Garmin’s Astro GPS Dog Collar Helps Hunters

By Nick Mokey June 26, 2008

Garmin

You have a GPS system for your car, your boat, and to use on foot, so why not for your dog? Garmin has always catered to this rather unique GPS market with the Astro dog-tracking collar for hunters, and on Thursday, it updated the system with a brand new collar, the DC 30.

Unlike its predecessor, the DC 20, the DC 30 has no need for an awkward brick on top with an antenna poking out of it. Garmin reworked the collar to integrate the antenna smoothly into the strap, so it comes out unobtrusively from the side. A main housing sits below the dog’s neck, while the antenna stretches through the strap to the top of its neck, where it has the best view of satellites.

Using the Astro 220 receiver, hunters can keep track of where their dogs are and where they’ve been, within up to seven miles. Since it doesn’t use cellular towers to transmit, it works in remote areas, and there’s no need to pay a subscription.

The entire Astro system, including collar, receiver, cables, and a case, runs for $649.99, with additional collars going for $199.99. Owners of the old DC20 collar can also get a $50 rebate on the new collars for a limited time.

Editors' Recommendations

Managing Editor

As Digital Trends’ Managing Editor, Nick Mokey oversees an editorial team delivering definitive reviews, enlightening…

Smart Home

Best vacuum deals: Cordless to corded, Dyson to Bissell

LG CordZero all in one stick vacuum with auto empty dock.

You can’t keep a house clean without a good vacuum, and while adding one of the best robot vacuums to your smart home can keep things tidy most of the time, it can still be helpful to have a more traditional vacuum on-hand. The best vacuums are going to offer more power and more control, and right now you can get one with some pretty impressive savings. There are a lot of vacuum deals going on, and they include top names like Dyson and Bissell and popular styles like corded and cordless. Below you’ll find all of the best vacuum deals you can shop right now, as well as some information on how each goes about getting the job done.
Black + Decker 3-in-1 corded vacuum — $30, was $40

This 3-in-1 corded vacuum by Black + Decker is a great entry-level vacuuming option. It’s something to consider if you have hardwood floors or small spaces to keep clean, such as dorm rooms and apartments. Still it can handle things like area rugs, low-pie carpeting, stairs, upholstery, and car interiors. It has an ultra-light design that makes it easy to move around, as well as easy-glide wheels that make vacuuming easy as well.

Smart Home

Best air purifier deals: Save big on Dyson, Shark, TCL and more

A Germ Guardian purifier placed on a living room floor.

While dust, debris, and pet dander are almost always in the air, with the warmer seasons come all sorts of allergens to be concerned about as well. You don’t have to go after one of the best air purifiers to keep the air in your home clean, as even more affordable air purifiers work well enough to make them worth your while. This is especially true when you factor in some savings, and there’s a lot of air purifier deals taking place right now. We’ve rounded up all of the best air purifier deals below. They include the likes of Dyson, Shark, and other brands making the top smart home devices right now, so read onward for more information on how to save on a new air purifier.
Alrocket HEPA Air Purifier -- $39, was $70

Excellent for a nightstand, the counter, or an end table. this relatively small air purifier offers cleaning for up to 215 square feet. H13 level HEPA filtration ensures that most odors and contaminants are eliminated, with microscopic particles captured, to provide relief to asthma sufferers and beyond. It is relatively simple, so there are no smart features or serious programmable modes, but that's okay. A touch-based control panel on the top, with LED indicators, allows you to adjust the system's timer, indicator lights, and power. You can add your essential oils or fragrances to the top to help disperse a more aromatic scent.

Smart Home

Best air conditioner deals: Portable and window units on sale

The GE 10,000 BTU portable air conditioner cools a living room while a woman reads.

With the rising temperatures of spring and summer can come the frustrations of tossing and turning at night, sweating in the late afternoons, and simply trying to keep cool during the dog days of summer. Both portable air conditioners and windows units are great options if you don’t have central air, and they’re particularly attractive for apartments, dorms, offices, and if you just have a room or two to cool off. Right now you can land some good savings on air conditioners of all kinds from top air conditioner brands like Frigidaire and GE. We’ve rounded up all of the best air conditioner deals currently taking place, so read onward for more details.
Evapolar evaCHILL — $85, was $99

The Evapolar evaCHILL provides personal comfort on a small scale. At just 6.77 x 6.69 x 6.69 inches, it is highly portable and perfect for taking with you on camping trips or other excursions. To use it, just fill up its 800mL tank, which provides about 8 hours of continuous use (though customers report lower times for high-heat scenarios). This makes it perfect for getting to sleep. Plus, since it uses water as a source of chill, it can double as a humidifier. The Evapolar evaCHILL charges via USB cable and consumes less than 10W of power.