Registered: Jun 2009
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Posts: 254
Dogtra Pathfinder Opinions
Can anyone give me a review on the Dogtra Pathfinder? Is it comparable / better / worse than a Garmin Astro / Alpha?
Thanks, Lance
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Hollow Eyed Killer Kennel
Lance Pehrson
R.I.P.
GRNTCH GRCH Thunder Echo 2008, 2009, 2012 World qualifier bench and hunt.
English, the proper hound.
Cedar City, UT (435) 590-9720
Registered: Jan 2019
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 139
Opinions will vary
I bought it and returned it for the Alpha. I like the Alpha much more. Other people like the dogtra better. I recommend buying one from a place that will let you return it if you don’t like it. Hunt with it for a couple weeks and then decide for yourself.
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Sheridan, WY
Posts: 1163
Re: Dogtra Pathfinder Opinions
quote:Originally posted by H.E.K.K. Can anyone give me a review on the Dogtra Pathfinder? Is it comparable / better / worse than a Garmin Astro / Alpha?
Thanks, Lance
I do not think either is better or worse... both great products. I got into the Pathfinder system, primarily because it was so much cheaper. I've used the Garmin products also and liked them- but overall I prefer the mapping with my phone on the Pathfinder. Like I said, you can't go wrong either way.
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: 3515-38st-moline ill.
Posts: 557
dogtra
Ive had mine a couple months now and will admit im not very tech savvy.The first few nites I was lucky not to be hunting by a river because I would have been tempted to see if it could swim.I still have a problem occasionally with downloading the maps to cover the area I am going to hunt.99%of where I hunt I don't have cell service.I will say this,after25 to 30 nites of hunting I have never lost signal once.With my dc50 collars and 320 garmin I lost signal several times a nite although it usually came back on fairly quickly.All things considered I would certainly recommend the Dogtra.
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Always be yourself because the people that matter dont mind and the people that mind dont matter.Rock River Plotts
Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106
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Critter how are you attempting to download the maps. They are a section to download off line maps. That limits you.
Do this when not in the pathfinder app.
Just download Google maps to your phone. Then in an area where you have wifi service. Open the map and on the phone screen show pinch down to show a large area around you. It can be several states. Then when every you use your pathfinder that map will be the one used. Like I said. Don't use the download offline map section on the pathfinder.
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Sheridan, WY
Posts: 1163
Re: .
quote:Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey Critter how are you attempting to download the maps. They are a section to download off line maps. That limits you.
Do this when not in the pathfinder app.
Just download Google maps to your phone. Then in an area where you have wifi service. Open the map and on the phone screen show pinch down to show a large area around you. It can be several states. Then when every you use your pathfinder that map will be the one used. Like I said. Don't use the download offline map section on the pathfinder.
That is for sure the way to do it! Works great for me. I think this confuses a lot of people- down load the maps (area) you want through google maps- not via the pathfinder app
Registered: Jun 2004
Location: 3515-38st-moline ill.
Posts: 557
will do
Bruce,i saw an old post you posted mentioning this and thought about trying it but couldn't get thru my head how the google map would work with the dogtra.Are you saying the dogtra will automatically go to the google map.I believe I have the google map app on my phone already And as I mentioned on my post im not the slickest user of this tech stuff.I may need to recruit my daughter for this one.
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Always be yourself because the people that matter dont mind and the people that mind dont matter.Rock River Plotts
Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106
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I dont think it goes to the Dogtra app. But when you open up dogtra app the map is in the background and works great. So easy and so simple. I am not sure why this isnt shard more. Especially by dogtra.
Registered: Feb 2015
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 1179
I would like to try the Dogtra but once you have the Garmin it's hard to justify changing. I have an Alpha and 3 TT15's. If a collar quits it's about $100 for replacement and got a replacement Alpha for about $130 including shipping mine in. I have no idea what the cost to replace the dogtra units is. But basically I could completely replace my units for about $430 with refurbished (everyone I have gotten was new as far as I could tell) equipment. Once you have the Alpha and collars it's pretty cheap to keep it working.
Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Sheridan, WY
Posts: 1163
quote:Originally posted by Preacher Tom I would like to try the Dogtra but once you have the Garmin it's hard to justify changing. I have an Alpha and 3 TT15's. If a collar quits it's about $100 for replacement and got a replacement Alpha for about $130 including shipping mine in. I have no idea what the cost to replace the dogtra units is. But basically I could completely replace my units for about $430 with refurbished (everyone I have gotten was new as far as I could tell) equipment. Once you have the Alpha and collars it's pretty cheap to keep it working.
As much as I really enjoy, and prefer my Dogtra, it would not have been worth it if I had been fully invested in a Alpha unit.
Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106
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I think the main thing to consider is your application of the product. This can be said for many products out there.
This is a coon hunting board so most of the conversation is going to be from the coon hunting side of things. Less dogs in the woods at once and many times by yourself. If you hunt pack hounds and hunt in large parties of hunters. It lowers the preference for the dogtra. For one person and one or two dogs. It can do all you want. For a couple people and a couple dogs. It works. But if you hunt with a lot of people. The ALPHA is what will be required to work with the group.
Nothing wrong with the Dogtra. Just will have a hard time edging out the ALPHA with it comes to group popularity. Time usually changes most things and it will be interesting is there is a shift in thinking in a few years.
02-21-2020 12:14 AM
