STEVE SAYS: This new collar transmitter is a drastic improvement in functionality and design. Unlike the original system, the new Garmin Astro collar is a stand-alone unit. The new DC 30 design allows you the option of running the Astro collar on the dog without a vest or any additional counterweight or ecollar to keep the unit on your dog's neck.
The DC 30 has a top mounted GPS antenna and a side mounted "whip" antenna for the radio signal that sends the location information to the Astro handheld unit. This new design improves the durability of the system by moving most of the electronics to the bottom of the collar, placing them in front of the dog's chest. This keeps the collar in position and protects the collar by lowering the chances of impact.
The original DC 20 (transmitter) dog unit had all of the electronics and the GPS antenna on the top of the dog's neck. The reason for this was to keep the GPS antenna in the best possible position to receive the satellite signal. The problem with it was that the profile of the Astro DC 20 was well above the dog's head and neck. The new Astro DC 30 has a separate GPS antenna that is on the top of the collar strap. The low profile and sleek design of the antenna will keep it below the dog's head and avoid any direct hits in the field.
Whip Style Antenna -- The biggest complaint with the Original Garmin Astro DC 20 was the transmitter antenna. The DC 20 antenna was too rigid and was not tough enough to handle the constant pressure that your average hunting dog dished out. Garmin addressed this issue with a tougher antenna, but we still had the occasional problem.
The DC 30 Astro collar has a Whip Style antenna that will take all the abuse a hunting dog can give it. This part of the design is more like a traditional telemetry tracking system. Unlike the original antenna, a whip antenna is completely flexible and will move back and forth as it gets hit. In the 10 plus years that I have run tracking collars, I have never had a whip antenna get damaged in the field.
The other thing about the design of this antenna that will protect it is the way it is attached to the collar strap. The whip antenna has a nylon cover that is designed to keep it pointing up, improving the transmission range to the Garmin Astro Handheld. While keeping the antenna pointed up is important, the real beauty of this feature is that it takes the pressure off of the antenna connection, moving it to the middle of the antenna. This will lower the chances of any damage to the antenna or the electronics.
Metal Attachment Plates -- The new DC 30 GPS collar has metal attachment plates for both the electronics transmitter and the GPS antenna. One of the issues that we saw with the original Garmin Astro was the occasional broken collar attachment plate. The original plastic was not designed to take as powerful an impact as needed. Garmin addressed this issue early on and we stopped having trouble with it, but with the new metal attachment plates, the new collars will not have this problem.
Increased Range -- Garmin has increased the range of the DC 30 with the new design. The line of sight of the new DC 30 transmitter is 7 miles. This means that in completely flat terrain with nothing between you or your dog, you should be able to get a range of 7 miles. The original DC 20's range was only 5 miles, so this is a 40% improvement. The new antenna design is the major factor in this range increase.
For example -- If you had a situation with the original DC 20 where you could get a range of 1 mile with the handheld, you could expect to get 1.4 miles (a 40% increase) with the handheld and the new DC 30 collar.
Read more about the Garmin - Dog GPS - Astro DC 30 (only) Additional Collar / Extra Transmitter
Astro can track up to ten dogs per "Handheld GPS" receiver at one time. Add additional Astro DC 30s as needed.
This is the "dog half" of the Garmin Astro System.
The DC 30 is the transmitter that relays the dog's position to the handler's Astro 220. The Astro collar gives location updates as often as every five seconds. Includes car charger and wall charger.
Specifications:
Astro can track up to ten dogs per "Handheld GPS" receiver at one time. Add additional Astro DC 30s as needed.
Fully backward compatible with original Astro 220 handheld receiver
Complete stand-alone collar transmitter unit
Collar strap fits neck sizes between 12 and 20 inches
K9 metal collar buckle
11 inch Whip style antenna
Slim profile GPS antenna
Rugged IPX7 waterproof standards
User replaceable Li-Ion battery pack (rechargeable)
User replaceable strap with antennas
Rugged on/off power button
Battery life: 17 hours with 5 second update rate
Weight: 8.5 ounces with battery pack
Range: up to 7 miles
Electronics case is 3.25" wide x 1.75" height x 1.40" deep
PLEASE NOTE: Garmin GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7. IEC 529 is the European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Not available to Canadian Addresses.
FREE!
Quick Start Manual Download Garmin Astro 220 Quick Start Manual, downloadable in .pdf format. Click here
to read the Garmin Astro 220 Quick Start Manual.
Note to Canadian and Other International Customers
Due to varying international regulations, this version of the Astro is
approved for use only in the United States. The sale and unlicensed
use of the Garmin Astro GPS Dog Tracking System in any form is
presently prohibited by the Canadian government. According to a
document published by Industry Canada dated June 2009, the MURS radio
frequency used by the Astro will be permitted to be sold and operated
on a license-free basis at the end of a five-year transition period
(June 2014). Click here to read the Industry Canada Ruling on Garmin Astro in its entirety (PDF file).
Parties interested in the implementation of this spectrum utilization
policy or with questions should contact their local Industry Canada
office.
Buy Garmin - Dog GPS - Astro DC 30 (only) Additional Collar / Extra Transmitter
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