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    Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

    Posted by Graydawg on 3/8/2021, 6:06 pm

    Can anyone reply listing the Garmin tracking collars approved for use by American Field ?

    To limit the list, lets just include collars available today & going back the last 4 years.

    Thanks

      Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

      Posted by Ted Cassar on 3/13/2021, 8:23 pm, in reply to "Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"
      Ted Cassar

      I'm not familiar with these tracking devises and I'm curious if an additional separate hand held from the one in the judges possession can be paired to the collar of a running dog without anyone knowing ?

        Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

        Posted by Solon on 3/14/2021, 5:35 am, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

        Multiple hand held receivers can track a single collar. For example, when hunting, a pair of hunters can each track all the dogs they have down at the same time.

        Solon Rhode

        Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

        Posted by Bill Holtan on 3/8/2021, 7:24 pm, in reply to "Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

        “The collar and receiver are to be used as received from the manufacturer. No modifications are to be made to the collar other than a name identification plate affixed. The collar must have a flat surface against the dog’s neck. All components, including collar, are not to exceed nine (9) ounces.”

          Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

          Posted by Graydawg on 3/8/2021, 7:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

          Any model#'s ?

            Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

            Posted by Bill Holtan on 3/8/2021, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

            Any that weigh 9 ounces or less and have smooth underside. The AKC spells out approved devices. The AFTCA/FDSB just says if they meet these guidelines they are acceptable.

              Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

              Posted by Graydawg on 3/9/2021, 6:43 am, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

              So for instance, the Astro® 430 (PART# 010-01635-00) weighs 9.2 oz. (with batteries).

              Is this model allowed in AF events? If you take the 2 AA batteries out, it's at 9oz. dead nuts.

              I'd like to finally upgrade, but really don't want to pull the trigger on any tracking unit that isn't approved.

                Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                Posted by Graydawg on 3/9/2021, 7:02 am, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                ..... or is the "9.2oz." (as listed weight) for the handheld & the collar?

                The Garmin webpage for Specs. isn't clear on this at all.

                  Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                  Posted by Graydawg on 3/9/2021, 7:20 am, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                  Okay, found the weight for the T5 on it's specs page. It reads:

                  "Weight: 6.6 oz (188.0 g) for transmitter and antenna (without collar); 9.3 oz (265.0 g) total weight (with collar)"

                  So is a T5 approved or not ?

                    Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                    Posted by Ray Gubernat on 3/9/2021, 8:29 am, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                    Graydawg -

                    I do know that, at one time, the T5 was approved, even though it was slightly overweight...because, at the time, as I understood it, it was pretty much the only game in town as far as Garmin GPS's were concerned.

                    All I can tell you is that I purchased a T5 mini which is, I believe, 7 oz., and use that more often than not. Prior to that, I used the T5 because that was what I had. Never had an issue.

                    I have never seen anyone at a trial question the weight of a tracking collar.

                    FWIW, it should be quite acceptable to use a TT mini model if the prongs are removed, but since they are a different color, there might be a question. However, as the standard states...smooth back..., so if there is a question, turn it over, show the smooth back and you should be fine.

                    One more thing...Don't forget to turn the receiver off. You don't want the point alert going off on the judge's saddle. Been there...did that.

                    RayG

                      Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                      Posted by SwingOak on 3/9/2021, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                      I've found my Astro 320 more often than not will not re-connect to the collar if it is turned off and back on again later, so that's kind of an issue. Sounds are always off anyway, only found out it had alert tones last year, and I've had it for almost 10 years!

                        Astro 320 issues

                        Posted by Ray Gubernat on 3/11/2021, 7:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                        SwingOak -

                        I had a 320 that was unreliable occasionally as far as direction to the dog. Sometimes it worked fine, but sometimes it was 30-90 degrees off.

                        I had a 220 so I just kinda quit using the newer unit for when and where it really mattered. When I finally got round to calling Garmin on it, they were into the 430 series and basically said there was nothing much they could do for me. The Garmin tech did actually go over all the re-initializing and troubleshooting steps with me to see if that would help...but it did not.

                        Unit and now useless collars went into the trash.

                        Lesson learned.

                        RayG

                          Re: Astro 320 issues

                          Posted by SwingOak on 3/13/2021, 12:42 am, in reply to "Astro 320 issues"

                          Oh it works well enough, just there's this issue with turning off the receiver and having it re-acquire collars when turned back on. I have tones turned off, and it's never been a problem. Not like I can see it anyway when it's clipped on the judge's saddle.

                          Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                          Posted by Graydawg on 3/10/2021, 4:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                          The Garmin T5 Mini weighs 7.5oz. with the collar, so good to go.

                          Rob

                            Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                            Posted by Ray Gubernat on 3/11/2021, 6:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                            GD -

                            As I understand it, the mini has slightly less battery life and slightly less range than the full sized units. That's what the literature says anyway.

                            Personally, I have never noticed any difference when running my guys and certainly have not noted any diminishment of performance with the mini. I have had it for a few years now and it does the job for me.

                            RayG

                              Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??

                              Posted by Bill Holtan on 3/11/2021, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Garmin Tracking Systems approved for use by American Field ??"

                              Absolutely

          2768

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