Garmin® Introduces New and Improved Astro® GPS Dog Tracking Collar
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the
global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the DC™ 30, a
completely redesigned GPS dog tracking collar for use with the Astro GPS
Dog Tracking System. The new collar is more rugged and its antennas are
positioned differently for optimal tracking.
“The new DC 30 collar is designed to stand up to the torturous abuse of
hunting dogs. Whether it’s hounds crashing through thick and swampy
woods, or bird dogs bounding through dense CRP fields, the DC 30 is made
to take the beating that working dogs dish out daily,” said Dan Bartel,
Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “And the new configuration
also makes mounting the collar a cinch – while improving reception.”
The DC 30 collar’s main housing is weighted to sit below the dog’s neck,
while a small, low-profile GPS antenna is integrated into the collar
strap and positioned on top of the dog’s neck, providing a clear view of
satellites with minimal rotation. The transmitter antenna originates
from the lower housing, and has been redesigned for more flexibility and
ruggedness. No counterbalance or harness is needed. The weight for the
transmitter plus antenna is 4.1 ounces, and the entire DC 30 weighs just
8.7 ounces.
Used in conjunction with the Astro 220 receiver, the system pinpoints
exactly where your dog is and what he’s doing – running, pointing, or
treeing – even in dense cover, up to seven miles away, depending on
terrain.
The Astro GPS Dog Tracking System requires very little configuration
straight out of the box, and is extremely simple to use. Once the
transmitter and receiver acquire a GPS signal, the receiver
automatically lets users know the location of their dog. Unlike old
radio telemetry collars, the Astro features a dog page that shows the
precise direction and distance to a dog – even indicating if it is
running, on point, or treeing quarry – and does it all without the
annoyance of beeper collars. Unlike cellular tracking systems, there are
no subscriptions or setup fees required to use the device.
Astro can track up to ten dogs per receiver at once, and the collar
gives location updates every five, 10, or 30 seconds (user selectable).
Battery life is 17-36 hours (based on update rate) on the rechargeable
DC 30 collar and 24 hours on the Astro 220 receiver, which is powered by
two AA batteries. Both the DC 30 collar and the Astro 220 receiver are
completely waterproof.
The Astro also has a map page to illustrate where a dog is and where it
has been – in relation to the hunter – and allows hunters to determine
if they have covered nearby ground. Garmin’s unique Covey Counter™ lets
hunters mark the precise location, time of day, and elevation where they
encountered their quarry – and users can easily note the number of birds
flushed and how many were taken. The Astro also comes packed with new
hunting-specific icons, to easily mark and identify bird flushes, treed
raccoons, food plots, tree stands, cover, ATVs, and other
outdoor-related features.
Besides being a state-of-the-art dog tracking device, the Astro is also
a full-featured handheld GPS based on the GPSMAP® 60CSx, with a
sunlight-readable color display and a highly sensitive GPS receiver that
works even under a thick tree canopy or in deep canyons. So when the
hunting season is over, the Astro can pull double-duty for hiking,
boating, or car trips.
The Astro has a microSD card slot that allows users to insert optional
pre-programmed topo maps or road maps, which can be invaluable in an
unfamiliar area. Topo maps give hunters an idea of the most productive
areas to hunt, while road maps feature the same basic functions as an
automotive GPS navigation unit – even in rural areas. The optional road
map data can also give turn-by-turn directions to motels, gas stations,
restaurants, and even veterinarians.
The Astro also calculates area, which is ideal for determining the
acreage of a piece of property or the exact size of a food plot. The
unit has location-specific sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset tables
(ideal for determining legal hunting hours) and a hunting and fishing
calendar that suggests the best times to be out in the field.
The new DC 30 collar is included as part of the Astro GPS Dog Tracking
system, which also contains an Astro 220 receiver, user’s manual,
power/data cables, Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, and a carrying case for a
suggested retail price of $649.99. The DC 30 tracking collar sold
separately is $199.99. The DC 30 collar is compatible with current Astro
GPS Dog Tracking Systems as well. For current Astro DC20 owners wishing
to upgrade to the DC 30, Garmin is offering a $50.00 rebate for a
limited time only.
Garmin has also developed a new Astro portable long range antenna, sold
separately. The accessory is designed to increase the range of the
hunter’s handheld receiver, by up to three miles. When a dog travels
outside the Astro’s range, the antenna can be lengthened to over a meter
and attached directly to the Astro 220 via a one-meter coaxial cable.
The antenna features a molded handle and lanyard, and measures just a
quarter meter long when stored – small enough to be carried in a hunting
vest when not in use. The handheld antenna has a list price of $69.99.
The DC 30 is expected to be available in third quarter 2008. For more
details and an interactive demo of the Astro GPS Dog Tracking System,
visit www.garmin.com/astro.
About Garmin International Inc.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its
subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation,
communication and information devices and applications since 1989 – most
of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve
automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and
OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and
its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and
the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual
pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom
or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin and
GPSMAP are registered trademarks, and Astro and DC 30 are trademarks of
Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and
its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product
introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based
on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and
circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results
could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors
and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the
risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 29, 2007 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (Commission file number 000-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form
10-K can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html.
No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin
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