2025 e collar/tracking

old 20 super 90

old 20 super 90

Member
Alright fellas. It seems my dogtra is on the way out, I also have a new pup this year so I'm looking for a collar I can track with and have e collar functions. I really liked my dogtra but dont like how you have to go to phone to switch between shock and vibrate on the pathfinder. So I think thats out ... Basically narrowed back to alpha 10 or 550 plus... really wish dogtra made something similar but I called customer service yesterday to see if there way anything in the works, and I'd rather talk to my trees in the back yard to Sean from dogtra... but anyway. What you guys think 550 plus or alpha 10???
 
The Alpha has a lot of features, many that you will probably never use. The 550 Plus is simplier and would likely do everything you need. The only downside I see is the larger transmitter. Have you looked at the SportDog TEK collars?
 
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Dogtra PF2 new handheld

Pulled this from a fellow bird hunters page, it looks that Dogtra is coming out with fully functional handheld for the Pathfinder2 GPS. Anyone running a PF2 is currently running off your phone for connectivity and or smartwatch. Looks that this new handheld will take the place of those devices...
forum.ultimatepheasanthunting.com forum.ultimatepheasanthunting.com
 
I bought a 550+ last year. Realized real quick I won’t go without GPS in the future.

The way I’ve seen it explained is the 550+ is a training collar with GPS capability. And the Alpha series are a GPS collar with some training capability.

With the 550+, without looking I can toggle between 3 dogs and stimulate if needed. GPS is simply looking at the screen to see distance and direction. It is basic. It is simple. It works.

I also have it Bluetooth connected to an Instinct watch. This would work really well, except I’m near sighted. My glasses are setup for distance viewing. So I have to take them off or look over or under them to see the watch. It sucks getting old. Time for bifocals I guess.

I also have it Bluetooth connected to the Garmin app on my phone. In real time it lays the track down on a map. It works, but is cumbersome compared to some other map programs I use (OnX). For what I need (just a quick reference to direction of dog and distances), I quit messing with the map after the first day.
 
cheesy said:
I bought a 550+ last year. Realized real quick I won’t go without GPS in the future.

The way I’ve seen it explained is the 550+ is a training collar with GPS capability. And the Alpha series are a GPS collar with some training capability.

With the 550+, without looking I can toggle between 3 dogs and stimulate if needed. GPS is simply looking at the screen to see distance and direction. It is basic. It is simple. It works.

I also have it Bluetooth connected to an Instinct watch. This would work really well, except I’m near sighted. My glasses are setup for distance viewing. So I have to take them off or look over or under them to see the watch. It sucks getting old. Time for bifocals I guess.

I also have it Bluetooth connected to the Garmin app on my phone. In real time it lays the track down on a map. It works, but is cumbersome compared to some other map programs I use (OnX). For what I need (just a quick reference to direction of dog and distances), I quit messing with the map after the first day.
Click to expand...
How do you carry or what do you attach that transmitter to.... seems to be the only thing holding me up on that is the size of that...
 
old 20 super 90 said:
How do you carry or what do you attach that transmitter to.... seems to be the only thing holding me up on that is the size of that...
Click to expand...
I made a “loop” of paracord. Just goofing off at home (live on 7 acres) it goes around my neck. When hunting I run it through a tab on my vest. Either just let it dangle from vest, or set the length so it’s just long enough to rest in a front pocket of my coat/vest, but still easy to pull and use.

I’ve thought about buying a custom lanyard/pouch for it, but 2’ of paracord has worked fine. I’ve had the 550 (non-GPS) which is nearly identical for 10+ years and carried the same way as I do the 550+.

I have no experience with any other collars/transmitters. So my ignorance to them might be bliss.
 
I have had the 550 plus for a few years now. Really like it a lot. I have a leather holster with a carabiner clip that it clip on my belt loop or vest while hunting. No issues at all doing that.
 
cheesy said:
I made a “loop” of paracord. Just goofing off at home (live on 7 acres) it goes around my neck. When hunting I run it through a tab on my vest. Either just let it dangle from vest, or set the length so it’s just long enough to rest in a front pocket of my coat/vest, but still easy to pull and use.

I’ve thought about buying a custom lanyard/pouch for it, but 2’ of paracord has worked fine. I’ve had the 550 (non-GPS) which is nearly identical for 10+ years and carried the same way as I do the 550+.

I have no experience with any other collars/transmitters. So my ignorance to them might be bliss.
Click to expand...
I have the 550 as well, like it even more after getting a holster that fits on my pack. If you don’t have a comfortable place to carry it it’s hard to take advantage of the gps quickly and conveniently. Also I was missing vibrations on point when it was floating in my pack
 
cheesy said:
The way I’ve seen it explained is the 550+ is a training collar with GPS capability. And the Alpha series are a GPS collar with some training capability.
Click to expand...
Well said. (y)
 
If you google "Garmin 550 plus holster" you will get quite a few options. Or take a look at these options from Gun Dog Supply.

www.gundogsupply.com

Garmin PRO Holsters & Lanyards

Garmin PRO Holsters & Lanyards. Protect your investment with a holster or lanyard for your Garmin PRO transmitter! PRO 550 PLUS Holster w/ Snap, PRO 550 PLUS Holster w/ Strap, PRO Holster w/ Snap, Garmin PRO 4-Way Holster, Coyote Garmin PRO Holster, Coyote Garmin PRO 550 PLUS Holster...
www.gundogsupply.com www.gundogsupply.com
 
I went with the Alpha 300 after losing my lab in a ND cornfield for about an hour in 2023. I still use my TriTronics Sportdog G3 if I'm just training but the battery in the collar is on it's last legs. I have some velcro on the left strap of my Bird-n-light vest and put velcro on the back of both the TT and the Alpha transmitter. I can work the buttons while walking if I temporarily hold my shotgun in my left hand. Of course, if I want to look at the screen of the Alpha I have to pull it off my vest and turn it around. They both are on lanyards, too, around my neck. The 550 just had way too big of a transmitter. If I wanted to shell out moer $$$$ I could get a Garmin watch and look at that for the distances and directions to my lab. I originally thought about getting two collars for my two labs but decided that Brady was soon to retire so I just bought one. Yes, the system is pricey.
 
Alaskan swamp collies said:
I also have old dogs that get lost. Has anyone used the Sport DOG 1 or 1.5?
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I know that SportDog has some issues with their early models of the TEK but I haven't heard of any issues lately. Maybe they got those resolved with the TEK 1.5.
 
Check out Steve's review on the GunDog Supply web site about the TEK 1.5 collars. There are also some reviews from people that are using the collars.

www.gundogsupply.com

SportDOG TEK 1.5LT GPS + E-Collar

SportDOG TEK 1.5LT GPS + E-Collar. $549.95. NOTE: The SportDOG TEK 1.5 is NOT backwards compatible with TEK 1.0 systems or collars. The SportDOG TEK 1.5LT offers up to 99 stimulation levels, vibration and tone, control of up to 12 dogs, and up to a 7-mile range using "HopTek" technology. It is...
www.gundogsupply.com www.gundogsupply.com
 
Dakotazeb said:
Check out Steve's review on the GunDog Supply web site about the TEK 1.5 collars. There are also some reviews from people that are using the collars.

www.gundogsupply.com

SportDOG TEK 1.5LT GPS + E-Collar

SportDOG TEK 1.5LT GPS + E-Collar. $549.95. NOTE: The SportDOG TEK 1.5 is NOT backwards compatible with TEK 1.0 systems or collars. The SportDOG TEK 1.5LT offers up to 99 stimulation levels, vibration and tone, control of up to 12 dogs, and up to a 7-mile range using "HopTek" technology. It is...
www.gundogsupply.com www.gundogsupply.com
Click to expand...
Thanks his review was great. It seems most people run Garmins. I got a Garmin LTE and tried it but it was a PIA to use and never seemed to work right. My sportdog collars have been going forever, just change out batteries. I just need something to find a lost dog who can’t hear. The TEK 1.5 seems like all I would need.
 
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