Which Garmin Setup?

[ianpadron]

I'm going to upgrade my GPS collar setup this off-season from the Pathfinder Mini I've been using. I want a standalone unit I can have on my vest at all times, and also has watch compatibility. Sick of digging out my phone constantly when I get a point notification, draining the phone battery on day long hunts, and the general glitch-iness of the Pathfinder app.

Collar will be used almost exclusively for hunting, although I'd like the ability to train the next pup with the same unit if possible and run multiple dogs on the same controller. Main focus is reliable point notifications and compass, and simple operation.

Ready to make the switch to Garmin, and the last post on this is a few years old.

What are you guys using going into 2026, and how do you like it?

 

[birdhunter]

Im using the alpha and have it connected to my fenix5 but if I had to do it over I would go wiyh 550 plus.Its more than enough if u have a close working dog.I think they are on sale right now at Gun Dog Supply.My 2cents.

 

[Hoghead]

I use a alpha 200I for hog hunting. it works with my Garmin watch and works a long ways out. I have thought about upgrading to the 300 but don't see enough difference to justify the cost.

 

[Tilzbow]

I’m using an Alpha 300i paired with a Fenix 7. Really like the setup and since I chukar hunt remote places with no cell service solo I’m able to send my location using inReach to my wife at the start of the hunt and let her know when I’m headed back home. The on point notifications seem reliable and since my young dog likes to range 150-250 yards it’s come in really handy and saved me a lost dog many times. It’s got capability for several dogs and the ability to have three stimulation functions immediately available is really handy. I’ve settled on a high level continuous (used for deer, coyote chasing and similar situations), the lowest level continuous the pup feels and vibrate.

I have the unit on a lanyard and keep it in my left shell pocket since I’m right handed and hold my gun with that hand when approaching the dog on point. My KUIU vest has pockets behind both the left and right shell pockets that the unit will fit in but it’s not easy to get out of those pockets and the shell pocket works better.


The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Pro is, and has been, on sale for a few weeks and it’s way more watch than I need. I do like the heart rate function and that’s about the only feature I use other than the dog tracking.

 

[Zak406]

I have a 100. Will go to a 300 or whatever is available for next pup.

Couple things.

IMO the alpha is horrible to train with. Especially with more than one dog. I would train with a cheaper standalone unit and keep the alpha for hunting.

The watch connection is the best. I don’t have to correct very often out hunting so all I have to do is glance at watch.

Garmin customer service is awesome.

I had to use cs one time and they hooked me up. My unit/collars are 10 years old and still work great other than a reduced battery life which I could easily fix.

 

[Alchemy]

550 plus/TT25

 

[ianpadron]

I’m using an Alpha 300i paired with a Fenix 7. Really like the setup and since I chukar hunt remote places with no cell service solo I’m able to send my location using inReach to my wife at the start of the hunt and let her know when I’m headed back home. The on point notifications seem reliable and since my young dog likes to range 150-250 yards it’s come in really handy and saved me a lost dog many times. It’s got capability for several dogs and the ability to have three stimulation functions immediately available is really handy. I’ve settled on a high level continuous (used for deer, coyote chasing and similar situations), the lowest level continuous the pup feels and vibrate.

I have the unit on a lanyard and keep it in my left shell pocket since I’m right handed and hold my gun with that hand when approaching the dog on point. My KUIU vest has pockets behind both the left and right shell pockets that the unit will fit in but it’s not easy to get out of those pockets and the shell pocket works better.


The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Pro is, and has been, on sale for a few weeks and it’s way more watch than I need. I do like the heart rate function and that’s about the only feature I use other than the dog tracking.

This is super helpful, thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

Sounds like we hunt the same way. My dog is regularly 400+ yards out when he's quartering back to get the wind in his face and I have left him hanging countless times because the dogtra never alerted me he was on point.

Have read nothing but positive reviews on the 300 and 300i....leaning that way for sure

 

[ianpadron]

550 plus/TT25

What do you like about the 550+ versus Alpha options?

 

[TSAMP]

I have an alpha 300i with a couple of the tt25 collars. The battery life is stellar and the main reason I went with the new version. I hunted for a week and didnt need to charge the units. They were at 10% and I would of but forgot the charger.

Training with it isnt great but its doable. I have a fenix 6 watch and I like the interface but only when im running a single dog. If I have both out the watch interface sucks.

It was expensive but it works.

I think the point alert is super slow. Ive watched dogs be on point 10 ish seconds and not be alerted. Only an issue on public land roosters usually but frustrating.

 

[ianpadron]

I have a 100. Will go to a 300 or whatever is available for next pup.

Couple things.

IMO the alpha is horrible to train with. Especially with more than one dog. I would train with a cheaper standalone unit and keep the alpha for hunting.

The watch connection is the best. I don’t have to correct very often out hunting so all I have to do is glance at watch.

Garmin customer service is awesome.

I had to use cs one time and they hooked me up. My unit/collars are 10 years old and still work great other than a reduced battery life which I could easily fix.

That's good advice. I really didn't have to use a collar much for training my first/current pointer so I wouldn't even know what I was missing out on. Seems like the Alpha is the best hunting tool and it aligns well with my use case.

Which watch do you use? Id only want the watch for hunting, already have a Coros for workouts/hiking/etc

 

[ianpadron]

I have an alpha 300i with a couple of the tt25 collars. The battery life is stellar and the main reason I went with the new version. I hunted for a week and didnt need to charge the units. They were at 10% and I would of but forgot the charger.

Training with it isnt great but its doable. I have a fenix 6 watch and I like the interface but only when im running a single dog. If I have both out the watch interface sucks.

It was expensive but it works.

I think the point alert is super slow. Ive watched dogs be on point 10 ish seconds and not be alerted. Only an issue on public land roosters usually but frustrating.

Is it the watch point alert that slow or the 300?

Tbh that's my biggest issue with the dogtra... I'll watch my dog lock up a couple hundred yards out and still don't get a notification while walking up on him.

Like you mentioned, if rooster cover is involved, it basically screws up the entire point of having a collar if there is no clue where your dog is and what he's doing, frustrating

 

[blacktailcentral]

The garmin 550 is great!

 

[ianpadron]

The garmin 550 is great!

Do you use a watch in tandem?

 

[blacktailcentral]

Do you use a watch in tandem?

I do not, i use it for quail so the dog is close by maybe 30 yards max. Imo the dog shouldnt be further than you can shoot

 

[ianpadron]

I do not, i use it for quail so the dog is close by maybe 30 yards max. Imo the dog shouldnt be further than you can shoot

For a flushing dog, I agree. Pointers, no way

 

[blacktailcentral]

For a flushing dog, I agree. Pointers, no way

I like to keep my gsp close, but also i hunt bird thats get alot of pressure

 

[ianpadron]

I like to keep my gsp close, but also i hunt bird thats get alot of pressure

That makes sense.

Jumpy quail are tough.

I hunted them pretty hard during my stint in WA and once the big covey was broken up, we'd put the pointers down and mop up singles/doubles the rest of the day.

They'd hold tight as can be in those circumstances.

 

[blacktailcentral]

That makes sense.

Jumpy quail are tough.

I hunted them pretty hard during my stint in WA and once the big covey was broken up, we'd put the pointers down and mop up singles/doubles the rest of the day.

They'd hold tight as can be in those circumstances.

Definitely! But overall the regular 550 works great, has an awesome range, battery life etc.