Garmin Alpha 200i Review: An Impressive GPS Dog Training Device

For me, the streaming meadows and controling skies of the meadows are the best environments for big-running bird dogs. Often, quality bird environments can be discovered in the most remote area, where long-range visual hints and a remote transmitter are the very best method to interact with your guardian. This is where the very best characteristics of the Garmin Alpha 200i paired with a Garmin TT15X dog collar entered into play and why I was delighted to get it into the field.

So did it measure up to my expectations?

In brief: Aside from the rate barrier, the Garmin Alpha 200i system integrated with a GPS tracking collar is a necessary system for the upland hunter running bird dogs.

The Garmin Alpha 200i Review

The Garmin Alpha 200i portable system is priced at $749.99 and is qualified for the extra inReach satellite membership strategy. While the system varies at the greater end of Garmin’s portable gadgets, its abilities are extraordinary. With a weight of 9.9 ounces, a responsive touchscreen, water resistant housing, and a high-speed software user interface — this is an excellent piece of innovation.

The Alpha 200i comes geared up with 16GB of memory and a battery life of 20 hours — 15 hours if you have the inReach innovation made it possible for. There are 3 training/action buttons on the front of the system and 3 buttons on the best side to cycle through different menus. Further down the best side is the inReach SOS button with a protective cover.

Each button, consisting of the power button on the left side of the system, is quickly functional with or without gloves. For storage, I constantly select to eliminate the antenna. Fortunately, the black and orange color makes the 200i quickly recognizable if you drop it — ensure you appropriately install and bring the system. I utilize a lanyard and a shoulder clasp, 2 points of contact.

An Intuitive Garmin Ecosystem

Like numerous items in the Garmin lineup, the Alpha 200i sets well with other Garmin gadgets. For my personal usage, I run the Garmin TT15x Dog Collar to track my dogs. However, when I am hunting with a partner, I have them utilize the Garmin Alpha 10. The Alpha 10 enables them to all at once track my dogs and me. This experience is a fantastic method to present buddies into the Garmin environment, however likewise a method to let them take a more active part of each hunt. Additionally, there is a selection of watches, in-car systems, and other gadgets that can interact with the Alpha 200i.

Dog Tracking and Mapping Features Are Key

I primarily utilize the 200i/TT15x combo for its tracking and compass functions when hunting. The 3.5-inch screen makes discovering my dogs in the field or on point simple. While I keep the GPS collar revitalize rate at 2.5 seconds, you can set the rate approximately 2 minutes to accommodate various hunting circumstances. If required, the 200i can track approximately 20 dogs at ranges of almost 9 miles. However, I delight in the ease of altering in between which dog collars to track — a fantastic function when running several dogs throughout the day.

The mapping includes on the Alpha 200i are exceptional. You can download the BirdsEye Satellite Imagery or TopoActive maps and show them on the system when browsing brand-new locations. A skilled chukar hunter, Everette ‘UB’ Giberson, says it finest: “I love the 200i because it makes me feel completely prepared on my hunts. Chukar hunting ventures you to some of the most desolate places — having maps preloaded, inReach capabilities, and total control over my dogs give me full confidence I can go anywhere with my Setters.”

With extremely couple of problems, the Garmin Alpha 200i paired with a GPS collar is an amazing resource when running dogs off the grid.

Offseason Training With the Alpha 200i

I have actually taken this Garmin combination throughout Montana, Canada, and all over the Great Plains. In each area, I had the ability to track several dogs at the same time as we went after different types of upland birds. With the improved mapping functions and dog metrics, you can effectively rate your dog’s power over a prolonged journey. Additionally, the inReach abilities supply an additional layer of safety throughout the hunt. The 200i is loaded with lots of functions to fit your requirements, and possibly even a couple of you might not utilize. While I am mostly a grassy field hunter, the Garmin 200i system is perfect for the chukar mountains of the west,  the grouse-filled Northwoods, or the bobwhite Piney Woods of the south. Put merely, the Garmin 200i will enhance the experience of browsing birdy covers with your dog.

Throughout the offseason, I utilized the 200i to train my Lab. The six-button style enables me to change through training hints and corrections easily. When running long marks, the hunt metrics let me watch on range on hot summer season days. Many pointing dog fitness instructors choose a neck and flank collar — so the capability to quickly change stimulation types in between 2 collars is an exceptional function.

The 200i likewise has several levels of stimulation, consisting of vibrate and tone alternatives to improve your training sessions. I believe the Alpha 200i might help a lot of dog handlers with basic to complicated training circumstances for retrievers and pointing dogs.

The Safety and Security of Inreach

While you might recognize with Garmin’s inReach innovation, the addition of this innovation into the 200i is important when hunting. Whether you are hunting a protect or through an extensive wilderness — the one-touch SOS button can be a lifesaver. Throughout my journeys, I would routinely text my partner from my 200i prior to and after each hunt. While I did not utilize the location-sharing function, I believe this is likewise a fantastic resource to enable others to track your position. Although I make certain there are locations where the inReach does not work appropriately, I have actually been not able to discover one.

The Downfalls

Regarding downsides, the screen resolution does not have the pixels of numerous cellular phone. Additionally, it is among the larger dog handler systems on the marketplace. However, the performance of the Garmin 200i makes it a premium tool for bird-dog owners.

Obviously, the rate is a barrier for anybody who may not be major about taking their dogs in the field. It definitely isn’t a wallet-friendly purchase.

Conclusion

To me, there is a specific charm to enjoying bird dogs roll throughout an extensive meadow. I picture the chukar, grouse, and bobwhite hunters share a comparable sensation. The enthusiasm we have for the uplands is effectively matched by the efficiency and tracking abilities of the Garmin Alpha 200i. Still, ought to an emergency situation develop, the inReach functions are just a button press away.

The performance of the Alpha 200i integrated with the TT15X collar genuinely improves the guardian experience. At initially look, this might appear finest fit for a pointing dog, however the 200i is likewise terrific for the retriever folks and city dogs. Ultimately, you can never ever totally get ready for all the unsafe variables you might come across while hunting, however I think the Garmin Alpha 200i represent much of them. It is definitely worth thinking about including the Alpha 200i and TT15X collar to your guardian loadout.