If you have a dog that you love to take along on your outdoor adventures, you would understand how easy it could be to lose him. This is especially true if you have several dogs that accompany you outdoors. Sure, you can keep them on leashes but that may just be too limiting for your dogs. It can also keep you from focusing on your own enjoyment of the outdoors.
A very useful tool to help you keep track of the exact location of your dog is the Garmin Astro 320 T5 Dog GPS bundle. Through this tracking system, you can let your dog freely roam without fear of losing him.
These tracking devices come with the latest technology and are priced accordingly. If you are in the market to buy this kind of product, go ahead and read my unbiased review before making your final decision.
My detailed review will describe all the features that this device has to offer. I will also reveal the pros and cons of the combo. Lastly, I’ll give you my thoughts on whether or not the product would be worth purchasing or if you’d be better off choosing another product.
Features
(a) The human device
The Garmin Astro 320 T5 is a dog-tracking system that makes sure that you don’t lose your dog while enjoying some great weather outdoors. In this bundle, Garmin has combined two great products, the Garmin Astro 320, and the T5 Dog GPS, that work hand-in-hand to help you keep track of your dog at all times during your outdoor adventures.
Regarding physical characteristics, the Garmin Astro 320 is a lightweight, hand-held GPS locator. It has a non-slip, rubberized outer coating that feels good in your hand. The antenna also has a protective rubber covering.
The device has a designated power button on the right-hand side and a keypad with raised buttons for ease of use, even when you’re wearing gloves. It can also be attached to a lanyard; the attachment is found at the bottom part of the device. You can thus easily carry the device around your neck while you are out and about.
The hand-held device runs on 2 x AA batteries, not included with the purchase. It can function for up to 20 hours before the battery needs to be replaced. The IPX7 rating on the Astro 320 means that it will still work even when exposed to rain or snow or when it is immersed in up to 3 feet of water.
Tracks multiple dogs at a time
The Astro 320 makes use of an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter. It can track up to 10 dogs at a time. It is able to track dogs that are up to 9 miles away when used with the T5 Dog GPS device. You can even enter the name of each dog, which makes it easier for you to track a specific dog.
You will be impressed by the variety of information that the screen can provide. It not only shows you the dog’s position, it is also capable of letting you see the dog’s tracks. It can show several points of information about your dog such as its distance from you, the distance it has traveled, the average speed, the GPS signal, the communication signal, the battery level and if your dog is currently moving or not. You can also view your dog by using the optional bird’s-eye map.
The Astro 320 has 1.7 GB of memory, providing you with ample space to download the maps that you need. In this way, you can use it anywhere you are letting your dog roam, such as on a hike, a farm or in any unfenced rural area.
(b) The canine device
Fido’s T5 Dog GPS device that’s included in the bundle has a 1” collar strap that can be adjusted from 18.5” to 22.5”. The tracker won’t be easily damaged even when your dog takes it for a swim. It can safely be immersed in water for up to 32 feet. It transmits a signal to the Astro 320 every 5 seconds, so you can see the location of your dog in real time.
The T5 weighs in at 9.3 ounces and has a rechargeable battery. Once fully charged, it can provide 20 to 40 hours of use. Aside from tracking, it also has a rescue mode that turns the LED beacon lights on so that it is easier to find your dog. The bundle includes a belt clip, charge clip, 5” and 13” antennas for the Astro 320, 18.5” and 22.5” antennas for the T5, an AC adapter, USB and a vehicle power cable. Quite some bang for your bucks!
Verdict
Garmin is a well-known brand that provides high-quality products. They have displayed that again with this Garmin 320 Bundle. It has reliable software that efficiently tracks your dog’s movements and is capable of providing adequate information. It is also noteworthy that one hand-held receiver is capable of tracking multiple dogs.
With all the good qualities, there are still a few setbacks. It is not as user-friendly as it could have been and it requires time to learn how to use it properly. Some may find that it has an expensive price tag. Nevertheless, I personally love this product and would recommend it to those who like to let their dogs roam freely outdoors.
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I lost my little dog once and it was horrible. The devices you have listed here are worth every penny.
So sorry to hear that, Rose – I can’t imagine what I would do if my whippet went missing! However, we have devices such as these that can prevent that from happening.