BigGameHoundsmen.com

I'm in the market for a tracking system and don't know the difference between Tracker Maxima and Classic. I searched their site briefly and didn't see anything. There's a few rolling on ebay for an affordable price and just wondered which you all prefered.

I searched here and read about the 1000, out of the price range, the Garmin, way out of the price range, and found the Trackers affordable.

Before you say "save up", that's not an option. I've got enough hid away from the ol' ball n' chain to be able to sneak it into the house right now through concrete side jobs, and there's not gonna be many more this season

us poor concrete guys, I can relate. if I understand the question correct here's my answer. the classic only runs two collars total. the maxima can run 1000 collars on 1 frequency and the maxima complete can run 1000 on a bunch of different frequensies. I have had a classic and a maxima and have used all three. seems to me the maxima has more range and the complete slightly more than that. if you get your hands on a complete for a decent price grab it up or even a maxima, but don't waist your time with a classic. hope that helps.

Houndnem,
thanks for the info. Reading some of your earlier posts I kinda thought you were a cement mason. I hope work's been good for you, it's been really spotty here in the NW. Some weeks great, some not so.
I figured just by the names that the Maxima would be the one to look for. I missed one on ebay by $13, it sold for $213 and my high bid was $200. Thanks for the info.

Tom.

So are you in oregon or wyoming? if in wyoming what part? I have had a few different guys with dogs from there that have been coming out and hunting with me. they are all good ol boys! ones from casper area ones from encampment and one from laramie. If your up for it jump in with them next time they come out. 435-668-0161, Jared. I'm trying to save up enough $$ to make a trip out there this spring and do some dry groundin.

Classic - Max 2 dogs tracking.

Maxima and Maxima Complete- multiply dogs and choice of single channel or muliply channels on both units.

houndnem, the Maxima (blue unit) can run on multiply freq just like the Maxima Complete (red unit) - not just 1000 channels.

Matter of fact, Valley Creek has a used Tracker Maxima 5000/25 (blue unit) on EBAY right now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/USED-Tracker-Maxima ... 2c57319b6d

If you do buy a used Maxima (blue unit) -- make sure it has the sma for attaching a yagi antenna for greater distance tracking.

mine will only run 217 freq

Wait, and get a Garmin. It locates AND tells ya what the dogs are doin'. it's magic...

the garmins locate features can save you a lot of money in gas alone.

houndnem wrote:mine will only run 217 freq

That is because yours is the 217/1000 model...............but you had said the maxima can run 1000 collars on 1 frequency and the maxima complete can run 1000 on a bunch of different frequensies. I was pointing out that the Maxima (blue model) is not limited to 1000 channels and 1 freq.

buckshot, mine is blue so maybe I just don't know how to run it. As for the guy that said wait for the garmin: True I can't live without mine, but I have never found a lost dog with mine. I get way longer range on my maxima and way more battery life. I guess it depends on what he wants to use it for. I use garmin to hunt and maxima to find lost dogs a long ways away or left overnite.

Thanks all for the replies, so from what I gather, the Maxima is a pretty respectable unit. The Trackers in general look alot more compact than say the Wildlife recievers, is that true?

Yea, like I mentioned, "waiting" is not an option. Finding my dogs is my biggest concern. So far I've had 2 incidents, one where my hound was chained up in someone's camp (but they were going to return her, just didn't have cell phone reception ) and the other when my pit thought he was a hound and got all turned around for 1/2 the night.

Buckshot, you're saying the Tracker fold out antennas are good, but attaching a yagi is possible/better?
Thanks for the link too. That winning bid was $475/no collars. I'm guessing it's because it was a 5000/25?

Jared, I'm in OR right now, but I'll give you a call. One of these days I'll make it over, either to help you on a job or hunt with you. Thanks.

Tom.

dubl_t, yes the fold out antenna on them are good.........but sometimes you need greater range and the ones with the SMA will allow you to connect to a yagi antenna to get it. The Maxima Completes (red unit) they come standard. On the Maximas (blue unit) not all have the SMA.

EBAY probably not the best place to buy since it is a bidding war to determine price (just used it to show that the Blue Maxima does come in more than the 1000 channels model). Look on the Hound and Beagle forums as alot of guys are selling them to get a Garmin.

buckshot wrote:EBAY probably not the best place to buy since it is a bidding war to determine price (just used it to show that the Blue Maxima does come in more than the 1000 channels model). Look on the Hound and Beagle forums as alot of guys are selling them to get a Garmin.

Haha, now you tell me!
Actually I think I did pretty good. Never did "win" a Tracker, but I guess I got lucky with a F & L 10 channel receiver with a yagi antenna. $105 shipped with no collars from Valley Creek in Texas. I called about collars and they didn't have any that they knew of (all packed up to go to a big field trial). Again, lost out on 2 used collars, so called West Coast Telemetry and he's having a sale on new collars ($105+ shipping). So for a little over $200, I got a new toy

Thanks again for the info though, I'm sure somebody else was or will be wondering.