Garmin Astro Tracking System

[gorilla10]

Has anyone seen Garmin tracking system? I was really impressed! I was just wondering how it works in real thick cover being that it needs the satelites?

[gorilla10]

I sell and used to rent tracking systems,training collars, underdround fence,etc. My tracking systems are Wildlife and TriTronics training collars. I've had good luck with both, but I experienced a system that made my equipment seem like it was out of the stone age! We were hunting snowshoe hare we had 4 dogs down. A guy I just met put his dog down and had TriTronics shock collars and the Garmin tracking system. The area we hunt is extremely remote, so tracking collars are a must. Well the guy with the Garmin system had a dog that was never broke from running deer and his dog was the first dog to open, we waited for the other hounds to hark in but after several minutes they never honored his run,right then knowing that our dogs don't run deer I started to anticipate that was what was happening. I walked over and asked him to see if he could tell where the dog went after he went out of hearing. He looked at the screen and looked at me saying he's 300yds and going,so I told him not to let him go too far cuz he was on deer. It wasn't long when he said 600yds, I told him to stop him and he did,all the time I was watching the screen, you could see the dog stop, turn and come running back. I was sold right then and there! It show's right were you're standing and where the dog is right on the screen. Telling you exactly how far the dog is give or take a few yards. With my systems you have to pull out the receiver with 3 antennas on each side that have to be unfolded before you can get a reading. His rec`eiver can be worn around his neck on a lanyard. The system isn't very expensive, he said he paid just under $600 with 1 collar. It has a 5 mile range(line of sight), 10 dogs can be monitored off one receiver. I was really impressed! I'm just a little skepticle about how effective it is with heavy cloud cover and when we get into them thick cedar swamps? It's only been on the market for little over a year. But it's definately what I would want for my personal use. I'm going to do as much research as possible, and hopefully get some feedback here? I pretty much stated most of the pros, but curious as for the cons. Looking forward to hearing from someone who has spent a lot of time with this praticular unit. I apologize for this size thread, but it has me that impressed!

[fabsroman]

Write all you want, we'll make more room. I have been known to write a couple books on here on occasion.

I don't have a Garmin dog tracking system, but I do have a Garmin unit for my bicycle. I had some issues with the first one, but Garmin replaced it free of charge and this one seems to be working pretty good. Cloud cover isn't a problem with it, but really thick trees above me can cause a problem. This is the Edge 305 that I am using. They just came out with an Edge 605 and 705 that is supposed to address this issue and make the GPS unit a lot better to use on the bike.

I don't run hounds, so I doubt I would ever use a dog tracking system. My retriever is usually within my sight at all times.

Hope to hear some review by others. Keep us updated on anything you find out about the system, good or bad.