Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Greenville, Ky
Posts: 4139

You know every time you look on here you see another issue with these Garmins. Are they that bad a product or is it mostly operator error. I can honestly say that I have not had many issues.

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Iraq Vet, 03-05, 05-07, 09-10

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Registered: Nov 2013
Location: Convoy,Ohio
Posts: 1693

I've had garmins since the 220's first came out,and I haven't had the first issue with any of the other than having to calibrate the 320 more than I liked,,and I just love my Alpha's

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Kevin Brown
Convoy,Ohio

Browns Wild Irish Rose(Tequila Sunrise x Stylish Abagal)
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Registered: Oct 2006
Location: Pleasant Plain OHIO
Posts: 1291

stick your ear in the wind and your dog on the ground learn to read the stars and carry a compass ,, Operator error only points out the dummies ,, so don't be rude

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Greenville, Ky
Posts: 4139

quote:

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Originally posted by Darrell Eads
stick your ear in the wind and your dog on the ground learn to read the stars and carry a compass ,, Operator error only points out the dummies ,, so don't be rude

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Iraq Vet, 03-05, 05-07, 09-10

Phone number 270-820-5560

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location: Bois d'Arc, MO.
Posts: 1823

No issues here but I coonhunt and don't watch garmin tv.

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Registered: Sep 2010
Location: New Paris, Indiana
Posts: 7076

Mike, you have take into consideration the number of Garmin systems out there, probably tens of thousands. Then divide the number of problems you read about on here and you will see just how microscopic the number of problems really are. And then subtract the ones that Conkey fixes by telling them how disable declutter or some other problem associated with the lack of operator knowledge and you have very few real problems left.

The old DC 20, 30, and 40 collars were less than completely reliable but the Alphas and their collars have been as reliable for me as my beep beep''s ever were.

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PKC CH/UKC GrNtCh Stylish Kate - 9/12/08 to 9/23/2016 R.I.P - Owners Sizemore/Martin
AKC/UKC NtCh Sizemore's Timber Jam Jeff 5/2/2000 to 1/22/2012 R.I.P.
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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Right now they are more reliable than they ever were and each real issue is being discussed and worked on by Garmin and there are only a small number of issues.

Lets break down the issues into categories.

Actual physical issues. Construction, parts, durability, push buttons, etc. The handhelds have very few problems. The collars have had issues but they are working on them an making any and all changes they can. I know there are several dog supply dealers around the country that work with Garmin on problems as they come up. Garmin takes information fed to them seriously trying to get you guys a good product. Not sure how many of you guys know this but Mark Zepp who has been in the dog world for sometime now. First with John Wick, then Tri Tronics and now Garmin. He is a key player in the Dog Supply Market for Garmin. He monitors this board and others and he talks to dealers. Garmin and Mark are interested in bringing you guys a great product.

Software problems. This may be the most aggravating for some but the easiest to fix. Problem is you have to have some computer skills and many hunters don't. These problems actually come from Garmin trying to give the hunters a lot of features and make these features mesh with different products. They just don't produce an ALPHA handheld. The make an ALPHA handheld then get it to work and communicate with a DriveTrack70, They have the ALPHA working and communicating with different watches and they have it working with several different maps. This takes software changes which can up uploaded from your computer when this happens and changes need to be made. There are two problems here. Sometimes it takes more that one software change which is on Garmin and the second issue is the ability of the user to update their gamins. If you ask most of the people who own ALPHAs what version of software they have downloaded into it, they could not tell you when it is just a couple screen touches away from you seeing exactly what you have. I highly suggest doing all you can to learn and understand your menus and what they do.

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 22586

Maybe Garmin problems are like most of the rule problems. If you just read the book most of them would solve themselves. Just look at all of the people that get "cheated".
I dropped my Alpha in 10-14 ft of water and lost it. Four weeks later they drained the pond and found my Alpha. After drying it out it works fine. I have problems with it but I just get my Instruction manual out and read it and figure out what to do. This Alpha sure is a lot more complicated than my old 220. But I used my 220 for 6 yrs. After 4 or 5 yrs, I might get this Alpha figured out.

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