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Way back when the garmin astro was introduced, Canada banned it's use because the frequency it used was already reserved here for MURS. A 5 year transition period was given before they would be allowed up here. That 5 years is up in June of this year. So are they legal up here effective June this year?
Dunno. I can tell you they are pretty slick. I wouldn't run a hound without one.
Was just speaking with our Garmin rep and the plan is (if Garmin can finalize the radio frequencies with the CDN government) that the Astro units will be available to ship into Garmin dealers in late spring / early summer.
Who cares LOL everyone uses it already. I seen a guy on a road showing it to a game warden one day. Warden thought it was the greatest thing with the birds eye map on it.
I feel like a cave man with my old radio telemetry collars.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
I was thinking about duct taping an iPhone to the dog's caller and using the 'find friends' app.
That would be a lot cheaper than the astro, and better battery life.
Not sure how well it would handle the water though.
Apparently that was fairly common in Finland when the first Nokia smart phones came out.
I bought mine in Florida.
radio frequency police on its way ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
my buddie been using his up here for 3 years every night during coon season and during training .. never had a problem with it .. he also has a external antenna that hooks up to his truck and he can see his dogs miles away
you could always use the life proof case it is water resistance
We have been viewed by both CO's and OPP. Bear hunting, coyote hunting and deer hunting.
Everyone has the Garmins now. You couldn't sell the older telemetry models if you tried. I have a wildlife box and 5 or 6 different collars. They all work well and I still use them if we are running in big country. The range is poor on the Garmin and the battery life is poor if your hound has to sleep out all night. A roof mounted antenna works, gives some more range. The Garmins give you peace of mind that your hound is still in the correct woods and doing the job. If he comes close to getting in harms way you have an excellent opportunity to intervene.
Canada in the Rough did a moose hunt in Europe, hounds with collars, and everyones smart phones could follow the pursuit. Amazing. I'm also a dinosaur, I still have a flip phone. However I have my own hounds voices for a ringtone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if you are buying a system don't buy a Astro, buy a Alpha the difference in them is huge, for one you have a tone option and shock option, I have heard it has made a huge difference of coyote hunting and correcting them off of deer. I have heard rumors that the Garmin system had been used around my area for 5 or 6 years and 2 years with the alpha system.
Beware of the new update for Alpha/Astro from Garmin!!! The update has coding that disables the Dog Tracking feature in countries where it is not permitted!
I found this info. before I hit the update button! Just hope my two rino 650's survived there update, LOL!
Cheers Rick
Who did you get this info from? A link or legitimate source?Quote:
Originally Posted by zaconb
Seems strange they would do that but it says so in the update notes.
http://www8.garmin.com/support/downl...ls.jsp?id=5483
http://www8.garmin.com/support/downl...ls.jsp?id=5793
A bit clueless here. What does this thing do. What are its benefits.
this updating bug is fact.... 2 Astros bought at same time 2 years ago... 1 was updated about a month ago...no longer able to track... maybe coincidence but I'm not taking chance with the second...had it out yesterday, and worked fine... on a side note... both the astro and the alpha as far as tracking and such are the same... same distance, same markes, same maps... only dif is shock system... so if you don't know how to use a shock system,.. don't... I can't stress that enough
we got updated ontario maps for our 220 astros.........shows every house /tree etc........cost about 150$
coyhunter... its not the maps that will shut it down... its the update sight from garmin itself... so you can go on the site , download a faster . ..better this... better that version of what you already have.... no more signal in Canada for you... I'm not sure if downloading the birdseye onto the 320 will do it or not but I don't want to risk it yet....
we bought the new chip mini sd card for them came from quebecQuote:
Originally Posted by beagle2618
I use Backroad products in at least 5 of my handhelds...worth a look!
http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/GPS/...-GPS-Maps.html
I've seen the astro at work. Awesome. I'd have one if i had hounds
best invention for hounds since the leash......Quote:
Originally Posted by Cass
I called Garmin yesterday and the rep told me that it will work in Canada. The update that disables is for European countries and Japan.
Not worth the risk updating !!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by beagle2618
Thinking of getting an Alpha. Can anyone confirm the tracking feature gets disabled in Canada. I have been getting all kinds of answers and non answers from different suppliers.
Thanks
above trkyhntrz21 said " called Garmin yesterday ( April) and the rep told me that it will work in Canada. The update that disables is for European countries and Japan. :
99.9 % of the time he is right. :)
I would hold off on purchasing one unless it has the old software rumor is that they have put a patch into the new version since June when the decision was deffered. I called Garmin two weeks ago and was not given anything new info and my emails sent to Garmin regarding this issue haven't been returned.
Also be careful with the Alpha as it is an integrated e collar and GPS it might disable both depending on how they send the signal to the collar.
Just talked to Lion Country Supply today. Newer versions of the Alpha come with firmware which disables the tracking function when in Canada.