Garmin DC 30 Collar Not Allowed in AKC Field Events

[Karen]

Garmin DC 30 Collar Not Allowed in AKC Field Events

The AKC specification concerning tracking collars that are allowed to be used at pointing breed field events is – The transmitter, battery, antenna and screws placed on the dog shall weigh no more than five (5) ounces.

The AKC Performance Events Department has examined and field tested the Garmin DC 30 collar. The weight for all pieces of the unit that can be removed from the collar equals 5.5 ounces. In addition the GPS antenna, which cannot be entirely removed from the collar, would add to this number.

AKC acknowledges the outstanding technology incorporated into the DC 30 collar. There has been a great deal of interest. However, the DC 30 collar does not meet the long standing specifications and will not be allowed in Pointing Breed Field Trials or Hunting Tests at this time.

December 2008

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/events/GarminDC30.pdf

[Razor]

I would bet the same will come from the AFTCA shortly.

[Karen]

I have to admit that I'm very disappointed in this determination. The benefits of this collar, IMO, far outweigh the half ounce it's over the AKC weight limit.

[phermes1]

That's a shame, but not entirely unexpected.

[Razor]

With all the crap they stuck on that collar it is not a surprise.

[DGFavor]

I don't think it's that big of a deal personally. Typically there is an abundance of telemetry collars at about every trial I've ever been to and I'd bet most trial folks would be willing to loan one to a person that trains/hunts with the Garmin unit while they competed with their dog.

You can bet Garmin will get the weight where it needs to be and get the unit working where it needs to work.

[Razor]

I am sure they will. I hear that Marshall is coming out with a GPS unit.

[Nebraska]

I don't compete so it's not big deal to me but, weather permitting, I just can't see letting my dog loose without one. I took my pup for a quick spin at a local spot yesterday and her collar indicated that at one point she was 981 yards out (in about 5 seconds!! ). With the way she runs, it wouldn't take much to lose her.....

[Neil Mace]

The Astro is a very small part of Garmin's business, field trial sales so small as to not register. I don't look for them to do anything.

Please let AKC and AFTCA know how you feel, for or against.

Neil

[phermes1]

The Astro is a very small part of Garmin's business, field trial sales so small as to not register. I don't look for them to do anything.

Please let AKC and AFTCA know how you feel, for or against.

Neil

I agree, but ya know - I also think it will benefit from the advancement in technology in Garmin's other product lines. GPS's are going to keep getting smaller and more efficient. As Garmin figures out better ways to do things, I'd imagine they will use what they've learned everywhere possible. They own the market for dog GPS tracking systems right now - they're going to want to keep it.

Either way, hopefully another company will step forward and give Garmin some competition.

[Tejas]

I don't think it's that big of a deal personally. Typically there is an abundance of telemetry collars at about every trial I've ever been to and I'd bet most trial folks would be willing to loan one to a person that trains/hunts with the Garmin unit while they competed with their dog.

You can bet Garmin will get the weight where it needs to be and get the unit working where it needs to work.

You are correct that there are folks willing to to lend a telemety unit, but they cannot lend one the skill to use it. I've seen pros have difficulty locating dogs with telemetry units and they practice the skill more often than we novices. The beauty of the Garmin is its ease of use (may also be its curse it seems).

[scotly50]

The Astro is a very small part of Garmin's business, field trial sales so small as to not register. I don't look for them to do anything.

Please let AKC and AFTCA know how you feel, for or against.

Neil

Well the Garmin Astro sales are large enough for them to manufacture and sell !!!

The AKC ruling, most likely, will not influence Garmin. It is relatively small, but AFTCA is where the money is. If they ban it, I would look for some alterations by Garmin.

[Neil Mace]

Total subscriptions to American Field is down to about 7,000, if Garmin could sell to every one it still wouldn't move their bottom line. We field trialers think we are more important than we are.

Since the sanctioning bodies are to protect our sport, seems more logical for them to change the rule, it is our dogs that lose, and we lose advertising and sponsorship dollars for trials, but Garmin is going to be just fine without us.

Please contact the sanctioning bodies,

Neil

[Razor]

Their subscriptions are down because the paper sucks!!!! They deliver the stupid thing a month late, every single issue. This is why so many people have dropped their subscriptions.

[KFhunter]

seems like you could modify the collar and loose .5oz

cut excess off, if your dog has a skinny neck this could loose .5oz in itself.

remove some of the covers, shave cut and swap the buckle for plastic one etc

[mm]

I dont understand why would they do this, is there some reason this collar would affect the dog. Is it because they think it would lead to cheating. I dont know a lot but I only see good coming out of using this. I hate to see or hear about a dog lost in the woods. I have been holding off on buying one of these until this ruling, if garmin was approved I would have got it but since its not I getting a different one.

[Sharon]

This restriction is for dogs participating in trials not dogs hunting in the woods.
The weight of the Garmin makes the dog think he has an electric collar on. Some dogs don't perform as well without an e-collar.
People can always figure a way to cheat. I could tell you a hundred stories.
The new tracking collar will be one that has no real weight or has the weight distributed in a different way.

The new TriTronics G-2 weighs only 2.3 ounces.

PS With American Field (AFTCA) trials it is up to the host club whether to allow them or not.

[Wildweeds]

The thing about a telemetry collar is that it is insurance and insurance only.That should a dog become lost that it can be retrieved so that a pro handler doesn't have to make a phone call with bad news that a dog has been lost and killed on a road or some other type of carreer ending injury.Dog that HAVE to HAVE one on are nothing more than RUNOFFS that lack the ability to "Go with you" and their tune beats to a different drummer,they are not "Team players".I happen to have a pretty good little AKC gundog and can say that after 6 years of trialing I'm not surprised by the decision to disallow.AKC has the most negative,pick the dog apart mindset of any of the dog trial games.

I just read a writeup in my field about 2 AKC brittany trialers/handlers that judged a shooting dog championship,their decisions were less than well recieved when they put a dog up for the RU Ch when his race was behind for 30 minutes of the hour bid where 3 finds were carded to the rear.As reported there were other dogs that ran the front with acceptable race and manners on game that were more deserving of the RU moniker.I don't consider myself a judge by any means but I know what I despise in a dog of any breed and it's one that is constantly running behind or shows from the rear on a regular basis.

[slistoe]

I don't consider myself a judge by any means but I know what I despise in a dog of any breed and it's one that is constantly running behind or shows from the rear on a regular basis.

Those are the kind that you NEED telemetry for.
If they fail to show it is anybody's guess as to which direction they went or where they will go next.

[Wildweeds]

I don't need a collar for those because I get rid of them,running behind or coming from the rear is a serious fault and I've come to the conclusion that it is genetic,I've owned 2 that spent more time behind and they were not any fun to handle because you had to be ON THEM ALL OF THE TIME as soon as you'd drop your guard there they'd be making a turn and racing to the rear,awful specimens considering their paper.I agree that those are the kind of dogs that need it but I'll never own one myself that excersises those traits,from what I've seen the ones that like to be behind never really do anything of merit carreer wise.I consider them dummies.

I don't consider myself a judge by any means but I know what I despise in a dog of any breed and it's one that is constantly running behind or shows from the rear on a regular basis.

Those are the kind that you NEED telemetry for.
If they fail to show it is anybody's guess as to which direction they went or where they will go next.

[Sharon]

I just read a writeup in my field about 2 AKC brittany trialers/handlers that judged a shooting dog championship,their decisions were less than well recieved when they put a dog up for the RU Ch when his race was behind for 30 minutes of the hour bid where 3 finds were carded to the rear.As reported there were other dogs that ran the front with acceptable race and manners on game that were more deserving of the RU moniker.I don't consider myself a judge by any means but I know what I despise in a dog of any breed and it's one that is constantly running behind or shows from the rear on a regular basis.

Nothing ticks me off more then an OBVIOUSLY poor call from a judge. They have a hard job and many calls are difficult ,( maybe this, maybe that) . I understand this and never complain. But an OBVIOUS lack of meeting the standard for a placement ..............

Sorry if I've gotten off topic. Just ignore my rant and carry on.

[Yawallac]

I bet you could buy an extra receiver and sync it to the collar. Give the judge one receiver and have your scout carry the extra. He would be able to locate the dog very quickly. ...or notify the handler via text message where to find the dog ...he could also let the handler know that the dog was on point ...or tell the handler to look to the right ...or slow his pace for a moment ...lots of possibilities!!

[Sharon]

LOL You think like a policeman.