Registered: Jan 2005
Location: Crystal Michigan
Posts: 4483

Wasn't even my dog, wish he was though, he does a good job.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

If I mark the truck and get to dogs and decide to go back. How do you get the pointer on the compass to come up???? The compass worked but just had no pointer on it...For those that have not bought one. I would not trade off my regular collars just yet. This thing is great for showing what the dogs are doing and how to get closer once they have treed BUT I could not get over a mile out of mine last night.That was in a big flat creek bottom. Hunted a thicker place and .72 is all I could get!!! I love it but in thin coon with a hard going dog.I want backup collars on mine. BooBoo.Your map is the ticket.It even shows woods roads!!!! Had me worried once.Showed my dog working back an forth on a rd. Was in an unfamiliar place. I was cussing the land owners lol... I asked before cutting how far a rd was.OH A LONG WAY HE SAYS... Then 300 yards and boom.My dog was in a rd... It had a name but thank goodness it must have been an old rd because once we got to her their was no pavement!!!!! No doubt this astro will find your dog if you ride around but alot of times thats not feasible. I'll keep the marshall on as backup until they can make one stronger...

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE KY
Posts: 1428

I can't type and tell ya but give me a call and i will tell you over the phone . little easier for me lol

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Come on people drop you're ego and admitt you just got beat, made a bad call, dog made a mistake, what ever.You can't get cheated that much

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Registered: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 5863

IF YOU ONLY GOT A MILE OUT OF IT ON FLAT GROUND YOU NEED TO CALL GARMIN ,SOMTHINS WRONG WEVE HAD ONE FOR A WHILE NOW AND WE CONSTANTLY GET 4 TO 5 MILES ALL THE TIME ON FLAT GROUND WITH OUR COYOTE DOGS THATS BEEN ABOUT THE FARTHEST THAT WEVE GOTEN.KEEP PLAYING WITH IT AND YOU WILL LEARN ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ABOUT IT AND YOU WILL REALY LIKE IT.WITH A ROOF MOUNTED ANTENNA YOU WILL GET A LITTE FARTHER AND IF YOU MAKE SURE YOUR REICEVER IS POINTED STRAIGHT UP AND NOT HOLD IT FLAT YOUR DISTANCE WILL BE BETTER

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ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD GAVE US FRIENDS AND COONHOUNDS, " I AM A GREATLY BLESSED",HIGHLY FAVORED" " IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD "KEEP YOUR {FAITH IN GOD } FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE,BELIEVES THE INCREDIBLE,AND RECIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE. WERE BLESSED !!

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Registered: Aug 2005
Location: CAMPBELLSVILLE KY
Posts: 1428

btt

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CH GrNitech Triple Creek Lock S.S and performance sire R.I.P 12-31-12
Ch Nitech Tar Scream'n ThunderStorm

Come on people drop you're ego and admitt you just got beat, made a bad call, dog made a mistake, what ever.You can't get cheated that much

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

quote:

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Originally posted by Riverbottom Ron
IF YOU ONLY GOT A MILE OUT OF IT ON FLAT GROUND YOU NEED TO CALL GARMIN ,SOMTHINS WRONG WEVE HAD ONE FOR A WHILE NOW AND WE CONSTANTLY GET 4 TO 5 MILES ALL THE TIME ON FLAT GROUND WITH OUR COYOTE DOGS THATS BEEN ABOUT THE FARTHEST THAT WEVE GOTEN.KEEP PLAYING WITH IT AND YOU WILL LEARN ALL THE LITTLE THINGS ABOUT IT AND YOU WILL REALY LIKE IT.WITH A ROOF MOUNTED ANTENNA YOU WILL GET A LITTE FARTHER AND IF YOU MAKE SURE YOUR REICEVER IS POINTED STRAIGHT UP AND NOT HOLD IT FLAT YOUR DISTANCE WILL BE BETTER

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

quote:

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Originally posted by GA DAWG
I called them and they said one mile was about average.I said that aint what you advertise!!!!!!! Hunted the hills and thickets tonight.It would loose it easily at .50 miles!!!!!!! I still like it though.Just not enough to cut my dog without another collar on.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4321

I've had an issue with my Garmin, maybe some of you have run across.

I'm ready to go hunting and I turn the collar on and the receiver on. The receiver does not pick up the collar even though they've been used before. A couple times I made the mistake of turning the dog loose and that was a turnout where I had NO tracking.

I've gone as far as to delete the collar and add it again and t hen its alright. But I don't think I should have to do this every time I go hunting.

Anybody else having this problem?

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

HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WAS MY FAULT AND YOU MIGHT BE DOING THE SAME THING.

DID YOU TELL IT TO STOP TRACKING, IF SO, YOU HAVE TO TELL IT TO START TRACKING. YOU MIGHT EVEN DONE IT WITHOUT REALIZING YOU HAVE DONE IT....LIKE PAUSING IT.

HOPE THIS HELPS,

KG

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-18-2008 at 03:06 PM

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: NE/MO
Posts: 579

John,

Had that happen to me once, and I can only guess at the problem. I put the collars on the dog and then reach in the dog box to turn them on and went driving. 2 miles later, dumped the dogs into the timber. My thought is, that when the collar is turned on, it needs a pretty good look at the sky, and to be pretty immobile for a bit, to get locked on initially. And that night, that never really happened, cause the dogs were either in the box or in the timber.

Since then, when I go outside to load dogs, I turn the collars on and leave them on the tailgate of the truck while I go leash dogs. In that short time, they are locked on by the time they get back to the truck. FYI--and you probably know this--if the collars aren't going a quick double flash, then they aren't locked on to go. I didn't know this the first time they didn't work, but now I know to look for it.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4321

Thanks for the suggestions.

I don't think I'm pausing it. I have done that, intentionally, between turnouts. But I'll check that next time.

I haven't been paying attention to the flash rate, but I'll watch that. I have left collar and receiver, laying side by side, turned on for several minutes and they wouldn't link up. In fact, I think there has only been one time when I've turned both on and had them link up. I don't know what I did different, that time. Every other time I've had to delete the collar and add it again. I even downloaded a more recent firmware from Garmin's site and installed it to the collar.

One night I was having a problem where it seemed like the signal was very weak and would only pick up a few yards away. I looked through some menus and saw that my receiver was set for the wrong kind of batteries. I corrected this and it made a world of difference in the range. In fact, I haven't had a dog get out of range since then. I've been using NiMh rechargeable batteries, but carrying some disposable alkalines in my overalls, for backup. I'll have to remember to change that setting, when changing battery types.

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Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

READ THE FINE PRINT , GARMIN DOES NOT WARRANTY ASTRO'S BOUGHT OFF OF DOT COM . BEST TO BUY FROM A DEALER !!!! HEY BOO BOO , HAVE HAD MY ASTRO FOR A WEEK , THANK'S FOR THE ADVICE ON IT , WHEN I PICKED UP " T " !!! SEND ME A CARD OF YOUR'S TO P.O. BOX 41 CALVIN , WV 26660 , I'LL SEND YOU THE $ PRICE YOU TOLD ME , THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ON THE PHONE . FOR EVERY ONE ELSE OUT THERE , BUY YOUR CARD FROM BOO BOO , HE'S HONEST AND A MAN OF HIS WORD !!!

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

quote:

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Originally posted by bill hanna
READ THE FINE PRINT , GARMIN DOES NOT WARRANTY ASTRO'S BOUGHT OFF OF DOT COM . BEST TO BUY FROM A DEALER !!!! HEY BOO BOO , HAVE HAD MY ASTRO FOR A WEEK , THANK'S FOR THE ADVICE ON IT , WHEN I PICKED UP " T " !!! SEND ME A CARD OF YOUR'S TO P.O. BOX 41 CALVIN , WV 26660 , I'LL SEND YOU THE $ PRICE YOU TOLD ME , THE LAST TIME WE TALKED ON THE PHONE . FOR EVERY ONE ELSE OUT THERE , BUY YOUR CARD FROM BOO BOO , HE'S HONEST AND A MAN OF HIS WORD !!!

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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: NE/MO
Posts: 579

Are these actual packaged cards he is selling. What makes them so different from other cards you can buy? Or is he just making copies off a cd that anybody can buy, and selling the copies?

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

John,

Not just pausing. I leave my handheld on and put it in a carrying pouch on my belt, pulled it out and a menu came up highlighting stop tracking and instead of pushing back I hit enter which I caught and returned it to tracking. However, Two nights later pulled it out and a ? along with my dogs name and 200 yards appeared and I went into menu and push start tracking and bingo.....must of rubbed against buttons and stopped tracking.

Do you have one or two collar and are you having the same problem with both collars?

I only have one but I just ordered another.

To the point: Mine has been doing exactly the same thing, one night a mile and the next night 300 yds in the same rice field.

Went with a friend last night that just bought one. I programmed his DC 20 in mine and he did the same. We both lost mine at 100 yds on drop # 1, 75yds drop # 2 and 29 drop # 3 but we never lost communication with his collar and the dogs even got over 2 miles away so I think my DC 20 is bad or going bad.

If this continues to happen after replacing or repairing the DC20 then I’m going back to the old way…..regardless of all the bells and whistles…..my dogs, piece of mind and sleep are worth more then a new training tool or toy!!!

Last edited by Kenny Gates on 01-18-2008 at 09:52 PM

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

John,

Forgot, When I first received my Astro, had to replace DC 20 antenna before it would pick up more then 29 yards but that is not the case with mine this time.

Call Garmin, they might be able to help but I warn you, the wait can be from 2 minutes up to 18 minutes….no pain no gain…lol

Michael M
Senior Product Support Specialist
Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Michael M
productsupport@garmin.com

Good Luck,
KG

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

Seems like we have all had about the same kind of problems.. Last night I had a heck of a time getting mine to start tracking!!!! I did not do anything different.Dont know what the problem was.

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

It seems that the collar is the major problem…..wait a minute!!!!

AC charger wouldn’t connect sent it in and got new replacement and it wouldn’t get a connection either so now I use the truck charger to charge my DC 20.

I guess that I’m becoming a Bitter Betty!!!!!

KG

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

Cold weather keeps me from getting out and I've only used it four times. I'm running a pup with it now so I cannot say I've tested it's range capabilites much yet. Last night he went 900 yards into some thick woods on level ground and it worked well. I see it as an enhancement to my training methods and not a replacement for my current tracking system. So far, at least, I'm glad I made the purchase.

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

Well sitting at home since I can’t trust this system. Just bought me another Tracker Classic and can’t wait to get it and start hunting again without the stress and/or worry of losing my hounds.

Great training tool when it works and the GPS is great.

Hope no one else experience the problems I've had.

KG

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4321

I can't say as I blame you but I'm kinda hooked on it, already. I get to looking at that little screen watching my dog go this way and that way and I feel like a kid with a new video game, lol.

Kenny,. you're right, the DC20 charging system is another weak link. I've had to polish up the contacts to get the charging light to come on. I've never even used the vehicle charger.

When you had problems with your collar, but not your buddy's, did you check the battery strenght of your collar? When you said that and also having trouble getting it to charge, I wondered if your collar battery is just weak?

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

I’m hooked on it too and that’s why I’m disappointed. I’m going to exchange it for another one. Yes we looked at the battery and full bars. While looking at we looked at the com and when it went to two bars they turn red and red box appears says com was lost last location 29yds and the arrow point last known location.

I never had a problem with the truck charger. When it won’t get a connection just try the truck charger….I didn’t even clean the contacts and it lit up the blue light on DC.

I did a little checking and went vendor to vendor and learned that most of them sale refurbished DC 20’s………RED FLAG….If this NEW system is so perfect then why are there so many refurbished DC’s……MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

KG

PS:
I’m going to keep the Astro because I like the pretty screen…..lol
I will attach it to old faithful classic besides the GPS is great and I use it to estimate
Acreage and sqft of building so yes it’s valuable tool just not great from trusting it to track my dogs.

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

Goods news….I was told that Garmin has made a new collar and it is being field tested by coonhunters. Let’s hope all the bugs are gone when they come out.

No I don’t know who is testing them…..lol
No I don’t know when they will be out…lol
No I won’t tell you who told me but it’s an honest man at least I think so
KG

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

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenny Gates
Goods news….I was told that Garmin has made a new collar and it is being field tested by coonhunters. Let’s hope all the bugs are gone when they come out.

No I don’t know who is testing them…..lol
No I don’t know when they will be out…lol
No I won’t tell you who told me but it’s an honest man at least I think so
KG

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: North GA
Posts: 14388

quote:

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Originally posted by Kenny Gates
Goods news….I was told that Garmin has made a new collar and it is being field tested by coonhunters. Let’s hope all the bugs are gone when they come out.

No I don’t know who is testing them…..lol
No I don’t know when they will be out…lol
No I won’t tell you who told me but it’s an honest man at least I think so
KG

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