The Garmin with FM traffic updater still adds functionality the latest is during road construction when traffic goes down to 2 lanes it tells you how much further until it is back to normal, 12 miles, etc. Mn. has 2 seasons road construction and winter so it is handy. And the the best way to get through places like Chicago although I will avoid it just like Atlanta, etc.
The chips were made by Eric Siegfried of Missoula, Montana originally OnX hunt, now including OnX offroad. He was at the Horse and Hunt Club Upland Gun Company shoot this summer as a sponsor
Was going to give him a hard time for discounting the chips but seeing how he runs a 8 hole dog box figured he isn't all bad. I won a subscription at the shoot but not going to install it. Like everyone he is moving to cloud based subscription. Not a fan of total phone convergence and there are better solutions and tools in the toolbox when you are in remote locations without cell service.
Been running a Garmin Alpha since they first came out with the dogs. I will not put a dog on the ground without the Alpha now. Especially in wolf country.
The Garmin Fenix pairs with the Alpha and dog collars don't have to look at the handheld and can locate the dogs at a glance
My Garmin gear isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Although my inreach mini died a wet death this summer finally and instead of replacing it with the same went with the Zolleo sat text system instead. Normally rent a sat phone for 6 weeks each fall but skipping this year $100 a week adds up over time. Fast.
