Garmin Alpha XL Vehicle GPS Dog Tracking System

The Garmin Alpha XL is a vehicle-mounted GPS dog tracking and training system built around a large 10-inch touchscreen for your truck or side-by-side. If you hunt from your truck, the biggest advantage is simple: it’s so much nicer to see your dogs and watch the race on a large screen.

Unlike the older Garmin DriveTrack displays, the Alpha XL is a true vehicle dog tracking system. You don’t need an Alpha handheld connected to the system for the Alpha XL to receive your dogs. The powered Alpha XL base contains the VHF radio that communicates with compatible Garmin dog collars.

The Alpha XL can track and train up to 20 dogs, store up to 250 dog profiles, and display your dogs alongside roads and terrain while you’re moving through the country trying to stay with them.

Your Alpha handheld still has an important job. When it’s time to leave the truck and walk into the tree or retrieve a dog, you’ll still want your Alpha 300, Alpha 300i or other compatible handheld with you.

Why We Like the Garmin Alpha XL

We’ve been asking Garmin for a true standalone truck tracking system since the original DriveTrack was introduced. DriveTrack gave us the larger display we wanted, but it still depended on an Alpha or Astro handheld. What we really wanted was a complete dog tracking system designed around hunting from the vehicle. The Alpha XL finally gives us that.

We’ll also be upfront about the price. $1,199.99 is hard to swallow, especially when you probably already own an Alpha handheld and several collars. Our advice is not to put yourself in a bind to buy one.

But if you spend a lot of your hunt following dogs from a truck or side-by-side and can afford it, give it a month or two. We think you’ll be happy you did.

We initially thought the 10-inch screen might actually be too big. Now that we’re used to seeing the dogs, roads and race on that much screen, we don’t know that we’d want to go smaller.

 

 

Garmin Alpha XL Key Features

• 10-inch touchscreen for a large view of your dogs, roads and terrain
• Track and train up to 20 dogs and store up to 250 dog profiles
• Standalone truck-mounted GPS dog tracking without depending on an Alpha handheld to receive your collars
• Compatible with current and select previous-generation Garmin tracking and training collars
• Garmin advertises up to 9 miles of tracking range under ideal conditions with compatible collars
• Works with external Alpha truck antennas
• Preloaded Garmin TopoActive and road maps, plus downloadable satellite imagery
• Compatible with Garmin Outdoor Maps+, and Garmin's HuntView Plus, and regional TOPO map cards
• Dog management tools include groups, sharing with compatible Alpha devices and Channel View to help manage frequency interference
• Touchscreen training controls for compatible collars
• Removable display with up to 2 hours of battery operation
• Additional Alpha XL bases make it easy to use the display in multiple hunting vehicles

 

Watch a Video Covering some of these topics:

 

Who Is the Alpha XL For?

The Alpha XL makes the most sense for big-game houndsmen and other dog hunters who use a truck or side-by-side to stay with their dogs.

For us, it fits into the hunt like this: Follow the dogs from the truck with the Alpha XL → get as close as you can → grab your Alpha handheld → hike into the dogs.

If you primarily hunt on foot or horseback, we’d save the money and stick with an Alpha handheld. The Alpha XL isn’t necessary. It’s another part of the Garmin tracking ecosystem that makes following a race from the vehicle considerably easier.

Garmin Alpha XL vs. Alpha 300

The Alpha XL does not replace your Alpha 300 or Alpha 300i. The Alpha XL is better suited to following the race while you’re in the vehicle. Your handheld is what you’ll want when you leave the truck.

We’ve actually gotten so accustomed to relying on the Alpha XL that we’ve forgotten to turn on our Alpha 300 before. Our advice: make sure your handheld is turned on, working correctly and tracking your dogs before they get outside tracking range. Eventually you’re going to leave the truck and Alpha XL, and that’s when you’ll need your handheld working.

Does the Alpha XL Track Farther Than an Alpha 300?

No. Expectations should be the same.

Don’t spend $1,199.99 on an Alpha XL because you’re expecting it to fix a tracking-range problem. Garmin advertises up to approximately 9 miles under ideal conditions, but actual VHF tracking distance depends heavily on terrain, vegetation, elevation, antenna location, collar antenna condition and other factors.

If you’re getting two miles with your Alpha 300, don’t assume an Alpha XL will suddenly give you five or nine miles. With comparable antennas under the same conditions, expect similar tracking performance. Buy the Alpha XL for the large screen and dedicated truck tracking experience—not because you expect increased range.

Alpha XL Antennas

If you’re setting up an Alpha XL for serious hound hunting, a good truck antenna is the first accessory we’d think about.

Garmin includes a magnetic-mount external antenna. Its tracking performance is decent, but we don’t particularly like it for a permanent hunting-truck installation because the magnet can be knocked off more easily than the larger antenna setups many houndsmen already use.

We keep the included Garmin antenna under the back seat as an emergency backup. We haven’t needed it yet, but it will work in a pinch.

Already Have an Alpha Truck Antenna?

If you have an external truck antenna that worked with an Alpha 100, Alpha 200 or Alpha 300, you can use that external antenna with the Alpha XL. That means many houndsmen upgrading to the Alpha XL may already have the antenna they need. For a permanent setup, we prefer a secure external truck antenna mounted in a good location.

Understanding the Alpha XL Base & Power

One important thing to understand is that the powered Alpha XL base contains the VHF radio that communicates with your dog collars. The display has its own battery, but the base must remain powered for dog tracking.

If your truck shuts off power to the accessory outlet when you turn off the ignition, the display may stay on while your dogs stop updating because the base has lost power. For houndsmen who regularly shut their trucks off while watching a race, a constant power or direct wire solution can make the system much more convenient.

The display can also be removed from the base and operated on its internal battery for up to approximately two hours. The powered base still needs to remain on and nearby for full dog tracking functionality.

Having a problem with your system? See our Garmin Alpha XL Troubleshooting Guide for help with base power, tracking, antennas, software, mapping and other common issues.

Mapping on the Garmin Alpha XL

The large screen gives you a much better look at where your dogs are in relation to roads and terrain, which can help when you’re trying to figure out how to get closer to them.

• Preloaded Garmin TopoActive mapping
• Road navigation
• Downloadable satellite imagery
• Compatible HuntView mapping
• Optional Outdoor Maps+

You do not need Outdoor Maps+ to use the Alpha XL. One advantage of Outdoor Maps+ is that a subscription can be used across compatible registered Garmin devices, which can be useful when you’re running an Alpha handheld along with the Alpha XL.

We like Outdoor Maps+, but we’ve had one frustration with it: subscription mapping occasionally needs to validate through Garmin’s Alpha app. We’ve gone hunting without having everything properly connected and discovered our Outdoor Maps+ mapping wasn’t available when we wanted it. Our advice is to make sure your maps are downloaded and your Outdoor Maps+ subscription is validated before heading into the field.

Training Dogs From the Alpha XL

The Alpha XL allows you to control compatible training collars directly from the touchscreen, including stimulation, tone and vibration. It works well, but if you’re coming from an Alpha handheld with physical training buttons, give yourself some time to learn the touchscreen workflow.

Make sure you’re familiar with moving through your dog list and changing training controls before you need to make a correction quickly. Trying to figure it out for the first time when you’re in a hurry can be frustrating. Once you’re familiar with the flow, it’s pretty seamless.

Mounting the 10-Inch Alpha XL Screen

The large screen is one of the best things about the Alpha XL, but you need to think about where you’re going to put it. Our initial concern was that the 10-inch screen was too big and could create a blind spot in the windshield.

That’s particularly important for houndsmen. If your dogs are roading in front of the truck, you need to be able to see them. Whenever possible, we try to position our Alpha XL below the dash line.

Before permanently routing wires, experiment with different mounting positions and make sure you have a clear view of both the Alpha XL and the road. After getting used to the 10-inch display, our opinion changed. At first we thought it might be too big. Now we’re not sure we could go back to something smaller.

Using the Alpha XL in Multiple Vehicles

If you switch between hunting trucks or use both a truck and side-by-side, additional Alpha XL bases can make the system much more convenient. Set each vehicle up with its own base, antenna, power connection and mounting hardware, then move the Alpha XL display between vehicles. The display can pair with the base in the other vehicle, allowing you to move your screen without purchasing another complete Alpha XL system.

Compatible Garmin Dog Collars

The Garmin Alpha XL is compatible with:

• Garmin Alpha TT25
• Garmin Alpha T20
• Garmin TT15X
• Garmin T5X
• Garmin TT15
• Garmin TT15 Mini
• Garmin T5
• Garmin T5 Mini

The Alpha XL can actively track up to 20 dogs and store up to 250 dog profiles.

Garmin Alpha XL FAQ

Is the Garmin Alpha XL worth $1,199.99?

For the right hunter, yes. The initial cost is hard to swallow, and we wouldn’t recommend putting yourself in a bind to buy one. But if you hunt regularly from your truck and can afford it, give yourself a month or two with the 10-inch screen. We think you’ll be happy you did.

Why buy an Alpha XL if I already own an Alpha 300?

If you’re hunting from your truck, it’s simply much nicer to see your dogs and watch the race on the larger screen. Your Alpha 300 is still important when you leave the vehicle.

Does the Alpha XL track farther than an Alpha 300?

No. Expectations should be the same. With comparable antennas and conditions, don’t buy the Alpha XL expecting it to solve a range problem you’re experiencing with your handheld.

Do I still need an Alpha handheld?

Yes. You’ll still want your handheld when you leave the truck and walk into the tree or retrieve your dogs.

How many dogs can the Alpha XL track?

The Alpha XL can actively track up to 20 dogs and store up to 250 dog profiles.

Can I use my existing Alpha truck antenna?

Yes. If your external truck antenna worked with an Alpha 100, Alpha 200 or Alpha 300, it can be used with the Alpha XL.

Can I use one Alpha XL in multiple trucks?

Yes. Additional bases allow you to set up multiple vehicles and move the Alpha XL display between them.

Do I need Outdoor Maps+?

No. Outdoor Maps+ is optional. The Alpha XL has other mapping options, including downloadable satellite imagery.

Who shouldn’t buy an Alpha XL?

If you primarily hunt on foot or horseback, we’d probably save the money. The Alpha XL is designed around hunters who spend a significant portion of the hunt following their dogs from a truck or side-by-side.

Why Buy Your Garmin Alpha XL From Double U?

We’re not just reading Alpha XL specifications off the box. We hunt with Garmin dog tracking equipment ourselves.

We’ve mounted these systems, dealt with antennas and power, followed races from the truck, walked into dogs with our handhelds and learned the little things you don’t always find in an owner’s manual.

When you buy your Alpha XL from Double U Hunting Supply, we can help you choose the right antenna, mounting and power setup, get your collars organized, set up multiple hunting vehicles and troubleshoot problems when they come up.

And when a Garmin warranty or repair issue requires Garmin’s involvement, we can help our customers work through that process.

If you’re spending $1,199.99 on a system that’s going to become part of your hunting truck, we think it’s worth buying it from people who understand how you’re actually going to use it.

Financing

Looking to make payments? See our Alpha XL financing options for approved customers.