Gun Dog Forum

It's time to buy. I'm leaning towards the Alpha, but would like some opinions from those who have used them. I'm tired of worrying where the dogs are, so I'm gonna order this week. I do already have the Pro 550 for training. The GPS collar will only be used while hunting or running. I'll be running three dogs.

I have had an Alpha 100 since they first came out and run three dogs.

The receiver on the dog collar can be equipped with a longer antenna if you run big or in the canyons.

Good stuff.

I have never owned a 320 but do have buddy's that do / did. I have the alpha with the tt10 collars, After hunting with me my buddy's (all but one of them) have gone from astro's to alpha's . But we are not bird hunters we all run Tree dogs. The one buddy of mine that still runs a 320 has never had any problems with his at all. And always know where his dog is. Are you looking to save a little money , do you want to run two collars (track and a training) or just one ?. I think you will be happy with either one . I got mine from Double U hunting supply, what a bunch of great guys . When I first got mine I was calling them once a week and they would spend all the time it took to walk me thur any problem I was having ( 99% of the problem was me just not knowing what I was doing ) Call then and talk to Matt 855-384-8687 He will help you make up your mind , you won't find anyone that knows more about Garmins then him .

So I'm not totally familiar with the Alpha, but I went with the Astro 320 and I've really liked it so far. My main reason in going with the Astro over Alpha, was the touch screen. I do a lot in the snow and cold and wanted to be able to use the GPS unit even when I was wearing gloves, and not have to take them off. Maybe my concern of a touch screen in the cold was overblown, I don't know, but that was my reasoning at the time.

Astro hands down for me. I like the simplicity.

Garmin would not repair my 220 stating that it is outdated......BS on a $600 unit. That being the case, I'm sure that they will not be repairing the 320 within a short period of time. I'm not sure how long the 220 had been around, but I only purchased it 8 years ago when the AKC legalized it. I purchased the T5 collar and borrowed the Alpha to try and after playing with it for an hour, I really like it. Not willing to take a chance based on Garmin's unwillingness to service their products. On a side note, their technical dept was great at trying to help me out figuring the problem out, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

doco wrote:Garmin would not repair my 220 stating that it is outdated......BS on a $600 unit. That being the case, I'm sure that they will not be repairing the 320 within a short period of time. I'm not sure how long the 220 had been around, but I only purchased it 8 years ago when the AKC legalized it. I purchased the T5 collar and borrowed the Alpha to try and after playing with it for an hour, I really like it. Not willing to take a chance based on Garmin's unwillingness to service their products. On a side note, their technical dept was great at trying to help me out figuring the problem out, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth.

An 8 year old piece of technology is very outdated.

I have had the Astor 220 & 320 and now have the Alpha. Unless you already own an ecollar there is no reason to consider anything but the Alpha, and I would still recommend the Alpha. It is a significant step up from the Astro.

SetterNut wrote:I have had the Astor 220 & 320 and now have the Alpha. Unless you already own an ecollar there is no reason to consider anything but the Alpha, and I would still recommend the Alpha. It is a significant step up from the Astro.

I went from a SportDog combo unit to an Astro and ecollar for numerous reasons.

Trials I can't run the ecollar portion
Yard work I don't need the GPS
In town I don't need the GPS
Hanging out at my folks I don't need the ecollar
I didn't want a touch screen

displaced_texan wrote: An 8 year old piece of technology is very outdated.

The 320 is now 5 years old, almost outdated....my point exactly. Better start thinking of getting rid of your old unit!

Who knows when the 420 is coming out?

doco wrote:

displaced_texan wrote: An 8 year old piece of technology is very outdated.

The 320 is now 5 years old, almost outdated....my point exactly. Better start thinking of getting rid of your old unit!

If it has problems, sure. And I won't complain about it.