Garmin Astro 220 (combo with dc20)

foxfire451 · 05-15-2008, 10:23 AM

I am posting this thread in hopes to start a dialog with other astro 220 users seeking general and specific information. I have been scouring the net reading every article, comment, and forum post. Unfortunately there is not alot out there. I suppose this is because it is not a unit that a majority of garmin owners have a use for. There are however similarities between the astro and the 60csx and rhino, and i have gathered alot of useful information by reading about them.

I have also started a project to redesign the antenna for the dc20 with the intention of improving signal strength and avoiding broken antenna, which seems to be the number one complaint with the unit. I am basing it off of the design being done by an astro user in switzerland. I have also found someone who seems to be using a vhf dog tracking collar antenna on ebay, but after reading up on antenna tuning and rf i dont believe this is the most efficient design.

Please post even if you are completely satisfied with your astro. Take the time to share where and how you use your GPS.

Max · 05-17-2008, 1:04 PM

Hey Foxfire, welcome to the site

I'm not an astro user, but have been looking for someone that has one for feedback as to how functional they are.

Is RF your daily grind or is it just a side hobby?

Welcome regardless, and look forward to some photos of your redesign when they come to fruition

foxfire451 · 05-17-2008, 2:26 PM

thanks for the reply although im beginning to think im the only one that has use for this thing, and useful it is. i use it on my hunting dogs and except for the weak antennas, i am really pleased with it. I've used the unit 4 times hunting hogs in central florida. the signal strength has been great, but the dogs haven't really taken off lately, so i haven't been able to fully test it's range in my area. I have also uploaded my tracks along with the dog's to google earth and even linked photos of the hogs caught to the exact location using pandorama. As for the antenna redesign and RF its more of a growing interest/hobby, however my uncle has been working with radios for along time and is going to assist me on my endeavor. I am definitely open to suggestions from anyone who knows anything about antennas. I recently found out what type of connection the dc20 uses, which the only thing holding me up.

thanks for taking the time

troy · 05-19-2008, 5:19 PM

I also have an Astro. I use it to run beagles for deer in N. Florida and hog dogs here in Central Fl.... I have tried to alter the DC20's onto a collar but have struggled to get the same range. I initially removed the rubber from the antenna and stretched it out around a collar, taped it to where it pointed up and left about the last 6 inches untaped. This way the unit could be under the beagles neck but the antenna was still pointed up. This looked good and was much easier than the harness which the beagles destroyed and sometimes even pulled it off. However, it killed the range and also caused the collar to lose GPS signal in heavy cover. I have saw pics of them online altered basically the same way with a cable connected where the antenna does, run around and attached to a regular collar and then a shorter antenna than the original attached to the cable to stick up over the collar. I would love to do all mine like that but have no idea where to get the stuff as I have zero knowledge of this kind of stuff.

The thing works awesome. I didn't have 1 dog out for more than an hour once I got ready to catch them up. I just need to figure out a way to connect the DC20 to a collar and not lose range?? I have read they are redesigning the collars, so I haven't bought any new ones. Has anyone heard this or have an update?? Any suggestions or instructions would be greatly appreciated!

foxfire451 · 05-20-2008, 8:53 AM

thanks for the post.
i haven't seen the design you are talking about. The one i've seen is attached to the dc20 using a 90 degree connector on an 18 inch antenna. The connector needed is an SMA male 90 degree however im not sure what to make the actual antenna out of. also it is important to know what frequency your dc20 is tuned to 154.something to 156.something. i think you can get this information from the handheld. this is important because it tells you how long your antenna has to be to get the maximum signal strength. The stock antenna is 4.5" which makes it a 1/8 wave antenna using an 18" antenna will give you 1/2 wave antenna and stretch around the collar and still point in the right direction. This is what i have come up with so far. If anyone knows anything about antennas please correct me, because im sure i don't have a full grasp of this RF thing.

troy · 05-27-2008, 12:16 PM

I did locate a sit where they are selling the cable antenna's. I rodered some to see how they work.

forum.prohound.com :: Index

foxfire451 · 05-27-2008, 12:53 PM

sounds good be sure to post your results

j43w1 · 06-07-2008, 7:12 AM

Gentlemen, I just purchased an Astro 220 with 3 collars. I found a site that sells the cable antenna's and aluminum base plates for attaching the DC-20 too a 1" collar. Maybe this might help you.

Conkey's Hound and Hunting Supply

Andy · 06-07-2008, 9:31 PM

to the site j43w1! Thanks for the link. That may be something they were looking for.

jlo86cj · 06-12-2008, 10:30 PM

I'm looking into the Astro myself. I saw it when they released it at the SHOT show in 2007 and was very impressed.

I'm a Quick-Track dealer here in Levy Co. and have been noticing an increased interest in the Astro from my customers over the last few months. I have to say I'm a little skeptical of the range though and want to do testing this summer using both systems (GPS and telemetry) on the same dog.

One thing I'd like to see is a way to interface it with larger GPS units or a laptop.

Jimmy

foxfire451 · 06-13-2008, 8:28 PM

until it starts raining here im not going to get a chance to test the range but so far it has been great, however the furtherest i've gotten the dog to run is about a mile so not a great test of range. yes i know that was a run on sentence. i dont think there is anything out there for linking to a larger gps or laptop but it seems possible with it being usb tethered. just need someone to figure out the code and write the app. from what i have read 4 miles is the best range recorded and that was with the vehicle mount antenna. thanks for the post

coondogliz · 06-16-2008, 4:52 PM

I have an Astro and love it. I got my aluminum baseplate and cable antenna from Bruce Conkey mentioned in an earlier reply and they work great for me.

coondogliz · 06-16-2008, 5:13 PM

Also, If you want to really get the most range out of your Astro system, you need to get one of the magnetic rooftop antennas that Bruce sells. It will more than double the range you get at times.
Here is a link to his garmin page... Conkey's Hound and Hunting Supply

Happy hunting to everyone!

foxfire451 · 06-26-2008, 12:07 PM

attention astro users garmin has just put the new dc30 transmitter on the the website for order for 199. I also read on another website that garmin would be offering a 50 dollar rebate if you return your dc20 when you upgrade. however this is just a rumor and i haven't been able to confirm. if anyone hears anything please post it.

confirmed the rebate. strait from the garmin press release
"For current Astro DC20 owners wishing to upgrade to the DC 30, Garmin is offering a $50.00 rebate for a limited time only."

coondogliz · 06-26-2008, 1:58 PM

My current DC 20 cost me too much to give it back for $50. I will keep mine and just buy a new DC 30. The dc20 works pretty good, not perfect, but good enough that I would not sell it for $ 50.

j43w1 · 06-26-2008, 4:33 PM

They are breaking their heart offering us $50 rebate. Don't feel bad I just received 2- DC 20 collars on Monday. How's that for takeing it in the (you know where) I spoke with Garmin Tec support not more that 20 minutes ago and they addmitted, that they knew the DC-30 was comming out but could not say anything too the coustomers. How's that for a careing company !!

j43w1 · 06-26-2008, 4:49 PM

The way the rebate will work as per Gun Dog Supply is ....you purchase a new DC-30 collar and complete the rebate form with the serial number of your current DC-20 and the serial number from your NEW DC-30 and they (GARMIN) will send you back a check for $50.00

coondogliz · 06-26-2008, 9:53 PM

I think you will also get to keep your DC 20. Thats not too bad because the DC 20's do work pretty good.

foxfire451 · 06-28-2008, 9:39 PM

that would be great if you can keep the dc20 and still get the rebate. now all i have to do is justify the two bills to the old lady.

RuttCrazed · 06-30-2008, 12:18 PM

How difficult would it be for the average person to make on of those cable antennas? Could you get everything you need from Radio Shack?

foxfire451 · 06-30-2008, 4:22 PM

from what i've seen lately it would be easier to buy one. i was thinking about making my own when i started this post but decided about half way through to just buy one. however now that garmin has updated the to the dc20 i plan on buying one of those with the new improved antenna design. If you do decide to make your own i can provide the technical information i came across. and be sure to post pictures and info if you do.

coondogliz · 07-04-2008, 5:42 PM

I found out that Conkey's will be carrying the DC30 collars too. He has a list of people wanting the new collars. Call him to get on the list. He usually has a better price than anyone else, on most any item you need. His number is 386-972-4937

Akilis · 07-13-2008, 4:38 PM

Hi all,very new to this site and let me tell you i have been looking for a site with this info for ages.I live in sydney and no one here can answer my questions as i think im the only one in the whole country that owns a astro.

I got it not long ago and love it ,i have now got 4 dc20s with it thou 2of them just stopped working ,wont turn on or take charge?i find it funny that both suffer from the same problem.Is this a common problem?is there a fix for this as i have dogs now running around with no collars and am worried the other two collars are going to die soon as well.
I want to get more collars but if they just are going to keep malfunctioning then whats the point?
please any help will be great.

foxfire451 · 07-13-2008, 5:09 PM

i have had no problems with mine aslong as they are charged they should be coming on and working. these are extremely ruggedized pieces of equipment and depending on how long you have had them and what kind of shape they are in (they cant look like they got run over by a truck) i would imagine garmin would repair/replace them. perhaps even with the new dc30. i suggest giving them a call. One of my dogs ripped the antenna off of one of my dc20's the first time out and i called garmin they shipped me two new antennas for free. They new there was a design flaw with the antennas and were happy to replace them. however the new dc30 design should have that all fixed up. good luck to you and if you need anymore info or you just want to share some of your experiences with your astro keep posting here.

Akilis · 07-13-2008, 5:26 PM

one of the units was only used for 3 trips before it stopped,i have only had the whole thing for about 2 months.My dc20s still look brand new.
i got the cable aerials from the guy on this post and that fixed the aerial problem.They work great as well.
do you think a local electronics guy will know how to fix them?

coondogliz · 07-13-2008, 7:36 PM

Here is some contact info for Garmin. Email them and see what they say or call them, but be prepared to spend about 30 minutes on the phone. You might also get someone in the States to help get yours fixed or replaced. Shipping is the killer though. See what you can find out and let us know.
Good luck.

coondogliz · 07-13-2008, 7:37 PM

http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/sit...supportcontact

j43w1 · 07-14-2008, 7:03 AM

Akilis, I was reading about your problem's with the DC-20 . I also had 2 of mine fail on the first hunting trip out. I had one that would not turn on after the day was over. I have figured out that there was some issues with the battery, like shorting out ! The other collar (DC-20) appeared too have issues with the unit being waterproof. I called Garmin and spoke with there techinicial support people. They also mentioned that many collars have been returned ! I do believe if you speak "only too Garmin Tech support" that they will issue you a RMA too send the collars back. Garmin seems too stand behind their products. DON'T order new collars YET !!! The NEW DC-30 is scheduled for release sometime in August. I hope this helps you.
Jim

Akilis · 07-14-2008, 8:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j43w1

Akilis, I was reading about your problem's with the DC-20 . I also had 2 of mine fail on the first hunting trip out. I had one that would not turn on after the day was over. I have figured out that there was some issues with the battery, like shorting out ! The other collar (DC-20) appeared too have issues with the unit being waterproof. I called Garmin and spoke with there techinicial support people. They also mentioned that many collars have been returned ! I do believe if you speak "only too Garmin Tech support" that they will issue you a RMA too send the collars back. Garmin seems too stand behind their products. DON'T order new collars YET !!! The NEW DC-30 is scheduled for release sometime in August. I hope this helps you.
Jim

j43w1 THANKS for that,it is very use full to know this.I will now definatley contact garmin forsome help.
Bernie

Akilis · 07-15-2008, 4:58 AM

i gave garmin australia a call today and man they got to be the worst organized bunch of idiots i have ever tried to call.
the first atempt i was on hold for 33min the second call i was on hold for 26min and the last attempt i held for 23min then just gave up.All day i have been trying to get hold of sombody there but no luck.
Then companies complain that business is shit,maybe if they up their customer service then more people will buy their products.
Let me tell you i have been buying garmin products for years but after this headache i will be surley going to a better organized brand.