gps burn out

[mondomuttruner]

I asked this question on a different post but : Has anyone burned out a 220 using a marine on low power? I haven't had a problem on low but am I getting lucky? I always have it hooked up to a magnetic ant. and use the radio quite often. I've got an icom with the ant on the roof and the magnetic ant for the 220 on the front of the hood, both cables are run in different locations.

[bearbain]

Hear is the little I know on this subject, and as they say " a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" . The Garmin collars run 146 to 151 VHF. The marine band is easier on them than VHF, but the astro 220 tends to loose its signal sensitivity over time. It becomes very noticeable after 2 years. This use burn out is one of the reasons that you don't want to get a refurbished astro. The brand new astro will always have better range.
That being said, using your marine band is putting a 8 to 20 watt radio signal out right next to a unit designed to pick up a 1/2 watt signal. This will shorten the life enough that I would plan on a new one every 2 years (assuming 30-40 hunting days each year). Good luck hunting!
If you have trouble with your older astro loosing signal, double U graphics (the outfit that advertises on here) has some awesome antennas to boost your range. They are cheaper and more durable than what Garmin offers.

[mondomuttruner]

Thanks for the info Bearbrain! Radio's are a must here so I'll expect to replace the astro at some point. Can't live with it, can't live without it.