GemPet PF-103 SmartFeeder Review

GemPet SmartFeeder Review

GemPet SmartFeeder allows you to program and control the automatic feeder anytime from anywhere with your SmartPhone, iPad or Tablet. You need to download the free SmartFeeder App which is compatible with Operative Systems iOS and Android.

GemPet SmartFeeder works even if disconnected from Wi-Fi, it will switch the setting to “Offline Feeding Model” to dispense the food according to the programmed schedule.

The unit dispenses a minimum of 30 grams and up to 100 grams per serving. The App allows you to monitor the amount of food served each time. The feeder features a real-time camera so you can watch and talk to your pet anytime from anywhere. The 1-megapixel camera records your pet’s activity in daylight.

FEATURES

• SmartFeeder App allows you to: Real-time talkback, take photos and videos in real time, feed your pet anytime remotely, program a feeding schedule that will repeat automatically, select meal portions, receive notifications, record a personal message calling your pet to eat (up to 10 seconds), monitor your pet’s feeding activity.
• Operating systems: Requires iOS 7 or above. Compatible with iPhone, iPad / Android: 4.0 or later.
• Each meal size can be set from 1-10 portions (1 portion=24 ml, approx. 2 tbsp)
• Dispenses up to 4 times a day
• Share your pet’s snapshots on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+
• Supports up to a 32GB memory card (not included).
• Camera: 1 Megapixels, view angle 120°
• Power source: AC/DC adapter, 5V/2A voltage (included) or 3 D size alkaline batteries (not included)
• Rated Voltage: 110-240V
• Easy to clean with removable food tray and food hopper
• Strong Magnetic lock on top lid to prevent cats from opening the feeder
• High-quality motor with self-protection
• Blue backlight on LCD display
• Low battery indicator
• Dimensions: 9.8”L x 7.5”W x 15”H (with tray collapsed)
• Dimensions: 9.8”L x 11.8”W x 15”H (with tray opened)
• Tray length: 4.3 “
• Hopper capacity: 4.3L (approx. 4 lbs dry food)
• Weight: 4.7 lbs
• Material: food grade ABS plastic

WHAT COMES WITH THE UNIT:

• 1 x GemPet SmartFeeder
• 1x Power Adapter
• 1 x User’s Manual

HOW IT WORKS

At the bottom of the hopper, there is a small piece that rotates moving the kibble towards a tray that is divided into small slots located at the bottom of the food container. This small tray rotates as well dropping the kibble towards the chute.

The feeder connects to the home Wi-Fi network and can be controlled through the free-download SmartFeeder App.

The feeder features offline feedings in case you lose the internet connection. These off lines feedings are dispensed according to the programmed automatic feeding schedule.

CHECK HOW TO VIDEO

The programming and App

You can program the feeder to dispense an automatic feeding schedule up to 4 meals a day that will repeat every day automatically or you can trigger manual feedings through the App.

Each meal size can be customized from approx. 2 tablespoons up to one cup of dry food at a time. To program the meal size you need to select from 1 to 10 portions for each meal, being 1 portion equal to 2 full tablespoons. If you want to skip a feeding simply slide the bar “enable/disable” on the App.

Once you push the option video on the App main menu you will see the camera features: “Gallery” that stores the pictures were taken, “Listening” when you want to listen to your pet, “Fold” to play videos, “Snapshot” to take pictures of your pet, “Speak” to talk to your pet, “Video” to record your pet.

Also, you can check your pet’s feeding activity with a chart that shows your pet’s daily food intake. This is a good feature because you can monitor your cat’s health. When pets eat less is a sign of health issues. The Petnet automatic feeder offers this same excellent feature.

Additionally, there is a sensor inside the unit that stops the automatic feeding once the feeder has dispensed over 13 portions in the food tray.

PROS

• Free downloadable app
• Ability to customize meal sizes and dispensing times
• If the feeder jams you will receive a notification on your SmartPhone
• Good accuracy on portions
• Good quality of video (no lagging / low speed on App)
• You get notified when the hopper is low on food
• Good quality of speaker/audio
• You can change timezone
• It keeps dispensing even if your internet connection drops
• It can be plugged or powered with batteries
• A feeding chart on the App allows you to monitor how much your cat eats
• You can turn off the feeder without losing the programming

CONS

• It can’t be programmed to dispense tiny amounts of foods in between meals (less than 2 full tablespoons)
• Video call is unidirectional (you can’t talk to your pet and listen to your pet at the same time)
• Camera doesn’t feature night vision
• Power button ON/OFF located at the bottom of the feeder
• The feeder doesn’t work well with big irregular shaped kibble
• If you feed a big meal the chute may get blocked by piled up kibble close to the chute
• It may be tricky to connect the Smartphone to Android which sometimes become unresponsive, but with some patience it will work (the Android app seems to have bugs and pops up errors often).
• Camera vision doesn’t reach the food tray.
• Hard to find the right App in Google Store.
• Camera doesn’t feature motion detection so you won’t know when your cat is eating to see it through the camera.

CONCLUSION

GemPet SmartFeeder has another commercial name, PetWant Smartfeeder PF-103, but it’s the same feeder with the same features. The feeder works as advertised in the sense that it dispenses food at the programmed feeding schedules and it can be controlled through the SmartFeeder App. Some points to mention about this unit:

• Android connection to the App could be tricky.
• If using medium-size round kibble the accuracy is better. The ideal kibble diameter is between 0.75~1.5cm
• GemPet SmartFeeder is suitable for a single cat that is not too obsessed with food.
• The quality of signal probably will depend on where you are watching your pet from.

BOTTOM LINE

√ GemPet SmartFeeder may be suitable:

• To use with iOS 7.0 or above
• To feed a single cat not too obsessed with food
• To feed your cat medium sized rounded kibble

x The unit may not be suitable:

• If you have an Android and you want an easy connection with the App.
• If you feed your cat very small or very big irregular shaped kibble
• If your cat likes to tip things over
• If you want a notification when your cat is eating