Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

What's the best out there these days? Alpha 100? Alpha 200? Other?

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2015
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 59

I just upgraded my Garmin Astro 320 to a Garmin Alpha 200i. So far it has been fairly easy to figure things out. I’ve been monkeying with it for a few days and really like it so far. Used it in the woods tonight and the bigger screen and Birdseye mapping is much easier to see. I like using the Birdseye along with the topo map. That’s my first impression. I hope this helps.

__________________
Ron Hamby
Lonesome Kennels

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ronman
I just upgraded my Garmin Astro 320 to a Garmin Alpha 200i. So far it has been fairly easy to figure things out. I’ve been monkeying with it for a few days and really like it so far. Used it in the woods tonight and the bigger screen and Birdseye mapping is much easier to see. I like using the Birdseye along with the topo map. That’s my first impression. I hope this helps.

---

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Sheridan, WY
Posts: 1165

Grant, I really have enjoyed the Dogtra Pathfinder. The Dogtra and Garmin are both great products and you really can't go wrong.

Some disadvantages of the Dogtra:
- You have to use a phone. The phone is the brains of the system using an app, so a really cheap Android phone with crappy memory and processors may not give you the best experience. I personally was sure to get a pretty good quality phone that is also rated as waterproof.

- I don't think you can put as many dogs paired to the pathfinder as the garmin... not a problem for most. I think you can still put 20 hounds paired to one dogtra; however there is not a "shock all" option. I think this is a concern for fell's that run huge packs on deer... probably not a concern for 99.99 % of coon hunters.

- If your garmin breaks, you can get it repaired. If your phone breaks.... dogtra won't care.

Some advantages of the Dogtra:
- substantially less expensive.
- Mapping... using your phones google maps is immensely better than the small screen and downloading of maps and map cards with the garmins. You won't pay for maps or subscribe to anything.

- Using the dogtra is easier and much more intuitive. Very easy to use, no complicated menus or settings. Almost every week on these boards you see people asking how to do or fix some sort of function with their garmin... you almost never see these questions about the dogtra. Settings, and functions on the dogtra are really simple and make sense.

TIE:
Range, and quality of collars are going to be the same on both the dogtra and garmin.

Misconceptions about the Dogtra:
- These have gone away over the last couple years as more and more people are using the Dogtra; however, there are some misconceptions.

- You have to have cell service to use the Dogtra. Not true, I live in Wyoming and have used it for several years. There are a couple ways to easily ovecome hunting where there is no cell service and still use all the functions of the Dogtra.

- You have to have your phone with you... while that is true, I still want to find the hunter that is leaving his phone at home.

- Running the dogtra drains your phones battery really fast... this has not been my experience, but it could vary from phone to phone. I usually only hunt for a couple hours max... but have hunted all night with it. I do carry a $10 battery pack for my phone just in case I needed to do an instant charge in the field. Only needed to use it once. But the reality is any product with a battery can be drained.

__________________
______________________________
Seeking Soli Deo Gloria through the hounds.

Last edited by houndsound on 09-26-2021 at 12:38 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

Thanks! I was wondering about the cell phone based trackers. Much appreciated.

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Grant, Houndsound gave some very good info. What I did when I was messing with them a few years back. Was to invest in a $100 phone off Amazon. Like houndsound said. You don't need service you just need the phones gps system. Dogtra has since come out with its own handheld also.

It really depends on what you are hunting. Who you are hunting with and how many dogs you are trying to control

Hunting one or two dogs and not wanting to have your buddies dog on your system. DOGTRA is fine.

Hunting pack hounds with a group and wanting to control them with the tone FAST. Nothing will match the ALPHA 200i

Want to have a system that gives you a lot of features and one your buddy probably has to you can be compatible with him. The ALPHA 100 works great.

The main difference in the 100 and 200i is how it handles groups and many dogs at a time. Your not fox, bear, deer, hog hunting 10 or more dogs at a time with several other hunters. The 100 works well and for a couple hundred bucks less.

__________________
www.ConkeysOutdoors.com
"Boss Lights"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
Grant, Houndsound gave some very good info. What I did when I was messing with them a few years back. Was to invest in a $100 phone off Amazon. Like houndsound said. You don't need service you just need the phones gps system. Dogtra has since come out with its own handheld also.

It really depends on what you are hunting. Who you are hunting with and how many dogs you are trying to control

Hunting one or two dogs and not wanting to have your buddies dog on your system. DOGTRA is fine.

Hunting pack hounds with a group and wanting to control them with the tone FAST. Nothing will match the ALPHA 200i

Want to have a system that gives you a lot of features and one your buddy probably has to you can be compatible with him. The ALPHA 100 works great.

The main difference in the 100 and 200i is how it handles groups and many dogs at a time. Your not fox, bear, deer, hog hunting 10 or more dogs at a time with several other hunters. The 100 works well and for a couple hundred bucks less.

---

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 105

Hands down the dogtra has better maps than garmin. It’s so so much easier to use. It is a good product.
I am always gonna have my phone with me anyway.
If your buddy has dogtra you can share with each other just like garmin.
One issue I see with dogtra…..
I recently had trouble with a collar that I had bought used. It has some age on it. I sent it to them and it was a nightmare. Their customer service is terrible.
Anyone p.m. and I can elaborate on that experience if your interested.
I have used them both a length. I truly believe if some of these die hard garmin people would try the dogtra with an open mind they would definitely switch. JMO

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

quote:

---

Originally posted by GCH Viper
Hands down the dogtra has better maps than garmin. It’s so so much easier to use. It is a good product.
I am always gonna have my phone with me anyway.
If your buddy has dogtra you can share with each other just like garmin.
One issue I see with dogtra…..
I recently had trouble with a collar that I had bought used. It has some age on it. I sent it to them and it was a nightmare. Their customer service is terrible.
Anyone p.m. and I can elaborate on that experience if your interested.
I have used them both a length. I truly believe if some of these die hard garmin people would try the dogtra with an open mind they would definitely switch. JMO

---

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: May 2005
Location: Bellevue, IA
Posts: 1874

Just have Jay go get the dogs!

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location:
Posts: 1085

quote:

---

Originally posted by T Felderman
Just have Jay go get the dogs!

---

__________________
Visit the Treeing Walker Association's Website at www.TWBFA.com

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 7068

Most likely he will be hunting with me. That's what friends do....

__________________
Member of the Keyboard Warrior Mafia

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged