Discussion: Garmin Astro to Track O-Racers?
in: Orienteering; Gear & Toys
Jan 10, 2007 2:06 PM
#
Garmin has announced a new GPS product (the Astro), ostensibly designed to allow a hunter to track up to 10 dogs in real-time and simultaneously within a 5 mile range. Where the dog is and how it's moving are shown on the screen of the receiver unit, which is a Garmin 60CSx. (Link to an animated presentation here, including contest entry to win a free one). There is at least one other competing product (Roameo), but it's GPS technology is inferior, the range is lower (1 mile), and it only tracks 3 "dogs" at a time. A key point is that neither requires a subscription or cell phone reception (coordinates are transmitted via VHF).
If the Astro transmitters aren't too heavy, might this catch on as a useful way to track orienteers during a race, and immediately have tracks available post-race? Or could it help introduce new training methods or fun variations?
And of course feel free to say this will cause the sport to go to the dogs or that this idea is a dog that jus don't hunt.
If the Astro transmitters aren't too heavy, might this catch on as a useful way to track orienteers during a race, and immediately have tracks available post-race? Or could it help introduce new training methods or fun variations?
And of course feel free to say this will cause the sport to go to the dogs or that this idea is a dog that jus don't hunt.
Jan 10, 2007 4:37 PM
#
ken:
spike mentioned that it might work best for informal events:
http://okansas.blogspot.com/2007/01/live-gps-track...
http://okansas.blogspot.com/2007/01/live-gps-track...
Jan 11, 2007 5:20 AM
#
10 dogs, $650 US a pop. I would have thought it would be much cheaper to just buy the meat.
Jan 11, 2007 6:15 PM
#
VHF dog hunting is an important part of the indigenous culture in remote, armed, trailerized communities, such as the one near Ocala National Forest where US Team Fundraiser was held in early 2006. Dogs frequently get separated from the mother truck. One came upon my campsite as I was about to sleep after a day of fieldchecking. The sun had already set. The truck kept circling on sandy park roads for well over an hour, looking for the dog. Around 8 pm, I heard joyous cries indicative of a tearful reunion.
These mother trucks look pretty impressive with all the antennas hanging outside, and electronics jammed into the cab. They must be able to get the direction quite easily from the radio pings, but the distance information must not particularly reliable, so the use of GPS should be quite an improvement. Apparently the dogs are worth quite a bit to the natives, so I'm sure at least some of them will be able to justify $650 to support their recreational habit. Judging by the amounts they invest into their other pastime, all-terrain vehicles, this innovation is priced about right in their target range.
These mother trucks look pretty impressive with all the antennas hanging outside, and electronics jammed into the cab. They must be able to get the direction quite easily from the radio pings, but the distance information must not particularly reliable, so the use of GPS should be quite an improvement. Apparently the dogs are worth quite a bit to the natives, so I'm sure at least some of them will be able to justify $650 to support their recreational habit. Judging by the amounts they invest into their other pastime, all-terrain vehicles, this innovation is priced about right in their target range.
This discussion thread is closed.