When hunting with a team of dogs, having reliable gear is non-negotiable. Constantly raising the bar, whether in the human world or that of our four-legged companions, Garmin offers a wide array of options to meet your unique needs. This year, we saw the release of the new Alpha XL GPS navigation system, which creates the ultimate tracking system when paired with one of its many compatible handhelds and collars, such as the Alpha 300i handheld device and the TT25 tracking collar. Whether you’re managing a pack of hounds going after your target species or simply making sure your retrievers don’t stray too far on a bird hunt, Garmin has you covered.
Garmin Alpha XL
If you’ve ever squinted while staring at a poorly sized screen while trying to track your dogs, this system is for you. Far more than a glorified GPS, the Alpha XL is a rugged handheld GPS navigation system complete with a high-resolution touchscreen that rivals those of today’s smartphones. While able to be carried and used as a handheld device, this unit truly shines when mounted within your truck or UTV. It comes preloaded with topographic maps, satellite imagery, and the capability to add additional mapping packages.
While convenient for avid hunters planning their upcoming season’s hunts, this tool is also great for outfitters and those participating in hunting competitions throughout the country. As long as you’re using compatible Garmin collars, the Alpha XL can track up to 20 dogs, providing real-time location within a nine-mile radius.
Things can quickly become confusing when running multiple dogs, which is why this unit allows you to label and color-code each dog’s icon. This makes it easy to know which dogs are actively tracking, and although I unfortunately speak from experience, it allows you to pinpoint the stubborn dog who decided instead to find a warm spot in the sun to take a nap.
Sufficient battery life is always a concern when using systems like these. Recognizing this, Garmin designed the Alpha XL to run for approximately 16 hours in GPS-tracking mode, with power-saving modes extending the battery life for multi-day outings. Of course, for those taking extra steps towards preparedness, external battery packs are available for purchase. Lastly, when paired with a satellite subscription, you can take advantage of Garmin’s inReach system, which enables two-way messaging and allows you to activate an interactive SOS signal in the event of an emergency.
Garmin Alpha 300i + TT25 Bundle
The Alpha 300i handheld is durable and compact, sized to fit inside a pocket or worn on a lanyard, eliminating the need to balance it in your hands along with the rest of your gear.
Additionally, the Alpha 300i features the same Garmin inReach technology as mentioned previously with the Garmin Alpha XL. Additional features include, but are not limited to, an abundance of premium mapping features, topographic maps, a three-axis compass, and an internal altimeter to track ascent and descent of the land being traversed. It is compatible with a large selection of tracking and training collars offered by Garmin.
With both tracking and training functions, the TT25 offers a vibration alert, tone, or 18 levels of stimulation to reinforce commands at varying intensities. Having a variety of ways to alert individual dogs to keep them on track and out of harm's way goes a long way towards achieving a successful hunt—much better than attempting to shout commands and scaring away every animal in earshot!
Even if you do not hunt with dogs, this is a very useful feature when it comes to training your dog to be off-leash and respond to your commands. Just like the Alpha XL, this tracking collar and handheld combination boasts an impressive 20 hours of battery life in default mode, with various ways to extend the battery life by a few additional hours.
Constant advancements in modern technology are now providing hunters worldwide with the broadest array of tracking systems to date. We owe it to man’s best friend and hunting partner to help them be their most successful self, staying safe in the process and ensuring bountiful hunting seasons year after year. With the Garmin Alpha system, you are now closer than ever to running right alongside the pack, fully integrating yourself into the hunt. For more information, visit garmin.com.
