# Had an idea - an air tag? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [September 30, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598 "2026-09-30T22:46:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aloki329](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/aloki329/32/812_2.png) [@Aloki329](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Aloki329)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/1 "2026-09-30T22:46:01Z")
So as I watched the weather last few days a thought crossed my mind a few times, “ I hope I don’t hear from the bay constable that Aloki broke loose .” Speedy action ,if you break loose , is probably important to limit damage if she goes up on the beach. As as I ordered two new air tags to replaced old /damaged ones I thought , why not leave one aboard? In addition , the location of that stolen Bermuda 40 ( later found in Newport RI) by an observant Harbor Master might have been found sooner with an air tag aboard . Anyway - just a thought …⚓ ---
**Author:** ![briancayer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/briancayer/32/46_2.png) [@briancayer](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/briancayer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/2 "2026-10-01T00:57:33Z")
Good idea, Gary. I’m ordering some tomorrow. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Rob](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/rob/32/11_2.png) [@Rob](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Rob)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/3 "2026-10-01T01:08:36Z")
My ( limited) understanding of how air tags work is that they use Bluetooth Low Energy to broadcast location to any device able to relay it. ( millions of devices ) If/when it reaches a device with connectivity the device sends it into the net. Boats on a mooring would need a operating cell phone aboard or within 10-30 meters. With low orbit satellites about to enter the fray, we may not be far from affordable connectivity for things like this. Fingers crossed. ---
**Author:** ![briancayer](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/briancayer/32/46_2.png) [@briancayer](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/briancayer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 3:12am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/4 "2026-10-01T03:12:57Z")
Rob You must’ve watched the launching of 23 low orbit satellites from Space X to add to the band width. Bandwidth equals cheaper communications. I was enthralled by the whole video. An amazing accomplishment. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Rob](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/rob/32/11_2.png) [@Rob](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Rob)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 11:35am UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/5 "2026-10-01T11:35:15Z")
Was thinking a bit more about air tags… I doubt they store enough energy to run GPS hardware… I’ll bet they rely on the relay device (celll phone) to provide location. I hope someone in the group knows more about air tags and will correct my guesses if I’m wrong. Sail on, Rob ---
**Author:** ![Rendezvous](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/rendezvous/32/776_2.png) [@Rendezvous](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Rendezvous)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/6 "2026-10-01T14:58:08Z")
We bought five Galaxy Smart Tags for our luggage for a trip we took this summer and now have repurposed them to our cars, my bike, and our Nonsuch and its dink. When we travel, I will pull them out of the cars/boats and put them back in the luggage. The one for the bike is hopefully going inside the frame this week - not easily pulled back out. The one for the Nonsuch is going in today and then I will call my wife to see if she can locate the boat. The dink is getting hauled soon and I will wait on that until next spring. As with Airtags, they are worthless unless a compatible phone is nearby and in the proper configuration to receive the signal that the tag broadcasts. How close is nearby - Wikipedia says 30 m for Airtag, 120 m for the Smart Tag. Not sure why such a big difference. Also - if there is no cell service (which was the case for most of our trip to Alaska), the tag is worthless. If somone steals the boat and heads offshore, beyond cell range . . . ---
**Author:** ![Aloki329](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/aloki329/32/812_2.png) [@Aloki329](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Aloki329)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/7 "2026-10-01T15:17:51Z")
I won’t go to Alaska then ! ---
**Author:** ![Rob](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/rob/32/11_2.png) [@Rob](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Rob)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/8 "2026-10-01T18:07:13Z")
Gary, at least not on your Nonsuch. I’m holding out till satellite service is just an extension of my other connectivity expenses. I’m expecting getting home, mobile, and boat all covered for about $100-150 per mo. Boats I’ve been on that already have StarLink have plenty uses for it, it’s too expensive for my budget. Sail on… just not to Alaska ! Rob… ---
**Author:** ![Vela33](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/nonsuch.discourse.group/vela33/32/159_2.png) [@Vela33](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/u/Vela33)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/had-an-idea-an-air-tag/10598/9 "2026-10-01T20:53:25Z")
Same here. Right now, Starlink is still considerably more expensive than our cable internet/VOIP phone package, but prices are falling and they are starting to offer promotional deals such as free equipment for a residential setup in some areas. With the V3 Starlink satellites beginning deployment a few days ago they will soon have the bandwidth to service many more customers. And they will want to get as many people signed up as possible before Amazon’s LEO system becomes competitive. It’s changing fast and I suspect that a year from now I’ll probably be switched over. And I do look forward to having it on my boat. A friend brought his portable antenna along one time and it was handy to have as we are usually in a cellphone dead area much of the day. It’s just not important enough to pay current prices for. The only connectivity we really need is the VHF.