Registered: Sep 2003
Location: INDIANA
Posts: 128

Looking to upgrade my Garmin 320 and Tri-tronics shocking collar to a Garmin Alpha or Dogtra Track and Train.
Have used a Garmin Alpha and like it but don’t know anything about the Dogtra.
Anyone used both and have pros and cons for these 2 systems?
Also want something that is allowed to run in the hunts.
Any advice or info on either is appreciated.

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Last edited by craig kline on 08-22-2019 at 06:13 AM

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Registered: Apr 2014
Location:
Posts: 43

The Dogtra is much easier to use and I like it. If I had to choose one I would go with the Alpha though. The reason is I don't like taking my phone out on bad nights.

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Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Sugar Land, Texas
Posts: 613

I own both of them. I like the Dogtra better it’s on my phone easier to carry.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5103

Until early Sept. there is a $100 mail in rebate on the ALPHA.

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Last edited by Bruce m. Conkey on 08-22-2019 at 12:24 PM

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: Latta, SC
Posts: 1016

I just MADE THIS DECISION myself.I dont like change and that was one reason I went back with the ALPHA,2nd reason was Like Bruce said $100.00 REBATE and 3rd (BEST REASON) I stuck with the GARMIN was I WITNESSED A GARMIN HANDHELD BECOME LOST AND WE FOUND IT 50 MINUTES LATER IN KNEE DEEP WATER ..AND IT NEVER FAILED..Almost unbelievable BUT I SAW IT PERSONALLY...The reason I dont like using my phone as a tracking device is I WILL DROP IT OUT MY HAND INTO A BEAVERPOND AND I BET THE PHONE WONT TAKE BEING SUNK VERY LONG...

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Reedy Creek Kennel

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Registered: Aug 2006
Location: Latta, SC
Posts: 1016

I just MADE THIS DECISION myself.I dont like change and that was one reason I went back with the ALPHA,2nd reason was Like Bruce said $100.00 REBATE and 3rd (BEST REASON) I stuck with the GARMIN was I WITNESSED A GARMIN HANDHELD BECOME LOST AND WE FOUND IT 50 MINUTES LATER IN KNEE DEEP WATER ..AND IT NEVER FAILED..Almost unbelievable BUT I SAW IT PERSONALLY...The reason I dont like using my phone as a tracking device is I WILL DROP IT OUT MY HAND INTO A BEAVERPOND AND I BET THE PHONE WONT TAKE BEING SUNK VERY LONG...

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Reedy Creek Kennel

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Registered: Dec 2003
Location: Sheridan, WY
Posts: 1147

I prefer the Dogtra, have used both. Dogtra just so much easier and user friendly. Also, no up charges or subscriptions for maps. i ordered a Dan's comp vest to hold it so I'm not putting my phone in my pocket. Also throw a spare phone charger in it also,,,, just in case. Probably not as overall durable as the Alpha... but I could but two of them cheaper than one Alpha. I prefer the bigger, much higher quality screen of my phone than the Alpha display.

Both very good products, can't really go wrong. I always tell people though... your Dogtra experience will be somewhat commensurate with the quality of phone you have.

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Registered: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 105

I love my dogtra. I have a few friends with the alpha and they like them too. Dogtra is half the price. I have literally never lost signal, but have been with my buddy's when they have with the garmin. The screen size is also a biggie for me. Your phone is gonna almost always have a bigger screen than the garmin. I haven't used it a lot in cold weather but it stays up with no problem during warm weather. Also it doesn't juice my phone either. Only advantage to the garmin is being able to pair the watch with it. The watch would be handy. I'm hoping one day they make a watch that works with the dogtra.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Morrison TN
Posts: 4927

Dogtra is fine if you don't hunt in rough conditions where you don't have any signal and if you don't hunt big game and need to put in a bunch of dogs.

I never was able to allow two people to track the same dogs with my Dogtra (which I still have and use). It always messed one or the other one up.

Garmin is easy, just punch in the numbers and track all the dogs.

Before someone says preload the maps, it don't work when you have a large area with no signal because the map you preload will try to refresh and it will get blurry and you will need to go to an area that wasn't on your screen at the time at some point and that won't come in either so you have to preload such a large area that you don't have any resolution.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5103

I favor the Garmin but I also like to see accurate information shared about the products.

Two things said that I find are in error.

First you do not need any cell phone service. To prove that I purchased a $79 phone off Amazon and use it with mine. It is not connected to any provider. All the cell phone is used for is the GPS information it collects while on. The Dogtra transmits to the cell phone though the small black box called the Collector with blue tooth then the signal the cell phone works with the cell phones gps and puts that info on the screen.

Second is the maps. When they first came out and still some people feel you have to download the maps using the menu for offline maps. That is a pain in the but but works but is not needed.

All you have to do is download Google Maps. Not Google Earth but Google maps. Open it when at home with wifi and then increase the map size on the screen to cover your whole state or more. Then all you have to do is use the device and the maps are there.

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Last edited by Bruce m. Conkey on 08-23-2019 at 04:16 PM

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Registered: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 105

Yes that is right about the maps. I frequently hunt in places with zero cell service. I always connect my phone with the connector/collar before I leave the house. Sometimes I drive a hour to hunt, and have no service. Maps always work fine... Really wish there was a watch for the dogtra system...that's my only complaint..

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: INDIANA
Posts: 128

Thanks for the input on these. I will be making a decision at Autumn Oaks next week.
Anyone else with experience with these let me hear it.

__________________
HOOSIER COUNTRY KENNEL
Cell # 574-702-0040

The Good Ones will never be forgotten:
"RANGER" 9/9/96-1/5/07
"SON" 7/8/10-12/11/13

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5103

I will be at AO and will be glad to explain the system or other systems to you.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Morrison TN
Posts: 4927

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bruce m. Conkey
I favor the Garmin but I also like to see accurate information shared about the products.

Two things said that I find are in error.

First you do not need any cell phone service. To prove that I purchased a $79 phone off Amazon and use it with mine. It is not connected to any provider. All the cell phone is used for is the GPS information it collects while on. The Dogtra transmits to the cell phone though the small black box called the Collector with blue tooth then the signal the cell phone works with the cell phones gps and puts that info on the screen.

Second is the maps. When they first came out and still some people feel you have to download the maps using the menu for offline maps. That is a pain in the but but works but is not needed.

All you have to do is download Google Maps. Not Google Earth but Google maps. Open it when at home with wifi and then increase the map size on the screen to cover your whole state or more. Then all you have to do is use the device and the maps are there.

---

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5103

RIP I sure don't find that to be the case for me. It isn't google maps or whatever. Google maps are what you need to have downloaded to your phone and is different from Google earth. It is also different that going into the Dogtra program and downloading off load maps. I will get you some screen shots posted today and you can see if they are clear on my phone.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5103

This is a screen shot of the Icon that you should have on your screen if you have the correct maps downloaded.
----------------------------------------------------------------



This is a screen shot of your area zoomed out



This is a screen shot of zooming in some



This is zoomed in all the way

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Last edited by Bruce m. Conkey on 08-24-2019 at 12:41 PM

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