# Dogtra Pathfinder — user reviews > 75 indexed App Store user reviews of Dogtra Pathfinder by DOGTRA CO., rated 3.90/5 from 155 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dogtra-pathfinder/id1167878156/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dogtra-pathfinder/id1167878156.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 65 · 4★ 46 · 3★ 22 · 2★ 9 · 1★ 13 ## What do users think of Dogtra Pathfinder? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🗺️ Excellent map quality and features - 💰 Great value compared to competitors like Garmin - 📍 Reliable GPS tracking functionality - 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface - ⏱️ Long battery life on collar and receiver - 🔄 Ability to share system with multiple users - 📊 Track history and distance tracking - ⌚ Apple Watch app integration available - 🎯 Effective geofencing capabilities - 🛠️ Good customer service (mentioned by some users) **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent connection and pairing issues - ⏱️ Slow pairing/syncing between devices - 📱 Requires phone touchscreen (inconvenient with gloves) - 🔄 Devices frequently disconnect unexpectedly - ⚫ App crashes and screen blanking issues - 📦 Lacks iOS 18 compatibility and outdated support - ⚠️ Unreliable GPS accuracy in some cases - 🔌 Poor Bluetooth connectivity at expected ranges - 💛 Intrusive yellow banner ads for trade-in offers - ⌚ Apple Watch app still requires phone presence - 🔧 Complicated pairing process and unclear instructions - 📵 Notifications only work when app is actively viewed **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes frequently, especially when downloading offline maps - Screen goes black and becomes unresponsive for 1-2 minutes - Pairing takes up to 15 minutes or fails randomly - Collar and receiver lose sync every few days - GPS shows incorrect location (e.g., 0.64 miles away when dog is home) - Connection drops at ranges that should be supported - App stops tracking user position mid-track - Apple Watch app logo displays as dashed lines after updates - Watch app stops working after iOS updates - Notifications for point/bark/treed alerts unreliable - Geofence alerts only work when app is actively viewed - App forgets paired devices after updates - Long connection time between app and receiver - Weird error messages appearing repeatedly - Audio alert for 'dog pointing' no longer works - Custom map imports fail randomly (1 in 10 times) - Flashing and connection failures when opening app - Receiver not recognized after app updates **Most requested features** - Physical hard buttons for tone and stimulation (volume buttons) - Full Apple Watch app with tone/stim controls without phone - Automatic tone/stimulation when dog exits geofence - Apple CarPlay compatibility - Vibration option for collar feedback - Offline map support with pixel zoom capability - Property boundary layers (OnX integration) - Average speed display instead of just current speed - Screen rotation/flip capability for landscape mode - Better export options (Gmail, KML/KMZ formats) - Ability to pause/stop track recording - Proximity alerts when dog moves away while handler is moving - Better track marker management and removal - Improved color contrast for text and numbers on screen - Vibrate option on collar in addition to tone - Quick access to tone/stim while viewing map - Automatic geofence tone on collar itself ## Newest reviews (12 of 75) ### 3/5 — Love app but still has an issue *2023-09-13, version 1.4.20* I love I can now use the Pathfinder with a watch! But a couple of issues. One it will tell me to start the app on my phone when it is already running, will connect, and then go back and forth between being connected and not. Didn’t use to do that, must have been an update somewhere. Second, it seems like it times out and closes. That is really inconvenient. ### 3/5 — Having trouble with connecting *2023-04-22, version 1.4.19* It’s a cool app and works really well, the only problem I have is that it takes soooooo long to connect to my phone,long enough to where I’ve lost interest on going out. I don’t know if maybe it a problem with my phone or what but it is pretty annoying. Other that that or a pretty cool thing:) ### 4/5 — Unstable *2022-01-31, version 1.4.17* I love the product withe a few pet-peeves; I loose my history every month with the updates, I have to repair after each update because the e collar function goes away and lastly my application does look remotely like what is advertised. I don’t see the collars on the compass just in the map. I would like to recommend a short cut option for stim on the ecollar. There have been times to needed to stim quickly and then lost the opportunity because I had to switch screens. I am on a K9 SAR Team. The history is a great way to show previous searches and coverage. Wish there was a back up option. Thanks! I do love the product don’t want to change. Just have a wish list. ### 4/5 — Works well functionally *2022-01-19, version 1.4.17* Works reliably and haven’t had any issues. Only complaint I have is that sometimes I can’t remove the markers from the map. One feature suggestion is the ability to map the physical volume buttons to tone and shock, I live in cold climate and it’s inconvenient to use phone outdoor with gloves on. ### 5/5 — Great system for me. *2021-11-08, version 1.4.16* I have used the pathfinder mini for over a year now. I love it never had an issue. It has always worked as it should. ### 4/5 — Great tracking system *2021-11-08, version 1.4.16* I run sport beagles and use the Dogtra Pathfinder Mini system with this app and it works amazing. The simplicity of this app makes this system better than any other track and train system available. ### 4/5 — Good gps *2021-11-08, version 1.4.16* Like the ability to track my dogs from my phone. ### 5/5 — Awesome product *2021-11-07, version 1.4.16* This is by far the best track and train system on the market. Best value over any other system. Crystal clear images ### 5/5 — Piece of Mind… *2021-11-06, version 1.4.16* I started running the Pathfinder Mini 2 years ago on my hard hunting beagle Lucy and my cur Champ. For me getting into running dogs without really any mentor a collar system was a must. I needed something that got the job done but wasn’t complicated. The Dogtra App delivered and I’ve since added more beagles and run 4 collars. We now run big ground twice a week without a lot of roads and the Pathfinder App gives me real piece of mind when I’ve got em on the ground. One of the smartest hound related purchases I’ve made. ### 4/5 — Dogtra Pathfinder *2021-11-05, version 1.4.16* I have had my Pathfinder for 2 years now and couldn’t be more pleased with the system. Have 5 collars and the app makes it super easy to connect to the system and super easy to use. I like how the app is really simple and easy to use, I have let first time people use mine while out running and they can easily use it and have purchased their own. I love the fact that you can share collars and location of each user, makes it much safer when we spread out on rabbits hunts. The maps are great and keep them up to date. There are sometimes some glitches in the app just like in any app on the market, Dogtra does a great job with the app and keeping up with it. ### 5/5 — Pathfinder *2021-10-28, version 1.4.16* I have the full size and mini collars and absolutely love them also they have great customer service. ### 5/5 — Dogtra *2021-10-28, version 1.4.16* Love my dogtra pathfinder mini only thing I wish is that it had a average speed instead of current speed. The maps are 10 times better than garmin in my opinion. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Pushing trade in ads *2025-06-18, version 1.4.23* I’ve been happy with this product and app until they began pushing ads to trade in with no option to disable it. The banner takes up display space and is annoying. ### 1/5 — Banner *2025-05-16, version 1.4.23* The upgrade bright yellow banner is bothersome. ### 1/5 — CarPlay *2024-02-08, version 1.4.20* Need to make it apple carplay compatible ### 1/5 — Liked at first *2023-06-17, version 1.4.20* This is an expensive device for the app to not work all the time. It worked great when I first used it the last two years. Lately the apps been flashing when opened and won’t connect my collar. Don’t waste your money get a Garmin. ### 1/5 — Dogtra pathfinder mini *2022-04-14, version 1.4.18* Complete joke, has a complete mind of its own. I just had my dog hooked up. She is currently in my house and the gps is .64 miles and going straight away. Very unreliable and in my opinion complete junk. I suggest anyone that reads this. Return it and spend a little more for better quality, I wish I did. ### 1/5 — Cant connect *2021-11-13, version 1.4.16* Tried many times to pair with phone. Only seems to pair when it wants to. Not user friendly. Tried calling tech support of course closed on weekends when most hunters are out trying to hunt. Definitely will be returning and looking into another brand ### 2/5 — Version Updates? *2024-10-21* I just reviewed the version history and the last update available addressed compatibility for iOS 9 through 12. There hasn’t been an update in over a year and my phone operates on iOS 18. Are there any new versions for my Dogtra system that will be available soon? My audio alert for “dog pointing” no longer works. I just purchased this system 3 years ago with 2 collars for $600+. I would hope the company will offer support for longer than 3 years on an investment of this scale. **Developer response:** Hello, we would love to assist in trying to get this resolved for you. Please reach out to our support specialist M-F 8am-4:30pm PT 1-888-811-9111. ### 2/5 — Needs updating *2024-06-28, version 1.4.20* While it works ok there’s a long connection time and some weird error keeps popping up. This app hasn’t been updated in a year or longer. Will probably be seeking an alternative soon ### 2/5 — Extremely disappointing product *2021-08-23, version 1.4.16* Bought this system 6 months ago and it’s been immensely frustrating. The collar just doesn’t consistently connect and I’m really worried about using it this year for hunting. I will spend days trying to pair it with no success. I’ll walk outside and try, uninstall and reinstall the app, try and find answers online but to no avail. I know it works because sometime it will just randomly connect. Then to make it worse I called customer support to see if there were any tips or tricks and they were extremely unhelpful, telling me to maybe go outside. Wish I could just return it at this point and get a Garmin. ### 2/5 — Careful installing new Apple Watch update! *2021-04-29, version 1.4.16* If you rely on this system every day, do NOT install the Apple Watch update yet! Last night the app worked perfectly fine. I updated it, and now it does not recognize the receiver. It’s like the update made the app forget the receiver and collars and now won’t let me pair them back. The app settings say it is paired, but I get a prompt saying I need to pair a device. Or a prompt saying there is no Bluetooth connection. I rely on the dogtra system to keep one dog from running away and/or attacking livestock and another dog from wandering off. EDIT: After two hours, it’s working again. I don’t know what happened. I might need to buy a new receiver if if was not the app itself. I think it will be expensive, though. I don’t know what’s wrong with it. I can track one dog but randomly stop tracking the other. I hope it is just this receiver and not a common dogtra issue. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Only 3 reviews? *2023-10-23, version 1.4.20* I Find frustrating an odd that there’s only three reviews. This is supposed to be an amazing dog collar, and the only way to use it is with the app, but where are all reviews of the people using it? ### 5/5 — Good App *2023-04-14, version 1.4.19* Really easy to use! ### 5/5 — Great for our purpose *2023-03-24, version 1.4.19* I’ve been using a Pathfinder collar since 2017 as a tracker for our dogs while they hang out on our 2 acre property. We live in a rural area and have no fence. Using this collar I can keep track of the dogs and am alerted if they leave the geofence which we set to match our property boundary. We also use it while hiking and visiting other locations. At home we use the app on an IPad Mini 2 for the larger screen size. Unfortunately this week the app stopped working on the iPad after the most recent iOS update. Will there be an associated update to the Pathfinder app? ### 5/5 — great app *2023-01-22, version 1.4.18* I have one dog, and this system is fabulous... never had a signal drop...a high spirited blue tick will test any system, and this one holds up... my biggest problem is my cell phone battery...be nice to have vibrate on the collar, along with tone, but so far, so good... thanks Dogtra... ### 5/5 — Great All Around Tracking System!!! *2021-11-12, version 1.4.16* Best tracking system for half the price of others! Get the average speed update and a no brainer! The maps are 10x better than all other systems! ### 5/5 — Very well designed *2021-11-12, version 1.4.16* This app is well designed and works as it should. ### 5/5 — Awesome way to keep an eye on the dogs *2021-11-09, version 1.4.16* Love the dogtra pathfinder. The maps are the best and it allows you to see if your dog may be getting close to any dangers. ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2021-11-09, version 1.4.16* Very easy to use and consistent reliability. Far better than any other tracking system I have used. I would love to see a partnership with OnX for property boundaries. ### 5/5 — Great app! Craigsid *2021-11-08, version 1.4.16* Love my Dogtra pathfinder mini for my beagles! I’ve owned it for around 4 years And customer service is great! The app features I love it because all of it right on my phone in the app!! Look forward to any improvements in the future. ### 5/5 — Great Set Up *2021-11-08, version 1.4.16* The Dogtra unit by far the best I have used. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-20.*