We have tested over 30 GPS trackers and collars for dogs through forests, meadows and groves all over the country. We must say that this was one very interesting task and we enjoyed it a lot. Tests were conducted under various conditions, distances and with different dog breeds. In summary, we have spent few unforgettable months with some pretty awesome dogs in order to write the review on GPS trackers and collars for dogs.
Do you have a dog that can often wander away from nearby backyards and parks? In your search can help GPS collar with which you can see where your dog is. Tracking animals using satellite navigation isn’t something new and it can actually save your dog’s life. It is important to know that this device is suitable for all dog breeds. You can use it on your little dogs to large hunting breed dogs which spend a lot of time in open, and sometimes it is hard to track them all the time. With these GPS collars you can completely enjoy in your hunting and spending some time in nature. There are various types of these dog collars and tracking devices.
Thanks to the GPS receiver which is located in the collar of your dog you will have insight into where your dog is when you let it run through the neighborhood. The device allows users to define safe zones where pets can move without any limits. The exact location of the dog, users can specify via the animal monitoring system, which is available 24 hours a day via free phone, web-map, e-mail or SMS.
If the dog leaves the permitted areas, you can even follow the path in which your dog escaped. These devices are usually waterproof, lightweight and have a rechargeable battery. Some people think that by buying these devices they are taking dog’s freedom in some way and that these collars are buying all those who haven’t well trained their dog. But that’s not true. All those who love their pet on four legs will buy this collar with GPS, because in this way you will protect your dog from possible tragic consequences. We can take advantage of today’s high technology to track our pets. These collars work very well in rural and urban areas. Also, GPS collars and trackers use radio signals which allow you to find your dog.
Main features of dog collars and trackers with GPS are:
- Built-in GPS
- Rechargable batteries
- Advanced monitoring system of your dog
- Wide range of signal.
Table of Contents
BEST GPS COLLARS AND TRACKERS FOR DOGS – Garmin Astro 320
As the best GPS collars and trackers for dogs we have chosen the Garmin Astro 320. This model is specially designed for hunting dogs and their owners. The Garmin Astro 320 consists of two components: a transmitter for dogs and manual reiver for the user. This transmitter is named DC 40, and the receiver is called Astro 320. With this collar you will be able to know the location of your dog in every moment. This product is the best there is on the market as far as GPS collars for dogs are concerned. You don’t have to worry about use and setup since it is very easy to manage with this device.
Astro can track up to ten dogs per receiver at once, and the collar gives a new position every 5, 10, 30 or 120 seconds. On flat ground without obstacles, Astro transmitter and receiver have an effective range of up to 6 miles. The device is fully compatible with Garmin DC 20, DC 30 and DC 40 collars for dogs. What’s really improved on this model are mapping features. With the Astro 320 you can hunt in unfamiliar areas. You will feel safe and relaxed like on your favorite hunting ground. Besides loaded base maps, the Astro 320 can load a wide range of Garmin topo maps. Also you can use Birdseye application and Garmin’s free Custom Maps web tool for transferring paper or digital maps to your Garmin GPS handheld device. With detailed mapping data you will see your and location of your dog.
For even more details, hunters can download their waypoints and tracks, as well as traces of their dogs with the Garmin MapSource software. For all those who enjoy in tracking flocks of birds, there is the
Covey Counter feature with which hunters can mark the exact place, time of day and altitude where they encountered their prey. In addition, users can easily record the number of birds seen and caught. As you can see, the Garmin Astro is really one advanced collar with GPS that has many great and useful features. There is also 3-axis electronic compass and vibrating alarms that won’t scare your prey and hunt. Another great feature is a possibility to lock the keypad to prevent accidental activation of the keyboard when the device is in your pocket. If you want to know what other hunters are doing, then with the Garmin Astro 320 you will experience even that. Namely, you can communicate with other hunters and exchange information during hunt.
As you can see, this model is perfect for hunting and it is suitable for hunters. But if you want to keep track of your dog no matter if your pet isn’t a hunting dog, then you should get this device. It is waterproof with great battery life, and many amazing features. Give it a try!
BEST BUY GPS COLLARS AND TRACKERS FOR DOGS – Garmin TT10
We have chosen the Garming TT10 as the best buy GPS collar for dogs. This collar has some pretty great features and a reasonable price. With it you will be able to keep track of your dog wherever you are. This model has high sensitivity GPS and a VHF antenna which will allow you to know where your dog is.
These collars are perfect for training your dogs to stay in a specific area. Also you can use them in hunting and they can be used in every weather condition. The Garmin TT10 is very durable, rugged and waterproof dog collar with GPS. It is compatible with Garmin ANT+ sensors and this feature provides with many possibilities. Large touchscreen is an improvement in comparison to older models and you will see perfectly even in sunlight. Of course, another thing that is absolutely great about all Garmin products is high quality mapping. You can download your and dog’s tracks and view them on Google Earth. In open areas you will receive perfect signal, and the range is pretty wide.
You can add up to ten dog devices. Here are some cons of this little device. First of all the collar has LED lights and there is one small problem with them. They could have been a bit brighter. If you put this collar on a dog with longer fur, you won’t be able to see the light at all. Another thing that we find to be a bit too much is the antenna. It is too long and it looks kind a ridiculous. Imagine putting it on a very little dog. The first thing you would see is the long antenna. In comparison to the previous product, the Garmin Astro 320, there aren’t all those applications which you can find in the best product. Batteries are also very good and they can last long.
In summary, we must say that the Garmin TT10 is one good product which has some good features and the price is more than reasonable. If you are able to add some money, then we advise you to buy the Garmin Astro 320, because that dog collar with GPS has all you need.
BESTSELLER GPS COLLARS AND TRACKERS FOR DOGS – Garmin DC 40
As the bestseller model we have chosen another Garmin product, the Garmin DC 40. Bestseller is a product that most people buy and find it great. Best price, features, design and quality combined make a bestseller product. And this product has all of these elements. With this GPS collar and tracker you will always know the location of your dog. You can use them for hunting or just a plain walk with your pet.
This collar is compatible with Garmin Astro 220 and Astro 320. It is made of rubber which is much more durable than those made from nylon. Another great thing is the orange color which allows you to see your dog from far away. Batteries are rather good, the average life is for 17 hours. You can put the transmitter to any collar, but you get a collar with this transmitter, so there is no need to buy a separate collar. GPS and extended antenna are part of the Garmin DC 40, and with these components you will be able to locate your dog.
Unfortunately there is no electronic compass or built-in maps in this model, but if you buy the Garmin Astro 320 you will have a perfect combination. As we have already said this model is compatible with Astro 320 and Astro 220. If you buy the Garmin Astro 320, our best GPS collar and tracker for dogs, then you will get everything you need in one device. The Garmin DC 40 is cheaper and has some good features, but if you are able to add few more bucks, then you should definitely buy the Garmin Astro 320. With that model you will have unlimited options and you will be able to completely enjoy in your hunting or some other outdoor activity. You will be able to locate your dog, your prey and even share all of that online.
The Garmin DC 40 is great for those who want to know where their dog went in the park or neighborhood. This is a bestseller product which has been proven to be great, but if you are looking for something a bit more advanced then you should definitely go with the Garmin Astro 320, because that product has literally everything in it. One thing is for sure, all of the Garmin products are equipped with versatile features and that is why their products are the best on the market.
Update: This device is not being sold anymore.
CHEAPEST GPS COLLARs AND TRACKERs FOR DOGS – RoamEO Pet Monitor System
As the cheapest GPS collar and tracker for dogs we have chosen the RoamEO Pet Monitor System. This product has basic functions and it isn’t too advanced like the previous models. But, it will definitely serve the purpose of locating your dog. Besides the exact location, the RoamEO shows you how far away your dog is, how fast it is moving and in which direction is headed. All this you can see on the screen receiver. Information is updated every few seconds.
The RoamEO can be used for three different dogs. The collar is waterproof, but we wouldn’t recommend you to keep it too long under water. In comparison to the Garmin TT10, the best buy product, this product has a very short signal range. Coverage radius is only one mile, and if there are some obstacles on the way, like forest, then the signal can be lost very quickly. And in this case it can be very hard to re-establish the signal again. The last location of your dog will be on the screen, and if the dog starts to return and enters the one mile radius, you will see it your screen.
As you can see this model isn’t suitable for hunting and other long distance outdoor activities. The RoamEO is perfect for you neighborhood and park. If you plan to use it for something else, then don’t buy it. Instead of this model, you should buy the best buy model, the Garmin TT10 which is more reliable and has more features. This collar is one simple collar and tracker for local walks.
If you are looking for a product which you will use only in your street and eventually park, then you should buy this collar. But, if you plan to go hunting, then you should add some more money and buy the Garmin TT10.
Update: This device is not being sold anymore.
CONCLUSION
If you are looking for the best GPS collars and trackers for training or hunting dogs, then you should buy the Garmin TT10. If you are looking for a GPS collar for safety reasons and want to additionally track some health parameters, we recommend you to read this Dog GPS Collar & Tracker Review from DogMD. Please do not buy or use dog collars with integrated shocks of any kind, especially electro shocks.
