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In a stroke of luck at my local Action store, I snagged the Fresh ’n Rebel Smart Finder—an AirTag alternative that integrates seamlessly with Apple’s “Find My” network. At a jaw-dropping price of three for €14.95, it’s hard to resist. But how does this budget-friendly tracker perform in daily use?
First Impressions and Unboxing
The deal seemed too good to pass up, so I drove to Action and grabbed one of the last white units available. With AirTag alternatives flooding the market, this stands out as the cheapest option by far.
Technical Specifications:
- Compatibility: Apple “Find My”
- Speaker: 75 dB
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- Water Resistance: IP53
- Dimensions: 37 x 37 x 9.5 mm
- Weight: 3 g
- Battery: CR2032
Opening the package was a challenge; I had to use scissors to free the device. Inside, I found the Smart Finder, a basic keychain, and a multilingual manual. The design is straightforward: a Fresh ’n Rebel logo, a speaker, a button for pairing and sound signals, and a slot for battery replacement.
Setup and Integration
Setting up the Smart Finder is a breeze. Open the Apple “Find My” app, go to “Devices” or “Items” tap the “+” in the top right corner, and select “Add Other Item” Press the button on the Smart Finder until your iPhone recognizes it as 6ATAG3 (branded by Sitecom). The rest is familiar territory: assign a name, pick an icon, and you’re done.
Performance and Daily Use
The Smart Finder delivers all the standard features: play a sound, mark as lost, or get reminders if you leave it behind. However, it lacks UWB (ultrawideband) support, which means no precision finding like the original AirTag offers.
During my test, the Smart Finder was detected eight times throughout the day. This gives a reasonable chance that a lost item will be found and returned, though there’s no guarantee.
A Peek Inside: PCB and Chip
Curious about the inner workings, I opened up the Fresh ’n Rebel Smart Finder. On one side of the PCB, we have the battery and speaker—the user-facing components. Flipping the board reveals the core of the tracker: an ASR5601A chip. For more information on this chip, you can visit the ASR Micro website.
The ASR5601A is surrounded by a few supporting components, including a 16MHz crystal oscillator and a push button. The crystal ensures accurate timing for the Bluetooth communication, while the button facilitates pairing and signal emission. This setup underscores a simple yet effective design focused on essential tracking functions.
Pros:
- Price: Unbeatable for the features offered.
- Network Integration: Seamless with Apple’s “Find My”
Cons:
- Speaker Volume: At 75 dB, it’s quiet. If it’s buried in a couch or under a pillow, you might not hear it.
- Battery Replacement: Tricky. The narrow slot makes it hard to change the battery without a tool like a knife.
- Lack of Official Information: No dedicated product page or detailed info from the manufacturer, causing some confusion.
Conclusion
Is the Fresh ’n Rebel Smart Finder worth it? Absolutely. Despite a few minor issues, it performs on par with other AirTag alternatives at a fraction of the cost. For its unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, it earns a strong recommendation. If you’re in the market for a reliable, cost-effective tracker, this one should be at the top of your list.
