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!

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

First a Word from Our Sponsor..;)

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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

Setup:
2 DC30 collars, 1 DC40 collar. All mounted at the same hieght and side by side. All Update Rates were set to 5 seconds so I would know immediately which collar lost signal quickly.
Garmin Astro with 220 with a Truck Mount antenna.

During this test because the collars were higher than a Dog, They were mounted on my Deck Rail which is about 10 feet off the ground I didn’t start to loose signal until I was about 6 miles out. Summary the DC40 was no Better, or No worse than the DC30 collars. they were all in and out of signal in no particular order.

As expected the DC40 do not appear to increase any range as some people may be claiming.

Don’t take my word for it,   Watch the Video for your self.. (Please note this is my first ever Video so the Captions and editing are not Hollywood!) 

Purchase Garmin Astro Supplies Here.

Also Check out Our Garmin GPS Reception Review for the DC40 Here.

*** NOTE: I Did update my 220 Before trying any of these tests According to Garmins instructions,  I also reviewed Garmins Press release before conducting these tests.

Both Collars are on the Same dog.

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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Senario 1:   Conditions are rainy and wet.  After explaining to a dog which happens to be smarter than me that She was the choosen one to “take one for the team”  I strapped on a DC30 and DC40 on her and Waited for the DC40 to explode.  I soon reliazed that the dog would live, and the DC40 wasn’t going to Explode.      We took a Walk on our property,  After all the bad reviews I was reading I was expecting The DC40 to Drop off immediately.. this was definately not the case.  However the DC40 Did drop off and lose GPS signal 3 times in my 10 minute or 5 acre walk.   Every time it was only momentarily and immeadiately picked up signal so I was not able to capture a image of the Red 1 bar GPS signal.   

When I had the Dog go through the wet brush (I use the term Brush Lightly since it was only Up to my knees, and I didn’t cuss once)  The Signal Dropped a Bar of GPS signal.   I checked the DC30 and it was Full reception.   ( I should note that at no time during any test could I get the DC30 to Drop from Full GPS signal..)

After I realized that the DC40 was going to be hard to capture a failure in an open timber setting, I went to the House and Loaded the dog into the Dog box.  Immediately the DC40 lost GPS signal.  The DC30 did not blink or change from Full GPS reception.    I thought Yes Bingo.  I have the failure…  By the time I got the camera to capture the screen showing the Red GPS reception (bars) screen.  The DC40 was back on bouncing between full reception and 3 bars GPS Reception.    Although I did snag a Photo of the warning message. 

Should I note again that at no time did I get any warning from the DC30.  Nothing.  Full GPS reception for all tests. 

So after I looked out the window I noticed the “smart” dog was giving me an Evil eye for locking her up in the Box for no apparent reason.    I decided to take my test Indoors and really put the Hurt on the GPS reception issue..  Surely nothing would track in the house.

I put the dog in her Dog Bed, which is about Dead center of my house.  Again DC30 did not flinch,  Full GPS signal.  I thought for sure I would loose both the DC40 and DC30.  I can say even after only 20 minutes with the DC40 I wasn’t surprized when the DC40 Gave me another lost GPS warning message.   And consistantly shown again between 3 and full reception.   The DC30 never gave any warning and Shown solid full reception.

I layed the 220 down next to the dog to show how many Satelites were availble.  10 satelites is extremely good.  I would rate this as an EXCELENT GPS day.   Which should explain why the DC30 did better than I expected.     Garmin GPS need approximately 4 satelites to lock and calculate position.  With 10 satelites in the mix that was very easy to do today.

My last test was a Accuracy test.  I left the dog lay in her bed for about 30 minutes,  while tracking.   I zoomed into the map to see which one held the tightest pattern.   Again A Clear winner, the DC30 held accuracy much better than the DC40.  This screen just shows how much the DC40 was struggling to hold it’s position.

Red is DC40,  Green is DC30.    Clearly the DC30 held a more accurate pattern over the DC40 while the dog was abolutely still laying down.  This test doesn’t show anything except the DC40 was trying much harder to Lock into a GPS satelite to calculate it’s position.

Conclusion,  Today was an Excellent (Above Average) GPS tracking day which leaves no excuses for any GPS device.  The DC40 is Barely holding on, while the DC30 and 220 handheld showed very little problems through out any test.   In short The DC40 problems are not “Percieved” as Garmin would have you think.

My recomendation is Definately the DC30 is a better more accurate setup.  However the DC40 performed Decent,  Had no one experience a DC30 garmin would be able to Pass the DC40 off as Good.  However We have all gotten used to the DC30 Performing well and the DC40 simply is lacking in the GPS reception department. 

 Should you want the Best with Less headaches and Loss of GPS Signal Messages, It is besst to stick with the DC30.

You can purchase both on my website at really good deals at www.DuGraphics.com/shop 

However if you want a DC40, Please send me a message letting me know you Read this review and want one anyways.   i don’t want to deal with Returns from customers who think the DC40 is going to be better then the DC30.

From: Garmin International

***ASTRO DC 40 FIRST TIME USE ADVISORY***

It has come to our attention that a small number of customers who have purchased Garmin’s new DC 40 GPS tracking collar have experienced issues with acquiring and maintaing a good GPS satellite fix. There are a few simple steps that users can take to ensure their equipment is performing optimally.

• Acquire a solid satellite signal with the DC 40 before attaching the collar to a dog.

To ensure the DC 40 is properly acquired, turn it on and place it in an open area with a clear view of the sky for approximately 15 minutes. This process allows the GPS receiver to download data that will accurately calculate the location of a GPS satellite at a particular point in time. After this procedure, the DC 40 should lock onto satellites within seconds. If users haven’t turned on their unit in a week or more, or have traveled at least 200 miles from their last use, they should repeat the above procedure for best results.

• Update the Astro 220’s firmware.

From time to time, Garmin will make improvements to the way the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System performs. It’s always a good idea to ensure that the unit has the latest version of software, but it is critical if a customer is upgrading to the DC 40 from an earlier collar version (DC 20 or DC 30). Among other improvements, the new software update lets DC 40 customers take advantage of Garmin’s new Collar Lock feature that, when activated, prevents others from seeing your dog’s whereabouts. The new firmware also enables a two?minute update rate, which allows users to maximize battery life of the collar.

The process is easy – go to http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/  and download the latest version of WebUpdater for the PC or Mac. This application communicates with the Garmin server over the Internet and updates the Garmin GPS with the most current software version available. It’s easy and it’s automatic – just run WebUpdater after you’ve installed it on your computer and follow the instructions.

There are a few additional considerations that you might want to make your customers aware of when
using the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System:

• Make sure the DC 40’s GPS receiver is not obstructed.

The GPS receiver on the DC 40 is located on the opposite end of the power button (see photos
below). Users should ensure that this area is not blocked or covered by e-collars or other
objects that might affect a reliable GPS signal.

• The GPS signal of the DC 40 will be significantly degraded in water.

Because the GPS receiver is integrated into the main housing that sits below the dogs’ neck, if
the unit is submerged in water, it is likely that the collar will lose a GPS signal. If a customer’s
dog spends a large amount of time in the water, the DC 30 will offer better reception, because
the GPS receiver is on top of the dog’s neck.

• High-powered marine VHF radios will significantly and permanently degrade the Astro’s
performance.

Some hunters use these radios to communicate with one another. If the radios are used within
close proximity to the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System (within a few feet of antennas), it is
possible that the VHF signal will permanently damage the Astro’s ability to receive a signal from
a GPS tracking collar.

It is very likely that by following these simple steps, any perceived issues with the DC 40 will be resolved.
If you have any customers that continue to encounter issues with the new DC 40, please collect as much
information as possible about the specifics of their problems, including the environment and manner in
which the Astro was used. As always, please forward their contact information to your Garmin sales
representative so that we might address their concerns.

We thank you for your continued support and we anticipate another very successful launch of the latest
improvements to the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System.

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

http://www.dugraphics.com/shop/products/Garmin_DC30_tracking_collar-265-34.html

DC40 Review Below.

Once we get our hands on the first DC40 we will post an un biased opinion about the performance and if there are any DC40 Reception issues caused by moving the GPS antenna on the bottom of the collar for the DC40.

Stay tuned!

Grand Prize is a Garmin astro Combo with DC40 collar,  Second and third Place winners each recieve a DC40.

Limited entry, 5 dollars per ticket.    Only 400 Tickets are sold.  Three Winning tickets.

More details and tickets information here 

http://www.biggamehoundsmen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=15349