Track and train collars
 

Simple question

Most likely a complex answer

I am looking to get a new collar and want to add tracking

This will be mostly used on a retriever - so lots of water. And rough cover


So. Personal reviews and experience with the Garmin Alpha vs the Sportdog TEK 2.0

I am wondering about

durability
Use in heavy cover
Ease of use -screens and such


Just missed a sale on the Sportdog - I expect it will be back before season and Garmin is offering a rebate for a while

I don't have any experience with the combination collars but have used a Garmin Astro for a number of years now. My experience has been a positive one. It works well, battery life is reasonable(but I do not have any maps loaded), and it does what I need it to do. I only use a small part of its total functionality. My main screen is a compass rose with a color coded arrow for each dog. Arrow points to the dog and tells me how far away he is. I keep it in my pocket until the bells go silent and then get it out to get a fix on the dog, put it away and start walking. I admit to using the go to truck function a time or two. Out of curiosity I look at the distance traveled screen to see just how far the dogs run. That feature is an eye opener. I am very pleased with the unit and have had no problems with it and believe me it is not babied. The dog units are worn so hard the molded in Garmin name is barely visible - worn off in grouse cover.

I have not used the Sportdog track and train but. Have been using the Garmin/Tritonics for about 10 years. Upgraded from the Astro to the Alpha 100 when it came out. The newest equipment is even lighter which my hunting partner owns. Out here in the Southwest it's as important as my shotgun, simply will not go out with the dogs without it. I only use a few features as it has everything most GPS handhelds have today. Like Gary I use about 4 main features. I like to track my dogs, get alerts when they go on point. My pointers usually are ranging 150 to 200 yards up the canyons, and with my hearing I cannt hear a bell further than a few yards. I like to know where the truck is, mark a few waypoints, and if your hunting partner has a unit you know where he is. Best money I have spent. These units are weather proof and can take a lot of abuse.
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Alpha 100:)

I like the ability to set different correction levels for each dog as well as the tone button. If you have ever spent a stressful hour or two looking for a lost dog you will appreciate the ability to know where your dog is located at all times.
Like all touch screens it can be frustrating when you are walking and the screen changes, but learn to lock the screen and that problem is solved.

I'm old school. My dogs have never had a collar on them, and seem to have done OK. Tar, who is now at Rainbow Bridge, had over 1200 retrieves, and Daisy is somewhere in the 200's. I enjoy training my dogs, and must admit that I really don't like the looks of a dog with all that electronics draped around his neck

Thanks John glad it works for you

But

Even though I have always run a bell on a setter, with a hearing loss since childhood compounded by age - I cannot tell where the dog is any longer and for the setters when on point it becomes a search - when you cannot locate your dog for an extended period of time and you start to worry its a lot less fun. I tried the remote activated beeper but determining direction is also an issue


For the duck dog. In the heavy cover it will let me know if he is on line or trailing a cripple


I collar condition my dogs as a safety issue. Neither my dogs nor I are perfect, and when my recently passed setter became hard of hearing, it allowed us to stay in contact as long as we could see each other. A light touch and he would look to me for hand signs. When we could not see each other, we were both lost and often got separated

I can vouch for Phils equipment ,it works fantastic !