BigGameHoundsmen.com

Boy oh boy, I certainly have given houndsmen a lot more credit for having something between their ears. I never thought that they would allow a company to play them like a fiddle. Now get ready boys for the next step in the circus. All of the dealers will be soon on here telling you all how hard they are to get, and they're only getting two or three at a time because the demand is so high. And the funny thing is, all this commotion for a product that pretty much every other day there is somebody pleading for help on this forum to make the son of a guns work. Although I have a 320 and a DC 40 collar and thoroughly enjoy it, I still feel it is no more than a glorified chew toy for humans. The part that I really think is handy are the map systems. For me when the stuff hits the fan, and and they get out of the country there's never a moment that I am not glad for the beep beep collars. Garmens are great training tools and truly can verify what you hear with your ears. But when the rubber meets the road I'll take the telemetry collars any day.

Good luck to all with more money than brains, Willy

Folks here is an exchange from www.speeddogs.net. These are Running Hound folks mostly from the Southeastern US. This a fellow who has experience in the Industry, is Tech Savey, and presents some interesting things to ponder as to Garmins Corporate intent!

Acorn Ridge Kennels - Marc:

Not every hound needs getting zapped or shocking to listen or do what there supposed to do. Not every Hunter is going to or wants to train there Hounds with electrified scare the mess out of a hound collar. Will Garmin offer a collar and system with the same higher number of collars battery life range share with, etc, all the actual good things about the system with out the shock collar crap.

If not I think this is a huge over sight and bad choice as well as poorly thought out use of a system that could be a very good item to have to catch your Hounds up, keep them off of unwanted property, not having to guess where the beep is exactly. Just saying that not everyone should have a shock collar control on a hound, if they can't control there self this system could have bad results. Only saying from what I've witnessed and that's irresponsible use of shock collars and abuse.

Not trying to be the big reluctant on here but correct me if I'm wrong but over the last what 3-4 years Garmin has came out with sold distributed 2 apparent GPS tracking box systems excuse me now its 3 none of which are able to cross paths to the new version by upgraded computer technology. Each system has computer programming capabilities, the 320 has memory card mapping data, but the 220 can't be upgraded to compete with the 320,.???? The collars dc 20/dc- 30,/dc 40, each with its own problem that is not fixed and there coming out with a new system non compatible with the old if a year or more is really that old.

Now this new system, got to buy a whole new package. Sounds to me that Garmin did some research sent out a product that they new would take charge of the way we as Hunter /houndsman go about retrieving our Hounds. They got enough hooked on the easier way to get to the Hounds be at the right place and time, threw a curve ball with a "better " box the 320 only to send a intentional foul to get the most sales and money possible. I'm good enough with a computer to know that the technology is there the only issue that would block the ability to upgrade the 220 to the same as the 320 and the new version that's not compatible is memory space.

Truth is with that you can put 4 g or a lot of memory as well as function on a card smaller than a quarter. I got to say that in the interest of getting scammed something is not adding up. Could say more but trying to downsize the post. Point made.
BTW I'm pretty good at a computer so that is it.

Before a wise guy says it I know I don't have to buy any of the GPS tracking system just shedding a little light on whether they are just looking away to get you hooked to buy and rather than fix what's broke and developers using the sense they think we don't have and make it where you can update rather than upgrade.

C. John Clay

Jul 31st, 2012 - 10:29 PM QuoteReply
Re: New Garmin Tracking/Shocking System
Marc,

Very good points!

Garmin told us that we could not hook the 220 to a Laptop and view the Hounds in REAL time....yet several folks found a Software package and WOW they are watching on a 15 inch Screen instead of a 3 inch...it just takes someone with that Good Ole Yankee ingenuity to fix a problem.

Garmin is in the business of making MONEY....not so much for helping Dogs/Hounds & Hunters!

CJC

Marc:
Hey come on share the love you ain't got to be Yankee to have Yankee ingenuity, there are some southern tech savvy rednecks out there .
Your right their out to make money but forcing business by having to buy the newer version to stay up on the new technology instead of repeat business by having a great product is a better business deal.
That's OK maybe my working on a program that's going to receive the tracking collar beep and show it on a CPU and trace path with satellite Outfits will pan out.

Re: New Garmin Tracking/Shocking System Acorn Ridge – Marc from http://www.speeddogs.com

Russ your correct they are laughing at every single one of us that keep buying the new version every time one hits the market. Tracking collars were developed for wildlife biologist. They got the idea from airplane and large boat transponders used to locate down planes and lost, missing ships. The collars for biologist are and were the same as what we use now with a variety of choices, frequency, size, battery type, etc.
Then like the above comment on some ingenuity and a light a bulb came on, if they can track animals why not use the same to track Hounds.

I know that the comments and statements that the GPS were at first thought for just using for bird and bear hunters,and coon hunters. Problem is I don't buy that theory, Garmin would not have devoted the time and money into a smaller category of hunters. Your right the initial plan for the GPS were for the bird,coon and bear hunters, knowing that there is a overlap and the market on the systems would and did merge, making the GPS a high demand item. Its a way to get to the bigger market.

There is no doubt that the running Hounds is by far the largest group of hunters that want this type system and who have the most benefit from it.

Over the last few years 3 units and 4 different tracking collars with out fixing the original version. It's completely about providing a product to get a idea or feel for how many and how fast the demand grows, get you hooked, spoiled, (reference) got to have it, then boom hit you with the new version higher cost and increased demand not able to update what you have, therefore some will sell for half what they got in it by the current unit and before long something in the tracking collars or box ,the shock system will be a issue of it interfered with the signal whatever so they have a chance to get a new collar or unit on the market. Any new market item that has a patent has the market for one year before it's open for other companies to develope and sell.

In reality when the 320 came out I was su****ious when they brought out a "better" supposed receiver at or below the cost of the 220, same with the collars 20/30/40. Now a completely different collar. They new what they were doing all along. Its smart but shady business.
Look at the GPS for cars I can get on my computer and update my 2009 version and update it which I have and it's current to 2011, for $39 bucks I can update it to the 2012 maps. It will have every thing that a new GPS of the same style or model has.

Just saying that if the option is there for the mobile GPS the tracking system should be the same. Either way at some point I'll end up with a complete system but I still love my Hounds that come home return to cast and when in hearing distance come to where I'm calling them. For the rest I have my trust worthy tracking collars and tracking box. Hope Garmin will offer a system in a reasonable price range that can be updated not upgraded.

I know a good amount on computer programming I can't see Garmin not having or providing a product that can not be updated rather than upgrade. Not sure when they first marketed the GPS systems but its clear that they are using patent protection to continue the upgrade point. There are several cloaked companies that along with the current systems around that will get a system with update compatible box and collars I think I am going to wait till the systems are tried and shown to have most of the issues fixed, or buy a used system at half price lol.

CJC WRITES: Very well said Marc!

I am being sarcastic here....... but THINK !

Why not add one more button to the system.

Just press this button and the collar comes off the dog!!!!!

By doing this you can go to your local animal rescue, pick up 2 or 3 mutts, put them on a hot track. They don't have to tree! Just 'waypoint' where the track ends and go to it. They don't have to hark to a horn! Just press the 'release' button and go retrieve your collar. Heck. they don't even need to open on track! You know where they are all the time.

A good tracking system is a lot cheaper than a good dog. And it don't eat!

Just for the heck of it!
John
ps: The sad thing is...... are we gonna use this tool to breed better hounds or just use this tool to make sorry hounds look better?

CJ,

I sure am glad to see that there are other people exposing Garmin for just what they are. In my opinion they are just bloodsucking parasites. That have found a host that is full of egotistical, self praising, bragging, me and mine are the best because I have tried to buy my way to the top with my big fat wallet type of people. Second only to politicians.

I personally hope that one of the pioneers in the tracking industry comes up with a better mousetrap. Maybe they will maybe they won't. I really don't know if there's much incentive. Because I believe that it has become apparent to them that providing a product with longevity and having good customer service. Certainly doesn't get them the loyalty of their customer base.

Don't get me wrong I think technology is great. And I certainly want my piece of the pie. But I believe that when you let yourself be played like a fiddle by a company. There is only one reason, and that's the reason discussed in the first paragraph.

John, you were writing your post the same time I was writing mine so I had to alter this a little bit. You hit the nail right on the head. When you asked the question are we going to use these tools to make better dogs? Or are we going to use these tools to make sorry dogs look better. I would also like to add to this one more thing. That will make all of the cheerleaders really pissed off. Are we also using these things to cover up shortcomings as a handler and trainer. I personally believe there is more truth to the two things mentioned above than meets the eye.

Take care, Willy

Come on guys.... A year or year and a half ago Garmin purchased Tri-Tronics. What did you think they were going to do? intergrade a beep beep into it? Upgrade the old versions of their collars? No they were gunna combine GPS and electrical stimulation. Now everyone is pissed because they are making money and not building a collar they like. I mean a glass eye in a ducks ass could see this coming! Buy it or dont buy it but bitchn about it aint gunna change it. Insulting the people that want to try it aint gunna change it. If and when Marshal ever comes out with their legendary GPS system we will all be happy and Garmin will go broke, but until then this is how it is lol

I beleive Marshal and there GPS when I see it!! Its been like four years since I first heard they were coming out with one, and four years ago they said it would be out soon. Yeah Right!! Ill stick with Garmin and Ill probably buy a new Alpha, just wish the dc30's and 40's would also work with it. I guess I will have a few Astros and a bunch of dc 30's for sale before long.

slowandeasy wrote:CJ,

When you asked the question are we going to use these tools to make better dogs? Or are we going to use these tools to make sorry dogs look better. I would also like to add to this one more thing. Are we also using these things to cover up shortcomings as a handler and trainer. I personally believe there is more truth to the two things mentioned above than meets the eye.
Take care, Willy

Myself I think that when I bought my first garmin it made what I thought were my top dogs look sorry (on caught bear).
And with the beagles it shows who has the hunt and who r just the followers waiting for the jump (although I already had an idea).
Does it cover up my shortcomings as a handler? No I don't beleave so, I think it has made me a better and more confident handler because I do know whats going on in there.
I'm not a young athletic person that runs with the hounds and the garmin helps me be in that situation to SEE who are finding the loss's and who are standing around waiting for someone else to find it. So when and if Marshal come's out with a new unit will u all be buying the "new mouse trap" it also may make sorry dogs look better.

Boy, I sure hope Buddy doesn't hire a couple of you guys for his product marketing staff.... This sounds like a great system, I really don't see what more a guy could ask for in a system... IMO Garmin has already elimintated the competition with this set up... If you dont wanna buy one, then don't. I think some of you guys would bitch that you had to pay taxes on a winning powerball ticket....

catdogs wrote:Boy, I sure hope Buddy doesn't hire a couple of you guys for his product marketing staff.... This sounds like a great system, I really don't see what more a guy could ask for in a system... IMO Garmin has already elimintated the competition with this set up... If you dont wanna buy one, then don't. I think some of you guys would bitch that you had to pay taxes on a winning powerball ticket....

LMAO!!!! Aint that the truth!!!!!

Can we quit this " My Garmin is bigger then yours " crap already? I think some of you tend to slightly over think stuff . All this crap about bad dogs turning good ect. ect. Is about the smartest thing I've heard since unreal's last question... Its pretty simple, if you want one then get it and if you don't then get off of here and get that ASSTRO Huntin.... Or at least crossing creeks.

catdogs wrote:Boy, I sure hope Buddy doesn't hire a couple of you guys for his product marketing staff.... This sounds like a great system, I really don't see what more a guy could ask for in a system... IMO Garmin has already elimintated the competition with this set up... If you dont wanna buy one, then don't. I think some of you guys would bitch that you had to pay taxes on a winning powerball ticket....

I'll second that.

and anybody that can't EVER see a time when it would be beneficial to have a shock collar on there dog is either very closed minded or an internet houndsmen that doesn't get on the mountain much..

Garmin is in the business to make money. If they have a product that works for you buy it. I run both shock and track collars at all times, will I buy a new Garmin no. They do not make a product that works satisfactory for me. With that said I have 12 dc 30 and two receivers and feel they are the best thing for me in training and hunting. The problem is that they are not well made out of 12 I have 5 to 8 working at any given time. I have Wildlife collars that are 30 years old and have work find for that length of time. I would venture to say Garmin has a team of people just to figure out ways to sell us new products. Garmin bought out Tri-tronics I am waiting to see how long it takes for them to make a new and better shock collar. NOT. If Marshell comes out with a new gps track collar I will probably have some Garmins for sale. Dewey

AFTER READING THE REVIEWS ON THIS NEW ALPHA GARMIN SYSTEM, I AM IMPRESSESD WITH ITS FEATURES; BUT I BELEIVE IT IS JUST ANOTHER OVER PRICED AND OVER RATED SYTEM! I HAVE A PERFECTLY WORKING GARMIN SYSTEM, AND IF IT AIN'T BROKE AND IT WORKS DON'T FIX IT! ALMOST GUARANTEED THERE WILL BE BUGS THAT NEED TO BE IRONED OUT ON THE ALPHA. TRUE GARMIN SPENDS ALOT OF MONEY ON TACTICAL MARKETING, AND EVENTUALLY WE ARE LURED IN...MORE POWER TO WHOMEVER DECIDES AND USES THIS NEW ALPHA SYSTEMS

NO SENSE IN KNOCKING AN IMPROVED PRODUCT, IF ANYTHING IT SHOULD BE PRAISED