Registered: Aug 2015
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 66

Hello all. I'm not new to coon hunting, but I have never owned a tracking collar before.

I just bought a puppy and so over the next couple months would like to purchase a tracking collar. I'm not rich, so I'm not looking for the best money can buy. At the time I'll only be using it on one dog, and possibly adding a second dog in the future. Most of my hunting is done close to home, in areas I know which is why I've never used a collar before. But my last redbone went missing about a year and a half ago and was never found and I'm thinking if she had a collar on that wouldn't have happened.

Since I don't own a shock collar either, I would like to buy one that does both.

I'm looking at the Dogtra Pathfinder. Do you think that's a good choice for someone like me, or are their better options?

Thanks in advance.
Angela

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Registered: Jan 2016
Location:
Posts: 589

My preference would be the Gamin Alpha system. Mainly because I believe the Pathfinder runs in conjunction with a cell phone. Where I live and hunt is in a region with lots of mountains. Cell coverage is spotty in most of the areas I hunt.

If you have good cell coverage where you hunt the majority of the time the Dogtra perhaps is a better fit. From what I hear they are real easy to use. Don’t believe they have the range the Garmin system has from what I read and hear.

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Dan

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

The Dogtra Pathfinder uses a cell phone, but does not require cell phone service. I've used one for a couple years. Private message me if you have any specific questions.

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Registered: Jun 2004
Location: 3515-38st-moline ill.
Posts: 548

I think the dogtra would be perfect for you.I have the dogtra and also have the garmin 320 with dc50 collar.I have used the dogtra probably around 100 nites by now and have never lost signal once.No doubt the dogtra has much better range than the garmin but iam kind of comparing apples to oranges as the dogtra probably should be compared to the alpha.Also the dogtra is much cheaper.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

Depends on your phone. If you have moved into the modern error of a smart phone. Then the Dogtra would work. If not you could probably get into a used 320 and TT5 for about $400 - 450 range.

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

I'm not sure if the claims that the Dogtra has less range than the Alpha are correct. I did a test with my Dogtra and found it was picking up over 2 miles- not hunting conditions... clear line of sight. Out coon hunting I've only lost signal once in over a year.... was over 1000 yards away and over a huge hill (foot of the mountains).

I'm pretty sure they use the exact same technology, collars look identical, and I would be shocked if the GPS wasn't using the same satellites. Alpha may have better range, but I'm not sure why it would. Maybe someone with better education on the matter could explain to me why one would have better range.

They are essentially the same machine... one uses an independent computer / operating system. The other uses the computer (phone) you already use as the operating system.

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Registered: May 2016
Location: Palatka, FL
Posts: 5106

You location has a lot to do with range. It is not uncommon for a group from all over the US to merge together on a message board and have different results. I think the average of the two are close enough that range on either one is adequate. There are always range enhancing antennas that can be used, if range is not up to your standards.

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 690

Btt

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Registered: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 105

I have two dogtra systems. I quit hunting a lot of years and when I started back I used the alpha and the dogtra both. The dogtra is so slick! So so easy to use. Maps are awesome and you don't have to buy a $100 map card to get them! I have never lost communication in the year I've had mine. If your in a place with spotty signal and your maps aren't preloaded you just zoom out in a place you have signal and it will load the whole area.
As for the alpha. Take note on this site how many threads you see on people having various problems with them. I'd say a lot could be user era, but it can't be all of it. The screen is small on the alpha an I hate how you have to zoom in and out with a button vs using the touch screen on your phone.
Makes it super glitchy in my opinion. I hunt with guys that have the alpha and there have been several times when dogs get deep and we're try to figure out how the drive around and they ask to see my phone!
I have toned my dog at 1.2 miles and got her in. The thing works amazing!
My one and only beef with the dogtra is they DONT have a WATCH that pairs with it like the garmin.
To sum it up the alpha operates like something for the 1990's comepared to using the dogtra on a good iPhone.
Last thing is I found the alpha fairly hard to operate compared to the dogtra.
This is one mans opinion but I definitely have used them both.
I wasn't as much a money thing for me. I just was really impressed with the dogtra.

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Registered: Aug 2015
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 66

Thanks for all the replies.

Most everyone who commented on the dogtra spoke about the GPS capabilities. What about the shock collar feature? Does it work similar to how the old tri-tronics worked?

My other question is cell phone battery drainage. I saw on one review on Amazon or somewhere that it drained the battery really quick. Any problems with that for you folks?

Thanks again.

Angela

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Registered: Dec 2017
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 105

I never owned a shocking device until I bought the dogtra.
I can tell you that mine works awesome though. You can set it to nick or constant 1-100 and you just hold the button. I have nicked my female at 500 plus and trust me she received it.
As for the battery that's gonna depend on your phone and how much your constantly useing all the features on the dogtra.
I have never had my phone die. I do however plug it in between drops while driving. I bought a little cheap external battery pack to have to plug into in the field but have never had to use it. Even on cast where we went out on a late round I've had no trouble.
I could see where extreme cold weather could make a difference but like I said I personally have never had an issue.

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

quote:

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Originally posted by yotetrapper
Thanks for all the replies.

Most everyone who commented on the dogtra spoke about the GPS capabilities. What about the shock collar feature? Does it work similar to how the old tri-tronics worked?

My other question is cell phone battery drainage. I saw on one review on Amazon or somewhere that it drained the battery really quick. Any problems with that for you folks?

Thanks again.

Angela

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Registered: Aug 2015
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 66

Well I bit the bullet last night and ordered the Pathfinder. My pup is still too little for it, but we have some other dogs we can test it out on first to get the hang of how it works. Thanks for all the advice guys.

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

quote:

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Originally posted by yotetrapper
Well I bit the bullet last night and ordered the Pathfinder. My pup is still too little for it, but we have some other dogs we can test it out on first to get the hang of how it works. Thanks for all the advice guys.

---

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport,TX
Posts: 1907

Some folks are liking the pathfinder better than the alpha...

Can someone tell me how long a dog has to be stopped to get the alarm to mark treed?

Also how long for the dog to be stopped to alarm on point?

So if I were to start using the pathfinder with my iPhone, can I have it be able to track from said iPhone and my iPad at the same time as well?

Thanks

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Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

Last edited by Reuben on 06-14-2020 at 02:49 AM

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

quote:

---

Originally posted by Reuben
Some folks are liking the pathfinder better than the alpha...

Can someone tell me how long a dog has to be stopped to get the alarm to mark treed?

Also how long for the dog to be stopped to alarm on point?

So if I were to start using the pathfinder with my iPhone, can I have it be able to track from said iPhone and my iPad at the same time as well?

Thanks

---

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport,TX
Posts: 1907

Houndsound...thanks

One last question...would it be easy to switch back and forth from my phone to iPad?

Use phone on the Dogtra today and tomorrow switch to iPad...just wondering how versatile this unit is...

I have a Garmin alpha I like very well but I like easy so I might possibly try a Dogtra with one collar just to see if the Dogtra collar can hold up as well as the TT15 collars...

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Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

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

Yes, very easy to switch. Remember the receiver simply connects to your phone / tablet with bluetooth. So it's as simple as it is to connect, a bluetooth speaker to your phone one day, then connect it to your tablet another day.

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport,TX
Posts: 1907

10-4...thanks

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Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 690

I’m also considering upgrading to a pathfinder this fall , I was wanting to do some research and get other hunting options. I’ve yet to hear any negativity on the pathfinder! I would like to talk to someone that hunts steep hills and deep hollers and see how the pathfinder does ?

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Registered: Dec 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 158

I hunt in West Virginia, not gonna get much more hills & hollers than where I hunt & I have no complaints with the pathfinder. I like it way better than the alpha

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Registered: Nov 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 690

Btt

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