GPS track and train collar

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GSPnutMN

New member
Looking for advice/recommendations on a multi dog GSP tracking and training collar system. I currently have a sport dog uplander system with integrated beepers which works fine but have been thinking of upgrading to GPS. I would appreciate any pro/cons with GPS or experience you have had with different brands/models of collars. As far as i know my options for track/train are the SportDog TEK or the Garmin Alpha.
 
GSPnutMN said:
Looking for advice/recommendations on a multi dog GSP tracking and training collar system. I currently have a sport dog uplander system with integrated beepers which works fine but have been thinking of upgrading to GPS. I would appreciate any pro/cons with GPS or experience you have had with different brands/models of collars. As far as i know my options for track/train are the SportDog TEK or the Garmin Alpha.
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Friend of mine uses the Garmin Alpha. The guy I hunt with the most. He loves it. Has alot of info on it. Marking areas. U can cyber scout on it as long as you have wifi. He has the arcgis on it for this. It tells how many miles the dog goes, how far you walk. Vibrates when dog on point and shows exactly where with no sound. We dont like to use beepers in the pheasant fields. Try to be quiet as possible. I'd say the only bad thing that I see is he's always looking down at it. I like to look up and see my dog work and how they move and track birds where it looks like he's always looking down at it. So he moves slower. Can lose track of fellow hunters in thick brush. Maybe I'm more old school.
 
I'm running the Sportdog version because it's our only option in Canada. So far I really like it. I was having issues with it a little while ago, but it turned out the had held just needed to be updated. The receiver vibrates and a voice informs you when your dog is on point. I love how I can hunt my pointer in the thick cover or cattails and know exactly where my dog is. And the best part is, I don't have to listen to that annoying beeper all day!
 
Alpha for two seasons now. I really like the quiet hunt always knowing where dog is. Goes on point in tall grass, I know instantly and can go straight to him.

I too tend to look at it a lot. May be due to the newness and learning to utilize it. And had a young dog. This season i have more faith in him not wondering off, and just use it as a e collar/gps. Not so much trying to use all the features. They are neat, but not necessary. I do like knowing how far my dog runs per day opposed to how far I walk. Also like the mark the truck feature.

When I take old friends I hunted with in my younger days who grew up with dogs. They joked about the collar and cost. Until we hunted all day and they saw the benefit of it. They were impressed. I am spoiled and couldn't imagine being without it.

Haven't tried multiple dogs. Hopefully I can change that next couple of years.
 
I picked up a Garmin Alpha a few months ago for my new lab. So far I really like it a lot over my old Sportdog devices.

I will say it has a steep learning curve but if you have used Garmin GPS devices before you will be fine.
 
I just ordered an Astro 320. I decided I wanted to keep my e collar and gps separate. Looking forward to not losing dogs and points in thick cover.
 
Good choice. I had neither when I purchased it so I decided to go with the all in one. One collar.
Will say it is not fast to switch from different e stim levels. With one dog, I have three separate buttons programmed on one screen. Use vib, tone and one e stem level. Go to different screen for more settings. Not too bad if your not training.
 
This is my 4th season with the Alpha, I like it, just bought the smaller collar to use on my smaller dogs, it works go also. :thumbsup:
 
Used the astro about 5 years. Will not hunt without it. Usually when it vibrates, the dog has stopped to listen for you, unless you have a great place to hunt. When the astro vibrates, I make a couple hawk screams. The dog comes or the bird hesitates to flush.
 
Got the Astro today.... Wow! Why didn't I do this earlier? Played around with it out behind the house. It's a game changer for me.
 
I think i have decided on the alpha any one have any experience with the mini compared to the full size version any reason to go with one over the other. I hunt GSPs which i don't consider small breed but wouldn't mind if the collar isn't big and bulky.
 
Yup for the Garmin Alpha. You will like it. There is a bit of a learning curve. I have had mine for 4 seasons.
 
GSPnutMN said:
I think i have decided on the alpha any one have any experience with the mini compared to the full size version any reason to go with one over the other. I hunt GSPs which i don't consider small breed but wouldn't mind if the collar isn't big and bulky.
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I have 2 GSP's (40lbs & 50lbs) and have the regular. I would love to run the small one and might be able to on my smaller dog, but the regular unit seems just fine. Here's a vid that recommends 9 1/2" - 14" necks for the mini. Any bigger, he recommends the regular unit.

btw... the key is having the GPS on the collar sitting on top which balances out the collar when the dog is running... otherwise the collar will want to slide sideways and not only make poor contact but will rub your pooches neck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6f9LYf6qNE
 
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Thanks everyone for the advice I picked up my new Garmin Alpha with the regular size collar and actually got to try it out on a short run yesterday. So far i absolutely love it and i cant wait to get deeper into the features and get everything set up the way i want.
 
My 33 pound to 40 pound Britts have never known anything but the regular size collar ... just make sure you have it attached with the proper amount of play.

Even my pup runs with the full size collar. No issue what so ever.

My lean 33# Britt with her collars.

 
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