Animals also have the right to technological progress! You can equip your dog with the JAG GPS S2 from Jagger & Lewis, a connected collar that geolocates it while monitoring its health and activities. Verdict!
The trend of connected accessories is no longer limited to humans, it is now extending to pets! It is a real market that is gradually developing, particularly with connected collars for dogs. Among the manufacturers, we find Jagger & Lewis, which markets small boxes equipped with sensors that allow us to closely monitor the behavior and well-being of our pets. The goal is to be able to identify certain warning signs of health problems in order to take care of them as early as possible.
The JAG GPS S2 collar is sold at €69, to which must be added the price of the subscription giving access to the various functions, namely €9.90 per month without commitment – but you do not have access to all the options –, €7.42 per month with three months free for a one-year commitment or €169 for life. You can also get the Smartdock as an option, for €45 – but by purchasing the collar and the base at the same time, the pack only comes to €89.
We had the chance to test the JAG GPS S2 for a month in order to give you our conclusions. We would also like to thank Yuko, a little 9-year-old Royal Bourbon in great shape and with no particular health concerns, living in an apartment, who enthusiastically took part in the game – what wouldn’t she do for a little extra kibble!
Jagger & Lewis JAG GPS S2: CCM’s opinion
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Jagger & Lewis JAG GPS S2: a robust but imposing collar
The JAG GPS S2 comes in a small black case measuring 37 x 72 x 20 mm and weighing 48 g, which attaches to just about any collar, using a silicone shell, available in three colors (charcoal, fawn and Weimaraner). The whole thing looks very “plastic”, but is robust. Indeed, it is resistant to mud and water: the case is certified 5ATM and can therefore withstand pressure up to 50 meters deep – our furry guinea pig leads the life of an apartment dog, the collar has not been subjected to very intense conditions, so we will have to take the company’s word on this point. The rendering is however not very discreet, which is why the company warns that the collar is suitable for dogs weighing at least 8 kg. Note that our test dog weighs 6 kg and, indeed, the box is much too big and hinders his movements – passers-by even asked us, during walks, if Yuko had just been released from prison and was under electronic control. But even for a dog of 8 to 10 kg, it remains rather cumbersome…
In terms of connectivity, the JAG GPS S2 benefits from Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz b/g/n) to communicate with the smartphone, as well as 4G LTE, dedicated to connected objects. We noted some data synchronization problems during our test, even when sticking our smartphone to the collar, but an update from the manufacturer subsequently resolved the problem. The collar has a battery life of more than 15 days depending on the dog’s activity and the use of the GPS, and up to more than 3 months if it is coupled with the Smartdock. A really nice point!
The GPS box is sold with its shell and a USB charging cable. The Smartdock Pack also includes the Smartdock, a Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antenna and a USB-C cable for charging the base.
Jagger & Lewis JAG GPS S2: A loaded application that is teeming with functions
The connected collar is controlled from the Jagger Lewis application, available on Android and iOS. The least we can say is that it is very complete, perhaps even too much. The interface is extremely busy, there is information everywhere. Result: it takes a while before you can get your bearings. A horizontal bar located at the bottom of the screen allows you to navigate through four tabs, “Home”, “Live Tracking”, “Activities” and “My team”. In its center, a black “Go” button allows you to start a walk, but we will come back to that later.
The JAG GPS S2 has many functions. First of all, it allows you to locate your dog in case of escape or to follow it during one of its walks, in the event that you lose sight of it, thanks to GPS tracking. A “virtual fence” function allows you to define a security zone around your home where the animal is allowed to venture. As soon as it leaves it, a notification is sent to us.
The monitor also tracks the animal’s sleep and rest, as well as its weight and nutrition. It is even possible to enter the dog’s kibble among the biggest brands – but those from Dame Yuko were not listed – or the BARF rations given in order to receive recommendations on the quantity of food to give according to its activity. The Ghost function allows the owner to be informed if anomalies are detected in the animal’s habits or behavior. It is even possible to be warned in the event of an epileptic seizure or a shock which, depending on its intensity, could be synonymous with an accident. Fortunately, we did not have to test these options.
Of course, a connected collar would be nothing without tracking the dog’s outdoor activities. Thus, the JAG GPS S2 supports walks, canicross, caniVTT, free course (agility), canirando and hunting. You can then find detailed statistics of its activity (distance covered, calories burned, etc.) as well as the route to download in GPX format. It is even possible to add photos for each of them and share these moments. However, one downside: for each walk, you have to press the “Go” button and select the type of activity for the application to take it into account, which requires you to always be glued to your smartphone…
The app also has “Away” or “Dog-sitter” modes, to be able to ensure the well-being of your pet remotely, but in reality, we had a hard time seeing the usefulness, because the app did not really provide us with any information… Finally, a family sharing function allows you to share your profile with your loved ones and keep an eye on the animal’s activities together. Note that it is possible to manage several dog profiles from your account.
Jagger & Lewis JAG GPS S2: the Smartdock, an essential extension
Connected to your box via Wi-Fi, the Smartdock is an optional accessory that increases the range and functions of the JAG GPS S2. It takes the form of a black base, which allows you to directly recharge the box, and an antenna. Please note that it must be permanently connected via the USB cable provided with it. A light indicator lets you know instantly if the dog is nearby.
Among the proposed improvements is the permanent virtual fence with a range of 50 meters – practical when you have a large plot of land – and the Smart mode on the GPS activity collar which increases its autonomy up to 3 months. Permanently connected, the Smartdock allows you to monitor the behavior and well-being data of the animal in real time, without having to synchronize the box with the smartphone. Note that a single Smartdock can manage up to ten connected collars. In short, a nice but dispensable addition, which will be especially useful for intensive users of the collar, with many dogs or large properties.
Jagger & Lewis JAG GPS S2: a connected collar for outdoor dogs
So, is the Jagger & Lewis smart collar a must-have accessory? Let’s be honest: it’s not. You can definitely do without it. It’s not for everyone, but for owners with very specific needs. As the owner of a small apartment dog who leads a rather cushy life, the JAG GPS S2 didn’t find its place in our daily life. The fault lies in the bulky size of the case, an application that is sometimes not very intuitive and some functions that seem superficial or confusing – we are thinking in particular of the well-being score, which is far too general and cannot take into account the individual specificities of each dog. But we are fully aware that our profile did not suit what Jagger & Lewis offers. For us, the smart collar will rather delight owners of large dogs who love the great outdoors.
The question of price remains. While the collar itself is quite affordable, the question of the subscription could put some people off. Clearly, the one at €9.90 per month without commitment is not worth it. It is better to take the one-year plan with commitment. Finally, the lifetime subscription can be a very good deal for collar addicts, even if it represents a huge sum to pay, but it is really advantageous in the long term, since it comes to €5 per month over three years. Because yes, beware of the misleading name, the description mentions “a minimum 3-year operating guarantee”. So it’s “for life”, but under conditions.