Garmin Astro 320 VS TabCat

UPDATED Mar. 2024
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While both TabCat and Garmin Astro 320 can help prevent your pet from becoming lost, they are not equally well-suited for pets of all shapes, sizes, preferences, and habits. Explore our thorough TabCat vs. Garmin Astro 320 comparison to discover how well each of these two pet trackers fits the unique needs of your best pal and which one is just right for him or her.

TabCat
Pet tracker for adventurous cats
VS
Garmin Astro 320
Exceptionally Advanced GPS Dog Tracker

Highlights

TabCat
TabCat is the smallest and lightest RF-based pet tracker launched by Loc8tor Limited. Apart from impressive accuracy and world coverage, it also allows cat owners to train their pets to come home on their own.
  • Compact design with lightweight and convenient homing pet tags
  • Proprietary Directional Technology with light & sound indicators
  • Easy-to-use and intuitive interface/accuracy within 2.5cm/1 inch
  • Price: $99.99
  • Shipping: $
Garmin Astro 320
Garmin Astro 320 is an advanced GPS dog tracker that offers more useful features than virtually any pet tracker available. It is highly accurate, fast, and most importantly, perfectly reliable.
  • Accurate within 12 feet, location updated every 5 seconds
  • Communication range of up to 9 miles in open, flat spaces
  • Incredible range of advanced and special tracking features
  • Price: $449.99
  • Shipping: $$5 to $28 *
*Shipping does not come free of charge and significantly varies depending on location

Compare Features

TabCat
Highlights
TabCat is one of the most compact pet trackers on the market. It does not incur any monthly fees, it features worldwide coverage, and it sports a communication range of up to 400 feet with a 1-inch accuracy. The battery can last between 7 and 12 months, depending on usage.
Type
Radio-Frequency-Based Pet Tracker
Design
TabCat features a headset and two pet tags you can attach to your cat’s harness or collar. The locator itself is very compact (approximately the size of a regular credit card) and comes with an ON-OFF button, 4 location buttons, a volume rocker, and 8 directional lights. The pet tags are small disc-shaped devices equipped with their own speaker and LED light. They measure 1.2’’ x 0.8’’ x 0.3’’ (HWD) and weigh only 0.2 ounces.
Available Sizes
TabCat is a one-size-fits-all pet tracker.
Suitable For Cats
Durability
TabCat pet tags do not boast extreme durability, but the provided tag cases grant them a certain level of resistance against splashes and physical trauma. If your pet manages to compromise the structural integrity of the case, you can order a replacement on the official TabCat website. With this in mind, your device can technically last for years, as long as you keep the tags protected.
Key Tracking Features
TabCat features only one search algorithm, based on audio and visual cues that intensify as you approach your pet.
Pet Activity Monitoring
TabCat does not monitor pet activity
Training Assistance
TabCat pet tags feature integrated speakers that can be activated remotely using the main headset. You can train your cat to recognize these sounds and start heading home whenever he or she hears them.
Additional Features
TabCat does not offer any extra features
Communication Range
400 feet
Weight
Around 0.2 ounces
Shockproof
Waterproof
Night Mode
Battery Life
7-12 months (disposable)
Smartphone App
TabCat does not feature a phone app
Connectivity
TabCat pet tracker uses RF-based technology to communicate with up to 4 pet tags at the same time.
Coverage
TabCat provides worldwide coverage
Pricing
- TabCat Pack - $99.99; - Replacement headset - $59.99; - Replacement tag - $29.99.
Shipping and Delivery
TabCat pet tracker comes with free 2-day shipping within the US, but you can also opt for USA overnight shipping ($24.99). Worldwide shipping is available with varying shipping fees.
Refund Policy
TabCat pet tracker comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Warranty
TabCat pet tracker comes with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty against any defects in material and/or craftsmanship.
Garmin Astro 320
Highlights
Garmin Astro 320 is a fee-free premium GPS dog tracking system that boasts a communication range of up to 9 miles, offers 5-second location updates and high accuracy, works in every part of the US, and provides an abundance of special tracking features.
Type
GPS Pet Tracker
Design
Garmin Astro 320 bundle includes the Garmin Astro 320 handheld locator and the T5 or T5 mini tracking unit with a collar included. The black-orange handheld locator measures 6.3’’ x 2.4’’ x 1.4’’ (HWD). It possesses a transreflective 65-K color TFT display that measures 2.15’’ x 1.42’’ (2.6’’ diagonal), with a resolution of 160 x 240 pixels. It features a stainless steel radio antenna and a top-mounted GPS antenna, with both standard and long-range antennas included in the package. The T5 and T5 mini tracking units come with orange collar straps. The T5 tracking unit measures 1.74’’ x 3.5’’ x 1.85’’ (HWD) and comes with a 1’’ collar strap. The T5 mini measures 1.8’’ x 3.1’’ x 1.4’’ (HWD) and comes with a 0.75'' collar strap. Both tracking units come with GPS and radio antennas, but only T5 comes with both standard and long-range antennas.
Available Sizes
The Garmin Astro 320 handheld locator only comes in 1 size. The tracking units come in 2 sizes, including T5, which comes with a 1'' collar strap, and T5 mini, which comes with a 0.75'' collar strap. The 1'' strap fits neck circumferences of 9.5'' and more while the 0.75'' strap can be suitable for neck circumferences under 9.5''.
Suitable For Cats
Durability
All elements of Garmin Astro 320 are waterproof, resistant to dust and dirt, and made of strong materials. The system does not have a limited lifespan and may last for many years with proper use.
Key Tracking Features
Garmin Astro 320 offers a vast range of tracking features, including:
  • Near-real-time tracking with location updates every 5 seconds, accuracy within 12 feet, and 10,000 points of information per dog;
  • Customizable dog display, showing the dog’s name, direction, distance, and status along with a map;
  • Advanced mapping, with multiple map options, including BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, TOPO maps, City Navigator NT map data for turn-by-turn routing on roads, and custom maps;
  • Trip planning with BaseCamp, which lets you easily organize maps, waypoints, routes, and tracks and create adventures that can be shared with friends;
  • Different tracking profiles, such as hunting, recreational, automotive, marine, geocaching, and fitness;
  • Tracking via computer, using BaseStation software;
  • 3-axis electronic compass;
  • Multiple dashboards available on any page for added functionality.
Pet Activity Monitoring
Garmin Astro 320 does not provide health and activity monitoring features.
Training Assistance
Garmin Astro 320 does not provide training assistance.
Additional Features
Extra features available with Garmin Astro 320 include:
  • Wireless sharing with compatible devices;
  • Rescue mode, which reduces the location update rate when the battery level drops below 25% in order to extend battery life by 4-8 hours;
  • Convey counter, which allows you to create special waypoints with information on the location, time of day, and elevation where the dog found the prey, alongside other waypoints including locations like truck, lodge, food plots, and tree stands;
  • Calendar for keeping track of your adventures;
  • Hunt and fish calendar;
  • Sun and moon information.
Communication Range
4 miles with T5 mini, 9 miles with T5
Weight
T5 mini: 7 oz. with collar; T5: 9.3 oz. with collar
Shockproof
Waterproof
Night Mode
Battery Life
16-40 hours
Smartphone App
Garmin Astro 320 does not come with a smartphone app.
Connectivity
Garmin Astro 320 uses GPS to determine the dog's location and employs radio frequency signals for communication between the handheld locator and the tracking unit.
Coverage
Garmin Astro 320 is only approved for use in the US due to legal regulations. Regulations aside, it could work anywhere as it is independent of cellular networks.
Pricing
Bundle (locator and tracking unit): $599.99; Handheld locator only: $449.99
Shipping and Delivery
The shipping costs within the US range from $5 to $28 per delivery. International shipping is an option, with varying costs, but the device cannot be used outside the US.
Refund Policy
Garmin Astro 320 comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You need to return the device in the original condition within 30 days of purchase in order to receive a refund.
Warranty
Garmin Astro 320 comes with a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. Repairs come with a 90-day warranty.

Compare Ratings

TabCat
FINAL RATING
8.8/10
Range
Accuracy
Features
Design
App
Pricing
Garmin Astro 320
FINAL RATING
9.5/10
Range
Accuracy
Features
Design
App
Pricing

Compare User Reviews

TabCat
  • Submitted By Alison Page on 08/20/2019
    It’s ok if you don’t live in an area surrounded by tall buildings. I had to walk a couple of blocks at a time just to pick up a signal.
  • Submitted By Peta Roberts on 03/08/2019
    It works fine and it helped me find my little runaway on more than one occasion. The constant beeping though starts to drive you crazy after a while.
Garmin Astro 320
  • Submitted By Vincent Hunt on 11/15/2018
    My two dogs simply love roaming around my 50-acre farm as well as the surrounding area and Astro 320 tracks them over the whole property without a hitch. Now, I can simply press the button on the device attached to the collar and let them run to their heart’s content.
  • Submitted By Madison Spencer on 10/17/2018
    I’m a passionate hunter and just had to buy this tracker once I saw my friend using the 220. It’s really easy to track my dogs now even when we’re in a wooded area. However it doesn’t work for me when I plug it into my car and it charges very slowly when not connected to the power socket in my house.
  • Submitted By Tim Owens on 06/22/2018
    Much, much better than Astro 220, the maps are awesome, it may be expensive but any hunter can tell you that it's more than worth the cash.
  • Submitted By Rob Walker on 04/12/2018
    Impossible to list all the reasons why Astro 320 is the best dog tracker I've ever used, you simply have to try it yourself. I first tried my pal's Astro and I was just blown away, ordered it the same day, been using it for more than half a year, not a single glitch and I'm loving it more every time I use it.

Winner

Garmin Astro 320 is one of the most impressive GPS dog tracking systems currently on the market. Everything from its high accuracy and location update frequency to its amazing set of special features promises to take dog tracking to a whole new level. Read our Garmin Astro 320 review and discover whether this advanced tracker is worth splurging on.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.
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