Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

quote:

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Originally posted by GA DAWG
They told me just this week. They didnt know anything about a new collar lol !!!!!!

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE KY
Posts: 1428

Thanks Guys for the kind words, Bill i will get you're sent out in acouple days, buddy

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Crystal Michigan
Posts: 4483

They are not testing a new transmitter, they are testing a new plate that attaches to the transmitter. The transmitter is not the issue with breakage, it's the plate that screws on over the collar itself.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

Yall see that picture of the collar on the pkc board. The one that had the 90 degree connector and then put ant on it.. If anybody else has done that.Is it working allright? I might do that to mine.

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My first thought on that plate is they should be made out of aluminum. My second thought is you can use ty-raps, one on each side the antenna, should keep the transmitter on the collar in case the plate broke.

The antenna is a different concern. In our I&C (insturment and control) department at work we have some sharp guys and I have posed a few questions two them concerning the antenna.
1. How can the transmitter hang down and the antenna point up and be secured along the collar.
2. Can the range be increased.
3. If you can't increase the strength of the transmitters vhf antenna can anything be done to the receivers vhf antenna.

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One more Astro thought:
Several people talk about the range of the system and I get the opinion they think if the range was increased this unit could replace a tracking collar. One other drawback in my opinion is the life on the transmitter battery which they say is 15-30 hours. I loose a dog and I want more than that time to find it, if needed.

Today I tested a unit right out of the box with a 3/4 quarter charge on the DC-20 transmitter.
flat open land 1.2 miles in one direction and 1.3 miles in the other

Last edited by on 01-19-2008 at 11:50 PM

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Registered: Nov 2007
Location: Marshall Co Indiana
Posts: 127

I saw post stating they were testing the product before it went to market. Mentioned thay had the problems that currently exist.

If the testers said it needed work, what makes you think they will listen to the new testers.

FYI, I called garmin and tghey said they had no knowledge of an upgrade in the works. the guy claimed to even be a coonhunter.

A plate won't fix the broken antennas nor a rotating collar.

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Registered: Nov 2007
Location: Marshall Co Indiana
Posts: 127

Also, Not sure what one is buying with the "cards " being sold but Garmin City Navigator is licensed to only 2 GPSR's. You have to provide the codes from the GPS when loading the maps. Anything over 2 GPSR's requires you to send some extra money to garmin to get an extended license to unlock the maps for futher GPSR's.

I assume the Garmin Topo maps is the same way.... unless one has figured out a "hack" work around.

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I just got in from a short hunt tonight with mine and it passed this test with flying colors. One concern we have here when a dog trees is which side of a creek is he on. Not that we haven't crossed about everyone of these creeks before but on a tonight like tonight if you can stay dry its a bonus. Both times the dogs treed close to creeks and the GPS was correct on which side they were on. The second turn out the way the creek wound around we thought the system was wrong but did what it said and we stayed dry.

As far as tracking the dogs they didn't go far. ~ 400 yards to the first tree and about 700 to the second. The dogs were tracked without a hitch with the exception my buddies unit said he lost communication a couple times with his dog and my unit didn't.
I had the stub antenna and he had the rubber one.

No as far as how the collars sat on the dogs neck, it wasn't pretty and on both dogs they were pointing down every time we saw them.

My unit had a sd micro card with Garmin 2008 topo on it and my buddies was out of the box with no card. The topo map makes all the difference in the world.
For two weeks I have searched most map sites and looked at which map would be better by using test maps on the internet.
Kind of a long story, all are a little different but this area with creeks the topo map would be hard to beat.
To answer Gunpowders question you can buy the CD which I did and load it on your SD micro card. Like you said there are limited license.
You can put about 3/4 the US on a 2 GB card.

The accuracy to me is amazing the collar situation is something to ponder a while but I have some ideas.

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Registered: Nov 2007
Location: Marshall Co Indiana
Posts: 127

Thought so regarding the software. I have City Navigator loaded into my Garmin MapsPro 60 Cx for geocaching. With 2MB, I have the who country. TOPO on top of the City Navigator would be even better. Have the creeks and the roads as well.

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Gunpowder your exactly right. You can go to the Garmin site and in the MAP section and use the dropbox to choose different maps to view to see just what each on has on it. You can drill down into your area and see if the roads even back roads and creeks are there. I spent many hours doing that for several different areas that I know the lay of the land in. My conclusion and I told my hunting partner coming out of the woods last night is if the merged the two maps they would be unbeatable. With that said they are not merged and the TOPO map may not have every woods road the city nav map does, but it does have every road on it that would be a concern to my dog at least in the area I hunt and it does have most of the woods roads really surprised how many, just not the smaller trails. I haven't viewed Map Tech software for this area or one I know but I have viewed their sample map. It may be the best of both worlds but they sell their software for $299 per state. That can add up real quick if you need coverage for several states.

Last edited by on 01-20-2008 at 01:10 PM

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

For those of you that have e-mailed me:

I’m in no way saying you shouldn’t buy this system. A lot of people aren’t having any problems but 3 out of 10 that I’ve talked with are having the same issues as me.

I field tested (for me only)this unit in a 10,000 acre rice field where the grass is knee high with tree lines and thin patches of woods. I sat on a hill in the rain and got 4.23 miles and even left my dog hunting on the lease one night (family emergency) and came back the next day and picked her up three miles away. Used the TOPO map and learned that she was near a road, drove around and she was laying on someones porch steps.

Took this system to the forest:

Hunted in small rolling hill country, with steep creek banks (3-8ft both sides) and thick cover where I sometimes have to crawl. I lost signal consistently at 960 yds but using the external mount antenna I have picked them up as far as 1.89 miles.

In the last week:

I’m only getting 200 yds of range in wide open country (fence post standing on a road) and 29 yds in thick cover so I think my DC 20 is bad.

I’ve also had problems with getting a connection between the DC 20 and charger.

Called Garmin myself and they have no knowledge of a new collar but I’ve been told by a dealer they are field testing them as we speak and have no idea when or if they will be out.

I’ve used the measuring tools for distance, square footages of a 13 story building, estimating acreages and the GPS is great and for this a lone I will keep my Garmin Astro.

If you can afford an extra play toy then it’s fun to have and use as a training tool and to map an area, or just to find your way back, but I highly recommend that you mount it on your current tracking system collars and don’t use it as your main tracking system.

I’m sure I left some stuff out but I’m for the hunter and thought you should know the facts as I see them.

I'm in no way mad or upset with anyone about this system and can only hope your experience is a great one.


KG

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-20-2008 at 03:19 PM

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I came home last night and dropped $25 bucks into a jar to fix future problems with the unit. I figured it was worth that because the unit kept me from crossing a creek last night and getting soaked in 38 degree weather, Few trips like that and it will pay for itself quick. I learned more last night in three hours watching the dogs work than I ever thought I would. You can see which dog is leading and which dog is following. You can see the dogs work an are leave the area only to work back to it 30 minutes later and then strike a coon and tree it Makes me wonder how and if they missed it the first time through.
I know there will be problems and with the complexity of the unit and all the different settings to choose from I wonder how much of what we are seeing as problems may be self induced.

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On the GPS how should North be set up. True North or Mag. North

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

Told you that I might have left something out:

Why I think my DC 20 is the problem.

Thursday night went with a friend that just bought a new Astro and I programmed my DC 20 into his handheld and his into mine.

Short version:
Made three drops:
My DC 20 (lost com on both heldhelds at the same time)- Best 200 yds and the worst was 29 yds.

His- We never lost com with his and they went a little over 2 miles

KG

PS: I BOUGHT ANOTHER TRACKER TO MOUNT MY DC 20 ON...LOL

I like mag north so it matches my regular compass.

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-21-2008 at 03:20 PM

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Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Turtle Mountains, ND
Posts: 1023

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce M. Conkey
On the GPS how should North be set up. True North or Mag. North

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Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Crystal Michigan
Posts: 4483

Kenny they aren't field testing a collar man, just the plate that attaches the collar to the transmitter. That is why Garmin has no knowledge of a "collar" being tested.

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

quote:

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Originally posted by T.Beyer
Kenny they aren't field testing a collar man, just the plate that attaches the collar to the transmitter. That is why Garmin has no knowledge of a "collar" being tested.

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Registered: May 2007
Location: Independence Iowa
Posts: 35

Someone else came up with this idea. I tried it and so far so good!

1. Pull the rubber off the antenae, stretch the spring out like it is a regular tracker collar.
2. bend it at 90deg. so it lays flat on collar.
3. Slide some heat shrink electrical tubing over the antenae down to base of it, heat it.
4. Cut the rubber antenae cover (you'll have to experiment with how far down) so it slides all the way down to the base of the antenae where it screws into the collar.
5. Put another piece of heat shrink over the rubber and 1st layer of heat shrink to seal them up.
6. Zip tie the antenae to the collar.


Haven't had mine for real long, but so far so good. I am going to try and find a 90deg. small coaxial connector so I wouldn't have to bend the antenae. I think it would lay along the collar better and be less likely to break over time with stress, etc. Another thought I had was using plasti-kote dip like used for tool handles to seal up antenae instead of heat shrink tube for increased durability. Time will tell. Good luck all.


Boo Booo can you PM me more info about your mapping deal???? Not sure I completely understand it, but if it is as useful as I think it is I will have to get one. Thanks

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE KY
Posts: 1428

btt

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

Here is something of what it will look like with the antenna stretched:

Jerry Farmer's Collar


Doug Cheek collar with 90 degree fitting:



KG

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-21-2008 at 03:26 PM

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Platteville, Wi
Posts: 5676

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenny Gates
Here is something of what it will look like with the antenna stretched:

Jerry Farmer's Collar


Doug Cheek collar with 90 degree fitting:



KG

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Last edited by Dan Dogs on 01-21-2008 at 04:13 PM

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If that cobbled up mess is the hot ticket, I think I'll stay in the dark ages.

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

Here are some emails between Michael M, Garmin Senior Product Support Specialist and myself about the Astro and I’m passing along as an “FYI”


Dear KENNY GATES,
Usually if there's a new accessory which is in the works, it's a pretty open thing to discuss. It's the units that aren't talked about, even with us, until about the same day they are released on the website.

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Michael M
www.garmin.com

Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Mike,

I think the Astro is great. Just doesn’t get the range I need in Rollin hills or thick cover.
If you can get the design of the charger, mounting bracket, collar more suitable for hounds, and a little more range I don’t think anyone would ever go back to the old systems.

The measuring tools, maps and GPS are outstanding features. I keep hearing your working on a new collar but your support team says no that you like the first generation.

“First Generation” sent of a red flag and that there might be a new collar coming and maybe you can’t say anything until it’s ready for the public to see.

Guess I’m just hopeful and disappointed at the same time.

Best Wishes,

KG


"ProductSupport@garmin.com" <productsupport@garmin.com> wrote:
Dear Kenny Gates,
Thanks for the info. I appreciate you taking the time to send this!

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Michael M
www.garmin.com

Original Message Follows: ------------------------
Tried to call and got tired of being on hold.
Here are a few links about the problems with the Garmin Astro 220 (if you even care):
http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...354#post1489354
http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthrea...mp;pagenumber=5
http://forum.prohound.com/viewtopic.php?t=65590

Thanks, KG

"ProductSupport@garmin.com" <productsupport@garmin.com> wrote:
Dear Kenny Gates,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I will be happy to help you with this. If you would like to speak to an Outdoor specialist you may call 1-800-800-1020, and listen to the prompts and select the outdoor team.

With Best Regards,
Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-22-2008 at 06:59 PM

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Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Highlands, Texas
Posts: 816

FYI

Comm Settings & Frequency breakdown:

Freq. 1 151.820 MHz - Comm. Settings 0 thru 9
Freq. 2 151.880 MHz - Comm. Settings 10 thru 19
Freq. 3 151.940 MHz - Comm. Settings 20 thru 29
Freq. 4 154.570 MHz - Comm. Settings 30 thru 39
Freq. 5 154.600 MHz - Comm. Settings 40 thru 49

Freq. 4 and 5 are part of the business band which may cause additional interference with tracking.

KG

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