Garmin Alpha 200i and Mini Educator ET-300 are two of the many competing e-collar brands and track-and-train devices that are both excellent at getting the job done at locating and training sporting or gun dogs. The biggest hurdle about buying the Garmin 200i is the very high price at about $950 range which will surely make you think twice when deciding to go for this one or the very cheaply priced Educator ET-300 Mini. However, it is best to check out our Garmin VS Educator Comparison Review below before making up your mind and basing everything on the cost of the product rather than the value and functionality one of them surely offers better.
Main Features Of Garmin VS Educator
- Powered by inReach technology
- Expandable up to 20 dogs at a time
- TFT transflective screen
- Integrated with GPS and Galileo for a more accurate tracking
- Uses Global Iridium Network therefore works even without cellular coverage
- Preloaded TOPO Maps for a more detailed map viewing
- Interactive SOS 24/7
- Waterproof rating of IPX7 submersible for up to 30 minutes and up to 1 meter deep
- Both the collar and the transmitter are fully waterproof and can be submerged up to 500 feet deep
- A tremendous amount of 100 varying levels of stimulation
- Lock-and-Set feature to save your preferred setting to the remote
- Patented and adjustable Booster Feature
Garmin 200i
- Powered by inReach technology
- Expandable up to 20 dogs at a time
- TFT transflective screen
- Integrated with GPS and Galileo for a more accurate tracking
- Uses Global Iridium Network therefore works even without cellular coverage
- Preloaded TOPO Maps for a more detailed map viewing
- Interactive SOS 24/7
- Waterproof rating of IPX7 submersible for up to 30 minutes and up to 1 meter deep
Educator
- Both the collar and the transmitter are fully waterproof and can be submerged up to 500 feet deep
- A tremendous amount of 100 varying levels of stimulation
- Lock-and-Set feature to save your preferred setting to the remote
- Patented and adjustable Booster Feature
Pros And Cons Of Garmin VS Educator
Pros
- BPowered by inReach technology
- Uses TFT sunlight-readable touchscreen
- Compatible with TT15, TT15 mini, and T5, T5 mini.
- Uses barometric altimeter for navigation sensors which means better accuracy at monitoring ascent/descent, air pressure trends, etc.
- Durable and waterproof Can monitor up to 20 dogs at a time and updates every 2.5 seconds
- Two-year warranty including batteries
- Waterproof and durable
- Optional conditioning using the Pavlovian setting
- Exclusive Lock-and-Set feature lets you set and lock the level of stimulation that is perfect for your dog
Cons
- Costly device
- Clunky app and sometimes difficult to navigate
- Requires subscription for the inReach tech
- Complicated programming
- Only functions smoothly if antenna is directly pointing at the receiver
- Can only monitor up to 2 dogs at the same time
Garmin 200i Pros
- BPowered by inReach technology
- Uses TFT sunlight-readable touchscreen
- Compatible with TT15, TT15 mini, and T5, T5 mini.
- Uses barometric altimeter for navigation sensors which means better accuracy at monitoring ascent/descent, air pressure trends, etc.
- Durable and waterproof Can monitor up to 20 dogs at a time and updates every 2.5 seconds
Cons
- Costly device
- Clunky app and sometimes difficult to navigate
- Requires subscription for the inReach tech
Educator Pros
- Two-year warranty including batteries
- Waterproof and durable
- Optional conditioning using the Pavlovian setting
- Exclusive Lock-and-Set feature lets you set and lock the level of stimulation that is perfect for your dog
Cons
- Complicated programming
- Only functions smoothly if antenna is directly pointing at the receiver
- Can only monitor up to 2 dogs at the same time
General Features Of Garmin VS Educator
Training Features
The training features of Garmin Alpha 200i includes:
- Momentary Stimulation - only produces a very short stimulation when pressing the training key.
- Continuous Simulation - gives stimulation to your dog as long as you are pressing the training key (max. 8 seconds).
- Vibration - same with the continuous simulation above, the vibration lasts as long as you are pressing the training key (also max. 8 seconds).
- Tone - same with continuous simulation and vibration, the device emits tone the entire period you are pressing the training key.
The simple training buttons feature of the Educator ET-300 Mini are as follows:
- Vibration-only Mode - provides a short warning signal to your pup before giving static stimulation.
- Momentary Static Mode - applies brief nick stimulation to your dog by pressing the black S button.
- Continuous Static Mode - provides a continuous static stimulation by pressing the red S button (turns off automatically at max 10 seconds).
Garmin 200i
The training features of Garmin Alpha 200i includes:
- Momentary Stimulation - only produces a very short stimulation when pressing the training key.
- Continuous Simulation - gives stimulation to your dog as long as you are pressing the training key (max. 8 seconds).
- Vibration - same with the continuous simulation above, the vibration lasts as long as you are pressing the training key (also max. 8 seconds).
- Tone - same with continuous simulation and vibration, the device emits tone the entire period you are pressing the training key.
Educator
The simple training buttons feature of the Educator ET-300 Mini are as follows:
- Vibration-only Mode - provides a short warning signal to your pup before giving static stimulation.
- Momentary Static Mode - applies brief nick stimulation to your dog by pressing the black S button.
- Continuous Static Mode - provides a continuous static stimulation by pressing the red S button (turns off automatically at max 10 seconds).
Range
The Garmin Alpha 200i can reach a range up to 4 miles when used with TT15 mini and TT5 mini while it can reach up to a range of 9 miles when used with TT15 or TT5.
The Educator ET-300 Mini has a range of only half a mile. For some dog owners, this is just enough space to train their dogs but for others, especially those who specializes as a dog trainer, this can be quite a short range for their gun dogs to be trained in.
Garmin 200i
The Garmin Alpha 200i can reach a range up to 4 miles when used with TT15 mini and TT5 mini while it can reach up to a range of 9 miles when used with TT15 or TT5.
Educator
The Educator ET-300 Mini has a range of only half a mile. For some dog owners, this is just enough space to train their dogs but for others, especially those who specializes as a dog trainer, this can be quite a short range for their gun dogs to be trained in.
Stimulation Levels
The Garmin Alpha 200i has two training options for stimulation: the linear stimulation and the traditional. The default intensity option is linear which has 1 to 18 levels of progressive stimulation, but you can always change this to traditional stimulation which lets you adjust the stimulation settings from low to medium to high or vice versa. The traditional option has six predetermined levels of stimulation.
The Educator ET-300 Mini features an advanced Control of Stimulation or COS which provides a whopping amount of 100 different levels of static stimulation while other brands such as the Alpha 200i and others more barely reaches a quarter of this amount.
Garmin 200i
The Garmin Alpha 200i has two training options for stimulation: the linear stimulation and the traditional. The default intensity option is linear which has 1 to 18 levels of progressive stimulation, but you can always change this to traditional stimulation which lets you adjust the stimulation settings from low to medium to high or vice versa. The traditional option has six predetermined levels of stimulation.
Educator
The Educator ET-300 Mini features an advanced Control of Stimulation or COS which provides a whopping amount of 100 different levels of static stimulation while other brands such as the Alpha 200i and others more barely reaches a quarter of this amount.
Tone And Vibration Levels
The Garmin Alpha 200i can produce audible tones for training your dog. It gives off tone whenever you press the training key and lasts until you let go. It also applies vibration to correct your dog’s behavior and it vibrates continuously as long as you are pressing the training key., although, please be guided that the effectiveness of the vibration will vary depending on your dog’s experience and temperament.
The Educator ET-300 Mini features 100 varying levels of stimulation that is adjustable using a dial. It is rather quite cumbersome when changing the settings because of the lock and unlock option of the remote. It is also a bit laborious changing the intensity as you need to press buttons repetitively to adjust the dial.
Garmin 200i
The Garmin Alpha 200i can produce audible tones for training your dog. It gives off tone whenever you press the training key and lasts until you let go. It also applies vibration to correct your dog’s behavior and it vibrates continuously as long as you are pressing the training key., although, please be guided that the effectiveness of the vibration will vary depending on your dog’s experience and temperament.
Educator
The Educator ET-300 Mini features 100 varying levels of stimulation that is adjustable using a dial. It is rather quite cumbersome when changing the settings because of the lock and unlock option of the remote. It is also a bit laborious changing the intensity as you need to press buttons repetitively to adjust the dial.
Design
Garmin Alpha 200i has a rugged design that looks just like a small handheld two-way radio. It weighs 280 grams and has dimensions of 6.8 x 16.2 x 3.4 cm (not including the antenna). This device sports a sunlight-readable TFT transflective touchscreen with 282 x 470 pixels resolution and display size of 4.7 x 7.7 cm (W x H) and 3.5 inch or 88.9 mm diag.
The Educator ET-300 Mini has an LCD transmitter display paired with a Biothane collar and remote-activated LED light e-collar. It only weighs around 2.4 oz or around 70 grams therefore this device is perfect even for smaller sized dogs (as small as a 5-pound pup), however, the intensity of vibration stimulation when set to high is not a joke which makes it usable even with larger dogs (as big as a 150-pound pup). The dimensions of the e-collar receiver is 2.0 x 1.5 x 1.1 inches; the e-collar strap measures ¾ X 30 inches, weighing 1.46 oz.; and the Floating Remote measures 2.64 inches in diameter, 1.29 inches thick and weighs 3.4 oz.
Garmin 200i
Garmin Alpha 200i has a rugged design that looks just like a small handheld two-way radio. It weighs 280 grams and has dimensions of 6.8 x 16.2 x 3.4 cm (not including the antenna). This device sports a sunlight-readable TFT transflective touchscreen with 282 x 470 pixels resolution and display size of 4.7 x 7.7 cm (W x H) and 3.5 inch or 88.9 mm diag.
Educator
The Educator ET-300 Mini has an LCD transmitter display paired with a Biothane collar and remote-activated LED light e-collar. It only weighs around 2.4 oz or around 70 grams therefore this device is perfect even for smaller sized dogs (as small as a 5-pound pup), however, the intensity of vibration stimulation when set to high is not a joke which makes it usable even with larger dogs (as big as a 150-pound pup). The dimensions of the e-collar receiver is 2.0 x 1.5 x 1.1 inches; the e-collar strap measures ¾ X 30 inches, weighing 1.46 oz.; and the Floating Remote measures 2.64 inches in diameter, 1.29 inches thick and weighs 3.4 oz.
Battery Life & Charging Time
The Garmin Alpha 200i uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can last up to 20 hours but it lasts longer when used with the inReach tech, stretches battery life up to 50 hours. Charging takes about 4 hours if the battery is fully depleted.
The Educator ET-300 Mini only takes two hours to quick charge which is quite fast compared to other brands. It uses rechargeable Li-Polymer batteries and has an indicator for low-battery on both modules. The battery life of both the receiver and the remote last up around 40 to 60 hours.
Garmin 200i
The Garmin Alpha 200i uses a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can last up to 20 hours but it lasts longer when used with the inReach tech, stretches battery life up to 50 hours. Charging takes about 4 hours if the battery is fully depleted.
Educator
The Educator ET-300 Mini only takes two hours to quick charge which is quite fast compared to other brands. It uses rechargeable Li-Polymer batteries and has an indicator for low-battery on both modules. The battery life of both the receiver and the remote last up around 40 to 60 hours.
The Winner: Garmin 200i
The Educator ET-300 Mini is an outstanding contender against the Garmin Alpha 200i as it also offers several features that can compete against the Alpha 200i; however, the Garmin 200i just has more and better features than the Mini Educator and lives up to its name and quality when tested personally which therefore proves that the Garmin Alpha 200i has a greater edge over the Educator in many aspects, giving you better options and functionality. When buying e-collars, you have to consider quality over quantity and the Garmin Alpha 200i has all you need.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you found this comparison helpful and decided on buying Garmin 200i, I would highly appreciate if you use my referral link for purchasing. I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. It will keep me motivated to buy expensive dog gadgets, properly test them and provide unbiased reviews.
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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.
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If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. 2023-12-07
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