Garmin Astro & Alpha vs. SportDog TEK

[Verno]

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.

[Sharon]

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

[terrym]

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.

[Iver]

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.

[Verno]

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.

[Waftrudnir]

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

[Verno]

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

[Stuart22]

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.

[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....

[Verno]

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....

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