Milwaukee Tool and Equipment Tracker

As a professional in the construction industry, I often find myself juggling numerous tools and equipment across various job sites. It’s not uncommon for tools to get misplaced, borrowed, or even stolen, costing valuable time and resources to locate or replace them. Enter Milwaukee’s Tool and Equipment Tracker, or simply, the Tick. This small, Bluetooth-enabled device promises to help keep track of your tools, providing peace of mind and aiding in inventory management. I decided to give it a thorough test to see if it lives up to the hype.

Design and Build Quality

Right off the bat, the Tick impresses with its rugged design. Measuring just 2.13 inches in length and weighing a mere 0.05 lbs, it’s compact and unobtrusive. The device is built to withstand harsh conditions, being weather, water, and dust resistant. This makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, a crucial feature for any tool tracker intended for construction environments.

The Tick offers multiple attachment options, such as gluing, screwing, riveting, or strapping, making it incredibly versatile. However, I did find that gluing wasn’t as secure as I hoped, with some units detaching after a few days. Screwing or riveting seems to be the more reliable method for a long-term attachment.

Setup and Usability

Setting up the Tick was relatively straightforward. The accompanying One-Key app guides you through the process, which involves registering the device and attaching it to your tool or equipment. The app allows you to log each Tick to individual tools, complete with model and serial numbers, and even schedule maintenance alerts. This feature is particularly useful for keeping track of service dates and ensuring that your equipment is always in top condition.

However, I did experience some hiccups. The app occasionally failed to sync properly, and there were times when it wouldn’t update the location of the Tick. Restarting the app or my smartphone usually resolved these issues, but it was a minor inconvenience that could be frustrating in a high-paced work environment.

Performance and Accuracy

The Tick operates within a 100-foot Bluetooth range, providing location updates through the One-Key app. In my tests, the device performed well in open spaces and smaller job sites. It was particularly useful for tools that I use infrequently, as it gave me a general idea of where to look, saving time and reducing frustration.

However, the performance was less reliable in urban or multi-story environments. For instance, in a crowded building materials store, the Tick struggled to provide accurate location updates. The Bluetooth signal is two-dimensional, which means it doesn’t fare well in complex, multi-level structures. This limitation reduces its effectiveness in urban settings or large construction sites.

Crowd-Sourced Tracking

One of the Tick’s standout features is its ability to crowd-source location data from other One-Key app users. In theory, this should help you locate your tools even if they are out of your Bluetooth range. Unfortunately, this feature is highly dependent on the number of people using the One-Key app in your area. In my experience, the crowd-sourced tracking was hit or miss. In areas with a higher concentration of One-Key users, the feature worked reasonably well. However, in less populated or rural areas, it was virtually useless.

Battery Life and Maintenance

The Tick is powered by a replaceable 3V Lithium-Ion coin cell battery, boasting over a year of runtime. The app provides low battery alerts, ensuring you’re never caught off guard by a dead tracker. Replacing the battery was straightforward, and the device continued to function seamlessly after the replacement.

Practical Applications

Despite its limitations, the Tick has several practical applications. It’s excellent for keeping track of tools that are frequently borrowed or prone to being misplaced. The ability to geo-fence job sites can discourage “borrow-theft,” where tools are taken home with the intention of being returned but never are. By receiving alerts when tools leave a designated area, you can quickly address any potential issues.

The Tick also provides valuable insights into worker activity. For instance, if a tracked tool hasn’t moved by a certain time, it might indicate that work hasn’t started as scheduled. This can help project managers identify and address delays more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Milwaukee’s Tool and Equipment Tracker, or the Tick, is a well-built, versatile tool tracker that offers several useful features for managing and securing your tools. Its rugged design and multiple attachment options make it suitable for a wide range of environments. The One-Key app, despite some minor issues, provides a comprehensive tool management system, complete with maintenance alerts and inventory logging.

However, the Tick’s reliance on Bluetooth limits its effectiveness in urban or multi-story environments, and the crowd-sourced tracking feature is only as good as the number of One-Key users in your area. While it’s not a foolproof solution, it can certainly save time and reduce the frustration of misplaced or borrowed tools.

Would I recommend the Tick? If you operate in smaller job sites or areas with a high concentration of One-Key users, the Tick can be a valuable addition to your tool management arsenal. However, if you work primarily in urban or multi-story environments, or in areas with few One-Key users, you may find its performance lacking.

In conclusion, the Tick is not a perfect tool tracker, but it does offer several useful features that can make managing your tools easier and more efficient. Just be aware of its limitations and use it as part of a broader tool management strategy.