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Garmin Alpha 100 Big Review

Garmin Alpha 100 review by Mark Braeden.
Written by Mark Braeden

Garmin Alpha 100 is one of the highly technological handheld devices from the Garmin brand that is perfect for dog owners, but most especially, for dog trainers. We did our homework and examined how this device is best suited for you or not, and we are now presenting this Garmin Alpha 100 review article for you to decide or not.

This Alpha 100 handheld tracking device is another helpful tool in the field that combines Garmin brand’s proven tracking ability of these handheld devices with the use of Tri-Tronics® training technology. This dog tracking system allows you to both track and train your dogs in the field at a maximum range of 9 miles when paired with Garmin TT 15 and 4 miles if paired with Garmin TT 15 mini, pinging you location updates at a 2.5-second rate.

Rating
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Reviews
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Main Feature
  • Track-and train handheld device for multiple dogs.
  • GLONASS-integrated device with enhanced GPS capabilities to track and locate dogs.
  • Can monitor and train 20 dogs at the same time
  • Preloaded with TOPO US 100K
More information
Preview
Garmin Alpha 100 GPS Track and Train Handheld, Black
Rating
-
Reviews
-
Main Feature
  • Track-and train handheld device for multiple dogs.
  • GLONASS-integrated device with enhanced GPS capabilities to track and locate dogs.
  • Can monitor and train 20 dogs at the same time
  • Preloaded with TOPO US 100K
More information

Now, you might find this device a bit expensive but we can assure you that this product has more to give, but first, here are a brief list of pros and cons to check out:

PROS

  • Capable of tracking multiple dogs at the same time
  • Track-and-train
  • Precision tracking with the GPS/GLONASS technology

CONS

  • Pricey
  • Maximum range reaches only up to 9 miles

How does Garmin Alpha 100 work?

Garmin Collar Alpha 100:TT 15 Mini Bundle

Photo Amazon

Garmin Alpha 100 is another invaluable tracking device hunters and dog trainers use when out in the field. This device is incorporated with a GLONASS tracking system which enhances the performance of its GPS system even when you are in deep canyons and canopies and other complex terrains.

Alpha 100 paired with Garmin tracking collars are power tools to track and train your dogs outdoors. There is an option to only track a selected pup and another option to both track and train a chosen pup. You can do this with only one or a pair or multiple dogs at the same time. The transmitters send location pings for every 2.5 seconds which shows the precise locations of your dogs, near-to-real time account.

Who is Garmin Alpha 100 made for and when do you need it?

Garmin Alpha is a perfect device made for sporting dogs and for hunters and dog trainers who need special devices like this to enhance their training method and monitoring gadgets. Do you train multiple pups in a day? Not a problem because one unit of Alpha 100 can track and train up to 20 dogs. Check how “Active Duty Outdoors” Youtube channel is testing Garmin Alpha 100 in the field. Pretty impressive!

Garmin Alpha 100 Tech Specifications

Our research shows that there are several tech specifications Garmin Alpha 100 presents to its users that can easily make you decide to opt for it even with its high price.

Communication Range

When using Alpha 100 with Garmin TT5 15 collar, the light of sight can reach up to 9 miles, but only up to 4 miles when using the mini version of TT5.

Location Tracking Precision and Accuracy

This device, like other products of the Garmin brand (e.g. Garmin Astro 430), is also integrated with GLONASS positioning system; this advanced technology makes it easier in locating and tracking pups even when in complex terrains as it sends you location pings at a 2.5-second rate. At this location update rate, it can surely pinpoint the exact or near-to-real time whereabouts of your dogs within a 4- or 9-mile radius.

Battery Life & Rescue Mode

Alpha 100 uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack which is already included when you buy the product. This one lasts up to a maximum of 20 hours, but this device has a Rescue Mode option that when enabled, extends the battery life 25% more, although this mode will automatically slow down the location ping rate from 2.5 seconds to a 2-minute rate. The Rescue Mode can give you more leeway to find your lost pup as it can extend battery life for up to 12 more hours.

Durability

Garmin Alpha 100 is given a water rating of IPX7 which makes it waterproof and can therefore withstand rough weather.

Display, USB, & Memory

The display size of Alpha 100 is 1.53 x 22.5 inches (W x H) and 3 inches (diag) with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and a transflective 65-K color touchscreen. This touchscreen device is glove-friendly so you don’t have to worry about removing your gloves when hunting in cold winter weather. It can conveniently hold up to 4 GB of data and history. This device also has external memory storage but the microSD card is not included in the package.

Garmin Alpha 100 General Features

Garmin Alpha 100 remote and trasnmitter

Map

Like any other products under the Garmin brand, Alpha 100 also comes with an already preloaded TOPO US 100K map. It also has an added feature of a barometric altimeter and 3-axis electronic compass that makes its tracking and locating ability more accurate. This device also has a geofence that allows you to customize the virtual boundaries on the map for when your dog strays out of the zone, it will then send you an alert so you can recall and train them to go back to the safe zone.

Track and Train

Most probably the best feature of this product is its track-and-train ability of up to a maximum of 20 of your sporting or hunting dogs, all at the same time using differently colored collars and coded profiles in the device. Alpha 100 is integrated with Tri-Tronics® dog training technology that uses a variety of training features like different modes of stimulation and different ranges of intensity.

There is a compass screen where you can view the direction traveled, speed, and distance of your dogs away from you. With this information, you can correct and “train” your dogs without incorrectly correcting others.

This gadget also has the BirdsEye Satellite Imagery which shows the user a bird’s eye view of different places and terrains like roads and parking spaces, and even rivers and streams.

BaseCamp

The BaseCamp software of Garmin Alpha 100 lets you view and plan your routes and tracks when going on an adventure. This software shows a topographic map on your PC which also includes elevation and contour data, and gives you the option to view them in 2D or 3D.

Is it worth it to pay for Garmin Alpha 100?

We believe that Garmin Alpha 100 is worth it to pay for because this highly technological device can not only let you track your dogs but also train them at the same time that you are tracking them without compromising its efficiency and preciseness of either of these functions. It makes your hiking, training, and hunting days with your dogs easier even if you are just a beginner.

Our Conclusion

There is so much to love about this product. One is the reception capability because even when you are deep in the forest or wooded areas, you’ll easily be able to locate your dog even at longer distances showing you their movements and relative distance to your location. Secondly, because of its waterproof rating, you will be able to track your dog seamlessly even when they are having a swim at a river or a lake as it is proven safe to be used underwater. Lastly, its track-and-train capability is the one dog trainers will surely appreciate in Alpha 100! The only thing we do not like is the cost, but all these features surely complement the hefty price. We included Garmin Alpha 100 on our list of the best Garmin dog e collars. If you are looking for something cheaper but efficient, make sure to check our Fi Collar review.

Author

  • Mark Braeden

    Mark is a Boston University graduate and former electrical engineer. In 2017, he decided to combine his tech knowledge with his love for dogs. He spent a year familiarizing himself with the latest GPS tracking collars, invisible fences, and other hot pet gadgets before he wrote his first product review. After selling Technobark, Mark remained a writer and consultant but spends more time on his other passion now: raising and training his growing family of dogs.

Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle Final Review
  • Final Score
4.8

If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  2024-03-12

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