Toggr, smartwatch security for your kid – Review

Growing up as a 80s or a 90s kid is totally different from a kid from this age. Back in those days, I father thought very less about my security. But I have to keep thinking about it always for my kid. I have to be constantly on alert. Kids can face threats and problems from anywhere. But they must be able to reach a trusted guardian instantly. Kids can’t be given a mobile as well. So how do we address this? How do we constantly monitor the kid, without probing too much into their privacy? How do we assure them that, help is just a click away? Here is a solution: Toggr

I first saw Toggr at the India Gadgets Expo. I have seen many such devices in the past. One such device was the Intex iRist Junior. There are tonnes of products out there that claim to be your kid’s watch dog. But they are either clunky or too complex to be a successful solution. Toggr impressed me with its simplicity. So here is a review of the Toggr, smartwatch guarding for your kid.

Design

This is a watch for the kids. It is to be worn on a small hand and it has to carry all the tech. It can’t look like a piece of tech and it looks more like a toy watch. It is slightly heavy and the kid has to get used to the form factor for a while. I would suggest getting him/her used to the watch for a while. Give the watch to the kid while at home and let him play around with it. Let them get used to the functions of the watch as well.

The display is not always on. It lights up when any key is pressed. Above the display is the speaker and below is the mic. On the sides, there are three buttons: Call, Power and WIN. Call is to attend calls, Power is to get the power on or off and the WIN is to call an emergency number, When in need. The other side has a flap to reveal the micro USB charging port and a micro SIM card slot.

The watch and the strap are made of a single material mould and that gives it better strength. But option to switch straps could have been a fun feature for the kids. It is water resistant to an extent. Overall the design of the Toggr, is like that of a toy watch. Many would not realize that it is a security device. The weight and the form factor of the watch could have been lower. It is rugged and it can take a beating when used by a kid.

Setup

Setting up the device was very simple and it took me 5 minutes to get started. After powering up the watch and installing the application, I signed up for the service. Once the profile is setup, you would have to scan the QR code to get the mobile paired up with Toggr. That’s it. It’s that simple.

Performance

The main feature of Toggr is to track the location of the kid. So you must have an active SIM card on the device with 2G and GPRS enabled. It also used WiFi signal for GPS accuracy. The app can find the location of the watch accurate to a few meters. I wish it also showed the altitude. Without that In a multi-storied building, Toggr become irrelevant. It can also track the kid’s physical activity with the inbuilt pedometer.

When the registered parent number makes a call to the Toggr, the ring tone is audible. When the kid attends the call, the voice is clear and audible both ways. I wish there was a stealth mode to listen to the kid’s environment. This would come handy when, probably there is a perpetrator who needs to be monitored, without alerting him/her. Voice calling and GPS tracking are the primary functions of the Toggr, and its performance is impressive.

Availability and Pricing

The device is available in 3 colors. It is available to buy from toggrworld.com for Rs 2499. For Rs 2499 you get the device and 6 month free subscription. After 6 months, you will have to renew the subscription for another 6 months by paying Rs 599. This subscription service is charged for using the app and the entire Toggr set of service that comes along with it. Without it, you can still call the Kid on the watch, but you won’t be able to track the kid or track his fitness.

Verdict

Tracking devices were a thing we used to see only in spy movies. I wanted to get one when I first sent my kid to the school. I had separation anxiety more than my kid. Now that the Toggr is here, I might consider buying one for myself.

It is slightly bulky. It is designed to look like a kid’s toy and not to attract unwanted attention. I wish Toggr comes in some other form-factor as well. Like a small pendant or button, something more discreet. On its functionality, the Toggr does not fail you. It does what is says. The battery on it lasts for 1 day. I wish the standby time was more than just 1 day. But still I would highly recommend parents to consider buying the Toggr for the safety of their kids.