DC40 and DC50 Interchangeable?

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:55 pm

Will a DC40 collar work with a DC50 GPS unit?

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:17 pm

Dc 50 is also a collar. The handhelds are astro 220 and 320. A dc 40 will work with an Astro 320 a dc 50 will not work with an astro 220.

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:18 pm

ACooper wrote:Dc 50 is also a collar. The handhelds are astro 220 and 320. A dc 40 will work with an Astro 320 a dc 50 will not work with an astro 220.

Since the DC40 is OK with AKC hunt tests I am thinking about picking up a DC50 system with the 320 handheld and then getting a DC40 collar to use in AKC events until the DC50 collar is approved.

Sounds like this would work and be OK with the AKC regs, correct?

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:24 pm

That will work. But I wouldn't count on AKC approving the dc50.

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:26 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:That will work. But I wouldn't count on AKC approving the dc50.

Why not?

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:41 pm

They have already looked at it once and decided not to approve it because of it's weight.

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:26 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:They have already looked at it once and decided not to approve it because of it's weight.

Is the DC50 a large improvement over the DC40?

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:37 pm

I don't have a 50, but by it's design it should have better range and battery life. I use my 40 in training, but use a Tracker in competition because of battery life and not having to worry about the handheld not hooking back up with the collar after being turned off. I've never had that happen, but know those who have.

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 6:57 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:I don't have a 50, but by it's design it should have better range and battery life. I use my 40 in training, but use a Tracker in competition because of battery life and not having to worry about the handheld not hooking back up with the collar after being turned off. I've never had that happen, but know those who have.

What is the difference between a tracker and a GPS?

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:08 pm

A tracker only uses a radio signal. So it has longer battery life and usually has longer range. It's harder to use because you need to adjust sensitivity and there's no screen to show you where the dog is. Only a signal strength meter. A Garmin uses the same basic principal except it uses the GPS to calculate distance and location for the display screen. Batteries in a Tracker collar last 3 or 4 weeks.

rockyridge kennels · Post by **rockyridge kennels** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:39 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:They have already looked at it once and decided not to approve it because of it's weight.

Doug,

I tried to look that info up and also sent a request to AKC regarding this subject. Can you please provide me this info if you have it or direct to it.

I think this is going to be an issue in both AKC and AF trials.

Thanks,

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:06 pm

Here is the list from AKC.

www.akc.org/trackingdevices/

If I remember the DC50 is 3 or so ounces heavier than the 40.

ACooper · Post by **ACooper** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:19 pm

I have not been able to locate the memo I thought I saw on the DC50.

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:31 pm

It's a thread on fb in the akc hunt test or all breed national championship page. Can't remember which one.

rockyridge kennels · Post by **rockyridge kennels** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:06 pm

I would like to see it. Can someone PM or get me a copy of the memo?

Thanks in advance!!!

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs · Post by **Ricky Ticky Shorthairs** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:23 pm

Sean-i sent deb a message on fb. It should answer your questions.

Doug

rockyridge kennels · Post by **rockyridge kennels** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:35 pm

Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:Sean-i sent deb a message on fb. It should answer your questions.

Doug

Thanks! I appreciate it Doug.

Lucky Dog · Post by **Lucky Dog** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 7:03 pm

RichK wrote:
Ricky Ticky Shorthairs wrote:They have already looked at it once and decided not to approve it because of it's weight.
Is the DC50 a large improvement over the DC40?

I bought two DC-50's when the first came out.
They have a much better battery life than my DC-40's.
They did not have the range that my DC-40' have.
They lost communications with my 32 randomly.
Both went back and I still use my 4 dc-40's.
I was pretty disappointed in my test results.

Mikezx18 · Post by **Mikezx18** » Mon Apr 28, 2014 8:21 pm

I did exactly what you did. I bought an Astro 320 with a DC 50 and a DC 40 I run two dogs but only one at a time in competition. I figured I would use the DC40 in competition and one on each dog while training.

The DC50 is for sure not legal in AKC events. The DC40 is allowed but many clubs still do not allow any tracking collars as a club rule. Be sure to do your homework before you buy if you are close to a certain club.

I use them in our dense PA woods in the summer for peace of mind. You can lose your dog pretty quick and its nice to know they are only 60 feet away and in what direction.

Battery life on both units is good and Ive never lost connection with either one. the DC50 does update faster and also has the capability to download your hunts or routes into basecamp which is handy to see where you hunted and the data associated with it such as speed average speed and distance. You can also overlay it into google earth for satellite imaging.

All competition aside. Bottom line is do you want the peace of mind to know where your dog is...For me that was all I needed to make the decision.

RichK · Post by **RichK** » Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:08 am

Peace of mind is why I want the GPS for the GSP. I've had him get lost 30 feet from me this fall when hunting one of the local areas and started to panic thinking that he could had easily made it to the road by that point. Turns out he had got himself stuck in thorns and couldn't get himself out.

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