Garmin Alpha 200i Dog Tracking Handheld, Utilizes inReach Technology, Sunlight-readable 3.6″ Touchscreen (010-02230-50), Black

I upgraded from an Alpha 100 to this 200i. Very very happy. Screen is more readable, not any brighter and the colors are more muted than the 100, but it’s still a bit easier to read and bigger. The touch screen works much better – more of an iPhone feel to it. Extra buttons are very nice to set up various functions while managing multiple dogs. Using WiFi to download Birdseye views is a winner. Just seems to work better than the 100 for that. Using Birdseye to help see where the dogs are is much more initiative than trying to interpret a topo map or something. Screen and function layout is better than the 100. The game changer for me is the iPhone integration. It displays map and dog tracking information directly to a paired iPhone using the Garmin Explorer app. Works great. I normally carry my iPhone when I hike with my dogs to take photos or talk on the phone or check email or whatever. Since is often already in my hand, having the dog data displayed there is awesome. And the map/tracking interface is easier to use on the larger iPhone screen. Serious hunters may not be carrying/using their iPhone, but for how I hike, this is awesome. Finally the form factor is more high tech. The soft rubbery surfaces of the 100 are replaced with hard plastic. It has a slicker look and feel. Nicer to have in hand. Hard to describe. For me the upgrade was totally worth it. Sold my 100 in a day on eBay, so it cut the upgrade cost to $400 – easy. For anyone choosing between the 100 and 200i, this seems the obvious choice. Hope this helps!

Great unit. I have and use another unit and both are rigid and easy to use.

Bought this unit to be able to track, train, and use InReach. It does all those well. I do have to lock the touch screen to keep from changing things when I put it in the carrying case but locking the screen is a viable option to keep that from happening. When received, I had to go to Garmin’s site and update the software, but that is not unusual for Garmin products. Sometimes they come with out of date software or versions that were put in at the factory that may be off from the ones on Garmin’s website. Just be aware that you always need to check the software version upon arrival. Aside from that, this is a great multipurpose unit.

charge port was poorly installed but worked at beginning. map was very poor quality compared to prior models. would not charge after 9 months but used prior model to charge as batteries compatible. a few days ago would start to turn on then go blank and stay blank. prior model, though years old works fine without all the bells and whistles that I “upgraded” for. it is a shame. the prior garmins works flawlessly and worth the expense. this one is worthless except for an extremely expensive battery. fortunately I saved old collars and controller.

I use this in lieu of a fence to keep my GSD on our property in rural Alabama. ROLL TIDE BRUTHER! Instead of digging a trench or spending thousands on a fence, I just turn him out, and have geofence alerts setup so whenever he gets too close to the property line it buzzes me and I can tone him to let him know to head back towards the hizzy(house). Probably the coolest gadget I have right now.

Did I seriously write this review? was I drunk? I came to write a review because it’s worked flawlessly for months. It’s seriously the best thing ever.