Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

I bought another unit in Dec so I could have a back unit. My plans where to leave one connected to the truck antenna and keep another on me at all times.

The unit would lose the dogs at 200 yds so I sent it back. I got my replace 6-7 days later. I used it last night and it would only pick up 138 yds.

My other unit and a friends unit both picked up the dogs at 600 yds. Needless to say, I’m sending this unit back for replacement as well.


I was wondering if anyone else had this happen to them. If so, how many you went through before you got a good one.




KG

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Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2713

Sure you don't have a bad antenna???

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Golden Woods Bo
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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Platteville, Wi
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quote:

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Originally posted by Virgil
Sure you don't have a bad antenna???

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

Switched antennas from the unit that was picking up over 600yds. Even tried the truck antenna so that's not the problem.

Checked all settings and etc.



KG

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Registered: Nov 2009
Location: New London, NC
Posts: 1562

That's a common problem and I wish they would address it.
I really don't believe its terrain because if all my buddies get together at the same time, all 5's range is different. The best I've seen is 6 miles on a old unit and the worst is 300yds on a brand new one. Inconsistency like that is why I don't have one. When you pay that much for something like that , it should be trouble and worry free.
I hope when the Marshall comes out, its a better unit and all the Garmin problems don't carry over to it.

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

We had the same conversation last night.

The units that are picking up are units that we bought 2-3 years ago. They've never been updated and work just fine.

Had another friend update (few months back) his unit and he started having similar problems. I reset it back to the original factory settings and it works fine now.

Every GPS product I own is a Garmin and I still believe in Garmin and I'm happy with their service.

It seems to me that Garmin should field test all units before shipping them.

KG

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

The truck antenna is not about range for me. When in the hunts you have to turn off your unit which bugs me so I wanted one left on so just incase I couldn't pick up my hound again the one left on in the truck would still have them locked in or show the last know direction.

I also have a second unit for resons just like (failure) this and many others reasons as well.


KG

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4321

I got a 2nd unit partly for the reasons you did but also because my oldest son goes through spells where he hunts alot and I wanted him to have a Garmin, as well.

Even pleasure hunting I will sometimes leave one Astro in the truck, connected to the truck antenna. It commonly gets 2-3 miles. I'll even leave one dog in a section, go down the road and dump another one, and be able to keep track of both dogs.

I'm sure you checked it, but make sure the type of battery is set to whatever you are using. I've had NiMH batteries in it and with the setting on Alkaline, I wasn't getting near the usual range.

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

I checked the battery settings first. I checked everything (even did a reset, installed new batteries, deleted and added the collars again). Been messing with it this morning, just incase I messed something. Checked, checked, even checked my check...lol

KG

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Registered: Sep 2004
Location: GA
Posts: 503

Maybe the collar not the unit?

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Bruce Hammontree

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

I have two DC 20's & two DC30's.

One of the 30's is two or three weeks old. I can pick up any of the collars on two of the units and not on the new one.


KG

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Registered: Sep 2004
Location: GA
Posts: 503

Have you tried changing your collar settings to a different #

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Bruce Hammontree

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: BLOOMFIELD IOWA
Posts: 2439

quote:

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Originally posted by BWSupplies
That's a common problem and I wish they would address it.
I really don't believe its terrain because if all my buddies get together at the same time, all 5's range is different. The best I've seen is 6 miles on a old unit and the worst is 300yds on a brand new one. Inconsistency like that is why I don't have one. When you pay that much for something like that , it should be trouble and worry free.
I hope when the Marshall comes out, its a better unit and all the Garmin problems don't carry over to it.

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Makes me want to run right out and buy one! NOT!

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Bryan J.

SAVE THE COON, HUNT WITH A HOUND!

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Registered: Jan 2010
Location: bland, mo.
Posts: 21

dern it, i hate to hear this i was getting ready to buy one, is there any other similar tracking system thats not having all these problems?

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Registered: Nov 2009
Location: New London, NC
Posts: 1562

quote:

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Originally posted by jared strunk
dern it, i hate to hear this i was getting ready to buy one, is there any other similar tracking system thats not having all these problems?

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__________________
BACKWOOD'S SUPPLIES
Supplies for the Coon Hunter and his Hound.
BILL TIPTON
bwsupplies@aol.com
704-791-7751
36479 NC HWY 49
New London, NC, 28127
President of the SBA
Member of the BBOA & BBCHA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Backwoods-Supplies/167389623298613

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