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Garmin Astro 430 Big Review: Is It Worth To Pay $649?

Garmin Astro 430 big review
Written by Mark Braeden

The Garmin Astro 430 is a new advancement in the GPS handheld tracking device world that is especially designed for sporting dogs. Its main purpose is to monitor your dogs while they are out in the field, and also track their movements and their whereabouts during a hunt or training. An impressive feat this device has is that one unit lets you trace up to 20 dogs at the same time.

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Main Feature
Collar has glonass system; wide range
GPS Tracker
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Garmin Astro 900 Dog Tracking Bundle, GPS Sporting Dog...
Rating
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Reviews
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Main Feature
Collar has glonass system; wide range
GPS Tracker
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The main features of this Astro 430 are as follows:

  • Its sole purpose is focused on tracking only which maximizes its other features.
  • Its GLONASS-integrated system enhances its GPS tracking performance no matter what kind of terrain you are in.
  • Can impressively track up to 20 dogs all at once.
  • When using the Garmin T5 collar, it can reach a range of up to 9 miles, and up to only 4 miles when used with their T5 mini.
  • Preloaded with a mapping system called TOPO US 100K with free use of BirdsEye Satellite Imagery for 1 year.
  • Includes Hunt Metrics data which is a system for analyzing the hunting patterns of your dogs and also their behaviour, and also for viewing the time afield and their distance travelled.

This handheld device might come at an expensive price of $649.99 that can make you question if it is really worth it to buy this product. We included this device in the list of the best Garmin dog collars. That is why we made this Garmin Astro 430 review for you to give you more insight about whether or not this gadget is worth buying. But first, see below a shortlist of the pros and cons of this device:

PROS

  • Precision in tracking and locating units utilizing GPS/GLONASS system
  • Geofencing included
  • Ability to track up to 20 dogs using the hunt metrics data
  • 2.5-second ping update rate with near-to-real-time location tracking
  • Does not rely on an internet connection or cellular networks

CONS

  • The device is a bit costly
  • Requires subscription fees
  • Only usable inside the US
  • Maximum range is only up to 9 miles
  • Does not monitor your dogs’ activities

How does Garmin Astro 430 work?

 Garmin Astro 430 compas

This high-tech handheld tracking device incorporated GLONASS in their system that makes this gadget more reliable and precise in its ability to navigate and locate users and their dogs in various difficult terrains.

Astro 430 is paired with Garmin collars that are especially designed to communicate with the device that uses GPS transmitters to pinpoint their exact location in the map utilizing the GPS and GLONASS satellites for precision and accuracy.

All the data captured will be shown on the screen of your Astro 430 which sends ping updates every 2.5 seconds which shows the reliability of their locating system and real-time tracking of your dogs. Their location will be shown on the display screen together with their distance and direction relative to the handler of the device. If you are tracking multiple dogs, the display will also show the corresponding color of the collar you assigned to a particular dog.

The great factor about this device is that it functions perfectly without the use of an internet connection or any cellular networks. The combination of the technological advancement of GPS, GLONASS, and radiofrequency does the job to perform its intended use even when in the wilderness. Take into account that a single unit of Garmin Astro 430 can impressively track, monitor, and locate up to 20 dogs using their Garmin tracking collars.

Who is Garmin Astro 430 made for and when do you need it?

This device is perfect for sporting dogs for when you go out on a hunting trip and it is most helpful if you are an owner of multiple dogs because this handheld device allows you to track up to 20 pups at the same time.

Tech Specifications

Based on our research, the technical specifications of Garmin Astro 430 complements its high cost, as it has the tracking precision and excellent range of communication, and many more as shown below:

Communication Range

Garmin Astro 430 can be paired with either T5 or T5 mini collar. With the T5 mini, the range can reach up to 4 miles, but if you opt for the T5 collar, it can reach up to 9 miles.

Precision and Accuracy

As we mentioned in the highlights earlier, this device is integrated with GLONASS tracking and positioning system that makes its locating ability much more precise than other competing products. This system sends you location updates at a rate of 2.5 seconds which shows you how reliable this product is.

Battery

Astro 430 uses an NIMH battery pack and its battery life can last up to 20 hours depending on usage. You can also use AA batteries but it is not included when you buy the product. The T5 and T5 mini tracking collars use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, with the T5 battery lasting up from 20 to 40 hours and the T5 mini, from 16 to 30 hours. The power-saving mode, which you can activate via the handheld device, helps in preserving the battery in case your pup gets lost.

Shockproof and Waterproof

Another aspect to love about this product is its durability; ideal for extreme outdoor activities. It has an IPX7 rating which is perfect for when it rains or snows, or when your pup crosses ponds or rivers. This waterproof rating means that this device can withstand up to around 33-foot-deep underwater immersion. Although this is not entirely shockproof, its housing is made out of rubber which makes it durable enough to endure rough play, bites, and bumps, and also dust- and dirt-proof.

Display, USB, & Memory

Garmin Astro 430 has a 2.6-inch transflective 65K color display with a resolution of 160 x 240 pixels. It also comes with a mini-USB port which is very convenient for transferring all the data collected by the device to your computer. Its storage capacity is up to 4 GB using a microSD card, although they do not include one in the package.

LED Light & Vibration

Garmin Astro 430 has an LED light that you can activate whenever fog sets in or there isn’t sufficient lighting which can be conveniently seen up to 100 yards. The handheld device comes with a vibration setup.

Garmin Astro 430 General Features

The advanced technological features of Garmin Astro 430 are impressive enough but there’s more to add to the list. One downside of this product is that it does not have a feature where you can monitor your dogs’ activities but the features we will discuss below complements this limitation.

Map & Astro’s Covey Counter™

Garmin Astro 430 mapping

As we have mentioned in the first part of our discussion, this handheld tracking device uses a TOPO US 100K map plus a free one-year use of BirdsEye Satellite Imagery. This device also lets you load other mapping options such as HuntView and City Navigator NT. Geocaching is also included in this device which is highly compatible with the custom maps of Garmin. The Covey Counter™ allows you to create waypoints which includes information about time, exact location, and elevation; This helps in locating important locations such as lodges, food plots, tree stands, etc. so you can easily find your way around the hunting ground.

Hunt Metrics

This feature provides users with vital information about your dogs’ hunting patterns and behavior such as distance travelled, time, frequency of treed and on point incidents during hunts, and the overall score.

Tracking

Thanks to the reliable location update every 2.5 seconds combined with the integration of 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, it can show you a near-real-time tracking of your dogs’ location at a faster rate.

BaseCamp and BaseStation Software

Garmin Astro 430 comes with these free software called BaseCamp and BaseStation. BasedCamp software lets you view 2D and 3D topographic maps on your PC, and also lets you organize your maps, tracks, waypoints, and routes. BaseStation software can turn your computer into a control center which lets you see the whereabouts of your dogs on a larger screen using your PC and continuously updates location information even without cellular network and internet.

Dashboards, Dog Display & Profiles

Garmin Astro 430 allows you to have multiple dashboards to view coordinates, compass, and elevation, all at the same time. The Dog Display shows you vital information about your pups directly from the map, such as names, their distance from you, direction, and status. This device has many options of preloaded profiles such as hunting, geocaching, recreational, automotive, marine, fitness, etc.

Rescue Mode & Wireless Sharing

The Rescue Mode activates when the battery reaches 25% and starts reducing location updates to preserve battery life. This adds up to around 4 to 8 hours more to track your dog especially in case they get lost. The wireless sharing feature lets you then share data with other hunters in your group to coordinate hunting strategies or to your Garmin watches if you decide to have one, which can be paired wirelessly to your Astro 430 or other Garmin handheld products.

Is it worth it to pay for Garmin Astro 430?

We absolutely think that this device is worth it because even if this product is a bit pricey, you will not regret it. After all, it is evident that Astro 430 is highly functional due to all of its various technical aspects and other features as discussed above.

Conclusion

What we love about Garmin Astro 430 is that the maps show accurate location, the location updates are near to real-time position, it tracks up to 20 dogs up to 9 miles, and the battery life lasts quite long. What we do not like much about this device is that it does not have a training mode and it is a bit expensive. Although if you’re not really into the hobby of hunting, there is no need for you to buy such a product at a high cost and instead consider buying other products at a lower price, e.g. make sure to check Fi collar.

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 Astro 430 Review
4.9

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