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Been using the Astro, DC20 and DC30 collars for several months now. Here's some info on what I've found so far. They do take some time to learn because the GPS does so much, it has way too many options to learn them all. But, it does work and very well. You will learn more about your dogs using this gps then you can imagine like who is doing what, whos actually out in front, which dog is locating the tree, etc. This unit really gives you an insight into what is really going on during the race. After the hunt, you can download the whole track from each dog onto your computer and re-evaluate what happened in detail.
Now, some problems or quirks. The DC20 collars are almost useless as they come from the factory. You must change out the worthless stock antenna for a whip antenna and make sure it is secured with tape and nylon ties or it will come off. Another issue I've had is the tiny info card in the back of the gps has a metal slide that moves back and forth to hold the card in place. Make sure your slide is in the correct position or your card flips up and you loose the topo feature until you fix the problem.
One of the biggest issues I've had is not getting the collars turned on correctly and making sure they are actually tracking before kicking your dogs loose. I've made up some cheat sheets that I now use to make sure everything is working property before turning out. These collars are not like our traditional tracking collars that you simply pull magnets and go.
I'm still running my dogs with both the gps and my older tracking collars only because I don't like the short battery life of the DC collars. I think it is something like 15 hours? I'll never turn out without my older Johnson collars that last for 2 years. But, I've not had to resort to using the older collars yet. These new units take you straight to your dogs. But more then that, you'll learn a lot more about your dogs with this GPS unit.
If anyone else has any more info or issues that we need to keep a look out for using these new units, please post your info here, thanks.

What kind of range are u getting out the collars? Two guys that i hunt with are trying them again and it seems they can only get about a mile out of them.

you mention that the dc20 is not good from the factory but what about the dc30 are they good or do you have to modify them as well.

Can you use the receiver like a regular gps or does it only work with the collars?I understand that you can keep track of ten collars at once if me and a huntin buddy each have one can we each track ten different dogs (20 collars total)?What all do you have on your cheat sheet? I am looking at upgrading to this type of system this summer.

I've gotten over five miles with mine in good terrain. I would highly suggest getting the long range antenna for the gps unit though. You don't need it all the time but its a must since it doubles the range if not more of the unit in rough country.
The DC30 collars are great right out of the box. Haven't had any issues with them at all.
The gps unit works just like any other gps unit. You can track you own track or the dogs or both, then download them onto your computer and really see how the dogs did.
The gps unit has altitude, topo maps, road maps, and everything else that any other gps unit does. In fact, I think they do too much since they can be confusing until you figure out how to manuver through them. With two units, you can track 20 dogs, each unit tracks 10 dogs each.
The cheat sheet is just a quick reference on how to use the features on the unit that I use most.

I also use the Garmin Astro with DC30 collars. I have found them to be incredible as far as tracking and seeing what is going on in the field. I usually get about a 2-4 mile range with the stock antenna. I replaced the stock antenna with a high gain one that has increased my range significantly. It's a little easier having the antenna attached to the unit instead of the one Garmin sells. If you have any experience with Garmin GPS the functions and features are the same. There is a ton of things that it will do for you including a stand alone GPS with a SD card expandable memory. I also download the tracks to my computer and mark where the dogs started the track. This enables me to keep track of those females and where they're at so I can go back and find a Tom. I haven't had any battery issues as of yet. I don't turn the collar on until I dump the dogs out. The handheld runs for 24 hours or more on standard AA batteries. If you use the advanced types like lithium then it will run for days. The collar itself is sturdy as far as I can tell. The handheld is waterproof also. I absolutely love mine and all my buddies are saving up to get their own. The only thing I don't know is if you have several people in the same area if the collars will interfere with each other. I am the only one of my hunting buddies that have the Garmin so it will be interesting to see. The last thing I like about the unit is that when it's time to go and you call the dogs you can see if they are actually coming or not.

Just my experience with the collar so far.

Thanks for the info guys good reports. One other question I realize the collars are on all the time the dogs are out but can you turn the receiver on and off as your walking or driving or does it have to stay on all the time so as not to lose the program.

Tman, can you post what type of antenna you found and where you purchased it?

B/T, yes, you can turn the gps unit off anytime, then turn it back on and all the info is still saved.

The only thing I don't know is if you have several people in the same area if the collars will interfere with each other. I am the only one of my hunting buddies that have the Garmin so it will be interesting to see.

The Astro assigns each collar that it communicates with, a random number between 1 and 50. For example, my two collars are 3 and 47. If you had a 3 or a 47, there would be interference. You would have to go in and manually change the collar ID number which is very easy to do.

I was also wondering about the antenna thing. I'm sure there is a connector available that would allow you to connect the Garmin long range telescoping antenna directly to the Astro without having to use the cord and handle?? Or make a whip ant. like on the collars??

Also: a great review from Steve at Gun Dog:

http://www.gundogsupply.com/garmin-astr ... views.html

I hunt in an area that is also hunted by another with a Garmin tracking system and we have had no problems with interference. One of my other buddies also has one and we programmed both of our collars on eachothers handheld, that way we can shar collars and also watch each others dogs if we get seperated. When hunting alone, I just turn off the tracking of the unused collars.

We both have turned out and had to wait several minutes for the collars to start working. I don't know what we did wrong, so could anyone help me out on that problem?

I use the GPS as a stand alone unit quite a bit for mapping and such.

I would also like to know about some better antennas for the DC-20's

Thank you

scott

I have found that its much harder to get satellite signal when the dogs are running. I take mine about twenty feet from the truck and so far have always had signal within a minute or two. I always make sure they are tracking before turning the dogs loose.

sheimer-When you and your friend were both tracking the same collar did it shorten the battery life in the collar?

The antenna that I use is a high gain antenna tuned to 150-160 mhz. I originally bought it for the handheld radio and then one day put it on the Garmin when it said I had lost signal. I instantly (in 5 seconds) had regained signal without moving. I ordered my antenna from a company called Vertex. I will post the information once I find it again. As far as tracking issues with the dogs I have never had any issues tracking the dogs. I turn the collar on and then attach to the dog.

The reciever can be turned off and on as much as you want you just won't get a good track log on the download.

I think where I had a problem was that I had gone into the menu and turned OFF tracking. I guess you should just leave it on all the time and just shut off the collar. Haven't had any more issues once I got the tracking turned back on.

I guess you should just leave it on all the time and just shut off the collar.

That's what I have found to be the easiest. Now if I could just remember to restart the hunt every time out I would have it made

We have run for 8 hours with 2 GPS units tracking the same collars and did not notice any rapid battery loss. We havn't used them for any longer to actually test it. I think that the collar only emits 1 signal and multiple recievers can catch it.

thanks

scott