Garmin Alpha 10 Review

The Garmin Alpha 10 was introduced as a tracking and training device in the summer of 2021. When I first saw the Alpha 10, I wasn't sure how or when I would use it. I was already using an Alpha 200i and Alpha 100, and they were fulfilling every need I could imagine. However, once I had the Alpha 10 in my hand, I started to realize how sweet of a little package it was. Now, after using it for several months, I have become very attached to the Alpha 10 and find it useful in many applications. We have used it as a primary tracking and training unit, a vehicle-mounted unit, and a secondary or tertiary tracking unit for people in the hunting party.

The small form factor makes it extremely handy to carry and, surprisingly, you can use it to accomplish many of the same tasks that you can with the 200i and 100. I have come to trust it as a primary tracking device, and now I believe the Alpha 10 is probably the simplest, most cost-effective tracking and training device Garmin offers.

Tracking

The Garmin Alpha 10 will track up to 20 contacts with directional tracking. Contacts can be either collars or other GPS units. “Directional tracking” means that for each contact, it will give you a direction arrow and distance to the contact. It will update every 2.5 seconds and show no status while the contact is moving. Once a dog wearing a collar goes on point or has treed, the status will appear, alerting the handler and providing distance and direction to the dog. The Alpha 10 can track TT15, TT10, or T5 collars, as well as the Alpha 200i and 100.

What the Alpha 10 provides is a tracking device that allows you to track your dogs or companions. There is no map on the Alpha 10, and even if there were, the screen is only 1.8” diagonal, so viewing a map would be extremely challenging. However, if you download the Garmin Explore app, you can view real-time tracking information on a topographic map via your smartphone.

Once you have the Alpha 10, you can pair the device to tablets, Garmin DriveTrack, Garmin Tread, Garmin Fenix Watch, or your smartphone using the Garmin Explore App. It works very well as a primary tracking device for those tracking one or a few dogs and/or need a cost-effective GPS that will pair with a Garmin Fenix watch. It works exceptionally well when coupled with one of the above devices and mounted in a vehicle. The Alpha 10 takes up little room and provides an affordable tracker that can be left attached to your vehicle.

Training

Training on the Garmin Alpha 10 is not as sophisticated as the 200i or 100. However, each dog collar stored on the Alpha 10 can be controlled by either tone, vibration, momentary, or continuous stimulation. This is accomplished by using the toggle switch on the front of the GPS to select a dog, then by pushing the stimulation button on the side of the unit. You can preset what stimulation you want each dog to receive, but changing it will take more effort than using the preprogrammed buttons on the other models. Controlling one or two dogs with the Alpha 10 would be very easy, but if you need to control a large number, the Alpha 200i or 100 would be a better choice.

I see the Alpha 10 as a great option for bird hunters, houndsmen who are hunting only a few dogs, or dogs that do not need frequent correction. Rarely do I have to correct my dogs with anything but a tone, so I preset all my dogs to the tone setting. By doing this, I can tone all my dogs quickly. The Alpha 10 is not as advanced as the other models, but it will perform all of the same stimulations.

Contacts

Storing other handheld GPS units as contacts allows you to track them simultaneously as you track your dogs. It will provide directional tracking of other handhelds in your hunting party, but does not provide a status for contacts as shown with the collars you are tracking. Contacts will update every 2.5 seconds just like collars and you will always know the location of your hunting partner. Also, by pairing the Alpha 10 with 200i or 100 models, you can send simple messages between each other to communicate.

I love using the Alpha 10 as a secondary or tertiary tracker. While I carry my 200i or 100, my hunting companion can carry the Alpha 10 and always find the dogs or me if we become separated during the hunt. By disabling the training on the Alpha 10, your hunting partner can track you and the dogs without having the ability to accidentally stimulate one of the dogs. This is amazing when taking a beginner or child hunting. The simplicity of the Alpha 10 makes it very easy for new hunters or children to have info about the hunt at their fingertips.

Conclusion

After using the Alpha 10 for a few months, I have to say that it has earned my confidence. It may be small but it still performs precise, up-to-speed GPS tracking. I still prefer the Alpha 200i or 100 as my primary tracking and training device. However, I feel confident that I can accurately track and control my dogs with the smaller unit, especially if paired with a DriveTrack or Tread in the vehicle. Honestly, it is quite simple to use and follow.

It also works exceptionally well as a secondary tracker for hunting companions and children. In the future, I can see my children carrying Alpha 10s on our hunting trips. Not only will they enjoy having their own GPS to follow the dogs, but we will also be able to track each other should we become separated.
I can see the benefit of carrying a pair of Alpha 10s while hunting big game. Imagine the safety and peace of mind it would give you to always know where your child or companion is while you are out hunting… The Alpha 10 also lets you mark the truck when you depart and will store it as a contact until you end the hunt. So, at any time you, your child, or your companion can know the exact distance and direction to each other and the vehicle.

Overall the Alpha 10 is a simple, cost-effective tracking and training device that will perform well as a stand-alone unit. When coupled with a smartphone, Garmin DriveTrack, or Garmin Tread it becomes an outstanding tool to have permanently fixed in your vehicle. The internal lithium-ion battery seems to last forever. It is rated for 40 hours, and I believe it would last multiple days of hunting without needing a charge.

When I first started hunting hounds I used a telemetry system to recover my dogs. I wish I could go back and start over with an Alpha 10 and a TT15 collar; it would have saved me so much time and effort. I think many hunters will find they like the simplicity of directional tracking during most hunting situations. Good things come in small packages, and this one with a small price tag to match.

Features

• Tracks 20 dogs or contacts
• Simple directional tracking
• Compact size - (2.3"x 4.8"x 1.1")
• Weight 5.6 ounces
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
• Tone, Vibrate, Momentary, Continuous stimulation
• Pairs with Alpha and Astro handhelds or Fenix watch
• Pairs with Garmin Drivetrack or Tread
• Pair smartphone via Garmin Explore app
• Cost friendly: $399.99 Buy now on Amazon