Wow! Garmin's GPS dog tracking system

gunner · Post by **gunner** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:03 am

How cool is this?
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6681/

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:06 am

Finally, someone is doing it up right. Wish it were smaller, but that will be next.

djswizz · Post by **djswizz** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:58 am

Amazing! Check it out on Garmin's web site. This thing can do it all!!!

http://www.garmin.com/astro

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:04 am

What do you fella's think the potential will be for this to be approved by the AKC and AF for use in Trials down the road?? I haven't spent the money on my tracker yet

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:15 am

This is very cool

Has some really neat features I would really like to have.

I wonder if the other GPS manufacturers have something in the works

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:11 pm

It looks cool Bruce, but the large shoulder mounted unit is going to raise all kinds of concerns at the GSPCA about the dog perceiving it as a training device. I would not expect to see it authorized until they shrink it to something that goes around the neck, and weighs under 6 oz. The current rule, I think, is 4.5 oz.

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:05 pm

That is kinda what I'm thinking John.

I could see the benefits of also knowing how the dog covered the course and where it was for that 5 minutes he went missing... on point... down over in that gully... I rode right by....

Would make for a good study of your dogs weakness' while on course, after your stake was up. How they covered, what they missed, what terrain features were they using, etc...

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:21 pm

You can mount it on a collar also but it is still large. I want one. I wonder how long until they come out?

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:24 pm

I found something that said june 07 and it would be $650 retail.

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:00 pm

Interesting they named it after the Jetzon's dog.

I remember reading somewhere - might have been a couple of years ago - that GPS cell phones were being used for tracking dogs. Might have been a European thing.

Astro was always getting into trouble, too...

Rutt-row!

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:11 am

The cell phone thing for tracking animals has been around for a long time. The problem was/is that you have to have a cell phone account for the unit, which can be pricey but not impossible. But the bigger problem is that you have to have dependable coverage in the area where you work the dog, or the collar cannot "call" the receiver and let you know where the dog is. This radio unit is a way better idea.

Although it will probably not catch on for trials or tests, it will sure help with training, and to find a buried dog when hunting which is the big issue I have.

Post by **Az Draht** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:59 am

I am going to take a chance on the Garmin. Since I am new to dogs and new to big country hunting, I still don't have the various electronic devices. I was planning on getting a new Tri-tronics Pro-100 g2 e-collar and accessory beeper ($389 + $90), and I was going to buy the GPS model (60csx $360) that the astro is based on. That adds up $840. Now I figure I can get the astro (GPS and "locator" in one unit for $650) and get a used first or second generation Pro 100 ($150-$250). The money spent is about the same and I have more features. Plus, in your experiences don't you think the MSRP on the websites is always higher then the actual prices.

DGFavor · Post by **DGFavor** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:36 pm

I'll stick with a Tracker for now - much better range, pinpoint accuracy in the right hands, much lighter weight, longer transmitter battery life. My buddy took a transmitter in to Tracker a couple weeks ago to get it adjusted. When they turned it on they got two signals - apparently another collar with the same frequency was turned on in the warehouse. The technician tracked down the 2nd collar inside a shipping box within a big stack of shipping boxes.

I'm surprised at the size of the Astro unit. I've got a Garmin Forerunner GPS/heart rate monitor that is the size of a wristwatch. I bet they'll come up with something much smaller in the future and I suspect the performance will only get better as well - then I'm in!

Wagonmaster · Post by **Wagonmaster** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:05 pm

That is my bet also, Doug. The other problem with GPS's generally, although it would probably not affect you out in ID or MT, is that you can lose reception under a forest canopy. So they are probably not going to be the best thing for the grouse woods. To bad, that is where you could really use one.

AHGSP · Post by **AHGSP** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:12 pm

John,

Some of the better GPS units out now, are getting so that canopy really doesn't affect them too much. Garmin and Magellan being 2 of the better units for this. I use my Magellan under some awful nasty Grouse cover for tracking where I have been through, marking flushes, etc..., without so much as a hickup. But, like Doug, I think I'll be waiting for the size and utility to be proven and get better before I jump in. Can definately see some great benefits to the concept, just hope it takes off and gives the Mfr.s a reason to improve.

RuttCrazed · Post by **RuttCrazed** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 3:10 pm

I hear that you can pre-order the unit for $499 from a couple suppliers on the internet. That isn't much over the MSRP for the gps alone!

Rut