Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

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hi-tailyn
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Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by hi-tailyn » Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:14 am

Have any of you subscribed to the "Birds Eye View" for your Astro 320?

How are your experiences?

Have you found it helped you in any way while training or hunting?

I just subscribed and was disappointed with what it actually is. Having to download specific areas that I plan to train or hunt at was not what I was expecting. Don't know what I really was expecting. I think more interactive link with satellite or something. :roll:

Will try it training this weekend with dogs and ATVs.

Different question for Astro 320. Has anyone had problem with compass calibration when using on ATV? With 220 you could attach to handlebars and drive in 2 circles and it is calibrated.
I held 320 just above handlebars with ATV running and could not get it to calibrate. I know the ATV is putting out electrical interference. Any solutions or help?
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Ricky Ticky Shorthairs
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by Ricky Ticky Shorthairs » Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:35 am

3 axis calibration is different than 2. I calibrate mine every time I turn it on. It needs to be away from interference. An open area with no obstructions within 20 yards seems to work for me.

Doug

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hi-tailyn
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by hi-tailyn » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:15 am

Calibrating it away from the ATV running only gives incorrect directions on the compass. :x

Surely there is a way to use the 320 on a ATV. They make a attachment for both to be used together. :roll:
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birddog1968
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by birddog1968 » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:28 am

what do you mean by incorrect? by how much? remember its not sending real time exactly...the dogs will have moved as you recieve updates.

I've never had a problem with mine on horse or 4 wheeler.....
The second kick from a mule is of very little educational value - from Wing and Shot.

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Ricky Ticky Shorthairs
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by Ricky Ticky Shorthairs » Wed Aug 15, 2012 11:29 am

I use mine on my quad all the time. Are you trying to calibrate while moving?

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hi-tailyn
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by hi-tailyn » Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:04 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:I use mine on my quad all the time. Are you trying to calibrate while moving?
Calibrating while parked with ATV running.

Only able to calibrate when ATV is turned off. But it doesn't give me correct directions as to where North is. It is off by 30-60 degrees.
I know the direction the arrows are pointing on the compass are correct as to where the dog is. Just that the Compass is not correct. If I didn't already know where North, etc. was It would send me in the wrong direction.

Is anyone using Birds Eye View? Or did I waste my money on a year subscription?
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by JIM K » Wed Aug 15, 2012 3:58 pm

i hunt i heavy woods of pa and i am not getting a GARMIN ASTRO gps.
first COST.next they dont work all time under canopy of trees with leaves on.

i see some using them in open areas [fields] etc and can see dog most of time. :roll:
if i had dog that would hunt say a mile from me all time, i think it would be nice.
all my dogs over years have always hunted within 100 yds of me and bell on collar i can hear.

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cmc274
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by cmc274 » Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:37 pm

I have the birds eye subscription and enjoy it. Buy a good size memory card that will hold a lot of data. It does take a little effort to download the areas you are interested in training and hunting, however if you use the medium image quality, you can probably store everything for the year.

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hi-tailyn
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by hi-tailyn » Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:30 pm

What would be good size memory card?

Is 4G enough or what is the max size that can be used in 320?

Downloaded training area in ND, and it is the Google map of 5 years ago. :( But my training area in TX is within the last year.

Can I download and keep all the maps after my subscription expires? :lol:
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Elkhunter
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by Elkhunter » Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:55 pm

The compass only works if you are moving, if you are sitting still it will go all over the place. So walk slowly and the compass will tell you what direction you are going.

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Az Draht
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by Az Draht » Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:07 am

for the calibration, watch this video from about the 3:30 mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG7uVh2kQ24

with the BirdsEye subscription, you can download as many images as you want in a 1 year period. After the subscription expires, you can still use everything you downloaded, but you can't download any more.

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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by JIM K » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:22 am

hi-tailyn wrote:What would be good size memory card?

Is 4G enough or what is the max size that can be used in 320?

Downloaded training area in ND, and it is the Google map of 5 years ago. :( But my training area in TX is within the last year.

Can I download and keep all the maps after my subscription expires? :lol:
most use 4g card with sd thing on it.they go sale around christmas at wal-mart/k-mart for around 6 dollars.

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MN Bonasa
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by MN Bonasa » Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:59 am

[]
hi-tailyn wrote:Have any of you subscribed to the "Birds Eye View" for your Astro 320? How are your experiences?
I think it the actual software BaseMAP is kinda cheesy, but it is only used as a tool to upload it to the Astro. I think the imagery is pretty good, but the map that came pre loaded is very simple. I haven't purchsed a more detailed topo chip yet, not sure I will or need to. The great thing about the Astro and the imagery is that you will be able to cover an area like never before or go in deeper and not worry about getting lost. I have had no troubles here with reception from canopy issues.
Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote: I calibrate mine every time I turn it on
Why? just wondering. I have only done it once does it require it?

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Ricky Ticky Shorthairs
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by Ricky Ticky Shorthairs » Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:38 pm

MN Bonasa wrote:
Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote: I calibrate mine every time I turn it on
Why? just wondering. I have only done it once does it require it?
I think the manual says to do it when you change batteries, and locations. Pretty easy to do.

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nj gsp
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Re: Garmin Astro 320 "Birds Eye View"

Post by nj gsp » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:19 pm

I have the birds eye subscription and like it. I load the image maps directly to an 8 GB micro SD. I also have the 24K topo maps loaded, as well as some custom transparent overlay maps I created outlining areas and twitch roads I'm going to explore later when ground truthing my satellite research. It adds to the versatility and takes the Astro beyond being just a dog tracking tool.

Garmin says you should calibrate the compass each time you use it, but I usually only recalibrate when I change location by more than 50 miles. The compass is magnetic, so you don't have to be moving to use it, but the GPS does require motion to indicate your heading.

I also carry a real compass (Silva Ranger), because they don't need batteries or lose satellite signal. I have two of them, because I lost one, bought another to replace it, then found the one I'd lost. I'm happy to have a spare one though!

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