old ben
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Jan 2010
Location: Anderson co Tennessee
Posts: 1944 |
Re: dc 50
quote:
Originally posted by Bobby Small
what does it have to offer?
Increased Tracking Ability: Garmin's Astro DC50 has a high-sensitivity, top-mounted GPS receiver (very similar to Garmin Alpha TT10 collars) is now enabled to receive signals from GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites. This adds 21 more satellites your collar can connect with (in addition to the 28 satellites currently in the GPS system), helping eliminate dropped satellite connections in heavily wooded area and deep canyons, valleys.
Bark Detection: Garmin's DC50 is the first company in GPS dog tracking to offer a Bark Detection feature. When the bark detection feature is enabled, users can see the rate-per-minute at which each of their dogs is barking, even when out of audible range. Each dog's DC50's bark status is displayed on both the map screen and each individual dog screen and compass screen. Since some users may not want to have bark rates displayed on the map screen, there is an option to turn it off on the map screen while keeping it active on the other screens. Another option with Bark Detection is the ability to set a “minimum bark-rate threshold;” this allows users to establish a minimum rate of barks per minute—either 20, 40, 60, or 80 bpm—before they are alerted by their Garmin Astro 320. In short, Bark Detection will be especially beneficial when your hounds are out of hearing range and you’re trying to decipher if they’re just trailing, or have already jumped or treed the game.
Rescue Mode: Another new feature to the Garmin Astro dog tracking line of products is the Rescue Mode (currently available in the Garmin Alpha seiries). The Rescure Mode is battery saving function that, when activated, automatically switches your collar update rate to once every 2 minutes (120 seconds) when the battery has declined to 25% of a full charge. This feature is designed to give users several additional hours to retrieve a dog before the Garmin DC50 collar battery dies. This feature is an optional feature and can be turned off if a user doesn’t wish to have their update rate changed.
Better VHF Antenna: The Garmin DC50 sports a longer, more flexible VHF antenna made of aircraft-grade braidedsteel, which greatly improves both range and durability over previous DC collar antennas. DC50 antennas are available in both 18.5” and 22.5”. The Garmin DC50 dog collar will come with the Garmin long range 22.5” antenna mounted on the collar and the standard tracking Garmin antenna of 18.5" will also be included in the box.
Easily Changeable Collar Straps: The Garmin DC50 collar set up is very similar to the Garmin Alpha TT10. The collar straps on the DC50, as with the Garmin Alpha TT10 collars, easily slide through the sections on the ecollar box, therefore eliminating the need for any tools when you want to quickly change collar straps. Any universal D-ring collar strap (or TriTronics EXP strap) will slide right onto your tracking unit in seconds. A huge plus with this setup is that you can first slide on an EXP or any other shock collar with a 1” strap, and then slide on your DC50, allowing for fewer collars on your dog. Outdoor Dog Supply's collar are special made with closer hole spacing than aftermarket collar makers, this is important to get the best fit possible for your pet. In addition, you can opt for Ring or No Ring by the buckle.
Improved Charging Ability/Options: The charging port on the DC50 collar is very different from the Garmin DC30 collars, DC40 collars, and Alpha TT10 collars. There is no more seperate charging clip (one less part to lose). The clip is permantely attached to the cord; however the cord is not permantely attached to the wall charger. The code comes with the standard USB interface base that you can plug in 3 different ways - 3 different connection options when you need to charge: (1) you can plug into an AC outlet, (2) a vehicle charge port, or the (3) USB port on a computer. This is especially nice feature since you can also use this to update your Garmin DC50 collar directly from the computer when it’s time to run a software update on your collar. All you will have to do is attach the charging clip, plug your DC50 into your computer through the USB port and run Garmin Web Updater.
New DC50 Tone Indicator: Another new feature Garmin has created is that was not available in the previous DC30 and DC4 GPS dog collars is an audible tone it provides when you successfully add a collar to your Garmin Astro 320 handheld. This tone confirms that you have added the correct collar when there are other collars in the immediate vicinity. A tone will also sound when you successfully change most settings on your Astro 320 - DC50 combo. As an example: when you change dog type to “pointing dog,” your Garmin DC50 will beep to let you know you did it right.
PIN Lock: The PIN Lock function allows the Garmin user to select and store a 4-digit code for each of their DC collars so no one else can track their dogs without inputting the code. Although this is not a must-have feature in most hunting situations, it could be very useful in field trials, competitions, or when you’re out with a large group of fellow dog runners and their dogs are also equipped with Astros and DC collars.
Adjustable Dog Type: Using the updated Astro 320, you can change the type for each of your dogs wearing a DC50 to reflect what they’re doing. Your options are 1) Pointing, 2) Treeing, 3) Auto, and 4) None. This lets your Astro know that when your dog is sitting still, he or she could still be on point or have game treed.
Power Button Placement: The power button on the Garmin DC50 collar has been relocated to the back of the collar box (similiar location to the Garmin Alpha TT10 collar) the button is up against the dogs neck, instead of on the side like the previous DC collar versions. The move with help protect the DC50 from being accidentally switched off by other collars on your dog, or during random situations like sharp rocks, fallen branches, or other crazy things that can happen during the chase. In addition, the back side improved placement will also provide more protection from everyday wear and tear, which is a bonus becuase Garmin DC30s and DC40s have come in with cracks or holes in the rubber cover that seals the power button; this allows soisture to get inside the device and cause corrosion in the electronics, killing the collar.
Protective Antenna Sleeve: The Garmin DC50 are set up very simliar to the Garmin Alpha TT10's, therefore you will no longer have to purchase Outdoor Dog Supply's protective nylon jacket t, use zip ties, or use electrical tape to secure your loose antennas. The new Garmin DC50 collars comes with a thick, durable rubber cover that not only protects the antenna core, but also keeps your antenna in the proper placement to receive satellite signals. The antenna cover is very durable and can be cleaned easily, which is great if your hound has been through the swamp mud to chase down game.
Track Up To 10 Dogs: There has been no change the the amount of dogs the Garmin Astro 320 can track. 10 DC collar is the most GPS dog tracking collar you can track simultaneously.
Wireless Collar Updates: With the Astro 320 you can update collar software on the fly! This will allows you to perform some trouble shooting as well even if your in the cab of your truck in the middle of the woods.
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Country Boy Can Survive
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Lance White
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07-09-2013 04:31 AM
