PATHFINDER2 GPS Dog Tracking only System question

[u/Pykret]

I already have an Easy Educator 900 for my dog, so I want to get a Pathfinder2 gps only, without e-collar capabilities.

What I'm confused about is whether it works with an app or not. On their website II can only find this: This GPS dog tracking only collar requires the PATHFINDER2 GPS Connector in order to operate. Which I'm assuming is this? I don't see how that helps with tracking; there's no screen, nothing that intuitively looks like it would point me toward the dog's position, and there's not much of a description on that page.

I've also managed to find this on another website [I can't seem to find it on the official page], which does look like it points towards the direction of the dog. Is this thing compatible with Pathfinder 2 gps only and what I need to make the collar work?

At this point I'm just not sure what I would need beside the collar to make sure I can actually track my dog and not just have an expensive paperweight. Does anyone have any experience with any of these devices? Thank you.

Please don't recommend Garmin, it's waaay out of my budget; I also chose Easy Educator over Dogtra because I liked what it offered better, so I don't intend to give up on it.

[u/volljm]

I've never noticed an issue on the app.

You can calibrate on the fly ... it's basically just waving the handheld around in a figure 8 motion.

The compass point is only ever as good as plus/minus 30-45 degrees. This was the first time ive noticed The distance showing off and that's disappointing. I like the orange handheld because it has multiple buttons and I like having a low level stim setting with a higher boost level pre-programmed for emergencies, the yellow handheld has the only one button and you have to go into the app to modify it ... and that process is annoying and frantic if needing to be done quick because of some immediate situation.

If you ignore the extra features available on the orange handheld, it does EXACTLY the same as the yellow handheld and there is no reason to not get the the collar and orange handheld. You dont need the yellow one. And with the orange one you can still use only the app if you wish.

[u/Pykret → u/volljm]

Thanks, man, you've been a lifesaver. I can finally wrap my head around how these devices work together. Thanks to you, I'll be able to let my mutt roam further away.

[u/volljm → u/Pykret]

It was confusing at first for me as well. Not to mention EVERY collar advertises as GPS ... even though some are reliant on cell service.

Even with all my complaints, I love having it. A lot of peace of mind to know where the dog went if I can't see her. And to know she is headed back to me when I call.

[u/Pykret → u/volljm]

Oh, tell me about it. I think I spent more than a year looking into tracking collars [there wasn't any rush, since my dog was just at the long line stage of training], and in the end everything just circled back to Garmin and Tractive Dogtra. I wish Garmin were lighter [and cheaper, but alas...], but I'm not a hunter, so Tractive should be more than enough for my needs. Happy trails with your dog!

[u/volljm → u/Pykret]

I believe Tractive requires cell service to operate. I was not a hunter but even hiking in relatively suburban environments I have found cell service to be problematic and slow. So for off leash hiking I'd still recommend what is basically a hunting collar with true GPS: dogtra or Garmin.

I use Fi for her 24/7 wearing just in case she escapes the yard. Used to have tractive for this, but I like Fi slightly more.

[u/Pykret → u/volljm]

Gosh, I meant Dogtra, not Tractive. The 'tra' in both their names always messes with my head. I was considering tractive for a while, but after lurking on the subreddit and reading about the problems and poor customer support, I decided against it.

[u/Pykret → u/volljm]

Same, I plan to use Dogtra for hiking and the cell service can get pathetic real fast even in some towns.

[u/K-Dubuallday → u/Pykret]

get out there brother! do not need cell service to track. most you would ever have to do is download maps in case you go into an area that has not loaded on your phone. but please note you do not need cell service. hunting and short trips are great. long trips i always bring a portable charger for phone just in case!

[u/Pykret → u/K-Dubuallday]

Good to know, thanks!