UKC Forums - Garmin Astro GPS Dog tracking system

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UKC Forums (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/index.php)
- UKC Coonhounds (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=4)
-- Garmin Astro GPS Dog tracking system (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=167557)

Posted by Lee Stocking on 01-01-2008 01:47 AM:

I sure hate to be pessimistic about the new Garmin, its the best thing ive seen come along in a long time. When its working MAN its the berries, I mean its so neat you cant get your eyes off the map to see what your dog is doing. Then you come home and check it out on the computer. I hunt the steeper hills on and around dale hollow in tn, also middle tn where the hills turn more into 2000 ft mts, some maybe a little bigger and smaller but 10,000 acre tracks and larger. No grain no moslty cattle if any. Coon are scattered very wide and it takes very wide hunting dogs to reach coon, sometimes, especially in the winter. SO I put the GPS on a wide rangy dog. It went one mile at best, even when we were on top looking down. The collar to the transmiter just didnt reach far enough for rough hunting. For easy hunting the gps is really really great. But if your hunting off mules or big timber and your dog has to reach out or you have a straight liner that gets deep fast I dont think the gps will suit, at least I wont be purchasing one till the collar is stronger. It was great till the signal went out.

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Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-01-2008 06:13 AM:

It's not the GPS that's failing.

Even though the collar and handheld use the satellites they still have to communicate with each other. They communicate via VHF (line-of-sight radio communication)and deep gullies, hills, mountains and thick cover will effect how it works. Page 14 & 15
says it all.

My conclusion:

After hunting with this unit I can honestly say it’s very nice what you can do with it. As far as tracking range in wide open flat land the range is about 4.25 miles with the handheld (haven’t tried with external mounted antenna)and in places with thick cover, hills, gullies, mountains, and steep river banks you’re only going to get .50-1.50 miles of range regardless of weather conditions. I do think Garmin is on the right track with this unit and can’t wait until someone comes out with a unit that will get 5 miles of range or greater in the highest of mountains and thickest of cover.

Now the GPS system worked great, had no problem getting a signal in stormy weather and finding my way back to the truck.

I also used this system in a 13 story building to take measurements for square footages and never lost the GPS signal not even in the basement (had 2 bars out of 5).

KG

Posted by Lee Stocking on 01-01-2008 08:19 AM:

Right Kenny its the vhf signal between the two. I have a garmin cx with a topo and it works great in thick or thin cover. The new gps picks up faster than my cx. The units usless to me the way it is though, I wish it wasnt.

Posted by chadf on 01-01-2008 08:43 AM:

Found this info on amazon.com in their product reviews.

"I got my Astro about a month ago and from the start the 2 mile range wasn't there (more like .33 miles maximum). I checked it with a pulse wattmeter from HP/agilent and it was outputting only 0.45 watts for .38 seconds, not the 2W rating (and the battery lasted alot longer than it was supposed to for some reason!). I shipped it to garmin, got it back and it was now putting out 2.2 watts. Range was still disappointing at 0.6 miles (city - granted - but my rino's do far better and they aren't digital!)

Next, I found that there are 5 channels Astro can use of which 2 of them are used by every jobcom radio in construction etc (154.57 and 154.600 are the worst and are in use all over the place) - my unit was on one of those channels which was almost always in use, so using another RF tool (spectrum analyzer) - I found a much better channel and suddenly the in city range went up to 1.5 miles which wasn't bad."

Posted by WattsFlatsRedbo on 01-01-2008 03:34 PM:

Joe Newlin

I seen on here that you posted that you used Marshall Collars before you got this system. I'm just wondering if the range of the Garmin Astro is even comparable to the Marshall. I hunt mainly in the foothills of the Allegany Mountains and being able to track a dog at a long distance and over multiple ridges is a must for me. So far Marshall has been the best for what I hunt. If anyone that had a Marshall before they got thier Astro could please post how they compare for overall range it would be greatly appreciated. I've just about got my mind made up that I'm gonna have to get myself an Astro, but this is a big concern also.

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Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-01-2008 03:45 PM:

Has anyone else noticed that the tracking range varies when the batteries run down? Last night I was hunting on my lease and I couldn’t pick up the collar at ľ mile. I noticed the battery was almost dead and replaced them and it immediately picked it up and locked in.

I had two Marshall collars that I've picked up in rough country about three miles with no problem( never had to track any further). The only complaint is if one dog is close and another is out of pocket you have to turn the closer collar off because it will bleed over and give you a false reading.

Hope that helps,

KG

Posted by WattsFlatsRedbo on 01-01-2008 07:47 PM:

quote:
[i]
I had two Marshall collars that I've picked up in rough country about three miles with no problem( never had to track any further). The only complaint is if one dog is close and another is out of pocket you have to turn the closer collar off because it will bleed over and give you a false reading.

Hope that helps,

KG [/B]

I own a Marshall tracking system and collars allready and I need all the range that they provide. I've noticed the same thing that your saying about a close collar does need to be shut off when tracking a deep dog because of the interferance. Around here a Marshall won't get any better range than 2 miles and not even a mile sometimes depending on terrain. This is why I'm still concerned about the range of the Garmin Astro in Mountain type terrain. Everyone has different ideas of what mountain terrain is. I've seen little hills smaller than the ones I sleded down as a kid called mountains before by some people.

Posted by GA DAWG on 01-01-2008 08:00 PM:

My marshall will still be on mine.Now I'll just have 2 ways to track em.

Posted by DA CHEMIST on 01-01-2008 09:41 PM:

WILDLIFE TRX 3S W/MARSHALL COLLARS

I GOT A WILDLIFE SYSTEM WITH 2 MARSHALL COLLAR'S... THEY PICK UP A STRONG SIGNAL.. I'VE PLAYED WITH THE RECIEVER TO PICK UP THE DOG'S AND IT IS NICE, AS I'VE JUST BOUGHT IT.. IT MIGHT BE 3 MOS OLD... IT'LL TELL ME WHEN THEY ARE TREE'D. STILL RUNNING. OR NOT MOVING AT ALL!!! THE ANTENNA'S ARE FLIMSY, AINT GOTTA WORRY ABOUT THEM BREAKING AND IF ONE GET'S CHEWED OFF I CAN REPLACE IT.. THE BATTERY LIFE OF THE COLLAR WITH THE LIGHT'S.. AND I HUNT ABOUT 2-3 HRS A NIGHT AND SOME TIMES NOT THAT LONG.. THEY'VE LASTED A LIL OVER 3 MOS.. I BOUGHT 2 COLLARS FROM VALLY CREEK AND I JUST CHANGE THE BATTERY ON ONE OF MY COLLARS ABOUT 2 R 3WKS AGO.. I LIKE THE SYSTEM WITH THE COLLARS!!! BUT LAST NIGHT MY HOUNDS GOT TREE'D AND I WENT TO PLAY WITH IT.. IT PICKED UP ONE DOG AND THE OTHER COLLAR'S SIGNAL WAS COMING AND GOING, BUT THEY WERE ON THE SAME TREE!!!! THAT'S THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH TRACKING.. BUT IF THEY NOT SO CLOSE.. IT WORKS LIKE A DANDY.. BOTH SYSTEM'S HAS THIER GOOD AND BAD, BUT NOW I'M USING THE WILDLIFE WITH THE MARSHALL COLLARS.. WUT I SHOULD OF GOT IS THE TRACKER MAXIMA.. IT'S SMALL AND I COULD OF TRACKED FROM THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK LAST NIGHT, AS IT'S SMALLER THAN THE WILDLIFE ON THE YAGI ANTENNA .. ADN I ALSO HAVE THE GARMIN.. IT'S NICE, BUT THE SIGNAL WILL FADE IN HEAVY TIMBER BUT I'LL GET YA BAK TO THE TRUCK.. I EVEN CHANGED MY BATTERIES IN THE WOODS ON MY MARSHALL, QUICK FAST AN SIMPLE.. BUT GOOD LUCK WITH WHICH EVER ONE YA GOT....

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Posted by J_Henderson3 on 01-02-2008 12:31 AM:

Sometime a while back someone made a comment about the collar mounting brackets and how they were worried it would break because they are made of plastic. That had worried me as well. After hunting the other night I went to put the collar on charge and noticed mine had a pretty good crack in it. I taped it on good and have had any trouble but I did contact Garmin and they told me they would send me a new re-inforced collar attachment plate. I dont know if it is just like the original one or if they are redesigned. Ill let you all know when I get it. Anyone else had this problem?

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-02-2008 04:02 PM:

After last night I’ve decided this system is worthless to me as far as tracking a dog.
I went hunting in the national forest where there was no wind and fairly open country (trees with very little cover)and the Garmin lost signal around .52 miles for over 20 minutes until dogs got with in 920 yards and as soon as they got .52 I lost them again. What’s funny is I could hear them as plain as day.

I remember someone on here saying “if you didn’t have one of these systems you were living in the dark ages”….One thing for sure, I was every time my hound got out of range

KG

Posted by Dan Dogs on 01-02-2008 04:09 PM:

kenny

thanks for the info.. i think i will waite till they make the changes they need to make before i invest in one..

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Posted by mleck on 01-02-2008 04:26 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Kenny Gates
After last night I’ve decided this system is worthless to me as far as tracking a dog.
I went hunting in the national forest where there was no wind and fairly open country (trees with very little cover)and the Garmin lost signal around .52 miles for over 20 minutes until dogs got with in 920 yards and as soon as they got .52 I lost them again. What’s funny is I could hear them as plain as day.

I remember someone on here saying “if you didn’t have one of these systems you were living in the dark ages”….One thing for sure, I was every time my hound got out of range

KG

Want to sell it? I sure like mine. A tip that may help is when it tells you signal is lost press the enter button and it picks it right back up.

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-02-2008 04:47 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by mleck
Want to sell it? I sure like mine. A tip that may help is when it tells you signal is lost press the enter button and it picks it right back up.

Nope my daughter likes it....I did hit enter and it didn't pick up until I got within 920 yards.....Like I said I could even hear them running. Now this system worked great on my lease in rice fields (flat and wide open) and even picked them up once at 4.23 miles.

Not to mention I've used this system for everything and there's nothing I don't know about it. Just go back a few pages and read.

I love what it can do....just not enough range and yes the antenna stayed up.

Take care,

KG

Posted by WattsFlatsRedbo on 01-03-2008 12:21 AM:

Re: kenny

quote:
Originally posted by Dan Dogs
thanks for the info.. i think i will waite till they make the changes they need to make before i invest in one..

Yep. Same here. Thank's for the info, Kenny.

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-18-2008 11:14 PM:

Becoming bitter:

http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...354#post1489354

KG

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-20-2008 03:05 PM:

For those of you that have e-mailed me:

I’m in no way saying you shouldn’t buy this system. A lot of people aren’t having any problems but 3 out of 10 that I’ve talked with are having the same issues as me.

I field tested (for me only)this unit in a 10,000 acre rice field where the grass is knee high with tree lines and thin patches of woods. I sat on a hill in the rain and got 4.23 miles and even left my dog hunting on the lease one night (family emergency) and came back the next day and picked her up three miles away. Used the TOPO map and learned that she was near a road, drove around and she was laying on someones porch steps.

Took this system to the forest:

Hunted in small rolling hill country, with steep creek banks (3-8ft both sides) and thick cover where I sometimes have to crawl. I lost signal consistently at 960 yds but using the external mount antenna I have picked them up as far as 1.89 miles.

In the last week:

I’m only getting 200 yds of range in wide open country (fence post standing on a road) and 29 yds in thick cover so I think my DC 20 is bad.

I’ve also had problems with getting a connection between the DC 20 and charger.

Called Garmin myself and they have no knowledge of a new collar but I’ve been told by a dealer they are field testing them as we speak and have no idea when or if they will be out.

I’ve used the measuring tools for distance, square footages of a 13 story building, estimating acreages and the GPS is great and for this a lone I will keep my Garmin Astro.

If you can afford an extra play toy then it’s fun to have and use as a training tool and to map an area, or just to find your way back, but I highly recommend that you mount it on your current tracking system collars and don’t use it as your main tracking system.

I’m sure I left some stuff out but I’m for the hunter and thought you should know the facts as I see them.

I'm in no way mad or upset with anyone about this system and can only hope your experience is a great one.

KG

Posted by josh on 01-20-2008 04:16 PM:

Kenny, In reading your posts about this, you have expessed quite a bit of dissatisfaction with this unit...But your not getting rid of it either...lol

I can understand, it is a little dissapointing in some ways, but amazing in others.

No matter what the rumor is today about a "new" collar design, Im sure There is enough interest in this sysem for Garmin to get somthing done soon....It just make good business sense.

If they come out with a better collar next year that makes the current one obsolete, so what? Get a new collar...you still have the astro 220.

This is what I am thinking anyway....

Posted by Dan Dogs on 01-20-2008 04:20 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by josh
Kenny, In reading your posts about this, you have expessed quite a bit of dissatisfaction with this unit...But your not getting rid of it either...lol

I can understand, it is a little dissapointing in some ways, but amazing in others.

No matter what the rumor is today about a "new" collar design, Im sure There is enough interest in this sysem for Garmin to get somthing done soon....It just make good business sense.

If they come out with a better collar next year that makes the current one obsolete, so what? Get a new collar...you still have the astro 220.

This is what I am thinking anyway....

the new collars will only be compatable with the arostar 340!!!LOL

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-20-2008 04:27 PM:

Told you that I might have left something out:

Why I think my DC 20 is the problem.

Thursday night went with a friend that just bought a new Astro and I programmed my DC 20 into his handheld and his into mine.

Short version:
Made three drops:
My DC 20 (lost com on both heldhelds at the same time)- Best 200 yds and the worst was 29 yds.

His- We never lost com with his and they went a little over 2 miles

KG

PS: I BOUGHT ANOTHER TRACKER TO MOUNT MY DC 20 ON...LOL

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-21-2008 03:27 PM:

For those of you having trouble keeping the antenna up.

Here is something of what it will look like with the antenna stretched:

Jerry Farmer's Collar

Doug Cheek collar with 90 degree fitting:

KG

Posted by Dan Dogs on 01-21-2008 03:39 PM:

jerry's collar looks like it would work without a counter weight..

Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-22-2008 07:02 PM:

Here are some emails between Michael M, Garmin Senior Product Support Specialist and myself about the Astro and I’m passing along as an “FYI”

Dear KENNY GATES,
Usually if there's a new accessory which is in the works, it's a pretty open thing to discuss. It's the units that aren't talked about, even with us, until about the same day they are released on the website.

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Michael M
www.garmin.com

Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Mike,

I think the Astro is great. Just doesn’t get the range I need in Rollin hills or thick cover.
If you can get the design of the charger, mounting bracket, collar more suitable for hounds, and a little more range I don’t think anyone would ever go back to the old systems.

The measuring tools, maps and GPS are outstanding features. I keep hearing your working on a new collar but your support team says no that you like the first generation.

“First Generation” sent of a red flag and that there might be a new collar coming and maybe you can’t say anything until it’s ready for the public to see.

Guess I’m just hopeful and disappointed at the same time.

Best Wishes,

KG

"ProductSupport@garmin.com" <productsupport@garmin.com> wrote:
Dear Kenny Gates,
Thanks for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to send this!

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Michael M
www.garmin.com

Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Tried to call and got tired of being on hold.
Here are a few links about the problems with the Garmin Astro 220 (if you even care):
http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...354#post1489354
http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...mp;pagenumber=5
http://forum.prohound.com/viewtopic.php?t=65590

Thanks, KG

"ProductSupport@garmin.com" <productsupport@garmin.com> wrote:
Dear Kenny Gates,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I will be happy to help you with this. If you would like to speak to an Outdoor specialist you may call 1-800-800-1020, and listen to the prompts and select the outdoor team.

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020

Posted by coondogless on 01-23-2008 01:32 AM:

A new collar would be great, but I do not think Garmin is going to introduce a collar anytime soon that will make the thousands in warehouses now obsolete. JMO

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Posted by Kenny Gates on 01-23-2008 02:16 AM:

Has anyone used the dash holding base for the Astro, thinking about getting it for my truck and four wheeler where I can see it without stopping and having to pick it up.

I have the external mount antenna and it will give you 20% more distance.

KG

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