Post by: JLS on October 07, 2013, 08:07:43 AM
Right now I'm leaning towards a beeper collar with 1 mile range.
Post by: 10Key on October 07, 2013, 09:24:33 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 07, 2013, 11:24:48 AM
New Garmin GPS / E-collar is only a little more expensive than the stand alone GPS model.
Post by: BIGINNER on October 07, 2013, 11:36:36 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 07, 2013, 11:46:03 AM
I honestly don't see why you anyone would ever need a gps collar for a bird dog. :dunno:
good pointers should be trusted to range out of sight. If you're not on horseback, tough to keep up with the good ones.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi463.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq357%2Fgilmore_spirits%2FHunting%2520pictures%2FSouthDakota012.jpg&hash=d7cf46238ed8e54d35033fd7e642527ee1d8e1fd) (http://s463.photobucket.com/user/gilmore_spirits/media/Hunting%20pictures/SouthDakota012.jpg.html)
The grass is waist to shoulder high. Where is your dog?
Post by: BIGINNER on October 07, 2013, 11:53:09 AM
I honestly don't see why you anyone would ever need a gps collar for a bird dog. :dunno:
good pointers should be trusted to range out of sight. If you're not on horseback, tough to keep up with the good ones.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi463.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq357%2Fgilmore_spirits%2FHunting%2520pictures%2FSouthDakota012.jpg&hash=d7cf46238ed8e54d35033fd7e642527ee1d8e1fd) (http://s463.photobucket.com/user/gilmore_spirits/media/Hunting%20pictures/SouthDakota012.jpg.html)
The grass is waist to shoulder high. Where is your dog?
:chuckle: good point. I guess I just would never need it. ;)
Post by: bracer40 on October 07, 2013, 12:13:56 PM
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!
Post by: Sportfury on October 07, 2013, 12:18:49 PM
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.
Post by: netcoyote on October 07, 2013, 01:28:44 PM
I also like to use a bell on his collar to locate him in tall grass and brush.
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Post by: JLS on October 07, 2013, 08:19:46 PM
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 :)
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 07, 2013, 08:29:47 PM
Post by: Stilly bay on October 07, 2013, 08:42:50 PM
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?
Post by: netcoyote on October 08, 2013, 07:10:52 AM
Quote
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.
Post by: jetjockey on October 08, 2013, 08:51:14 AM
Post by: canyonduck on October 08, 2013, 09:04:24 AM
Post by: Bmcox86 on October 08, 2013, 09:18:24 AM
The peace of mind and peace and quiet are what makes the gps better, IMO
Post by: Sportfury on October 08, 2013, 09:44:52 AM
QuoteNecoyote, 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.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 08, 2013, 09:52:00 AM
Post by: Stilly bay on October 08, 2013, 10:59:00 AM
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.
Post by: AspenBud on October 08, 2013, 05:01:13 PM
I won't run a dog without a GPS collar around its neck. But I think the argument I mentioned has some merit.
Post by: AspenBud on October 09, 2013, 11:34:59 AM
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.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 09, 2013, 01:13:58 PM
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.
Post by: Stilly bay on October 09, 2013, 05:27:07 PM
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$it" moment when the dog gets itself lost. The GPS also comes in handy for marking spots and finding your way back to the truck.
One problem I have with the Astro, at least with regards to the 220, is it takes too long to let me know the dog is on point. Many beepers will start up on point mode in 4-6 seconds...something that can make a huge difference, especially with a runner in the woods.
Depends on the definition of "Grouse Hunting" and what area of the country you live in too.
The DC50 works a lot faster, but 5 seconds can seem like an eternity when you actually get to see them go on point.
I tried putting a bell on my setter while grouse hunting during muzzle loader season, the poor guy looked miserable and refused to leave my side until I took it off. I guess I should have got him used to it before hunting season.
I have read a few articles on line about bells negatively effecting a dogs hearing while hunting and causing permanent damage after long term use. I don't know if its true or not but it certainly gives me pause for thought about using one in the future. I love the astro but at times I feel too dependent on it and would like to just keep it handy for emergencies. a couple weeks ago we were in some thick stuff and I think I spent more time looking at the GPS screen than I did looking at the trail.
Post by: AspenBud on October 09, 2013, 09:14:03 PM
Some of the more successful pointing dog owners who hunt grouse often use a bell to keep track of the dog, a beeper in point mode, and a Garmin for that "oh s$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.