Rip
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Morrison TN
Posts: 4927 |
Well I'll see if I can help you understand how they work a little since you are looking for answers.
GPS tech is only going to be accurate to so close, my old hand held was about 30 feet, seems like it might be better than that with the garmin.
That's why you can't use the arrow when you are real close. You have to use the map and watch yourself move closer to the dog (you are the white arrow). Within 30 feet or so, whatever the margin of error is, the arrow can point in any direction and it not be a malfunction because it is within that range. Kind of like with the beep beep being so close it bleeds across and doesn't give you an exact direction. Again it's not a malfunction for the arrow not to point to the collar if you are close or if you haven't calibrated the compass. That's not how GPS works. You have to calibrate it, and within 30 feet is fine, it doesn't matter if it points right to it. IT WILL give you an accurate measurement on the map, and the cool thing is if it is off 30 feet, but you use the map it will show you 30 feet off in the same direction so you take the error out of it by making your symbol meet up with the dogs symbol. That's how you use a Garmin at close range, not with the arrows.
It does sound like he was out of range and it was marking the last spot you picked him up at which is what it is supposed to do. When this happens you go to that spot and see if you can pick him up, look for things he can be inside right there (tile or something like that). If you look on the map and walk to where your icon gets on top of the dog you should be within about 30 feet or even less. Look for something the dog can be under etc.
If that's not the case it means the dog is out of range or the collar got turned off etc.
Then you should use the long range antenna and try and pick the dog back up.
If you want to use the arrow to track then you have to calibrate the compass every time you turn the unit on because it's an electronic compass not magnetic.
That's why I always use the map instead of the arrow/compass.
If you use a Garmin you have to realize it's limitations. With the rubber antenna that is going to be anywhere from 500 yards to a mile or so depending on conditions and terrain. Then you have to get the long range antenna out, it will pick up a mile consistantly and sometimes 1.5 to 2 around here when conditions are right. It's not a directional antenna, if it picks the dog up for a split second it will show it to you on the map, which is great. Then it will show that spot and you can drive/walk to it and get closer to him even when if you can't pick him up all the way there.
I would definately invest in the roof mount antenna to get the full benifit of the Garmin if I were your buddy.
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Last edited by Rip on 10-04-2010 at 02:24 AM
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10-04-2010 12:26 AM
Hunt with whatever tracker you want , but I'm taking the Garmin until something I like better comes along.
Mark Reavis 
