UKC Forums - !!!---Any Coonhunters using the Garmin Pro 550 Plus ?---!!!

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-- !!!---Any Coonhunters using the Garmin Pro 550 Plus ?---!!! (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=928548896)

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 11-28-2022 01:22 PM:

!!!---Any Coonhunters using the Garmin Pro 550 Plus ?---!!!

Just wondering if any of you are using the Pro 550 Plus when running your Hounds & what you think of it ?
I have always thought that Garmin Tracking Systems had too much junk on them and this 550 Pro caught my eye. I don't needs Maps, I don't need to see roads, I dont need to Track my Buddy's dog.........I just need to see what direction my dog is & how far, that's it. I like it to be simple.
I watched several videos & most said the range is right there with the Alpha.
From what I can tell it's a reliable system & very simple.
Any feedback would be very appreciated.

I do have an Email to one of the Suppliers out West & hopefully I will hear back.
Thanks
Tim

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Posted by Driftwoodblue on 11-29-2022 02:31 PM:

Garmin Pro 550 plus

I have had mine a bit over 2 years I like it a lot.not as complicated as the Astros for an old guy to understand!!!
It will show you the direction and distance without all the clutter that the Astro has. it has a good electric stimulation along with a TONE... when you condition the dog to the tone before stimulation most of the problems will be cured with the tone.

for some folks they would not be happy with the number of collars it handles-- 3-- but when I am hunting alone or any other time that is enough to handle.

BE AWARE OF THIS--- I have had several times I got back to the pickup and tries to find where a certain dog was .. got funny readings.. stepped away from it and got pinpoint location!

I traded my old Astro with Collars to Lion Country Supply. for mine
the Dogtra pathfinder is not as expensive BUT there is way too much of a learning curve for me.

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 11-29-2022 08:45 PM:

Re: Garmin Pro 550 plus

quote:
Originally posted by Driftwoodblue
I have had mine a bit over 2 years I like it a lot.not as complicated as the Astros for an old guy to understand!!!
It will show you the direction and distance without all the clutter that the Astro has. it has a good electric stimulation along with a TONE... when you condition the dog to the tone before stimulation most of the problems will be cured with the tone.

for some folks they would not be happy with the number of collars it handles-- 3-- but when I am hunting alone or any other time that is enough to handle.

BE AWARE OF THIS--- I have had several times I got back to the pickup and tries to find where a certain dog was .. got funny readings.. stepped away from it and got pinpoint location!

I traded my old Astro with Collars to Lion Country Supply. for mine
the Dogtra pathfinder is not as expensive BUT there is way too much of a learning curve for me.

This is exactly the kind of info I am looking for.
Only able to Track/Train 3 dogs isn't a problem , only Hunt 1 dog at a time anyways.....so that's perfect.
The Astro, Alpha & Dogtra do have too much clutter & junk for me.
Thank you
Tim

Posted by Granular on 11-30-2022 01:53 AM:

I use one on my English pointer for quail and pheasant hunting. I like the simplicity compared to the Alpha that I used before.

Posted by shadinc on 11-30-2022 03:18 PM:

This sounds like a nice gadget, but I like maps so I'll know where roads and rivers are.

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Posted by Preacher Tom on 11-30-2022 04:18 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by shadinc
This sounds like a nice gadget, but I like maps so I'll know where roads and rivers are.

I agree. With maps I don't just know how far and what direction but where he is.

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Tom Wood

Posted by Granular on 11-30-2022 05:25 PM:

Agreed lack of maps would be the main limitation using it on hounds hunting in unfamiliar territory.

I do all my quail/pheasant hunting on land I own so not an issue.

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 11-30-2022 07:49 PM:

Maps

quote:
Originally posted by shadinc
This sounds like a nice gadget, but I like maps so I'll know where roads and rivers are.

Not an issue for me......the area's I hunt I pretty much know how far the roads etc. are & just need to know what direction my dog is.

Tim

Posted by Black Ash Bawl on 12-01-2022 08:29 AM:

range

not comparable Gun supply states 2+ miles on the 550 . Most tracking collars are at least double that

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Posted by Triple K Kennel on 12-01-2022 10:03 AM:

Re: range

quote:
Originally posted by Black Ash Bawl
not comparable Gun supply states 2+ miles on the 550 . Most tracking collars are at least double that

Lion Country & Double U told me that the Tracking Range is right there with the Alpha and the Shocking part was right about 2 miles, depending on Terrain etc.
If it gets 2 miles on Tracking or Training then I would be Very Happy......Never had my Garmin 320 track over 1.5 miles even though it's advertised at 9 mile ( no way )
Tim

Posted by joseph robinson on 12-01-2022 08:28 PM:

It's pretty nice to be able to mark the truck location with the Astro.
I get turned around, especially on unfamiliar ground. I'd miss that for sure.

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Posted by Triple K Kennel on 12-01-2022 08:50 PM:

Truck Marking

quote:
Originally posted by joseph robinson
It's pretty nice to be able to mark the truck location with the Astro.
I get turned around, especially on unfamiliar ground. I'd miss that for sure.

I use a Bushnell Backtracker for that and it works perfectly & much simpler to use.
Tim

Posted by heckler on 12-02-2022 12:09 AM:

I bought one but haven’t used it yet. I got it for the same reasons. The bonus is that Garmin has an app for my phone and I can pair up by Bluetooth and still have maps and location and all that stuff. I never had nothing but a quick track. Looking at dogs on a screen seemed like it would take away from the hunt and my skills

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 01-16-2023 12:07 PM:

550+

quote:
Originally posted by heckler
I bought one but haven’t used it yet. I got it for the same reasons. The bonus is that Garmin has an app for my phone and I can pair up by Bluetooth and still have maps and location and all that stuff. I never had nothing but a quick track. Looking at dogs on a screen seemed like it would take away from the hunt and my skills

Yep.....I agree that people seem to want to be glued the their Garmin Screen.
I am considering this System or the Garmin Alpha 10.....leaning more towards the 550+ because of the Simplicity of it, I can have the Garmin Explorer App on my phone should I need a Map & I have a Bushnell Back Track to Mark the Trucks location & get me back to it.
Thanks
Tim

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 06-22-2024 02:40 PM:

Pro 550 Plus

Still considering this System....!!!

Tim

Posted by houndsound on 06-22-2024 08:00 PM:

Re: 550+

quote:
Originally posted by Triple K Kennel
Yep.....I agree that people seem to want to be glued the their Garmin Screen.
I am considering this System or the Garmin Alpha 10.....leaning more towards the 550+ because of the Simplicity of it, I can have the Garmin Explorer App on my phone should I need a Map & I have a Bushnell Back Track to Mark the Trucks location & get me back to it.
Thanks
Tim

That Back Track sounds interesting to me! To be honest I've used Astro system a bit years ago... I used Dogtra Pathfinder alot.... I found it fun, a good accessory for enjoying the dog- but the most valuable thing for me was helping me get back to the truck.... I'm pretty horrible about getting turned around at night, lol.

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Posted by Triple K Kennel on 06-22-2024 11:23 PM:

Re: Re: 550+

quote:
Originally posted by houndsound
That Back Track sounds interesting to me! To be honest I've used Astro system a bit years ago... I used Dogtra Pathfinder alot.... I found it fun, a good accessory for enjoying the dog- but the most valuable thing for me was helping me get back to the truck.... I'm pretty horrible about getting turned around at night, lol.

I have to agree about getting turned around, it happens to me alot.....LOL
The marking the truck is a great tool for sure & I have found that the Bushnell Back Track is the simplest gadget to help you do just that. I have used the same one for 12+ years.

Tim

Posted by 2ol2hunt on 06-23-2024 12:03 AM:

Reading a compass is not to hard to learn.

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 06-23-2024 02:49 AM:

Yep....

quote:
Originally posted by 2ol2hunt
Reading a compass is not to hard to learn.

Nope....it's not and I have a Military Compas an Air Force Buddy gave me 20+ years ago........it's been hanging in the garage that many years too.

Tim

Posted by 2ol2hunt on 06-23-2024 04:46 AM:

Any good tracking system and a compass is hard to beat if you're looking for simplicity.

Posted by delta slough on 06-24-2024 02:12 AM:

I use ONX to mark my truck, locations, my tracks, etc. For $30 a year I get land boundaries and current property owners.App on my phone.

Posted by Triple K Kennel on 06-30-2024 02:42 PM:

Tracker

quote:
Originally posted by delta slough
I use ONX to mark my truck, locations, my tracks, etc. For $30 a year I get land boundaries and current property owners.App on my phone.

I remember seeing the ONX when they first came out.
For me, I don't need to see Land Boundaries & Who the Land Owner is........I already know that so it's just more junk on it for me.
This is one reason I am leaning towards the 550 Plus.

Tim

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