Sportdog vs garmin

[CharBroiled]

Hey gang,
I would love your opinion on collars. I currently run the Sportdog TEK series but I'm just not convinced it is holding up after two seasons of hard hunting.
I've been looking into the Garmin series of e-collars with gps and training ability so I'm wondering if anyone out there has run either brand or what your guys' impression is of either system.

One thing is, Socks is a big running dog. I have no problem with him running out to 150 yards as long as he checks in, hence why GPS is a must. Last season on New Year's Day, he was 262 yards away when he locked up on a bird and held it until I could get there. Yes, I did shoot the bird to which we had a huge praise party because he had done so well. So 150 to maybe 200 isn't unheard of as I need something to track him.

Thoughts?

 

[KansasGsp]

I have a Garmin Pro 550 with GPS that I'm looking at getting rid of if you're interested. I used it with my shorthair (big runner) for 3-4 years and then once I got my Brittany I haven't used it at all. Got one other guy that's interested in it but I haven't heard back from him. Take a look at them, let me know if you wanna chat about it. Thanks, Bryan

 

[LC Smith]

I am on my fifth season with my Garmin Pro 550+ and love it.

 

[roadscholar]

I'm on my 4th season of Garmin Alpha 10 and TT15 mini and I'm very happy with both. Added a new pup this year, so I got a TT25 and like it so far.

 

[Glock]

I used the Alpha 200 for 2 or 3 years now.

 

[akp]

If I got an hour from the house and realized I forgot the Garmin gear I'd go back and get it. Don't know how I ever hunted without. I know I lost a lot of birds that the dogs had pointed and I never realized it. I have an Alpha 100. Had an Astro before but like the combo with e collar.

 

[Hutcho]

I've had the pro 500+, alpha 10 and now an alpha 300i. Not a fan of the alpha 10 at all, but the other 2 are amazing! Honestly can't go wrong with either. I wanted to add inreach is the main reason for the 300i or I would be back in a 550+. Pair a watch them and they are, in my opinion, the perfect setup. Garmin can be a little challenging sometimes navigating through their devices (the watch and 300i) but once you see all the data and other stuff it tracks it's definitely worth it in the end. As far as collars I have tt25s for both shorthairs, nice and light and battery life is phenomenal.