Different displays for tracking the dog and orienteering

The Pointer Dog-GPS has several displays that can be used for tracking and finding the dog or some other target. Click on the images to enlarge.

The dog position display - with you get all you need

If you wish to see where the dog is, use this display. On the display the dog is shown in the center and the surroundings are shown on a map. This display comes up automatically every time the navigator receives the dog’s location information.

Apart from the known features in the dog position display, like the dog’s position, the dog’s course and speed, the condition of the transmitter’s battery, the direction and distance of the dog from the hunter, how old the position information is and the hunters own position, in the programme the direction and distance to the dog are updated in real time and so is the age of the position information. You will also see the way points that you have saved as well as the other dogs you are following. A line is automatically drawn between the positions of the dog which makes it even easier to estimate the dogs movement.

Now that the , behind one single quick button, also has GPS adjustment, environment selection and keypad lock as well as the request again for the dogs position through another quick button, you don’t really need any other screens. You can follow the dog and make all the necessary observations without leaving this screen.

As a new feature you can also send the dog’s position in the coordinate format that you want, for instance as a KKJ, in a normal text message to a friend of yours.

The arrow display (Guide)

The arrow display shows a directional arrow pointed towards the target you wish to find and the distance to it, e.g. the dog, your car etc. You can easily set the dog or any other waypoint or point on the map as the next target, in which case the arrow points towards it. The arrow display also shows the points of the compass. The display only functions while in motion. However, since the GPS of the navigator is very sensitive, in normal conditions a movement of just a few meters will be enough. The arrow display can be very useful for instance while driving a car. Because the arrow display, in order to work, requires that the Map-GPS’ GPS receiver is turned on, we made a new setting so that the GPS automatically will be turned on when you go to the arrow display.

Getting the position of the dog by pressing the button works as well in this screen.

The map display

In the map display is shown a map with the hunter at its center. When you’re moving in the terrain the map automatically moves to the correct location. You can easily zoom out from the most accurate topographical map, which shows all the features of the terrain, all the way to the world map. You can move the map sideways as well. On the display, you will always see the direction you are moving in and the direction and distance to the target you have chosen, whether it is the dog or for instance the car. You can also move the sight on the map. This way you can for example find the nearest road and set it as the target. After, the GPS will guide you to the road and show the exact distance from it. The device functions equally well regardless of darkness, fog or snow.

The position display

This display is not necessary for positioning the dog. Even so it contains useful information.

Especially useful for the hunter are the times for sunrise and sunset, as well as dawn and twilight for the hunting day at the hunting location. Twilight means in practice that it is dark enough to make shooting difficult. You can easily see how much time is left and plan the hunt accordingly. Similarly the times for morning and evening flights are easy to estimate. In the calendar of the navigator the dawn and twilight for each day is shown at the location that has been determined. This makes planning for the entire hunting season much easier.

The height measured from sea level and coordinates in the preferred format are also shown.

Getting the position of the dog by pressing the button works as well in this screen.

Movement display

The movement display is also not necessary for tracking the dog, although some of the information shown is useful for orienteering. For instance, if you start towards your car from 5 kilometers away at twilight, the navigator estimates how long the trip will take. From the position display you can see when it will get dark, and so you can estimate whether you will make it before dark and speed up if necessary. You can also use the navigators speedometer to check the accuracy of the speedometer of your car or measure the distance you have travelled during the day.