Beeper collar or GPS collar?

[Bmcox86]

Get a garmin, you can find one used for $300, the beepers and bells drive me nuts hunting. I had a beeper on my dog for about 5 minutes last season and removed it quickly and returned it.

The peace of mind and peace and quiet are what makes the gps better, IMO

[Sportfury]

Necoyote, are you talking about the page feature on your dog's Ecollar or an actual beeper that tells you when the dog is on point?

The Dogtra collar that we have has three beep modes. One is a "on demand" beep that only works if you press the button. That's the one I almost exclusively use. The second mode is silent until the dog goes on point and then it beeps. The third mode is more of a "tracker" mode that beeps continuously while the dog is in the field until you change modes. That mode drives me crazy. I once hunted with a buddy that used that mode on his dog and I swear I will never be in the field again with someone who thinks they need that obnoxious noise.

I hate the third mode also. On Sunday someone was out in the pheasant field in the fog using that mode. At first I thought I had turned mine on by mistake and kept messing it. It took me a few minutes to realize it was some other guy. Like you I only use the "on demand" button to turn my pup when she ranges to far and we are not going that direction.

[Happy Gilmore]

Unless you're hunting the worthless prairie chickens, bells start pheasants running IMO- dogs learn stealth. Shutting your car door too loud and talking will send a smart rooster off on a run to no mans land.

[Stilly bay]

Unless you're hunting the worthless prairie chickens, bells start pheasants running IMO- dogs learn stealth. Shutting your car door too loud and talking will send a smart rooster off on a run to no mans land.

when it gets later in the season your alarm clock going off at home is enough to get them running.

[AspenBud]

There is a legitimate argument out there that says a dog GPS can lead to poorly trained dogs. That if you don't need to worry about where the dog is you probably aren't going to train it to handle as well.

I won't run a dog without a GPS collar around its neck. But I think the argument I mentioned has some merit.

[AspenBud]

Some of the more successful pointing dog owners who hunt grouse often use a bell to keep track of the dog, a beeper in point mode, and a Garmin for that "oh s$it" moment when the dog gets itself lost. The GPS also comes in handy for marking spots and finding your way back to the truck.

One problem I have with the Astro, at least with regards to the 220, is it takes too long to let me know the dog is on point. Many beepers will start up on point mode in 4-6 seconds...something that can make a huge difference, especially with a runner in the woods.

[Happy Gilmore]

Some of the more successful pointing dog owners who hunt grouse often use a bell to keep track of the dog, a beeper in point mode, and a Garmin for that "oh s$it" moment when the dog gets itself lost. The GPS also comes in handy for marking spots and finding your way back to the truck.

One problem I have with the Astro, at least with regards to the 220, is it takes too long to let me know the dog is on point. Many beepers will start up on point mode in 4-6 seconds...something that can make a huge difference, especially with a runner in the woods.

Depends on the definition of "Grouse Hunting" and what area of the country you live in too.

[Stilly bay]

Some of the more successful pointing dog owners who hunt grouse often use a bell to keep track of the dog, a beeper in point mode, and a Garmin for that "oh s$it" moment when the dog gets itself lost. The GPS also comes in handy for marking spots and finding your way back to the truck.

One problem I have with the Astro, at least with regards to the 220, is it takes too long to let me know the dog is on point. Many beepers will start up on point mode in 4-6 seconds...something that can make a huge difference, especially with a runner in the woods.

Depends on the definition of "Grouse Hunting" and what area of the country you live in too.

The DC50 works a lot faster, but 5 seconds can seem like an eternity when you actually get to see them go on point.

I tried putting a bell on my setter while grouse hunting during muzzle loader season, the poor guy looked miserable and refused to leave my side until I took it off. I guess I should have got him used to it before hunting season.

I have read a few articles on line about bells negatively effecting a dogs hearing while hunting and causing permanent damage after long term use. I don't know if its true or not but it certainly gives me pause for thought about using one in the future. I love the astro but at times I feel too dependent on it and would like to just keep it handy for emergencies. a couple weeks ago we were in some thick stuff and I think I spent more time looking at the GPS screen than I did looking at the trail.

[AspenBud]

Some of the more successful pointing dog owners who hunt grouse often use a bell to keep track of the dog, a beeper in point mode, and a Garmin for that "oh s$it" moment when the dog gets itself lost. The GPS also comes in handy for marking spots and finding your way back to the truck.

One problem I have with the Astro, at least with regards to the 220, is it takes too long to let me know the dog is on point. Many beepers will start up on point mode in 4-6 seconds...something that can make a huge difference, especially with a runner in the woods.

Depends on the definition of "Grouse Hunting" and what area of the country you live in too.

The DC50 works a lot faster, but 5 seconds can seem like an eternity when you actually get to see them go on point.

I tried putting a bell on my setter while grouse hunting during muzzle loader season, the poor guy looked miserable and refused to leave my side until I took it off. I guess I should have got him used to it before hunting season.

I have read a few articles on line about bells negatively effecting a dogs hearing while hunting and causing permanent damage after long term use. I don't know if its true or not but it certainly gives me pause for thought about using one in the future. I love the astro but at times I feel too dependent on it and would like to just keep it handy for emergencies. a couple weeks ago we were in some thick stuff and I think I spent more time looking at the GPS screen than I did looking at the trail.

Regarding bells, I think there is something to your statement about hearing loss, but I also think it's dog dependent. I've got a friend who has an 11 year old Pointer that he has hunted over and run in amateur grouse trials in the Midwest its entire life...the dog has been running around with a bell on its neck since it was a pup.The dog placed 3rd in an event about a month ago. No shock collars allowed and GPS can only be held by the judge, bells allowed though and he handled the dog by way of "singing" or no noise at all.