I use a handheld Garmin GPS all the time for marking spots in the woods, tree stands, etc. I do know my hand held loses signal if I get under thick trees (which is most of the time down here). Does the Astro/ DC-30 have a problem receiving a signal in thick woods? I have never had that trouble with a regular radio tracking unit, but have had the dog closer than I thought, due to thick cover. Just curious if the Garmin loses satelite signal under heavy cover.
Yes......however, when it comes to GPS the limiting factor would not be the hand held it would be the transmitter/collar. If I am not mistaken the garmin system works like this........ The Collar communicates with a GPS satelite which then sends a message back to the collar and then the collar sends a radio signal with the coordinates to the Reciever/hand held. The Collar and Hand held DO NOT communicate via satelite with each other if they did the range would seemingly be unlimited if both had GPS signal So if the hand held did not have GPS signal but was recieving radio signal from a collar that did have GPS signal then it would show the dogs location but not YOUR current location. The problem arrises when the collar does not have GPS signal which Can happen with a thick canopy or multiple canopys, ie. a cover of vines and and a Tree top canopy. That being said, I have yet to notice a time when I was so close that I should be recieving radio signal but have not dog location due to the collar not getting signal. But usually if i am that close to a bay I can hear the dogs and dont pay any attention to the garmin.
Circle C......I have a magnetic mount antenna but lost the screw on antenna part the first day I had it in the woods but still had the magnetic mount. Rather than trying to get just an antenna from garmin or buying a whole new setup,I tried using an extra radio antenna that I had purchased to put on a chevy suburban and it fit and the unit works with it. I can get about 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 mile with my riged up antenna. I have nothing to compare with as far as the stock magnetic mount antenna goes, because I only used it once and never at long ranges. However, sometimes I can only get about 600 yards with the small handheld antanna in thick cover, so even a mile and a quarter is an improvment. Keep us filled in with what ever you find out.
Waylon
Waylon
