GPS pioneer company Garmin has once again raised the bar with regards to new technology and field use for hunters with the Garmin Alpha. The Garmin Alpha carries on the tradition set by the Garmin Astro 320, one of the most comprehensive dog tracking GPS systems in use. The Garmin Alpha builds on the Astro’s success by increasing the number of trackable dogs to 20 over the prior 10 as well as a full menu of new and standard functions.

Training

One of the highlights and standout features of the new Alpha system is the ability to use the device to train the sporting dogs as well as track them. Up until now, there has never been a device like this on the market, and with it, the training field has been changed for the better.

While using the Alpha, it is possible to use a remote device to give a mild shock to the dog when in training. Imagine the benefits of being able to deliver a small (and harmless) shock to the dog to direct it to soft-mouth, turn right or left, go on point, flush, or retrieve during training sessions. This is a direct “stick and carrot” training tool that only builds your relationship with the sporting dog into a stronger and better bond. The dog receives the stimulus via the Alpha control and knows exactly what is expected when coupled with the voice and hand signal commands. Now, instead of taking weeks and months to begin the sporting dog’s training, the time can be shortened through the ease of use provided by the Garmin Alpha.

This training feature is the result of Garmin partnering with Tri-Tronics, a sporting dog-training specialist. Tri-Tronics and Garmin made the Alpha so a touch screen display can be used up to nine-miles away during hunts and training. Up to 20 dogs can be tracked during a hunt with the display, and up to 20 can benefit from the training tools, provided all of the dogs have the Alpha GPS device installed onto their collar. Send the dogs off on scent and don’t worry about trying to keep up, the touch screen monitor keeps you in monitoring zones by showing the dog’s location on the screen relevant to your position. If the dog begins to go off in an undesired direction, the training shock can be delivered, keeping the pup at bay.

The Display and Handheld

The touch screen display is three-inches by three-inches and is made to function even while wearing gloves. This is great for cold autumn hunts or times when the snow and temperatures are falling. Using GPS technology the Alpha monitors simultaneous feeds from any device on the dogs as well as the home Alpha unit’s position with the hunter. The Alpha updates positions up to 2.5 times a second over nine-miles and with up to 20 dogs! This is really groundbreaking tech for sporting dog use. The handheld devices use replaceable lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that are packed into the waterproof handheld screen. The handheld uses a charger mount that allows the unit to get juiced up quickly. Expect the handheld to handle recharge cycles upwards of several thousand times. This unit is made for tough use and it shows right down to the battery itself. The screen has a brightness adjustment and an anti-glare covering that makes use in bright sunlight possible. Set the screen lighting levels to your preferred detail using the touch screen sliders. Again, even a gloved finger yields results when making adjustments on the fly.

Corrections and training simulations can be set via the quickest pre-programmed settings or customized via touch-screen menus and drop downs. The Alpha default settings are based on 18-levels of linear stimulation, of which they can be set and altered to low, medium and high adjustments.

Maps can be up- and downloaded using wireless tech. Garmin’s own maps may be used along with other map sources like BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. Switch your default map off the touch screen menu and drop downs after uploading new datum. Garmin ships the Alpha pre-loaded with 100k topographical USGS maps for United States use, and Canadian maps for those using the product north of the border.

“Buddy Tracker”

The Garmin Alpha is the first system of its kind to feature the “Buddy Tracker” function. Providing that all members of the hunting party as well as their dogs are equally equipped with an Alpha all members of the hunting party can be monitored along with 20 dogs. There is no guesswork anymore. With the Alpha everyone knows where everyone else is along with the dogs. No more danger of firing in an unsafe direction, no more trying to backtrack and find party members and no more lengthy dog recovery periods. You have all the data in your hand via the touch screen display.

Not only does the Buddy Tracker keep tabs on everyone it can be used to send pre-set text messages to members of the party. There are buttons for “Help,” “Come Here,” “Go On Without Me” and “Okay.” Custom messages can be established prior to the trip by programming the Alpha with your specific text-commands or desired messages.

Dog Tracker Page

By navigating the Alpha to the Dog Tracker screen all the hunters in the party can follow the dog’s and other hunter’s movements on the full color screen along with a real-time digital compass. Name each dog by entering the name into the GPS collar device and that name appears next to the dog icon on the display. This removes any doubt for what animal is where. The compass is color-coded and uses a three-axis antenna to deliver accurate directions to track and follow whatever the user wants from the display.

TT Dog Collar

The TT 10 Alpha dog collar is the GPS device that syncs into the GPS satellites. The collar’s internal antenna is made of durable and hardy aircraft cable, meaning the collar will withstand the worst the dog can throw at it and still remain accurate and precise. Internal and integrated LED beacons along the collar can be activated via the handheld home screen Alpha device from up to 100 yards away. This helps give a visual location when searching for the dogs. Should the battery levels go below 25 percent at any time on the TT collar a dog rescue mode automatically switches the TT 10 to the two-minute update to preserve precious power. An alert will be made to the Alpha handheld device, letting the hunter or trainer know the situation with the TT collar battery levels. If the dogs are used for swimming and waterfowl retrieval, the TT’s waterproof qualities are good up to 10 meters, much deeper than any dog is going to go. The rechargeable interface is nearly impermeable to mud and grime, making field recharges nearly effortless. The TT collar battery charge is good up to 44 hours of continued use and will accept charge-cycles up to several thousand times. One alpha TT collar is included with the Alpha kit package and additional Garmin Alpha collars are available for $299 at Double U Hunting Supply. New TT collars can be sync very quickly to any Alpha display handheld device.

Package Contents

Garmin prices the Alpha system kit at $799.99 This includes the chargers, cords, one TT 10 collar, Alpha handheld device and a water-resistant field bag for storage and transport of the gear. Like all Garmin products the Alpha comes with a factory backed warranty against maker defects or faults. The Garmin Alpha TT Collar can sync with all other Alpha products and makes field training and sporting dog hunts effortless on the chase, maximizing the precious field time for the hunt itself.

Garmin’s partnering with Tri-Tronics has upped the game for sporting dog hunts and made the training process easier. With both companies standing tall and confident in the final product, you can buy the Alpha knowing full well it is the result of years of development and quality in the research and development of Garmin and Tri-Tronics.

Good For You and Your Canine Pals

The Alpha represents the highest safety and navigation quality available. This means you and your four-legged assistants are protected from getting lost, accidental firings based on guess-work or not being able to get a voice-call in to retrieve the pup. Your dogs are working dogs for sure, but they are also valued friends and assistants for your hard-earned field time and hunts. Using the Garmin Alpha is a sure way to keep your furry investments safe from harm. You invest all the time to train them (and that has just been made easier by the Alpha) so keep that investment wagging its tail for years to come. Get out in the field and begin using this cutting edge and exciting GPS technology that will make your hunt better. Your dogs will appreciate the quick training times and act happier once they know exactly what you expect of them. Bring along other party members with Alpha units and keep tabs on them too. There is nothing like being outside and on the hunt, and with today’s GPS tech like the Alpha, that time has become safer and more efficient.

Where To Buy:

We took an Old Non Updated DC40 collar and Made it work as good as or better than a DC30 collar.

For more information and More Details Please Visit  DuSupply.com

Modified DC40 collars will only be available at DuSupply.com, We take Stock Garmin DC40 collars and fix them up so you get better performance from them.

Click Here to Purchase the Modified Service!

Here is the Link to the Official Press release from Garmin.

http://garmin.blogs.com/pr/2011/06/garmin-acquires-tri-tronics-inc-leader-in-electronic-dog-training-equipment.html

Garmin® Acquires Tri-Tronics® Inc., Leader in Electronic Dog Training Equipment

“We are delighted to have Tri-Tronics join the Garmin family.  Like Garmin, Tri-Tronics is a leading and respected brand that is committed to designing, manufacturing, and marketing the highest quality, most rugged, and easiest-to-use devices in the business,” said Cliff Pemble, president and COO of Garmin.  “By integrating the two companies, we believe we can leverage our areas of expertise into products that can greatly enhance the way that dog owners interact with their canine companions.  This acquisition should demonstrate without a doubt that Garmin is fully committed to developing innovative products for the canine market.”

“For more than 40 years, Tri-Tronics has been the leading brand of electronic dog training equipment.  Combined with Garmin, we can extend our leadership well into the future,” said Mike Romano, vice president and general manager of Tri-Tronics.  “Our combined team will work together to develop cutting-edge products that will help dog owners more effectively train their dogs and keep them safer.  Together, we can bring these products to market quicker, with more features, and at a competitive price.”

Innovation has made both Garmin and Tri-Tronics the choice of elite dog trainers and breeders as well as amateur hunters and pet owners.  Garmin revolutionized the sporting dog market when it entered the market in 2007 with Astro^®, its highly-successful GPS dog tracking system, which pinpoints the exact location of a dog for hunters.  Earlier this year, Garmin introduced the cellular-based GTU 10 GPS locator and web-based Garmin Tracker™ service for computers and smartphones.

For more than 40 years, Tri-Tronics has pioneered many innovative and patented features on e-collars and bark limiters, including innovations in wireless signal transmission, variable stimulation, battery technology, and numerous features that ensure dogs are safe when trained with an e-collar.  This consistent leadership in the industry has made Tri-Tronics one of the most trusted names in dog training.

Tri-Tronics will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Garmin Ltd.  Its existing management team will be retained and will continue operations at its headquarters in Tucson, Arizona.  Financial terms of the agreement will not be released.  The deal is expected to close by June 30, 2011.

About Garmin Ltd.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at www.Garmin.com/newsroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and Astro are registered trademarks and Garmin Tracker is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2010, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at www.Garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Greyhound undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Garmin Astro 220      VS       Garmin Astro 320

DuGraphics has a Loaner program great Customer service,  and is a great Place for all your Garmin Astro Dog Tracking needs.

Garmin  Astro 320 combo

• Magnent Mount Antenna
• Hand Held Long Range Antenna
• Rubber Duck Long Range Antenna
• Folding Antenna

Magnent Mount Garmin Long Range Antenna:

Buy this antenna

I’m going to start with my favorite which is the Magnent mount.  For my style of Hunting we mostly hunt out of the truck.   My Unit stays in my truck 90% of the time hooked up with a Power Adaptor cable and I keep it in a Dash  or Window mount. to save on batteries, with my Magnet Mount Antenna attached for maximum Range.  This allows me to Keep up with the Dogs very nicely and also forces me to get out of the truck and listen to the Race rather than Playing with the Garmin in my hand all the time.

Pro’s:

• I consistently see between 2-3.5 Miles of Range with this Unit Depending on Terrain.
• Nice to be able to Plug in to the Power adaptor to save batteries.

Con’s

• If you are using a Marine Radio you want to make sure that you don’t have the antenna’s close and there is a risk of damaging your unit with a Marine band Radio.

If you hunt out of a truck often, this is definitely My favorite.

Hand Held Long Range (LR) Telescopic Antenna:

Buy this antenna

This antenna works very well for range.  I see a little better range from this over the magnent mount.  However if you use this allot, you should be ready to break  the metal antenna portion at some time.  In 3 weeks of using this I broke 2 of them.   Great antenna but I tell people..  use your Kid’s gloves when you use this.

Pro’s:

• I consistently see between 2-3.5 miles of range with this unit depending on terrain.
• Good for hiking or hunting on foot

Con’s

• Easy to break them.  I recommend cutting a PVC pipe so that when you collapse the telescopic antenna it is protected by the PVC case.
• Did I mention they break easy?.

Options:   Due to them breaking often, We have two options for these Handle Antenna to make them more durable

• Rubber Duck Short Antenna  that Connects on the Handle. Great for Horse back riding.
• Replacement Telescopic antenna with a spring. Good Replacement Option

(Smiley) Longer Rubber duck style Garmin Antenna:

Buy this antenna

This antenna is about 12-14 inches long and does better than the stock antenna.  It is are very good option for someone that walks or hikes behind the dogs and want’s a little more range than the stock antenna.

Pro’s:

• Nicely matched antenna.  performs better than the stock antenna
• Convenient

Con’s

• Not the range of the mag mount or hand held antenna.
• Longer antenna isn’t as easy to put in your pocket and carry.

Folding style Garmin Antenna:

Buy this antenna

This antenna is about 17 inches  when extended and performs about the same as the stock antenna.  If you want something that folds nicesly for your pocket this is a nice antenna.  I’ve received reports both ways on these antenna’s however my experience and several others is they only perform as good as the stock antenna.  Some customers report less range than the stock antenna,  while some see more range.    They are light weight and not built extremely well, however they are very handy to throw in your pocket.

Pro’s:

• When folded up it’s easy to put in your pocket or bag without worrying about damaging the connector

Con’s

• I wouldn’t expect any great range increase, however you may see a range increase
• Becareful they tend to Unscrew. I recomend using Loc-tite to secure the Threaded connections so you don’t loose your antenna while hiking.

So Here is the latest DC40 update: Last week I was forced to hunt with only a DC40 collar and wildlife collars.

After we Got the wife a Nice Lion this year we decided it was time to get after some shorter tailed cats.

http://www.biggamehoundsmen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=19084

So Last week, On a wim, me and the Mrs. decided to make a run and get away from the Fireworks and gun shots that always come around New years. We hooked up the trailer and Pulled it down south for our yearly 201 Bobcat Education/Humiliation Classes.

Well when we woke up in the morning and grabbed the collar bag to collar up the dogs we quickly realiazed that the DC30′s were in the office still on the charger. Me and the wife Blamed each other for a few minutes trying to argue who was at fault for this problem. I Contimplated a 5 hour one way drive to pick up collars is not fun. And also contimplated pulling up my Panties and hunting like the old days with out any Collars (I’ll admit, I didnt contimplate this idea for very long).. Anyways, I can always find something shoved under the back seat in a pinch, And this day was no exception and I found that Dang DC40 that I don’t use anymore tucked under the the crap back there along with two wildlife collars that haven’t been used for a couple years. I got it the DC40 on the charger, Checked the wildlife collars (found a Battery to replace one of them) and decided to hunt “Old school” with the beepers, and I’d throw a DC40 on a dog to give it it’s opportunity to change my Mind about DC40′s. especailly since this would be a Desparate review!

So there I was DC40 Don’t let me down.

I can tell you it does work better than the Beep Collars, but 3 minutes into the Race I knew it wasn’t going to be any where Near what I expect out of the DC30′s. I don’t think I’ve payed as close of attension to the Dogs Barking and their direction in a year and half as I did on these hunts. It wasn’t enjoying the music it was trying to figure out what direction they are running, and I was hunting somewhat new country to me, most of the Race was out of Signal, But it would come on long enough to the Show me the progress the dogs were making and when they were standing on their heads in a spot or two.

never did Catch the cat, I don’t know if they didn’t locate it or if they just couldn’t move it any more in the melting snow. But One thing was for Sure I was pretty anxious that whole race when I was seeing the ? more than the little dog. on the garmin DC40. I do have to give it props, in a Pinch it was still better than the Beep collars, but no Comparision against teh DC30 collars

I suppose if there were NO way of getting a DC30 collar, I would still piggy back the DC40 and use it because it was helpful, But after 2 days of hunting with it before I had my DC30′s overnighted to m, I can tell you it was just a matter of time before I would have been wiping the Dust off the Blue box and waving that directional around like a mad man with a look of confusion I all too often have while working on my PHD in cathunting on the mountain

Folding VHF antenna

Garmin Astro Long Range Folding Antenna.

We have added a new product to our Garmin Products.  A Folding Long range antenna for the garmin astro Hand Held units. 

New Pricing  for these items is only $25

These antenna’s will fold up around the Garmin Astro 220 and easy fit in your pocket.  when you need the extra range to track your dogs, just extend the telescoping part of the antenna.   No need to keep switching antennas on your Astro 220 anymore while on foot.

Click below For the Best Price for these Garmin Astro 220 Folding Antenna’s

      Buy Garmin Astro Folding Antenna

I updated the DC40 with the 3.50 update. This is tough to compare. Today was a Great satelite day so it should have done better without the update.. Trying to figure out if it was the update or the conditions is tough, Normally I see my 220 bounce GPS signal because it’s mounted kinda far from the window.. Today It held Full service all day without any hickups.. So I know that this was a Good day for GPS.. I worry that this might be some of the Reason for such a good experience… It was Pissing down rain it was miserable hunting condition but I was hoping for a hot track.. (no luck) My dogs never left the road. So here is a quick review of my test today.. It did better. Still not good enough for me. but I would call it much better and worth the update. It stops all the Lost GPS signal messages.. But the DC40 still was losing or Weak Signal it just was not letting me know as often. I only updated the DC40 and not my My DC30′s. The DC30′s still out performed the DC40. But Rigging the DC40 and All the DC30′s performed flawless without any Looses with all the dogs on the rig, Even though The DC40 went to a weak signal it was still tracking and not missing or cuting across any of the culverts like I’ve seen before.. Then I boxed the dogs back through and the DC40 started to loose signal. (so did some of the DC30 here and there. But the DC40 clearly lost GPS much more than the DC30′s.. I think My DC40 Tracked 3-4 miles in the box, where my DC30′s tracked anywhere from 13-20 miles on the way home.. I’m still trying to digest all this and figure out what is fair (Unbiased) to say about it.. If it was only tracking outside of the box the DC40 did not have any issues and I would have to give it a Two Thumbs up.. but this was just one Hunt and good conditions…. This was also all on Logging roads and Little to no Brush so I’m not ready to change my opinion about them and recomend them by any long shot… But it did soften my opinion about them some compared to what I’ve seen before… And will make me to Reconsider and re-test them all over again..

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I’m offering a Free DayGlo Collar with every DC30. We use a Heavy Duty Protective sleeve, Not the Rubber, or Sewn sleeves.

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For this test, I treated the DC40 as I would any other collar.  I did nothing different than any other collar. 
My morning started at 6:30 am -  Our hunting routine is to collar up all the dogs in the yard before leaving,   (FYI: This routine started back in the days with beep beep collars, I would forget to pull magnents.. Or turn shock collars on before starting a Track.. Now Everything is on when I leave camp or the house.)  Once all the dogs are collared up I loaded them up into the box,  Grabbed the Lunches Kid and my Friend pulled in the drivway (with his annoying ill mannored barking dogs.. I can’t stand a Dog that barks without a good reason.)

I Remembered to switch all the Collars to 30 seconds delay, Because I used 5 second updates on the Distance Test I did Last night.    All the DC30′s had all ready acuired GPS reception and we ready to go, The DC40 had not… I was not worried about this,  Many times I’ve seen a DC30 take 10-20 minutes to Lock in and acuire.  This is another Reason I turn on collars at my house, It give the DC30 collars time to acuire signal before I get to the woods.

About 7:30 we clean the dogs out,  No GPS on the DC40.    No worries though I though Well Guess it just never Picked it up from the box.  It will pick up any time since the dogs are running down the road and riding on the Box.

7:45.  I stop, get out turn the DC40 Collar off and back on.  (I have had to do this a couple times in the past for a DC30 to get them to Sync up before and Turning them Off and back on often does the trick.)

8:15 Dogs have been on top of the Box, and the DC30′s have allready logged 5-7 miles rigging on top of the Dog box.  I get out one more time to again turn the collar off and Back on. 

At 8:45 I realize this thing is not going to work.  I take the collar off the Dog,  Turn it off Turn it on and Hold the GPS side Up towards the Clear Sky..  After a Minute my Wife tells me It is working now.  I put the Collar back on the Dog.

I can tell you,  If I have to Fiddle and do a GPS Rain dance with Every collar before I put it on a Dog I don’t consider this a Good thing. 

I did everything That Garmin Suggested in their Press release,  My DC40 collar were on at my house 10 hours ago, (so it hasn’t been a week)  the dogs ran around the house and where in the dog box at my house for at least 10-15 minutes.

Morning Review =COMPLETE FAILURE

Second review After we Got the DC40 linked up: The rest of the day we rigged and rigged The DC40 did Awsome.. For those looking for a Good review, Don’t miss this next line.  The DC40 Tracked good with the Dog On top of the Dog box driving around the Logging roads.  It Tracked As good as the DC30′s did…  

We were lucky and got a Track started, (Easy to do with Trashy Dogs)  All the DC30 collars except one when to the Race.. (No comment on Which dog didn’t go)  So I was busy grabbing the Shock button and didn’t get to watch the Garmin a whole lot,  how ever I did Get  a couple DC40 Lost GPS reception messages and I did get to snap a Photo of the DC40 having GPS issues.   The DC30′s did not give me any greif and again Out Performed the DC40 when the dogs were in the Brush.

So These things are Great as long as you don’t let you dog actually Leave the road. 

I should mention.. After this Trash race,  I was able to watch in amazement the “OLD SCHOOL” tracking method, in which my Fried used this wierd Antenna with 3 bars and he  frequently Look puzzled listening to a Scratchy Beep.    So Yep.. the DC40 collars were doing better than doing that..

I’m going to continue to test it since I have more dogs than I do DC30 collars but I won’t post any more reviews until I can get a “good” race going and really put it through a longer hunt in the brush.

Good thing We’re not playing baseball here with this DC40 because I lost count of the strikes.. 

If anyone wants a slighly Used Garmin DC40 collar,  I have one availible.

Buddy