Garmin Astro & Alpha vs. SportDog TEK

I am looking for a tracking collar and would like to get your opinions on these 2 brands, please:

- SportDog TEK is stated as "Legal in Canada" on that page:
https://www.thebcgpsstore.ca/Dog-Tracking-GPS/

"allowing you to correct or give commands to all 12 dogs from up to 7 miles away"(How is that could be possible?) on the following page:
https://www.thebcgpsstore.ca/SportDog-TEK-1.0-GPS-handheld-GPS-Dog-tracker-Bundle-with-Collar-Correction-theBCGPSstore.ca/

- Garmin which one to choose Astro or Alpha?
Is it better than SportDog TEK?
Is it Legal to use in Canada (except "Maple Leaf" edition of course)?

Thank you.

I know nothing about the Sport Tek.

Difference between the Garmin Alpha and Garmin Astro.

http://www.adventuregps.net/Garmin-A...en-Review.html

New Alpha TT15 collar for smaller dogs
New Astro T5 collar for smaller dogs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB3VM_G3Nzw

Astro does not have an E-Collar capability, The Alpha does. I use an Astro 320 with DC40 collar but have never updated the firmware so it still works up here. Not sure the newer versions do but have read some say they do? Don't want to find out the hard way so won't update unless it dies on me.

I had an alpha, liked it but was afraid that it would become obsolete when / if I had to update the software. I have just purchased a Tek2. It is similar in concept to the Alpha, gps, maps, ecollar all in one. Similar in price as well. Recent reviews have been quite favourable on the Tek2 so I am hoping my money is well spent.

Looks like SportDog TEK brings a piece of mind in all aspects for the time being as "Legal in Canada". Too bad for Garmin - last thing I want to worry about solving the issues with its questionable product.

Garmin lost me long ago over a simple handheld GPS unit, for which they never bothered to fix the firmware (useless to buy the more expensive model, but didn't impact their sales as you cannot tell until you really try it out...)
Good to know that there is a legal alternative to the alpha. let us know how it works out

Thank you to all!
In addition to your posts I found all my questions are answered right here (excellent read!):

http://www.versatiledogs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=18709

I have updated about 5 Garmin Astros over the last year, nothing happens to them. I've called Garmin Canada for support , they were most helpful in resolving my issue. They did caution me that their units are still not legal for use in Canada.
There is a warning in the notes to the updates about use in countries that don't allow them.
During the deer hunt we had 10 units operating tracking our hounds, " The Sky did not fall", we got all our hounds back safely every day. Ask Industry Canada for their theoretical study of the units, and how they think multiple units in a narrow area, "might" impact on about 43 radio licence holders in Canada. The old telemetry units are not approved anymore either, the electronic invisible fences aren't approved for use either. On many accounts our governments , looking after us is skewed.

my personal observations .... used all three during the deer hunt and last weekend while rabbit hunting.... first ... i found the alpha to get the best reception .. partnered up with the tt and t 15 s .... now the 320 astro was good, but it is running the dc 40s with so called long range antennas .... between these two sets the alpha had better reception where we hunt.... the tec kept dropping out, even more than the dc40 collars .... i never put it on a hound on sunday, we just used the dc40s with the 320 astro and and old 220... in short... if i were to do it again.... i'd have spent the money on one or two alphas with a few more collars.... also noted.... the mini tt15 for the alpha was not near as good reception as the standard or the dc 40s .... mini was comparable to the tec collars for reception....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beagle2618

my personal observations .... used all three during the deer hunt and last weekend while rabbit hunting.... first ... i found the alpha to get the best reception .. partnered up with the tt and t 15 s .... now the 320 astro was good, but it is running the dc 40s with so called long range antennas .... between these two sets the alpha had better reception where we hunt.... the tec kept dropping out, even more than the dc40 collars .... i never put it on a hound on sunday, we just used the dc40s with the 320 astro and and old 220... in short... if i were to do it again.... i'd have spent the money on one or two alphas with a few more collars.... also noted.... the mini tt15 for the alpha was not near as good reception as the standard or the dc 40s .... mini was comparable to the tec collars for reception....

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What Tek's model was tested - 1.0 or the latest 2.0?

it was brand new to him ... so i'd assume the 2.0???.... not 100% sure ..... i'll call him find out for sure..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by beagle2618

my personal observations .... used all three during the deer hunt and last weekend while rabbit hunting.... first ... i found the alpha to get the best reception .. partnered up with the tt and t 15 s .... now the 320 astro was good, but it is running the dc 40s with so called long range antennas .... between these two sets the alpha had better reception where we hunt.... the tec kept dropping out, even more than the dc40 collars .... i never put it on a hound on sunday, we just used the dc40s with the 320 astro and and old 220... in short... if i were to do it again.... i'd have spent the money on one or two alphas with a few more collars.... also noted.... the mini tt15 for the alpha was not near as good reception as the standard or the dc 40s .... mini was comparable to the tec collars for reception....

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This is such a good post. Thanks. Saving it.

Full Tek 2.0 product review & the distance comparison test are here:

http://www.dusupply.com/info/sportdo...roduct-review/

http://www.dusupply.com/info/double-u-distance-tracking-test-sportdog-tek-2-0-vs-alpha-t5-tt15/

I bought a Garmin Astro 320 and DC40 collar about 7 years ago (from GPS City in Calgary). Within the last year (2015) I upgraded the software to 4.20 and have had no problems. I was aware of the "technically illegal" issue in Canada when I purchased the product but I didn't see that as a problem and so far, I've been right, having used the product on an almost daily basis in Ontario and BC for the past 7 years. While Garmin will not support Canadian use, GPS City does. I recently needed a replacement antenna for the DC40 and was impressed with the support and product provided by GPS City.

If the Tek2 (or similar product) was available 7 years ago, I would have probably gone that route. If I had to replace the Garmin Astro and/or DC40 I would probably stick with Garmin. I have less concerns with the "legality issue" than with the long-term viability or the support provided by the manufacturers of the Tek2.

We run four 320 Astros with 6 DC40 collars. Never a problem even was still tracking a dog that broke it's antenna off his collar. I haven't updated the units either.

I have had my Tek 2.0 for ~2 months now and love it!

The Cons I have with this product are mainly based on personal preference, I have small girl hands so I find the handheld to be slightly large (husband thinks I'm silly and its perfectly fine) and the collars are slightly large for my GSPs necks - 2 females on the low side of the breed standard.

Verno what dogs have you got and what type of hunting. Personally I'd stay away from the Sportdog. Wouldn't even consider it unless I had bird dogs or slow beagles. It's fine for taking a quick look if the dogs get out of sight. But garbage for fast hounds that will be crossing roads and getting a few miles from you or out of sight for majority of hunting time.

I started with a astro 220 and dc30 the. Went to 320 and dc50s. Then an alpha and tt10s, tt15s and a tt5. Before the alpha I used a tritronics trash breaker. And would have to carry both handheld units. The training capabilities is the biggest difference from Astro to Alpha. If you need or plan on running a training system as well go with the alpha.

Take a look at the quick track Omni. If it had training capabilities I'd buy one.

I should add what I don't like about the Alpha, touch screen so it means you have to take your glove off, if you hands are wet or muddy you make a mess of the screen, and you should lock the screen if you put it in a pouch or pocket. Stuff you learn to deal with

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Originally Posted by 69firebird

Verno what dogs have you got and what type of hunting. Personally I'd stay away from the Sportdog. Wouldn't even consider it unless I had bird dogs or slow beagles. It's fine for taking a quick look if the dogs get out of sight. But garbage for fast hounds that will be crossing roads and getting a few miles from you or out of sight for majority of hunting time.

I started with a astro 220 and dc30 the. Went to 320 and dc50s. Then an alpha and tt10s, tt15s and a tt5. Before the alpha I used a tritronics trash breaker. And would have to carry both handheld units. The training capabilities is the biggest difference from Astro to Alpha. If you need or plan on running a training system as well go with the alpha.

Take a look at the quick track Omni. If it had training capabilities I'd buy one.

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I have Drahthaar. In a field & on water I am fine with DT System H20 1850 Plus collar (had a hard time replacing the collar each year as it wears out very quickly. Now bought one in US 3 times cheaper & better quality compare to what they sell here - will see how it holds up.) But in woods I wood prefer to have a tracking collar compare to beeper one for sure.
Can not find info if Omni system you have mentioned is supported in Canada(as it uses MURS that still have not been legalized in Canada). Probably I might give Omni a call to find out.
Thanks for your advise.

No I guess the Omni would still fall under the VHF issue (lots of guys running around with the 'illegal' trackers).
The Omni has a small Bluetooth/VHF receiver that sends the track info to their app on your phone. It will track using cell data aswell. Fairly new system. I believe DU Hound supply has a review on it. You should find the info on Quicktracks website. http://www.quick-track.com/portfolio-items/omni-system/.

For what you are doing a Sportdog should be fine too. I wouldn't see the need for an Alpha unless you wanted a training system too.

Pm me if you want to talk on the phone


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