Now shipping to UK

Track every aircraft.
Instantly.

PixelRadar turns any screen into a live flight tracker. Choose Standard for everyday plane spotting, or go Pilot Edition to follow specific flights and track the ISS.

Standard
£139
• In stock — ships in 48hrs
Pilot Edition
£169
⏳ Pre-sale — limited places
One-time purchase · No Subscriptions · Free UK shipping
PixelRadar showing live helicopter data on a shelf
✓ No app & no subscription
✓ Setup in under 5 minutes
✓ 30-day returns
✓ Handmade in Dorset, UK
How it works

Up and running in 5 minutes,
no app or registration required.

PixelRadar connects to your home Wi-Fi and pulls live ADS-B data straight to the display. Just plug in and follow four simple steps.

01
🔌

Plug in your PixelRadar

Connect to any USB port or power adapter. The display lights up and creates its own Wi-Fi network within seconds.

02
📶

Join the PixelRadar Wi-Fi

On any phone, tablet or laptop, connect to the PixelRadar Wi-Fi network. No password, no app, no account needed.

03
📍

Set your location

Enter your postcode or allow location access. PixelRadar uses this to find aircraft in your area and display them accurately.

04
⚙️

Customise or leave as default

Choose which aircraft types to show, set display preferences, active hours, and more — or just leave the defaults and enjoy.

▶
Watch PixelRadar in action
Replace with YouTube or Vimeo embed · approx 60 seconds
Zero faff. Guaranteed.

No app. No subscription. No nonsense.

You already pay for Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, Amazon Prime, that fitness app you opened twice, and at least one VPN you’re not sure you actually need. PixelRadar will not be adding to that list.

Pay once. Own it forever. Updates are free for the lifetime of the device. Use it from any phone, tablet, or computer — no app needed, just a browser.

Features by edition

Two products. One clear upgrade.

Both editions are plug-and-play with no subscription. The Pilot Edition adds individual flight tracking and ISS mode for pilots, cabin crew families, and space enthusiasts.

Both editions
✈️
Aircraft radar
Everything flying within 200nm — live, on a map.
Commercial, military & private aircraft
Police, coastguard & air ambulance
Callsign, altitude, speed & heading
Adjustable range radius
✈ Pilot Edition only
🛩
Track up to 10 flights
Follow a pilot or cabin crew member’s exact aircraft location and progress.
Pin up to 10 flights simultaneously
Track by callsign
Live progress, distance from home, distance to go & ETA
Standard telemetry such as altitude, speed, heading & squawk
Landing confirmed notification
✈ Pilot Edition only
🛸
ISS mode
Track the International Space Station as it passes overhead.
Real-time ISS speed, altitude, distance away
Next visible pass for your location
Countdown to overhead crossing
Custom data
Easy setup

Up and running in 5 minutes

⏰ Average setup time: 4 min 32 sec

1

Plug in the receiver

Connect PixelRadar to any USB port. The LED turns green when it’s ready.

2

Connect to its Wi-Fi hotspot

PixelRadar creates its own local network. Join “PixelRadar-XXXX” from any device.

3

Open the app or browser

Open any browser to 192.168.1.1 or use our free iOS/Android app.

4

Watch the skies

Aircraft appear within seconds. Take it anywhere.

📱
Wi-Fi setup screen
🗺
Live radar view
⚙️
Settings screen
✈️
Aircraft detail view
Gallery

See PixelRadar up close

Official product photography and real customer shots — because you should know exactly what you’re getting.

Why not just use your phone?

Your phone can show you flights.
PixelRadar is better.

Yes, you could open Flightradar24 on your phone. But there are some very good reasons why a dedicated display beats it every time.

😵

Use your phone less

PixelRadar sits on your desk and runs continuously. No unlocking your phone, opening an app, or getting distracted by notifications. Just glance and go.

📻

A proper desk gadget

PixelRadar looks great on a desk, windowsill or bookshelf. It’s a conversation starter — a piece of tech you’re genuinely proud to have on display.

👀

Always on, always visible

Glance at it from across the room. See what’s overhead right now without touching anything. Your phone goes to sleep — PixelRadar never does.

👪

The whole family can see it

A shared display means everyone in the room can watch together. Kids love pointing at aircraft as they appear. Much more fun than passing a phone around.

🎯

One thing, done brilliantly

No ads, no algorithm, no app updates nagging you. Just live aircraft data, beautifully displayed.

✈️

More data, more detail

With the Pilot Edition, you get real-time distance from home, distance to go, squawk codes and full telemetry — data you can’t get at a glance on a phone app.

What people are saying

Loved by plane spotters

100+
Units sold
4.8★
Average rating
98%
Would recommend
🏴️
UK Manufactured
★★★★★

“Absolutely brilliant. Took it to the Heathrow spotters field and had 60+ aircraft on screen in seconds. The range is genuinely impressive.”

MH
Mark H.
Aviation enthusiast · Manchester
★★★★★

“Set it up in 3 minutes. My 12-year-old figured it out before I did. Perfect for the family — we take it everywhere now.”

SR
Sarah R.
Verified buyer · Bristol
★★★★★

“Much better than the competition. Clean interface, better range, no subscription. Switched from NearestPlane and haven’t looked back.”

JP
James P.
Pilot · Edinburgh
Rob, Theo and Elyssa
Who made this?

Built by a dad and his two kids, in Dorset.

“Theo asked why we couldn’t see planes on a little screen. We built one to find out.”
R
Rob
Builds & codes everything
E
Elyssa, 14
Social media & website
T
Theo, 10
Chief Ideas Officer

Every unit is packed by Theo personally. No warehouse. No call centre. Just a family in Dorset who love planes.

How we compare

PixelRadar vs other trackers

We’d rather let the features do the talking. Here’s how PixelRadar stacks up — without naming names.

Feature
PixelRadar
Standard & Pilot
Other Trackers
Generic comparison
Standard & Pilot Edition
Radar view with orientation
Shows aircraft direction & heading on a live radar sweep
✗ No
Warbird tracking
Spitfires, P-51 Mustangs, Lancasters & historic aircraft
✗ No
Track up to 20 aircraft simultaneously
Full details on each aircraft
Sometimes
Large 128×64 LED matrix display
Competitors often use smaller, less detailed 64×32 panels
Sometimes
Custom aircraft type view
Filter by commercial, military, private, helicopter etc.
Sometimes
Sleep timer, clock & screensavers
Doubles as a clock or ambient display
Sometimes
Custom settings — squawk codes & routes
Advanced filters for enthusiasts
Sometimes
No app required
Just open a browser on any device
✗ App needed
No monthly subscription
Pay once, own forever
✗ Often monthly
✈ Pilot Edition only
Track up to 10 individual flights
Pin specific callsigns — ideal for families of pilots & cabin crew
Max 3or none at all
Enhanced accurate route data
Departure, destination, waypoints & accurate live ETA
Sometimes
ISS space station tracking
Real-time ISS position, next pass & crew. No other tracker does this.
✗ No
Choose your PixelRadar

Two editions. One great tracker.

Standard ships within 1–2 working days. Pilot Edition is available to pre-order now — we enter production at 30 orders. Free lifetime firmware updates on both editions. No subscriptions. Ever.

Standard
£139
One-time · Free UK shipping
• In stock — ships within 48 hours
What’s included
✓Live virtual aircraft radar from your position
✓Support for Apple iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Linux
✓Commercial, military, police & private aircraft
✓Plug-and-play USB-C setup
✓Free lifetime firmware updates
—Flight tracking (up to 10)
—ISS tracking mode
Best for families of pilots and crew
Pilot Edition
£169
One-time · Free UK shipping
⏳ Pre-sale — we enter production at 30 orders
Everything in Standard, plus
✓
Track up to 10 flights simultaneously
Follow a pilot or cabin crew member’s exact aircraft location and progress
✓
ISS tracking mode
Real-time ISS position, next visible pass, where to look in the sky & current crew — Theo’s favourite feature
✓
Enhanced accurate route data
Flight path detail including departure and destination airport data, and accurate live ETA

Not sure which to choose? Ask Rob directly →

After payment you’ll receive a short email from us to confirm your delivery address.

Technical specs

Built for serious tracking

Designed in the UK. Engineered to perform in any weather, at any altitude.

Display
RGB LED Matrix 320mm × 160mm
P2.5 full-colour display
Processor
ESP32-S3 Microcontroller
Powerful dual-core processor
Data source
ADS-B public flight tracking APIs
4× sources for redundancy
Power
5V via USB-C
Standard USB power adapter or power bank
Connectivity
2.4GHz Wi-Fi
Connects to your home network
Updates
Automatic OTA updates
Free over-the-air via Wi-Fi, forever
Dimensions
32.2cm × 16.5cm × 4cm
Width × Height × Depth
Compatibility
Any Wi-Fi device with a browser
iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux
Common questions

Quick answers

Everything you need to know before you buy.

Does PixelRadar need an internet connection? ⌄
Yes, it requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi internet connection. Modern routers often run at 5GHz but will also run a second 2.4GHz network. We do not support wired ethernet connections.
Is there a subscription or ongoing cost? ⌄
No. You pay once and own it forever. Firmware updates are free for the lifetime of the device.
What’s the difference between Standard and Pilot Edition? ⌄
Standard gives you live aircraft radar. Pilot Edition adds the ability to track up to 10 individual flights by callsign (ideal for families of pilots and cabin crew), plus ISS mode to track the International Space Station.
Which devices does it work with? ⌄
Any device with Wi-Fi and a browser — iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and more.
Ready to track?

Your skies are waiting.

Standard £139 — in stock, ships in 48 hours. Pilot Edition £169 — pre-sale, entering production at 30 orders.

Free shipping · 30-day returns · Packed by Theo 📦

Our story

A dad, two kids, and a question about planes.

PixelRadar didn't start in a boardroom. It started at a kitchen table in the UK, with a ten-year-old pointing at the sky and asking "Dad, can we see that on a screen?"

It's a family business — built by hand, shipped with love, and powered entirely by curiosity.

Rob, Theo and Elyssa at the beach in Dorset
How it started

It started with a ten-year-old and a sky full of planes.

My son Theo has always been obsessed with aircraft, although I may have been guilty of encouraging that myself. From a very young age he'd stop mid-sentence, point upward, and identify whatever was overhead before the rest of us had even looked up. His go-to app was Flightradar24 — he knew how to use it before he knew his times tables.

I'm Rob — a dad with a habit of tinkering. In my spare time I'd been messing around with ESP32 microcontrollers, building temperature sensors, humidity monitors, and even a GPS speed tracker for Theo to measure his speed and distance. One weekend, Theo sat down next to me at the workbench and we built an ADS-B receiver together — a small radio antenna that listens to aircraft transponders and pulls their real-time data out of the air.

Theo's eyes went wide when the first aircraft appeared on the laptop screen. Then he looked up at me and said it — the question that started all of this:

🔧 The workbench — what we had
🔲
ESP32 microcontroller
The brains of every PixelRadar unit
📡
ADS-B radio receiver
Built together — Theo's first electronics project
🖥
Mini display
Theo's idea — "put it on a screen, Dad"
📱
Flightradar24
Theo's daily obsession — the inspiration for everything
"Dad, can we track planes on a mini display?"
— Theo, age 10 · The question that started PixelRadar
Theo in an aircraft cockpit
That's Theo

At home in a cockpit before most kids can ride a bike without stabilisers. The checklist in his hands is not a prop — he’s sitting in a real Twin Otter Seaplane.

"We spent the next few weekends soldering, coding, and arguing about where to put the antenna. The result was a small, clean display that showed live aircraft overhead — no app, no subscription, no fuss. We quickly realised we didn't need the complexity of an ADS-B receiver — we could simply connect to the free ADS-B feeds available on the internet. All we needed to do was set our location. Friends started asking if they could have one. So we made more."
— Rob, founder & builder
The bigger picture

I wanted my kids to see what it's really like to run a business.

I've built a few businesses over the years, and the thing I've always wished I'd learned earlier is that entrepreneurship isn't something you study — it's something you do. The earlier you start, the better. And now, with AI taking over so many jobs, I believe that teaching children how to think and act entrepreneurially from a young age has never been more important.

Elyssa and Theo already had a head start. They'd previously set up a 3D printing shop at school — designed products, handled orders, dealt with the occasional unhappy customer. They knew more about running a business at 12 and 8 than most adults give kids credit for.

PixelRadar became the next chapter. A real product. Real customers. Real decisions. And two young people learning what it means to build something people actually want.

🖨 The school business

Elyssa and Theo ran a 3D printing shop at school — designing, pricing, and selling to classmates and teachers. Their first real taste of enterprise.

👗 Elyssa's Vinted store

Elyssa runs her own Vinted shop and frequently tries to sell items in the house that are not nailed down. As a typical teenager she also has a natural talent for social media. She already knew how to build an audience — PixelRadar just gave her a bigger stage.

✈️ Theo's Flightradar obsession

Theo can tell you the aircraft type, airline, and likely route of any plane overhead within seconds. He's the reason PixelRadar exists.

Meet the team

Three of us. All in.

R
Rob
Founder · Builder · Chief Coder

Serial entrepreneur with a lifelong habit of taking things apart to see how they work. Rob designs the hardware, writes the code, and still somehow finds time to answer every single support message personally.

If something goes wrong with your PixelRadar, it's Rob you'll be talking to. He'll sort it.

⚙️ Hardware💻 ESP32🔧 Testing📦 Dorset
E
Elyssa, 14
Social Media · Website · Brand

Elyssa runs the PixelRadar Instagram, keeps the website updated, and has an instinct for what resonates with people online. She's been building audiences since she was old enough to hold a phone.

She also runs her own Vinted store on the side — because one business apparently isn't enough.

📸 Instagram🌐 Website🎨 Content
T
Theo, 10
Chief Ideas Officer · Head of Packing

Theo is the reason any of this exists. He asked the question, and he hasn't stopped asking questions since. What if we tracked the ISS? What if we added a night mode? What if the display changed colour when a military plane goes over?

He also packs every order with the focus of someone who knows his reputation is on the line.

💡 Ideas📦 Packing🛸 ISS (his idea)
What we believe

Small team.
Real product.
Genuine people.

"Every PixelRadar that ships is one Rob tested himself, packed by Theo, and promoted by Elyssa. There's no warehouse, no call centre, no outsourced anything. Just us."
Rob, Elyssa & Theo
Dorset, UK 🇬🇧
🔨
Handmade in the UK

Every unit is assembled, tested, and packed by hand in Dorset. When you buy a PixelRadar, a real person built it.

💬
Personal support, always

You'll never talk to a bot here. Questions go straight to Rob via WhatsApp or email. Most replies within two hours.

🚀
Curiosity-driven

ISS tracking mode? Theo's idea. The family flight tracker? Inspired by a pilot dad wanting his kids to watch him land. Every feature comes from a real question.

🌱
Building the next generation

PixelRadar is also a lesson in what it means to build something real — for Elyssa, Theo, and hopefully a few of our customers too.

Rob, Theo and Elyssa — Dorset coast
Rob, Theo & Elyssa — the whole PixelRadar team, somewhere off the Dorset coast 🇬🇧
Want one?

Built by a family. Made for yours.

Every PixelRadar is packed by Theo personally. That's our quality guarantee.

Free UK shipping · 30-day returns · WhatsApp support from Rob

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Covers shipping, setup, features and more. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact our support team.

Delivery & shipping

Getting PixelRadar to you

Every order is packed by hand in Dorset before heading your way.

🏴️
UK Delivery
Free
1–2
days to dispatch
2–3
days to arrive

Free tracked delivery via Royal Mail Tracked. Email or SMS updates as your order makes its way to you. Packed by hand in Dorset.

🇪🇺
Europe
Coming Soon
In progress

We’re working through customs requirements before launching. If you’re based in Europe and can’t wait, get in touch.

Based in Europe? Get in touch →

🌎
Rest of World
Get in Touch
Case by case

Hearing from aviation fans in the USA and beyond. Drop us a message and we’ll let you know what we can do.

Contact Rob directly →

Ordering & delivery
How long does UK delivery take? ⌄
We dispatch within 1–2 working days and ship via Royal Mail Tracked. Delivery typically arrives 2–3 working days after dispatch. You’ll get email or SMS tracking updates along the way.
How much does UK delivery cost? ⌄
UK delivery is completely free on all orders. No minimum spend, no hidden charges.
Do you ship to Europe? ⌄
European shipping is coming soon. We’re working through the customs requirements to make sure your experience is seamless. If you’re based in Europe and can’t wait, get in touch.
Can I return it if I’m not happy? ⌄
Yes! Just drop us an email with feedback as to why you are not happy (we love feedback of any kind), and return it to us for a refund.
Getting started
What’s in the box? ⌄
PixelRadar display, USB-C cable, quick start guide, and a sticker.
Do I need to install any software or create an account? ⌄
No software, no account, no app store. We all have enough accounts, passwords and apps forced upon us — we won’t add to the list. Just open any browser on any Wi-Fi enabled device and search for the PixelRadar Wi-Fi network.
Does PixelRadar need an internet connection? ⌄
Yes, it requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi internet connection. Modern routers often run at 5GHz but will also run a second 2.4GHz network. If not, ask your router provider to enable this. We do not support wired Ethernet connections.
How do I find my latitude and longitude? ⌄
The easiest way is to open Google Maps on your phone, long-press on your location, and the coordinates will appear at the top of the screen. On iPhone, you can also use the Compass app — scroll down to see your current coordinates.
Can I change my Wi-Fi settings later on? ⌄
Yes, you can update your PixelRadar Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password at any time from the Settings menu in the app or browser interface.
In the setup, the Wi-Fi is showing weak or very weak — what can I do? ⌄
Try moving your PixelRadar closer to your router. Avoid placing it near thick walls, metal objects, or other Wi-Fi devices. If you still have issues, consider purchasing a low-cost Wi-Fi extender for around £25.
Features & modes
What’s the difference between Standard and Pilot Edition? ⌄
Standard gives you live aircraft radar — everything in range on a live map. Pilot Edition adds the ability to track up to 10 individual flights by callsign, ideal for families of pilots and cabin crew. With individual flight tracking, you can see the live distance the aircraft is from your home, speed, altitude, distance from origin and destination, time elapsed and time until landing.

Pilot Edition also includes ISS mode to track the International Space Station. We’ll be adding the ability to track Starlink satellite trains in the coming months.
Is there a monthly subscription? ⌄
No. You pay once and own it forever. You probably have enough subscriptions already — we do not intend to add to that list. Firmware updates are free for the lifetime of the device.
Which devices does it work with? ⌄
Any device with Wi-Fi and a browser — iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, and more.
What do the Display Settings do? ⌄
The display settings let you control what PixelRadar shows when it hasn’t detected any nearby aircraft. You can choose to display a clock, switch to a screensaver (we particularly like the Matrix Rain one!), dim the display, or turn it off entirely. You can even adjust the colour you prefer with our colour picker.
What does the Active Hours setting do? ⌄
You can choose to have the display always on, or only active during a set period. For example, you can have the display show from 8am to 9pm and turn off at other times.
Can I display only certain types of aircraft? ⌄
Yes. From the Settings menu, you can filter the display by aircraft category — for example, showing only commercial airliners, military aircraft, private jets, general aviation or helicopters.
What do the coloured dots on the radar mean? ⌄
Different aircraft types appear in different colours:
Commercial
General Aviation
Helicopter
Private Jet
Military
Freight / Cargo
Warbird
Other
How do I track a specific flight? (Pilot Edition) ⌄
In the Config menu, tap Display Mode then Manage Watchlist. Enter the flight number (e.g. BA0247) and date of departure, then tap Save Watchlist. You can track up to 10 flights at a time.
Radar range & performance
What happens if there are no aircraft nearby? ⌄
If there are no aircraft within range, the radar will simply show your location with an empty sweep. Try increasing the range to detect more aircraft, or wait for a busier time of day.
What does the Orientation setting do? ⌄
In order for the radar to show the correct data, it needs to know which direction it is facing. If you have your PixelRadar on a shelf facing south, for example, set your radar orientation to south so the directional display is accurate.
Why don’t all aircraft types show up? ⌄
Not all aircraft broadcast ADS-B signals. Many military aircraft, some older private planes, and certain helicopters either don’t carry ADS-B transponders or operate with them switched off. PixelRadar will not display aircraft that are on the ground, to keep things simple.
An aircraft is missing a name — can you add it? ⌄
Aircraft names, registrations and operator data come from a regularly updated database. If you spot an aircraft showing no name or airline, drop us a message with the registration or callsign.
Does it pick up military aircraft? ⌄
Military aircraft using ADS-B (Mode S) will appear. Here in Dorset, we regularly see A400 transporters, Chinook & Apache helicopters and Red Arrow jets. We can also detect most air ambulances and police helicopters.
Support

We’re here to help

You’ll always speak to Rob directly — not a bot, not a ticketing system. Typical reply time: under 2 hours on weekdays.

💬

WhatsApp Rob directly

The fastest way to get help. Rob answers personally, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm.

✉️

Send an email

Send a message and get a reply within 2 hours on weekdays.

🇬🇧

UK-based support

Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm GMT. Real people, real answers.

Common issues
The LED isn’t turning green ⌄
Try a different USB port or cable. Some phone charger ports don’t supply enough power — use a laptop USB port or a quality USB-C adapter (5V 1A minimum).
I can’t see the Wi-Fi network ⌄
Give it 30 seconds after plugging in. The hotspot name starts with “PixelRadar-”. If you still can’t see it, try a different USB host and check your device isn’t filtering 2.4GHz networks.
No aircraft are appearing on the map ⌄
Try moving outside or near a window. Aircraft need to be within range and actively broadcasting. In rural areas or very early morning, traffic may be lighter — give it 2–3 minutes.
The app isn’t connecting to the device ⌄
Make sure your phone is connected to the PixelRadar Wi-Fi (not your home router). Navigate to http://192.168.1.1 (not https). Some phones default back to mobile data — check your Wi-Fi settings.