Gadgets designed to help locate lost items

Have trouble keeping tabs on all your stuff? New devices promise to help you locate whatever you're missing. Consumer Reports just tested three to see how well they work.

You know the problem. You can't find your keys, or your wallet, or anything else. There are devices that can help. And who better to test them than Consumer Reports' Bernie Deitrick.

The devices - the Find Your Stuff Stick and Find, the Cobra Tag, and the BiKN. All three allow you to tag your stuff and find it when it's lost using your smart phone.

"All of these have limited ranges. You have to be within about 30 feet for them to be effective,'' said Deitrick.

So Deitrick went about tagging items, then hiding them all around Consumer Reports' headquarters. Then he tried to find everything.

The least expensive $25 Stick and Find sometimes took up to two minutes to find a signal - frustrating when you are in a rush to find something.

The BiKN was quicker, but it costs $100 and at the moment is only available for the iPhone 4 and 4S.

The Cobra Tag is just as quick but works with more devices, and at $40 isn't as tough on your wallet - that is if you can find your wallet. The Cobra Tag can work in reverse, too. So if you've lost your cell phone but still have your tagged keys, press the tag and - as long as your phone is on - the tag will ring the phone.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.

(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2010. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

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