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Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:25 pm
by Nolte
I was wondering if someone could answer this question for me.

I know that you can track 10 dogs with the Astro system. But is it possible to be able to track more than that with a group of people. I probably don't need to know where my buddy's jackoff pup is, but I do need to know where mine is. :D

So could I have my collar set at say the 01 frequency and he could have his set to say 21 and both of us be able to track without interference. This way we both could still track our pups by ourselves.

Any ideas? I'm just trying to find a solution for a potential problem since a lot more people are getting these now. I can see where other close hunting groups might be bleed over. It happens now with 1000 channels in 217.

Thanks.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:01 pm
by Daniel Tremblay
If I'm understanding your question right....You won't simply get bleed over from others using the astro because you have to synchronize or pair up the collar and unit before you use it. Its all in the manual. The unit won't just pick up random collars out in the woods. And as far as I know, yes to units can be set to track the same collar.
Hope this helps but not sure if I'm understanding your question correctly.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:19 pm
by Nolte
Dan, thanks for the reply but I must not have have been clear on my question.

I know how to get the unit to pair up with a collar and input in specific freq numbers.

We've got 12 collars (so far) with the different guys I hunt with. Now an asto can only track 10. Is there a way to be able to track all 12 in the same area without causing intereference. Granted all 12 won't be out at once, but most likely the collars will be on so they are ready to go. I don't want to have to input and change freq numbers depending on which dogs are out. Or worse yet, change one of them while a dog is out and not be able to track it.

Any ideas out there.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:13 pm
by buckshot
Since 10 collars right now is the limit -- Have 2 unit out amongst the group and split up the tracking.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:19 pm
by Nolte
Drew,

Do you know if there would be any error or interference messages, when using a collar in the same number ID slot?

The way I understand it or how it works on my astro is that you can track 10 collars. You can have a collar on say a 1 collar ID or channel 1,11,21, or 31. Once you've got a collar in the "one" ID slot you can't have another in that ID slot unless you delete it and add the another one.

The reason I ask is we had a situation where someone switched the collar number ID during a hunt and it was gone. I don't want that to keep happening. I'd rather set it all up right to start with.

Has anyone ever had it where their unit picked up a different collar that happened to be on the same ID channel? A situation where your dog was just 1 mile east and now there is that same dog 1 mile west. Just curious.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:36 pm
by buckshot
Yes, there is possibility of interference.........no way around it until Garmin adds more channels.

I believe this to be correct:

151.82Mhz (ID code: 0-9)
151.88Mhz (ID code: 10-19)
151.94Mhz (ID code: 20-29)
154.57Mhz (ID code: 30-39)
154.60Mhz (ID code: 40-49)

Can you split the 12 up so they are separate..............but the interference from another hunting party near you running the same settings can interfere with what you have and bleed over to alerts on your system.

That is the big down side to the Garmin GPS when you have large hunting groups using the system at the same time.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 6:59 pm
by catdogs
Max is 10 at once, with numbers ending in 0-9. Number 1 collar tracks the same as 21 or 41. You can still have them all labeled different, and if you have an 11 and a 21 out, you'll have to "stop tracking" on one of them. The feller I run with the most and myself, each have 6 collars, but we can only track 10 total (5 each). He ends his with odd numbers, I end mine with even.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 7:08 pm
by buckshot
catdogs so 10 dogs max even with using 2 systems?

Garmin really needs to add more channels.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 10:55 am
by blackpaws
Max is 10 at once, with numbers ending in 0-9. Number 1 collar tracks the same as 21 or 41. You can still have them all labeled different, and if you have an 11 and a 21 out, you'll have to "stop tracking" on one of them.
so what you are saying is that 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 is the same channel because they end in a 1? if that's the case then yeah they need to get some more channels added to these things.

Re: Another Garmin Question, tracking more than 10 dogs

Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 11:43 am
by Nolte
I don't think there is a 41 or 51. If I remeber right, there are 4 channels for each of the last digits.