Garmin has announced the Alpha 300 series and Alpha TT 25 and T 20 collar series, the latest generation tracking and training system for hunters and their canine companions. The Alpha 300 series now provides nearly three times the battery life as its predecessor; a bright 3.5-inch vivid touchscreen display; inReach satellite technology on certain models; and new features to streamline users’ in-field experience. Customers can pair their Alpha 300 series handheld to existing Alpha ecosystem collars or the new TT 25 or T 20 dog collars for an unparalleled tracking and training experience. The new universally sized collars fit large and small breeds, offer an up to nine-mile range, and can provide optimized battery life through Dynamic Tracking, as well as user-replaceable battery packs and GPS flex bands.
“Our most robust dog tracking and training system is specifically built to meet the needs of Garmin hunting customers. Whether you’re on sagebrush plateaus, rolling prairies, dense hardwoods, or rocky ridges, the Alpha 300 series and new collars are built to keep you and your dog on track for longer than ever before, thanks to significantly increased battery life and enhanced user experience.”—Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of Global Consumer Sales
Alpha 300 Series - Handhelds
The Alpha 300 series is purpose-built to assist with both training and hunting. The rechargeable lithium-ion handheld battery provides up to 55 hours of battery life, so customers can hunt longer without having to recharge. If the handheld battery runs out while hunting, users can easily and quickly change to a standard or extended-life battery. Charging is now provided through an updated USB-C charging port and additional handheld batteries can be used (not included).
The Alpha 300 series’ 3.5-inch responsive touchscreen display provides visibility in all conditions, day or night, and can be operated even when wearing gloves. Customers can customize their Alpha 300 experience with a new main menu redesign, as well as a “favorites” bar, to make their Alpha unit better suited for their training or hunting priorities. The Alpha 300 provides the robust mapping Garmin users need and have come to expect. In addition to the multi-GNSS support and enhanced mapping systems, like preloaded TopoActive mapping and direct-to-device satellite imagery, the Alpha 300 series is now compatible with Garmin Outdoor Maps+, which provides users access to certain premium mapping content like elevation contours, landowner names, boundaries for public/private land types, wildlife management and wetland production areas, and more.
When hunting in large groups or heavily populated areas, the Alpha 300 series can now help reduce collar interference through the new “Channel View” feature. Channel View monitors the concentration of Garmin dog collars in an area so owners can avoid interfering with other Garmin dog collars in use.
Finally, the Alpha 300i can provide peace of mind and global communication coverage through inReach satellite technology. With the global Iridium satellite network, users can send and receive messages, navigate their route, track and share their hunt, and if necessary, trigger an SOS to Garmin ResponseSM, the 24/7 global response coordination center1. For ease of communication with friends and family, users can connect wirelessly to the Garmin Messenger app on their compatible mobile devices. The new app can automatically switch between Wi-Fi connectivity, cellular and satellite network links to provide seamless on-or-off grid connectivity, as well as support group message threading.
The Alpha 300 series, which requires a compatible dog collar, is compatible with T 5, T 5 Mini, T 5X, TT 15, TT 15 Mini, and TT 15X dog collars, as well as Alpha 200, Alpha 10, Alpha 100, and Pro 550 Plus handhelds.
Alpha TT 25 and T 20 - Dog Collars
No matter what breed of dog customers run or how they hunt, the new Alpha TT 25 and T 20 dog collars provide slim, rugged, universally sized collars designed to fit large and small breeds. While both thinner and lighter than full-size Garmin TT collars, the new Alpha TT 25 and T 20 collar still provides dog tracking capability of up to nine miles when used with a compatible Garmin handheld device. Users also can now easily change the GPS flex band using only a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Garmin’s new breed of collars deliver features for hunting performance, including:
- Dynamic Tracking automatically detects when a dog is moving, stopped, or kenneled, and decreases GPS track point intervals to extend battery life. Thanks to the reduced transmission time of Dynamic Tracking, potential interference with nearby collars in crowded situations can be decreased.
- Both collars can receive up to 68 hours of continual use with a standard battery pack or up to 136 hours of continual use with a new extended battery pack. Battery packs are sold separately and are user replaceable.
- To keep visual contact with their dogs, users can choose from seven customizable multicolor LED beacon lights on the dog collar. LED collar lights can be remotely activated or changed from a user’s compatible handheld to help keep track of their dog in low light conditions and help warn drivers if a dog wanders near a road.
- Automatic software updates when the TT 25 or T 20 is charging and connected to a network with Wi-Fi technology. Alpha TT 25 and T 20 dog collars can be integrated into users’ existing Garmin ecosystems whether it be with an Alpha 10, Alpha 100, Alpha 200, Alpha 200i, Alpha 300, Alpha 300i, Astro 430, and PRO 550 Plus.
Available now, the Alpha 300 series has a suggested retail price of $799.99 for the Alpha 300 and $849.99 for the Alpha 300i with inReach technology. Alpha collars have a suggested retail price of $299.99 for T 20 and $349.99 for TT 25 with stimulation. To learn more, visit garmin.com/outdoor.