For maps, passports, and suitcases: Three "Where is?" gadgets that could save your vacation

Scapade offers three travel gadgets with integrated trackers that can be located via Apple's "Find My" network: a card holder, a passport cover, and a TSA luggage lock. ntv.de tested them to see if they're worth the money.

Traveling can be hectic, and you're often tired, stressed, and distracted. In such situations, it's easy to forget something and leave it behind, making you easier prey for thieves. If your credit cards, ID, or suitcase are lost, your vacation is ruined. Three new gadgets from the Cyprus-registered startup Scapade are designed to prevent this by equipping them with trackers that can be located via Apple's "Find My" network. ntv.de tested them out.

The €50 MagCard Pro is a card holder that magnetically attaches to a MagSafe-enabled iPhone. When unfolded, it can serve as a continuously adjustable stand for the device, making it doubly useful for travel.

The gadget is made of rustic faux leather with reinforced plastic inserts. It's neatly crafted, the seams are straight, and the metal hinge connecting the two halves feels sturdy.

The MagCard Pro can hold a total of three plastic cards, and one of the inner slots has a clear plastic window. The outer pocket is a bit more airy, making it better suited for business cards. Bank cards might sit too loosely there. If you prefer, you can also insert folded bills into the pockets.

Robust impression, ...

The MagCard Pro adheres firmly and securely to an iPhone with a MagSafe back. It doesn't budge even when opened to remove or store cards. The hinge locks into place when fully opened.

Otherwise, the hinge can be continuously adjusted until it clicks back into place when closed. It's stiff enough to hold at any angle. This makes the MagSafe Pro an ideal stand for the iPhone, and it can also hold the device in landscape format. This is ideal for watching videos or using the phone as a smart display while charging on the nightstand.

Integrating it into the "Find My" network is incredibly easy. Open the corresponding app on your iPhone, tap Add Item on the Items tab, or tap the plus sign and then Other Item . Then hold the MagCard Pro's power button for one second, and shortly thereafter, the card holder will appear in the app.

After tapping Connect , you can change the name if necessary and tap Continue . Now you can select a suitable emoji and tap Continue again.

... but the sound is gone

The app then shows what's possible with lost items. However, not all of these options apply to the Scapade card holder. You can locate it on a map to navigate to it, or have it play a sound to help you find it. You can also be notified if you leave it behind. However, if it's lost, you can't leave messages for finders who could read them on their iPhones.

In testing, the tracking function worked flawlessly, but the sound that's supposed to help with the search stopped working after a few test runs. This may be a problem with an early-production device, but it raises doubts about the quality of the gadget.

According to Scapade, the integrated battery lasts about nine months. The MagCard Pro is charged wirelessly, so you'll need an inductive charger. A depleted battery can be fully charged in about 1.5 hours.

AirPass

The Scapade AirPass also costs €50 and serves as a passport holder. It's made from the same materials as the MagCard Pro and has a similarly rustic look. Additional pockets inside offer space for plastic or business cards, or an ID card.

The passport slides into its holder with its back facing down, so you don't have to remove it to open it. It sits there absolutely securely, and you don't have to worry about it slipping out.

The AirPass is set up like the card holder, and so far, the scanning tone still works. However, unlike the MagSafe Pro, it cannot be turned off by pressing the power button for five seconds, despite the manufacturer's claim that it can.

That's if you can even read the included instructions. Because the print in all three included booklets is so tiny that even healthy eyes can barely read it.

The AirPass's battery is also said to last nine months. According to Scapade, an empty battery can be charged in two hours.

AirLock

The third gadget is a suitcase lock for €40. It's TSA-certified, which means it can be opened by security personnel using a special key. This is especially important for entry into the US, where you want to avoid having your lock broken during security checks. Numerous other countries also accept the technology.

Like many other simple TSA locks, the AirLock is made primarily of plastic, but it appears sturdy enough to fulfill its purpose. This is to prevent quick access by thieves. It doesn't have to be made of solid steel for this; after all, thieves could also break the handle, eyelets, or zipper of a suitcase, or cut open its sides. Professionals often have TSA keys. Therefore, a comparatively thin steel cable is sufficient for securing luggage.

The AirLock basically works like other TSA locks. Its combination is factory-set to 000. To change it, you flip a switch, enter a new combination, and return the switch to its original position.

To connect the lock to "Find My," you briefly press a switch, just like with the other two Scapade gadgets. So far, everything has worked perfectly with this device. However, like the AirPass, you can't turn the device off, even though the instructions, which are also far too short, say so.

Scapade states the battery life is approximately three months. The AirLock is not charged inductively, but via a USB-C port; a full charge takes approximately two hours.

Conclusion

The three "Find My" travel companions generally make a good impression and do what they're designed to do. The defective speaker on the map holder and the devices that can't be turned off may be issues with pre-production products, but they're also a reason for caution.