Fi vs. Garmin Alpha
Fi Series 3+, Fi Mini and Fi Ultra compared with the Garmin Alpha 300 + TT 25. Garmin figures checked 2026-08-10 against Garmin’s published specifications.
The short answer
The Alpha 300 with a TT 25 is a VHF radio system for sporting dogs: tracking runs over radio to a handheld you have to carry, within about 9 miles (14.5 km) of it. Fi tracks from the phone you already own, with no distance limit wherever there is coverage, and Fi Ultra adds T-Satellite powered by Starlink in the United States for ground with no cellular at all. The Alpha system is $1,099.98 against Fi’s $189 first year.
Specifications side by side
Every figure below comes from the manufacturer’s own published specifications.
| Specification | Fi Series 3+ | Fi Mini | Fi Ultra | Garmin Alpha 300 + TT 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product type | GPS tracker and health monitor | GPS tracker and health monitor | Satellite-connected GPS tracker with recall | Handheld and collar radio tracking system for sporting dogs |
| How location is determined | Live GPS over international cellular connection | Live GPS over international cellular connection | Live GPS over cellular and T-Satellite powered by Starlink | GPS on the collar, relayed to a handheld over VHF radio — limited range. |
| Range | No distance limit wherever there is cellular coverage | No distance limit wherever there is cellular coverage | No distance limit; satellite where there is no cellular | Up to 9 miles (about 14.5 km) from the handheld |
| Works with no cellular coverage | No | No | Yes — T-Satellite powered by Starlink, United States only | Yes — VHF radio, 152–169 MHz, limited distance |
| Needs a handheld device | No — tracking is in the Fi app | No — tracking is in the Fi app | No — tracking is in the Fi app | Yes — the Alpha 300 handheld, and you have to carry it |
| Battery life | Up to 3 months | Up to 2 months | Up to 5 days | Up to 68 hours on the collar |
| Water resistance | IP68 / IP66K, salt-water tested | IP68, salt-water tested | IP68 / IP66K, salt-water tested | 1 ATM — equivalent to 10 m (33 ft) |
| Device weight | 47 g (1.66 oz) | 16 g (0.56 oz) | 69 g (2.43 oz) | Not Available |
| Subscription | Required | Required | Required | Not required for tracking |
| Cost, first year | $189 — one-year membership, device included | $189 — one-year membership, device included | $388 — $199 hardware kit plus a $189 one-year membership | $1,099.98 — $799.99 Alpha 300 handheld plus $299.99 T 20 collar; $1,149.98 with the TT 25 |
| Free trial | 30-day risk-free trial | 30-day risk-free trial | 30-day risk-free trial | Not Available |
| Health and behaviour | Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking detection; AI vet records | Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking detection; AI vet records | Smart vet records, walks and car rides | Detects whether the dog is moving, stopped or kennelled, to extend battery life |
| Containment | Unlimited geofences with 24/7 escape alerts | Unlimited geofences with 24/7 escape alerts | Geofences and escape alerts, plus Fi CallBack™ | Not Available |
| Feedback to the dog | None — Fi alerts the owner only | None — Fi alerts the owner only | Sound and vibration through Fi CallBack™ — no static shock | Static shock on the TT 25; the T 20 tracks only |
| Collar light | Multicolor LED Light | Not Available | Not Available | Multicolor LED beacon lights, controlled from the handheld |
Where Fi is stronger
No second device to carry
Tracking is in the Fi app on a phone you already own. The Alpha needs the handheld, and you have to have it with you.
No distance limit where there is coverage
Fi tracks over international cellular with no range ceiling. The Alpha is limited to about 9 miles (14.5 km) from the handheld, line-of-sight dependent.
A fraction of the cost
$189 for Fi’s first year against $1,099.98 — $799.99 for the handheld plus $299.99 for the TT 25 collar device.
Health and behaviour monitoring
Activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking, eating and drinking, with AI vet records. The Alpha reports whether the dog is moving, stopped or treeing.
Common questions
- Which costs less?
- Fi in the first year, by a wide margin: $189 for a Series 3+ or Fi Mini membership with the device included, against $1,099.98 for an Alpha 300 handheld plus a T 20 collar. But Garmin has no recurring cost and Fi does, so the gap closes over time — if you keep both for long enough, Garmin becomes the cheaper option. Work out how many years you are buying for before comparing the sticker prices.
- How far can each one track?
- Different limits, not different amounts. Garmin tracks up to 9 miles (about 14.5 km) from the handheld you are carrying, and stops working beyond that regardless of coverage. Fi has no distance limit at all wherever there is cellular service — you can be in another state. Which is better depends entirely on whether your dog goes missing near a cell tower or ten miles into the backcountry.
- Which has the better battery?
- Fi, on published figures — up to 3 months for Series 3+ and up to 2 months for Fi Mini, against up to 68 hours for the Garmin collar, or 136 hours with the extended battery pack. Fi Ultra is closer at up to 5 days. Garmin’s collar is built for multi-day hunts rather than to be left on permanently.
- Do I need to carry anything with the Garmin?
- Yes — the Alpha 300 handheld, which is a separate device sold separately, and tracking only works while you have it with you. Fi is tracked from the phone you already carry. For everyday use that is a meaningful difference; on a hunt, a dedicated handheld with a 3.5-inch screen is arguably the point.
- Does the Garmin track my dog’s health?
- No. It reports whether the dog is moving, stopped or kennelled, which Garmin uses to extend battery life, and the TT 25 adds training stimulation. Fi tracks activity, sleep, barking, scratching, licking and eating and drinking, and keeps AI vet records. These are tools for different jobs.
What Fi owners say
Worth every single penny I paid for them and then some!
Tommy’s Dog Dad
I’ve had every version of the Fi collar, and it just keeps getting better!
Lola’s Dog Mom
We’re loyal to him because he’s loyal to us and he’s a part of our family… there’s no other better technology available.
Poppy’s Dog Dad
Ready to choose?
Every Fi membership includes a 30-day risk-free trial.