Gun Dog Forum

I don't post a lot, but read a great deal on here. I do not field trial anymore, but am going to hunt a lot more due to having some free time now. I have an Astro 220 DC40 that has been out of the box twice. I will be running 2 to 3 dogs while hunting. Should I sell my 220 and collar and get a new 320 with three T5 collars? I want to know if the newer model is a more reliable tracking device. I called Garmin today and the guy more or less said to not buy a new collar. Thoughts and experiences ???? Thanks in advance.

I can't compare the two because I've only owned the 320/T5 but the combo has worked flawlessly for me where I use it.

I am on the opposite side of the coin.

I have a 220 with a DC-30 collar. I use it for training and at trials. I have replaced the battery in the collar. Actually I am on the second replacement battery. I have never upgraded the programming. Standard antenna.

The unit has worked very well for me over the years I have had it. The range is somewhere in excess of one mile in most terrain. I think the longest I ever picked up a dog was 1.4 mi. I was on a hill and the dog was down below. I know I have to keep the 220 flat and level. Not a big deal for me. The transmitter battery lasts for about 8 hours with a full charge and that has always been enough for me to find a dog. I have no plans to change unless the thing craps out on me.

If the unit does what you want and works reliably, why spend the money? If the unit is not reliable, then by all means get something that is. If you need what the new device brings to the table, go for it. They will undoubtedly make improvements and refinements to the 320/T5 in the coming years, as is the case with most electronics, so waiting may get you an even more advance unit down the road.

But I am also something of a curmudgeon when it comes to technology. I don't have a Smart Phone or I-pad or Blackberry...just a plain flip phone. I did not enable the text feature on my phone either. I also turn it off when I am working with the dogs. I drive my son crazy because I am happy to be "unplugged", and that works for me too.

RayG

RayG

I just picked up a second 220 and three dc 30s. I like the 30 compared to the 40. I may sell both of my 220s and upgrade to the 320 handheld but will keep the older collars.

Related to this post- can anyone point me (provide a link) to where one can purchase the extended range antenna
for the Garmin 220 Handheld unit?

Thanks

GrayDawg wrote:Related to this post- can anyone point me (provide a link) to where one can purchase the extended range antenna
for the Garmin 220 Handheld unit?

Thanks

I got mine from Trailbazing Innovations...TBI

GrayDawg wrote:Related to this post- can anyone point me (provide a link) to where one can purchase the extended range antenna
for the Garmin 220 Handheld unit?

Thanks

A good source.
http://www.outdoordogsupply.com

GrayDawg wrote:Related to this post- can anyone point me (provide a link) to where one can purchase the extended range antenna
for the Garmin 220 Handheld unit?

Thanks

I have one of those too. You can buy mine. It has never been out of the box.

In my situation, I seem to always be in hills and valleys and have heard they do not work very well in those situations. I have also heard the newer models work better in those type of terrain. But, I don't entirely trust those who have offered the opinions if you know what I mean.

Hotchkiss wrote:In my situation, I seem to always be in hills and valleys and have heard they do not work very well in those situations. I have also heard the newer models work better in those type of terrain. But, I don't entirely trust those who have offered the opinions if you know what I mean.

Steep terrain is a challenge for ANY locator system. If your dog is well down on the far side of a steep hill, you are screwed, pretty much no matter what type of system you have. There is a line of sight component to both the Garmin Astro GPS type system and the older radio telemetry systems like Tracker and Marshall.

Those older radio telemetry systems are far less exact than the GPS systems but their ranges are on the order of 10-12 miles on flat ground...more with a high gain antenna and more with a high output collar. Soooo, you will still get a signal... farther away, in much lumpier terrain than with a GPS. You won't know just how far but you will have a solid bearing on the dog's location and will be able to track its direction of travel.

RayG

Thanks Ray. It seems that perhaps they still don't have the collars perfected.

Hotchkiss wrote:Thanks Ray. It seems that perhaps they still don't have the collars perfected.

We are amateurs at this stuff. The hound guys have been dealing with it for years.

RayG

All I know is my Astro 220 with a DC30 collar on one dog and a DC40 collar on another dog keeps track of my dogs and the truck when I am hunting in the mountains of no wheresville, Nevada.

Anyone using the T5 in heavy cover? My 320/DC30 combo seems to be giving me some weird information when the tree canopy is thick. Also wondering if the long range antenna might help.

Do guys prefer the older DC30 collar over the DC40? If so, why?

I run hound and have used them all from 220 to alpha and i was getting 1-1.5 miles in rolling hills and hollers with a 320 and dc50 and switched to alpha and get about same range with t5 and the tt10 but alot less question marks with 320 and dc50 or t5 collars and of course with alpha just got back from upper Ohio and got 2 miles up there in flat land

Hotchkiss wrote:Do guys prefer the older DC30 collar over the DC40? If so, why?

Basically, the gps "chip" on the DC30 is located so that it sits on the back of the dogs neck when it's on the dog. On the DC40 it is located with the battery that sits under the dogs chin. There is better reception with the "chip" on top of the neck, especially in thick cover. All the newer model collars have gone back to having it sit on the back of the dogs neck for that reason. You wouldn't think it would make that big of a deal but it does, (I know first hand from running hounds with both types of collars).