Time for another e collar!!

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old 20 super 90

New member
Hey everyone, long time dogtra user. Had a couple of the 1900 series.. I'm due to be getting a new pup (lab) by January and not that it will be used for quite some time but I'm going to need another collar. I'm leaning towards the gps capabilities, along with geo fence, bur still want all the functions on a remote around my neck. Does anyone have any experience with the pathfinder mini 2 or any of the gps units from dog tra. A buddy of mine has a garmin unit but I'm not sure I want to spend quite that much.
 
old 20 super 90 said:
Hey everyone, long time dogtra user. Had a couple of the 1900 series.. I'm due to be getting a new pup (lab) by January and not that it will be used for quite some time but I'm going to need another collar. I'm leaning towards the gps capabilities, along with geo fence, bur still want all the functions on a remote around my neck. Does anyone have any experience with the pathfinder mini 2 or any of the gps units from dog tra. A buddy of mine has a garmin unit but I'm not sure I want to spend quite that much.
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I have the Dogtra Pathfinder gps unit and like it a lot.
 
old 20 super 90 said:
Okay...does it connect to a watch at all by chance??? Say it's windy and you can't hear or see your dog? You gotta pull out phone to see what direction they in?
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I use the phone to track, but honestly look at it very little, so this set up works for me. My other Dogtra collar I use at the same time is for correction and a beeper (pointer). I view the GPS collar as “insurance” against loosing him.
 
I really like my Garmin alpha (had the 100 several years then updated to the 300) before updating I researched other brands. I don't have any experience with anything except the Garmin alpha gps collars, so take that in consideration. I really didn't like the brands using my cell phone due to 2 batteries needed to be charged. The alpha 300 uses a USB c to charge.

One thing that is indispensable is if the dogtra can be linked to another handheld, didn't think it was a big deal until my buddy left his alpha on the truck bed rail. Go to the next location no handheld. Found it using my handheld. I would say if I didn't go Garmin I would go dogtra as I think it's a quality co.

I'm really impressed with the 300 I got the inreach on this one as my buddy stepped in a badge hole and tore his Achilles. He had others with him to help but I often hunt by myself, and my wife got on my butt about that. I also use a Garmin instinct watch to link it to. Which is somewhat convenient, my experience is it lags a little. Over all I feel the GPS has made me a better dog handler as the dog maybe nearby even though I don't hear it see him, I'm not always yelling for him.
 
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old 20 super 90 said:
Okay...does it connect to a watch at all by chance??? Say it's windy and you can't hear or see your dog? You gotta pull out phone to see what direction they in?
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On Gun Dog Supply's web site it says the Pathfinder is Smartwatch compatible with iOS and Android.
 
Go to this site and watch Steve's video presentation on the Pathfinder 2.

www.gundogsupply.com

Dogtra Pathfinder 2 GPS + E-Collar COMBO

Dogtra Pathfinder 2 GPS + E-Collar COMBO. FREE HOLSTER while supplies last! Free App -- Free Map E-Fence, Sleep Mode, Receiver Lock, & BT Range Alert Improved GPS Connector with E-Collar Function Button E-Collar now offers Nick + Constant STIM, Tone, & Vibration LED Collar Tracking Lights...
www.gundogsupply.com www.gundogsupply.com
 
One thing about Garmin GPS, the thing is designed with guys running hounds and is overly complicated. I have one but it's not intuitive at all. Plus the remote is too big. Lots of room for improvement.
 
I lose track of my little dog all the time. I think the pathfinder 2 would be great with a flushing dog. It would be ideal with a watch. I wonder how well it works with a cheap android or apple knock off. I don’t need all the functions , just an arrow and the tone function would be plenty.
 
Bob Peters said:
One thing about Garmin GPS, the thing is designed with guys running hounds and is overly complicated. I have one but it's not intuitive at all. Plus the remote is too big. Lots of room for improvement.
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The 550 pro plus is easy to use. I don't use a watch but my friend who does complains that the watch and transmitter show different info at the same time.

The more advanced Garmins aren't that difficult to use if you use them enough to really become familiar with them. They do offer way more options then most will ever use. I have never had to mark my truck so I could find it.😉
 
The 550 does look nice. It's also about the size of a bowling pin. Time for a better form factor. I have an alpha, easy to use but scrolling through menus to change something is a pain. When they say it's compatible for up to 12 collars that should tell you who its designed for.
 
I hear you guys when you complain about the size of the 550. More than most of us need. I have the Garmin Alpha but it has way more functions that I need or will ever use. Plus the size is also larger than I'd like. So how about the SportDog TEK 1.5 LT? Cheaper than the 550 or Alpha with a smaller and easier to use handheld. I know there were some problems with the early TEK collars but I'm assuming they have worked out the bugs. Maybe there some guys on here that have the latest TEK 1.5 and can jump in.

Watch Steve's video on the SportDog TEK 1.5 LT.
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
 
Still up in the air. Narrowed it down to garmin alpha 10 and the pathfinder 2... Basically the only thing I really want or need is vibrate/shock. And I'd like a arrow on hand held. Or in the case of the pathfinder I'd have to get a watch . So price wise it pry ends up being pretty similar. Wish a guy could trial run both of em for a weekend trip to south dakota ( i leave Friday if anyone wants to borrow me one of these 2 )
 
westksbowhunter said:
Dogtra Arc is a terrific collar.
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I like Dogtra arc because the collar is so lightweight.
I've used this collar for the past 8 years on a daily basis...hunting and retriever training.
Also it is shaped so I can take photos of the dog and the collar does not show.
The reostat settings go from 0-127, with my labs usually I have the setting at 20 to 25 depending on the dog.
 
AKSkeeter said:
I like Dogtra arc because the collar is so lightweight.
I've used this collar for the past 8 years on a daily basis...hunting and retriever training.
Also it is shaped so I can take photos of the dog and the collar does not show.
The reostat settings go from 0-127, with my labs usually I have the setting at 20 to 25 depending on the dog.
Click to expand...
Yea i have a 1900 series now... thing is basically bullet proof.... but a arrow on the display showing direction of dog is what I'm needing/ wanting.
 
Used a new 550 plus last week in SD for 4 days. I thought it was easy to understand. The handheld is only slightly bigger than my old 550 handheld. I have it synced to my Instinct watch. Again, super easy to use. Also synced to my phone to use the Garmin Explore app but never used that other than to check it out.

My only regret is I didn’t buy it years ago.
 
DogTra gets lots of thumbs up in here, mine included.
 
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