GPS tracking systems

[ileso]

I have read two articles on two different systems. And researched both.
Both have things I like.
Am undecided between the DOGTRACE

Dogtrace X20 - anyone have experience in field use?

Anyone own and tried the Dogtrace x20 setup? The exact position of your dog is transmitted using a radio signal sent in intervals of a few seconds. You can see not only the position, but also the exact distance and direction your dog is moving. There are load of features with this set and...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

and the Dogtra Pathfinder.

I havent been able to workout if they both use GPS and radio, or just GPS or just radio... (could be a deciding factor)

the Dogtrace has a screen with direction and distance of the dogs on the handheld receiver. Dogtra does not have this feature
the Dogtra shows what the dogs are doing (baying, resting, chasing, etc) on the phone app, the Dogtrace does not show whats going on.

I am undecided. I know theres people out there that use these, I would really like feedback to compare. So any added info is more than welcome. which of these different features are actually more useful in the field for example...

I realise the Garmin Apha system does all this in one tidy package, but it costs twice as much as either of the ones I am looking at... That, for the moment, is out of the question.

 

[cookingfat]

Garmin Atemos 100 and a T5 collar is the way to go if your UK based
keep it legal!!

you pay for what you get

Tony

 

[Paul 600]

Also worth taking a look at Tracker. Tracker – Team up. Stay up.. Legal wherever you use it.

 

[User00014]

Save your self £150-£200 and get the Atemos 50 and T5 does exactly the same thing as the 100 except it has no touch screen.

 

[ileso]

Also worth taking a look at Tracker. Tracker – Team up. Stay up.. Legal wherever you use it.

just looked at those.. I dont get it.. I buy it but still need a subscription?

 

[Dogtra UK]

Dogtra collars are legal here but only available special order from the main UK importer.

 

[Paul 600]

just looked at those.. I dont get it.. I buy it but still need a subscription?

This gives you worldwide mapping, air photos etc and PC access which you can use to track worldwide. It also gives you unlimited collars on the same licence which is useful if you have more than one dog.

Garmin are moving to a subscription service for their maps as are others I believe.

 

[Sharpie]

If you just hope to find a lost dog, and are in mobile coverage, then there are tiny GPS/GSM trackers available on e.g. ebay for under £10 which you could easily tape onto a dog collar. Put in a PAYG SIM card with low cost, or free texting, then you just have to run the app on you're smartphone, text a location request, receive the text back from the tracker, and up it pops on e.g Google maps. These things use GSM, not 3G, 4G nevermind 5G, so the SIM card needs to be on a network that has good 2G coverage in your area.

You could keep on doing this every few minutes, and get close to real-time tracking. Some even have a microphone, allowing you to call in and hear what your dog is up to. Put a little bell on it, and you'll know whether it is moving.

As do the other tracking collars that rely on mobile coverage. I've heard of some that communicate directly with the receiver using UHF frequencies, but that introduces other concerns about realistic range, given the size of these things, their battery capacity, and the likely effectiveness of their tiny antenna, mounted on a dog, at dog-level above ground. Nevermind how well the GPS receiver can lock-on under cover in woodland.

Best not to rely on this sort of stuff, and have a disciplined dog. But a basic little tracker taped onto the collar might just save the day.

As it might you, if e.g. lone-working, and wanting to let people know where you are whilst keeping your main phone in aeroplane mode to conserve the battery. Or just to find your vehicle, if you have forgotten quite where you parked it.

 

[ileso]

Best not to rely on this sort of stuff, and have a disciplined dog.

.. yes.. I have a couple of beagles...I use them on foxes but they also run roe and wild boar if they chance upon them... after which they will chase them for hours and many km..
a decent tracking system will help me recover them faster rather than waiting for their return (sometimes well into the night)

 

[Sharpie]

I have gathered up several bewildered dogs in SW France from the beginning of the hunting season, then delivered them back to the "La Chasse" headquarters to be re-united. Seemed not to be unusual. At least they had hunting collars on with their id. stamped into a metal plate.

Two others in North Norfolk, who just approached me (I seem to be sympathetic) wanted help. No collar, no chip, was worried that I might be stuck with one of them, but after a bit of asking around (it's actually a very close place, if you know it, as-in that looks like xyz's dog, give her a bell, here's her number), discovered the worried owners, and delivered a little lecture. One, a very nice pedigree, had managed to wander 35 miles, and was very hungry. My own dog was unimpressed at having his dinner and breakfast scoffed whilst we looked after it.

So, yes, tracking good. But I don't think that it needs to be particularly expensive, and the technological limitations apply to whatever system you choose.