Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
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There are many of us that still use the Astro 220 and Astro 320. We are comfortable with them and like the operation of them over a touch screen. Some in this group have moved up to the Astro 430 so they can hunt and track with their friends that have the ALPHA. Well Garmin has made it so you can Stimulate, Tone and Locate your dogs form one simple device that is designed for stimulation first but has some of the features of a Tracker. The Garmin Pro 550 has been a favorite in the Bird Hunting world for a long time. It has a mile range with up to three collars and offers easy use without looking at the handheld to correct dogs. Well now the 550 Plus has had the range increased to 2 miles and they have added the capability to show dogs location along with distance. It can also be blue toothed to a Fenix watch or to a Drive Track. It is also compatible with a Astor 430 or ALPHA as the collars it can track are TT 15's regular and mini along with TT 10's. It can also track your buddies T5 but no correction with that collar. So if you have a 430 and wish it had features to allow it to Stimulate or wish the ALPHA was not as complicated to stimulate a dog at times. The Garmin 550 Plus might be what your looking for.

https://youtu.be/Sa2Gz0Spfv4

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Last edited by Bruce m. Conkey on 08-15-2018 at 06:34 PM

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Adamsville, TN
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Bruce does this unit have any advantages over the Dogtra Pathfinder?

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
It can also be blue toothed to a Fenix watch or to a Drive Track.

https://youtu.be/Sa2Gz0Spfv4

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Location: Palatka, FL
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Todd we are actually working with a third party APP developer to have the dog on the map on the Fenix 5.

Same your question cannot be answered to easily as they are so different a system. The Dogtra in my opinion has a lot of top features. I wish they would come out with THEIR stand alone handheld and still keep it simple. I and many others don't like using our smart phones in the woods.

This is basically like any of the shocking systems we have, even the older Tri Tronics. But it has a small window for direction and distance along status info of the dog. I think a lot of guys that have a Astro 430 because of how easy it is to operate compared to the ALPHA will like them so they can add the training feature.

Now take one of these and blue tooth it to a Drive Track and you nave a nice outfit.

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Adamsville, TN
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Bruce - Thanks! Just wondering, Ive not kept up with the latest Garmin products.

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Registered: May 2008
Location: Gillett, Pa
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bruce can you find your way back to the rig with this setup ?

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You would have to have a collar at the truck and head back to it.

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Registered: Oct 2005
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Looks like its gonna be a nice system..Add on collars are going to be a little higher than the trashbreaker system and made for fewer dogs but to link with a fenix is nice and pin pointing direction of a bird dog on point is gonna be really nice!

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
You would have to have a collar at the truck and head back to it.

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Bruce do you know how far it will track in thick timber? I know a shocking system with a 2 mile range will only work about 800 yards in thick timber.

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It should do what ever your ALPHA does as it uses the came collars and antennas. One the handheld you can go with an aftermarket antenna just like the ALAPHA for more range and also a truck antenna if you need to.

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Price and what collars will work with it?

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
It should do what ever your ALPHA does as it uses the came collars and antennas. One the handheld you can go with an aftermarket antenna just like the ALAPHA for more range and also a truck antenna if you need to.

---

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Joey reading and discussing with people the range is about the same as the ALPHA. Here is where I am confused and actually disappointed at times. When trying to nail down the actual range many people discuss numbers that don't come close to what I get and are actually unacceptable in my opinion. Many people are using equipment that with a little care and Preventive Maint. they could double the range they are getting.

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Registered: May 2016
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Todd K there has been a beta version of the tracking app for the Fenix watch placed on the Garmin Connect program today.

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Registered: Jun 2003
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OK....I'm coming to see you and Zepp at AO for a demo!

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Registered: May 2016
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Me and Mark are good people to talk to but I will have a young mind there with me named Corey and he can help you out and explain it twice as fast as I can.

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What's the cost of it bruce

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When they come out which will be soon. They will be $650 for a one dog system. They use the TT 15 collars either mini or regular.

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