Step By Step Help Page Garmin Alpha LTE Collar

Does the Alpha LTE require a monthly subscription?

Yes — the Garmin Alpha LTE requires a cellular subscription to use its LTE tracking features. The subscription enables the collar to send real-time location data through the Garmin Alpha app whenever LTE coverage is available.

Key points:

• The Alpha LTE operates only in LTE mode — it does not include VHF tracking like the TT25 or T20 collars.
• Without an LTE subscription, the collar cannot transmit tracking data to your app or handheld.
• Subscription plans are managed directly in the Garmin Alpha app. The cost is $50 per collar, per year.

Does the Alpha LTE work with the Alpha handhelds?

Yes — the Alpha LTE can work with Garmin Alpha handhelds, but only if it is paired with a VHF collar such as the TT25 or TT15.

When paired together:

• The collars act as a single unit, combining both LTE and VHF capabilities.
• The system will automatically use whichever signal (LTE or VHF) is stronger to update the dog’s location.
• On an Alpha handheld (200, 200i, 200+, 300, or 300i), you’ll see the location of both the LTE and VHF collars.
• If the LTE and VHF collars leave Bluetooth range of each other, LTE tracking will stop displaying on the handheld and revert to VHF-only tracking.
• However, you will still be able to track the LTE collar through the Garmin Alpha app, even though it no longer shows on the handheld.

Can you use the Garmin Alpha LTE in areas with little to no service?

It is not recommended to rely on the Alpha LTE in areas with poor or no cellular coverage. The Alpha LTE requires an LTE signal to send location updates. If the device does not have LTE service, it will not be able to transmit your dog’s location to the Alpha app or handheld.

For hunters in rural or remote areas where cell service is often spotty or unavailable, Garmin’s VHF-based collars (like the TT25 or T20) are the better choice since they do not depend on cellular networks.

👉 Bottom line: the Alpha LTE works best in areas with consistent LTE coverage

What is the difference between the Alpha LTE and standard Garmin VHF Alpha collars (TT25, TT15, TT15X, TT15 Mini, T20, T5, T5X, T5 Mini, etc.)?

The main difference is how the collars track and what’s required to use them:

Alpha LTE

• Uses cellular LTE only to send location updates.
• Requires a $50 per year subscription per collar.
• Tracks through the Garmin Alpha app on your smartphone.
• Can work with Alpha handhelds only when paired with a VHF collar (like TT25 or TT15).
• Nationwide range — as long as both the collar and your phone have LTE service, you can track your dog from anywhere in the country.
• Not recommended in areas with little or no LTE service, since no location updates can be sent without coverage.

Standard VHF Collars (TT25, TT15 series, T20, T5 series)

• Communicate directly with Alpha handhelds using radio-based VHF signals.
• No subscription fees — once purchased, there are no ongoing costs.
• Require a compatible handheld (Alpha 200, 200i, 200+, 300, 300i, 100, or 10) in order to function.
• Effective within the handheld’s VHF range (generally 4–9 miles, depending on terrain).
• Some models include training features (TT series), while others are tracking-only (T5/T20).
• Higher upfront cost, since you must buy both the collar and handheld, but no recurring fees after that.

👉 Bottom line:

• 
  Alpha LTE – Lower upfront cost (no handheld required), but ongoing subscription fee; best in areas with strong LTE coverage.
  
• 
  VHF Collars – Higher upfront cost (must have handheld), but no subscription fees; best for rural or no-service areas where LTE is unreliable.

The Garmin Alpha® LTE tracker weighs just 1.8 oz (≈ 51 g) and measures 2.75" × 1.4" × 1.2". It slides securely onto a 1-inch collar strap, but it can also be used with 3/4-inch straps, making it a flexible option for smaller collars.

This unit is recommended for dogs weighing 10 pounds or more. Its lightweight design makes it perfect not only for hunting and sporting dogs but also for pet owners with small dogs and homeowners who want reliable GPS tracking for peace of mind. Whether you’re running hounds in the field or keeping tabs on a small family pet, the Alpha® LTE is a dependable and comfortable fit.

How to Charge the Alpha® LTE Collar Device

1. Get the Garmin charging clip that came with your Alpha® LTE.

2. Align the charging contacts on the clip with the metal contacts on the bottom of the Alpha® LTE device.

3. Clip the charger firmly in place.

• You should feel it snap or hold securely onto the charging spot.

4. Plug the USB end of the cable into a wall adapter, computer, or portable power pack.

5. Check the status LED.

• While charging, the LED will light up to show the battery is charging.
• Once charging is complete, the LED will change (usually to solid green or turn off, depending on the model).

6. Remove the clip when charging is finished and the device is ready to use.

Charging Tip: Use a Garmin-approved wall adapter or high-output USB power source for faster charging. A full charge typically takes a few hours.

The Alpha® LTE collar has a rechargeable battery that lasts different amounts of time depending on how often it updates location:

• Fast updates (every 10 seconds): up to about 11–12 hours
  
• Dynamic update rate (varies by movement): up to about 18–40 hours
  
• Slower updates (every 2 minutes): up to about 45–75 hours
  

Battery life is longer when the Alpha LTE is paired with a Garmin VHF collar compared to when it’s used on its own.

You can also turn on Rescue Mode when the battery drops low. This slows the update rate to 2 minutes and helps extend the remaining battery life.

The indicator lights on the LTE device provide quick, visual feedback about its current status. A flashing red light means that the device does not have an LTE connection, signaling that it is unable to communicate over the cellular network. When the light flashes green, it shows that the device has successfully connected to LTE, ensuring a stable communication link. A flashing blue light indicates that the device is not only connected to LTE but is also paired with a compatible VHF dog collar, confirming that both the cellular and tracking functions are active. This color system makes it easy to understand the device’s connectivity and pairing status at a glance.

The Garmin Alpha LTE collar weighs just 50.8 grams, which is about 1.79 ounces. Its featherlight design ensures your dog can move with ease and comfort while you enjoy reliable tracking and connectivity.

How to Power On Your Alpha LTE

To turn on your Alpha LTE, press and hold the power button until the indicator light begins flashing. The light will cycle through colors to show status, and once it stabilizes, your device is fully powered on and ready for use.

How to Power Off Your Alpha LTE

To turn off the unit, press and hold the power button again until the indicator light turns off completely. Release the button once the light is gone, confirming the device has powered down.

How to Turn On and Change the Lights on Your LTE Collar

Through the Garmin Alpha app, click on the collar you want to adjust. From there, go to Device Settings and select Beacon Color to change the light color. If you’d like to turn the lights on or off, choose Blink Mode. This makes it quick and easy to customize your dog’s collar lights for visibility and safety.

How to Update Your Alpha LTE Collar

Keeping your LTE collar updated ensures it has the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Updates are managed through the Garmin Alpha app, and the process is simple:

1. Open the Garmin Alpha app on your smartphone.
   
2. Make sure your LTE collar is powered on and connected to the app.
   
3. Tap on the collar you want to update.
   
4. Go to Device Settings.
   
5. If an update is available, you’ll see a notification or Update option. Select it to begin.
   
6. Keep your phone close to the collar during the update and do not power off either device until the process is complete.
   

Once finished, your LTE collar will restart automatically with the latest software installed.

How to Pair an Alpha® LTE with a Garmin VHF Collar (TT25, T20, TT15x, T5x, TT15, T5)

1. Download and open the Garmin Alpha® app on your phone.

• When opening the app for the first time, you’ll need to log in with your Garmin account or create a new one using your email and a password.
  
• If you already use a Garmin app (such as Garmin Explore), you can log in with the same account.
  

2. Turn on the Alpha® LTE collar device.

• Press and hold the power button until it turns on.
  

3. Add the Alpha® LTE collar to the Garmin Alpha® app.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the LTE collar in the app.
• 
  You’ll also be prompted to activate LTE service during this setup process.

4. Turn on your VHF collar (TT25, T20, TT15x, T5x, TT15, or T5).

• Hold the power button until the collar powers on and the LED light is visible.

5. Put both devices into pairing mode.

• On the Alpha LTE collar, press and hold the power button until the status LED turns blue.
• 
  On the VHF collar, press and hold the power button until the LED flashes blue.

6. Pair the collars together in the Garmin Alpha® app.

• The app will detect both collars. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing.

7. Connection complete.

• Once paired, the Alpha® LTE and VHF collar will automatically reconnect whenever they are powered on and within Bluetooth® range.

Pairing and Activating the Alpha® LTE Dog Collar

1. Turn on the Alpha LTE collar device.
2. Make sure your compatible phone is within 10 m (33 ft.) of the collar.
3. Download and open the Garmin Alpha® app from your phone’s app store.

• When you open the app for the first time, you’ll be prompted to create a Garmin account using your email and a password.
• If you already have a Garmin account from another Garmin app, you can simply sign in with the same login details.

4. On the collar, press and hold the power button until the status LED turns blue. This means the device is in pairing mode.

5. In the Garmin Alpha® app, follow the on-screen instructions to complete pairing.

6. Continue following the app prompts to activate LTE service.