Garmin Astro

[Little Bear Game Farm]

Has anyone used the Garmin Astro with their dogs?  I'm looking into purchasing one for myself and one for my dad, who does a lot of coon and coyote hunting with dogs.  I think these would be great to track past hunts and record where hot spots were and to be able to find the truck when you walk 5 miles!  I was wondering if anybody knows the difference between the DC 20 and the DC 30.  Thanks fo any info!

[slider]

I have a Garmin Etrex Legend  and I like it real well . I use mine when I go Deer and Hog hunting on the State Game Hunting Preserves most of them are thousands of acres and are walk in only.

[wildergamebirds]

  Everything I've heard about them has been good, except:

  They are not so great in bad weather, or with heavy canopy vegetation.

  They do require a small harness, rather than just a collar.

  No doubt, the technology will improve, and they may combine the satelite and radio telemetry together.

[Little Bear Game Farm]

It didn't take a whole lot to convince me....  Order is placed

[wildergamebirds]

  Well.....now that we know you're easy.......

[Carl Porter]

Garmin has a new collar the DC 30. It fits much better and doesn't need a counter weight. I have used one and I find it to be one of the best trackers available. I have used Tracker, Wildlife Materials and Marshal and I think the Astro is better than all. It is still radio telemetry from receiver to collar but the receiver is GPS. Features like a compass to tell you what direction, how far, and moving or not is better than all. I use my Wildlife Materials for Field Trials and have had problems with hills and signals bouncing. So far, I haven't had that problem with the Garmin. Even if it loses your dog due to cover, topography, etc, it will let you know where the last point the receiver had your dog. I believe it will become the most sought after tracking collar on the market.
Carl Porter
Huntingdogtrainer.net

[Little Bear Game Farm]

The problem with the DC 20 collar is mounting to the dog and the frailty of the antenna.  I tried counter balancing with shock collar with no luck.  Harness works OK on my Gordon but does not fit my labs (they typically stay close anyway, though).  Antenna snaps off when running in brush.

You can buy the DC 30 collar for $200 and get a $50 rebate if you already own the DC 20 until Oct 31.  Or, I found an aftermarket antenna on Ebay for $25.  This antenna allows the collar to be mounted under the dogs neck like the ol telemetry collars and the antenna is flexible and  bends up above the dog, just as the DC 30 does.  Better deal!  From what I've read, it can also increase range on the collar and obviously you don't have to worry about broken antennas as much.  I'm still waiting for mine in the mail.

[Carl Porter]

Little Bear, Is the antenna made by Garmin and if so do you have a part number?

[DoubleL911]

DC 30
Some updates on function
When your dog gets over 600 yards away it starts reading in tenths of a mile.
For every mile i walk dogs run from 4 to 5 miles.
Using the Tri Tronics Classic G2 with beeper collar and DC 30
If they physically touch each other the beepeer will constantly turn off and on
driving you crazy
It did this with 3 different beepers
Just watch position on dogs neck.
Separation of any is OK , they have to be touching.
LarryLain
www.doublelquailfarms.com