Beeper collar or GPS collar?

[JLS]

I need a collar for a GWP.  Trying to decide between these, and obviously price is a factor.  Any recommendations, advice, or thoughts? 

Right now I'm leaning towards a beeper collar with 1 mile range.

[10Key]

GPS...Bite the bullet. It is an extra couple hundred compared to a high-end beeper set up...Looking back this is what I should have done, but there weren't many option 3 years ago when I was I was looking. Tri-Tronics/Garmin collar appears to be the best option

[Happy Gilmore]

Garmin bought Tri-Tronics a while ago.

New Garmin GPS / E-collar is only a little more expensive than the stand alone GPS model.

[BIGINNER]

I honestly don't see why you anyone would ever need a gps collar for a bird dog.   

[Happy Gilmore]

I honestly don't see why you anyone would ever need a gps collar for a bird dog.   

good pointers should be trusted to range out of sight. If you're not on horseback, tough to keep up with the good ones.



The grass is waist to shoulder high. Where is your dog?

[BIGINNER]

I honestly don't see why you anyone would ever need a gps collar for a bird dog.   

good pointers should be trusted to range out of sight. If you're not on horseback, tough to keep up with the good ones.



The grass is waist to shoulder high. Where is your dog?

  good point.  I guess I just would never need it.     

[bracer40]

If I remember correctly, the new Garmin GPS/e-collar is a combined unit which would be inegible if you ever wished to use it in hunt tests and field trials.
I hope they improved the battery life in the receivers. My Astro 320 from a couple of years sucks power (and I'm pretty sure I've maximized my settings). Thank goodness for Costco battery prices!

[Sportfury]

Here is a thread on the garmin alpha http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,133247.0.html.

I personally have the Dogtra 2500 train and beep collar for my GWP. I think it works great. My GWP loves to range within a hundred yards or so and a lot of times I lose her. I can set the collar to beep when she goes on point or I can beep it myself to locate her. She covers so much ground a lot of times she surprises me as to where she is. I like being able to beep her because it gives me an instant idea of where she is and what she is doing. If she is up to no good like chasing a cat I can instantly correct her. If she was a far ranging dog (i.e. way past 100 yards) I think I would look at the something like the garmin alpha, but for now I see no need for it.

On range remember the collars are usually on as good as the line of sight, so if the dog goes over a hill or behind a bunch of crap it might not work for you. This weekend she got above us in a side canyon and we were below a hummock of rock and I couldn't beep her. Luckily she wants to know where we are as much as I want to know where she is, so she checks in regularly.

[netcoyote]

I use a beeper collar (Dogtra) on my long ranging setter. I got him to head back my direction on a single beep and quarter on double beeps. When the GPS collars came out, I thought about them but just couldn't see the need unless you needed to recover a carcass. If a dog is going to run, you could run yourself ragged trying to locate by a GPS signal once he is out of voice or whistle range. If he's trained to respond to the beep, he can hear the beep at the same volume no matter how far he is and respond accordingly (as long as he's within signal range). 

I also like to use a bell on his collar to locate him in tall grass and brush.
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[JLS]

Hmmm.  I think I need to hunt through the fall and see how far this pup is going to range.  I expect he will range 2-300 yards in open country.  The breeder I bought from uses beeper collars on all of his dogs.

I'm on the fence here.  If a GPS collar is really the way to go, I can suck it up and buy one.  However, right now I'm trying to justify the $400 dollar price difference between the Garmin Alpha and a e-collar/beeper combo.

The only test I plan on doing is the NAVHDA natural ability test.  Beyond that, he's just a hunting buddy

[Skyvalhunter]

I myself wouldn't want my dog to range out of sight if the bird flushes there is no way you are going to get a shot at it. I have used a beeper on mine and can control him without a problem. But each has their reason for GPS vs Beeper

[Stilly bay]

Buy the GPS you won't regret it! and your dog won't sound like a garbage truck backing up when he is on point.

Last time I went grouse hunting here in the westside jungle my setter went on point 236 yards off the trail. I never got a shot off but I Knew the dog was on point, I found the dog while he was on point, and I at least got to hear the grouse flush as I approached.

GPS collars are a game changer for long range dogs in heavy cover and only seem expensive until you get to use one.

I use a beeper collar (Dogtra) on my long ranging setter. I got him to head back my direction on a single beep and quarter on double beeps. When the GPS collars came out, I thought about them but just couldn't see the need unless you needed to recover a carcass. If a dog is going to run, you could run yourself ragged trying to locate by a GPS signal once he is out of voice or whistle range. If he's trained to respond to the beep, he can hear the beep at the same volume no matter how far he is and respond accordingly (as long as he's within signal range). 

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?

[netcoyote]

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.

[jetjockey]

Get the Garmin and don't look back.  I will not put my dog on the ground without one.  I can't tell you how many times I've been in heavy cover with my GPS showing my dog "near" and couldn't find her until I nearly stepped on her.  I believe "near" is within 3 yards.  I have a picture if my dog buried in cover with a snow canopy ontop of her pointing a covey of bob whites.   Some of the snow had fallen on her back and she was all but impossible to see.  The covey was buried in to keep warm and she wasn't moving.  I have a feeling we would have only found her weeks later when the snow melted, still on point.  What happens with a beeper collar if you can't hear your dog?  You don't have to worry about that with a GPS.

[canyonduck]

Ditto to all the pro GPS comments.   I've tried bells, beepers, and a Garmin GPS.  Once you go GPS, you'll never go back.  I carry a bell in my vest for back-up, but it is seldom used.   The hunt is sooooo much more relaxed knowing you aren't going to lose your dog or whistle or shock a dog on point that it out of sight.  Spend the money.  It is worth it.

[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.