain with few obstructions, Marco Polo’s communication range can be up to 2 miles. In open terrain with rolling hills and few obstructions, the range is about 1 mile. In typical suburban areas, the average communication range is about 2,000 feet.

Accuracy

Marco Polo pet tracking system is highly accurate, with its precision improved with a reduction in distance. It is generally accurate within inches, which makes it much more reliable than the majority of other trackers on the market.

Marco Polo Features

Marco Polo is a pet tracker that exclusively focuses on location tracking and possesses no activity monitoring features. Thus, in this section of our Marco Polo review, we will explore the location tracking tools the device provides, focusing both on live tracking and tracking when your pet is out of range.

Marco Polo Features

Real-Time Tracking

Marco Polo advanced pet tracking system allows for true real-time tracking. In the live tracking mode, the distance and direction to the pet are updated every few seconds, allowing you to have fresh information at all times and thus track your pet more quickly.

Single-Button Tracking

If your pet roams out of sight, you can begin actively searching for him or her by pushing a single button on the tracker and following the arrow on the locator’s screen, which points you in the direction your pet is headed. With single-button activation, Marco Polo makes tracking easy even for users who are not tech-savvy and facilitates search under stressful circumstances.

Safe Zones

Although Marco Polo does not allow you to custom-define safe zones for your pet, it does allow you to choose from 4 preset boundary levels. You can opt for a safe zone measuring about 50 feet, 100 feet or 300 feet in radius or set boundaries that correspond to the maximum communication range of the system.

Alerts

When your pet leaves the safe zone, you are normally alerted within 60 seconds. In the worst case scenario, alerts arrive within a maximum of 80 seconds.

Phone Notifications

Marco Polo does not come with a smartphone app since tracking is done with the use of the locator. However, if you happen to forget to bring the location, you can still receive notifications via your phone with the help of the external alarm output. You can choose to have one or several phone numbers dialed in case of an emergency, with a prerecorded voice message sent to each contact.

Search Mode

If your pet is out of range, it does not necessarily mean your friend is lost. When your pet roams outside the communication range, you can place the locator in search mode and walk or drive around the area where your pet was last seen. Once you come close enough to your pet for communication between the tracking tag and the locator to be established, the locator will beep and display your pet’s location on the screen.

Marco Polo Coverage

Currently, Marco Polo can be purchased in Canada and the US via the company’s official website. However, the device’s coverage is not limited to these 2 countries. Marco Polo advanced pet tracking system can work wherever you go, as it does not rely on external services and only uses radio frequency signals. Thus, Marco Polo boasts worldwide coverage and works in all areas around the globe.

How Much Does Marco Polo Cost?

If you want to purchase Marco Polo advanced tracking system for just 1 pet, you pay $234.95. In the package, you get 1 hand-held locator, 1 pet tracking tag, 1 collar holder, 1 plug-in charger, 1 cable for locator and tag recharging, the user reference manual, the quick start guide, and 10 pet button ID labels.

Marco Polo price

Should you want to use the tracking system for 1 or 2 additional pets, you can purchase additional tracking tags individually for $119.95 a piece (currently on sale for $104.95 a piece). Alternatively, you can get the 2-pet or 3-pet version of the tracking system and protect 1 more pet for an additional $50 or 2 more pets for an additional $100.

The tracking system comes with free shipping throughout the US via USPS Priority Mail. Shipments to Canada come with a $25 shipping fee. Shipments to California come with an additional sales tax charge amounting to 7.75% of the total value of the shipment.

Marco Polo Pros & Cons

Knowing the biggest strenghts and weaknesses of Marco Polo can help you decide if it is the right pet tracker for your furry friend. Here is a quick overview of its pros and cons.

Pros
  • True real-time tracking
  • Accurate within inches
  • Communication range of 2 miles
  • Minimum safe zone radius of just 50 feet
  • Worldwide coverage
  • Battery can last for up to 45 days
  • No monthly fees
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 90-day warranty

Cons

  • Not feature-rich
  • Not highly affordable

Bottom Line

Marco Polo is a highly reliable pet tracking system that provides accurate location information, boasts a communication range of 2 miles, and works all over the globe. It does not come with a wealth of features, but it is faster and more precise than the majority of GPS pet trackers and allows you to receive location updates every few seconds. Furthermore, it is incredibly light and suitable for both large and small dogs and cats and it can work even if your pet decides to go for a swim. Although its price is not particularly low, Marco Polo comes with no monthly fees. Since it is highly durable, it provides excellent value for your money.

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable and yet equally good pet tracker, we recommend you check out our Fi Tracker Review or our Top 10 Pet Trackers List.


User Reviews (8)

Marco Polo customer rating based on 8 user reviews.

The Marco Polo reviews listed below reflect the opinions and experiences of real users and are in no way influenced by the company reviewed here. Before publishing each review, our team checks whether it was submitted by an actual user in an effort to prevent false or spammy reviews.

  1. Peter R Lewis | April 13, 2021

    I purchased this to keep track of our newest kitten He grew fast and the tag fits well in his collar and does not bother him. I am still amazed at how well it works . I have tracked Tuffy numerous times to find him under brush piles and hiding in thick cover. Once the tracker showed him extremely close, but I could not see him. Heard a noise, looked up and he was sitting on a branch about 10 feet above my head. It’s nice to get notifications when he goes out of range. Battery life is good for both monitor and tag. The only issue I had was a stuck button. I called customer service and the call was returned within minutes. He knew the problem immediately and made sure the problem was corrected before hanging up. Great customer service. I would give this product my highest recommendation.

  2. Eva O'Connor | February 19, 2021

    just got one for my cat, and even though it seemed like a bulky and intimidating piece of technology its working great, and my cat ( who is medium sized cat) is happy with it on is collar. I’m living in the city, and even though we are surrounded by buildings, it helps me know which direction he has gone in. The locator is massive and looks like something from terminator or some 90s movie but it woks !

  3. Tim Kelly | September 20, 2019

    I bought this tracker specifically for the reason it is not limited to just USA. I travel a lot and take Bambie with me everywhere I go and I feel much safer knowing I can keep track on her when we are not together. She’s so used to us being together all the time that acts out when I leave her with the dog sitter and there were a few times she got away. Luckily I was notified right away since tracking doesn’t rely on cell networks. The first thing I did when I bought the tracker is set up her safe zone so I can keep an eye on her if she decides to look for me when I’m not there.

  4. Martha Day | May 20, 2019

    The button tracking feature is just great because it shows you the arrow that moves in the direction of your pet. If you plan on roaming in the wild you should definitely turn it on in case your dog wonders somewhere. One other thing you can do is to build a safe zone around your dog and receive a notification if the dog leaves its safe space. The message will be sent quickly, maybe a minute. Both my boyfriend and I get alerts in case Simon runs away somewhere which happens a lot so we can tell you that this tracker really works.

  5. Fergus Kim | February 1, 2019

    This device is just a tracker and it does nothing for your dog’s activity. I don’t have a problem with any of its features tracking wise but I hoped that at least it will work as some kid fit beat machine. I can however monitor the distance my dog covers since it is reported avery few seconds. That way I could at least know how much miles Rita has covered that day. I one other thing they should do is make an app for your phone so you can track your dog more easily.

  6. Damian Mccormack | December 8, 2018

    Marco Polo dog tracker is what I would recommend to anyone who has an active pet or one that is not very well trained. In case your dog somehow gets away from you the tracker reports under a minute. Once you set a safe zone in which your dog usually resides the tracker will alert you if he or she gets out. You can react right away and not allow for anything bad to happen to your dog because its movement will update every few seconds.

  7. Anna Fredrickson | May 17, 2018

    I don’t like that I have to carry the locator around, it’s simply not convenient. Still, after trying a bunch of other trackers that could not bring be within 100 feet from my dog, I can honestly say that Marco Polo is the best pet tracker I’ve used.

  8. Ben Scotto | January 12, 2018

    Used the previous, classic version of Marco Polo in the past years, just switched to the advanced system and I do miss the 90-day battery but this is definitely a much improved version of the tracker. Plus, it is much lighter so I now use it on my new puppy too, he doesn’t even know it’s there, which is awesome.

  9. Bobbie Thompson | January 9, 2018

    Bulky locator, doesn’t fit any pocket. The tag is light though and the system is accurate. I’m not too happy with the range, but the alerts are fast, so it isn’t such a big deal.

  10. John Davis | November 8, 2017

    Never been this satisfied with a pet tracker before. I go hiking and camping with my dogs all the time, MP is a real godsend, they can play around and I know where they are every second of the day. The battery is amazing!

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