Garmin Astro?

[Leaddog]

Hey guys, I am looking into getting the garmin astro 320 with the dc40 collar and am hoping to get some feedback on this product. Anything would be very helpful as I dont have any gps tracking experience.

[jimd]

I had the 320 and 40 collars didn't care for them. I would go with the alpha if you can much better unit. Just my thought.

[Leaddog]

Thank Jim. I use tritronics trashbreaker for shocker so I dont really need the alpha. I just wanted to try out the gps tracking. What are some of the things you didnt like about the astro?

[rabbitatfarm]

I have an Astro 220 with both DC 30 and 40 collars. My only complaint is I lose contact often, especially in heavy cover, like standing corn or taller pine plantations. Other wise I really like it. It does like to eat batteries though.

[DAN LANG]

...right now you can get a great deal on the 220's..320's...dc 30 and dc40's....the price is dropping on anything used............and if you are not sure about the entire gps .this would be a good way to try it on the cheap.......however......I just upgraded to the ALPHA.....no lost signal with this....and the added features are nice..!....worth the cost....

[steve w]

I've used the 320/dc40 combo for 18 mos and I like it, only time I lost signal was when the antenna on the collar was breaking down. I also like running separate training and gps units as opposed to all in one units mainly because of size and the fact that I rarely need the training collar

[bill (flint river )]

the size?? they are way smaller then trying to run 2 collars. I would sell the trashbreaker and buy the alpha.

[mike staten]

I have the 320 with the new dc 50 collars and love it. I havent had any problems with them loosing signal. I went with the 320 because I field trial and even though you can take the contact points out of the alpha you still cant run it on a dog in a trial because its still considered a shock collar (control device).

[steve w]

bill, isn't the alpha taller which puts it closer to the knees? I've had problems with dogs beating their knees.

[bill (flint river )]

they don't look like it, I guess the guys with little hounds might have a issue. sure is nice to have every thing on 1 collar, just wish I could afford it. I have ran with buck and really got to see first hand how nice they worked in some pretty thick cover.

[rabbit chaser]

I love my astro. I just have the 220 with dc40 collars and I have never lost reception. I'm nut sure what i'm doing different than everyone but mine work fine. I looked at it like this. if i added the $$ I paid for the dog plus all the time I have invested in training/running etc then it will only take finding them once when i wouldn't otherwise would have to make it pay for itself.

[jimd]

On the 320 I had trouble losing signal antenna was problem I think. As far as dogs hitting knees I have some that do others dont.but still say buy alpha if you can .I have the tt10 all in one and love it

[Pine Ridge Beagles]

I just sold my Astro and bought a Alpha and i love both of them,the astro changed everything for me since i had a heart attack.It has made running dogs much easier for me since i cannot chase them anymore.Its a tool for sure and wont replace good dogs,but it sure is nice to know where your dogs are on a long hare race in the middle of know where.I have only used the Alpha once but seems great.Thanks Andy P at Lion Country Supply,your the greatest.Al

[Leaddog]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I ended up buying the 320 and used it twice so far. All I can say is wow! I should have got one a long time ago. Im running alot after dark right now due to deer season and this gives me a huge piece of mind as I cut them loose into the night.

[steve w]

Leaddog you just found the most under rated feature of any Garmin device is the security it offers for the users and the hounds. Second most under rated is the steps it saves by you knowing what's going on.