Garmin Unveils Alpha Integrated Dog Tracking And Training Device

If you're the sort of person that wants to keep an eye on where your dog is at all times, Garmin has a new system that let you do just that and help you train the dog the same time. This particular system is aimed more specifically at hunters who use dogs when out in the wild and is very expensive. The system has an MSRP of $799.99.

The Alpha 100 GPS tracking system can update the dog's location as often as every 2.5 seconds. Hunters or trainers with multiple dogs can track as many as 20 animals with a single handheld from up to 9 miles away, depending on the terrain. The handheld device has a three-inch touchscreen that works while the user is wearing gloves and is designed to be easily viewable in direct sunlight.

The handheld device is also capable of sending preselected messages between devices in the field such as "help," "come here," or "go on without me." The handheld can also give an audible or vibrating alert when a dog trees whatever you are hunting or goes on point. The handheld device is loaded with 100k topographical maps and the device works with other maps, including BirdsEye Satellite Imagery.

The Alpha 100 training features have to reconfigurable buttons that allows the user to set multiple combinations and levels of correction between continuous, momentary, or tone. The training method is described as "stimulation" which seems to be of the shock variety like some shock collars I've seen before. The handheld device is powered by a rechargeable battery good for up to 20 hours per charge and is waterproof to IPX-7 standards. The dog collar device is good for 24 hours of use per charge with a 2.5-second update rate. Additional collars can be purchased for $299.99 starting this month.