Garmin Alpha XL

This powerful GPS-based device will track, log and control up to 20 dogs at a time

The Garmin Alpha XL offers on- and off-road vehicle navigation, dog training capability and dog tracking, all from inside your vehicle. Featuring a high-resolution 10” touch screen, this GPS navigator can track up to 20 dogs as far as 15km away and will pair directly to compatible dog tracking collars.

It can eliminate the need for a handheld unit if hunting from a vehicle, but is also a great complement to handheld trackers if you hunt on foot. You can use the Alpha XL out of the vehicle and up to 3m away via Bluetooth for up to two hours.

The Alpha XL would be of interest to hound hunters in Victoria and pig doggers throughout Australia.

I was sent a pair of Garmin T20 collars with the Alpha XL for test. Pairing was simple. The Alpha XL allowed me to name and colour code each collar/dog, and the screen displayed dogs’ names and showed their colour-coded track. It also allows you to set up and name dog groups if using different or additional dogs. I also downloaded the Garmin Alpha app on my phone to monitor and save real-time dog tracking data and review it after the hunt.

You can record the entire hunting pattern, the distance each dog travels and lots more, then save it and review it later. You can even export the hunt to another device.

For someone who isn’t that computer savvy, I found the Alpha XL quite simple to use, as every step was self-explanatory. Navigating my way through the new device, I was soon viewing the dogs’ movement on screen as they disappeared into the timber. Dogs’ movements can be displayed in View Map or Pro View, each offering different information. View Map shows the dogs’ paths, directions, where they are in relation to the vehicle and more. Pro View is more to monitor each dog’s data like distance travelled, speed, direction, collar battery life and so on.

Meanwhile, the touchscreen lets you send tonal and vibratory signals to any or all of the dogs, with 18 levels of stimulus to correct or train them.

I’ve hunted with other doggers using handheld units like the Garmin 200 and 300 trackers and the Alpha XL is certainly a lot more pleasing to look at via the big 10” screen as opposed to a small handheld screen, though of course handheld trackers have their place when away from the vehicle and on foot.

The Alpha XL’s functionality goes further, providing access to useful information like the weather, map managing and the ability to pair with other compatible communication devices like the Garmin InReach Messenger. Once paired you can send and receive messages between the Alpha XL tablet and other devices. All connected devices are shown on the home page of the Alpha XL.

While the unit comes with a selection of street maps, Topo-Active mapping, base maps and more, you can also download satellite imagery via wifi and see the terrain from above. A few minutes was all it took to do so, giving me a bird’s eye view of terrain, habitat and surrounding vegetation. In my opinion, this is by far the best mapping for our style of outdoor activity, as it offers a true-to-life view from above. To select the type of mapping you wish to view simply use the Layers button.

The Alpha XL and its magnetic VHF dock are easy to install via ball heads and a suction cup to your windscreen. Plug in the VHF antenna, connect to a 12V power outlet and you’re ready to go. Garmin offers lots of training and how-to advice on its YouTube channel, so there’s plenty of help available if needed. The Garmin Alpha XL dog-tracking GPS navigator sells for $2399. To find out more about it, or Garmin’s dog tracking collars and handheld units, visit garmin.com or ask at your local Garmin outlet or gun shop.