Powering an Alpha 200, Alpha 200 Plus, or Alpha 300 Dog Tracking Handheld in a Vehicle

If you are using an Alpha® 200, Alpha 200i, Alpha 200 Plus, Alpha 300, or Alpha 300i dog tracking handheld in a vehicle and want to power it from an external power source while you use it there are some steps you may need to take.

When powering an Alpha handheld from a USB-powered adapter in a vehicle there are some that provide only power, typically like a cigarette lighter power adapter, and others that are USB ports built into the vehicle.

The ports built into the vehicle may also be connected to the vehicle's entertainment or navigation system to allow you, for example, to connect a smartphone for playing music through the entertainment system or to directly display navigation information from the smartphone on the vehicle's display.

In the case of the USB ports built-in to the vehicle, in particular, they may cause the handheld to behave the same as if you are connecting it to a computer. In cases like that there is a connection type that allows for file transfer and is not limited to only charging. During the file transfer type of connection the Alpha handheld will not display tracking collars or other contacts. If your handheld is configured to automatically connect in the file transfer mode that can be changed in the device settings as follows:

Alpha 200 and Alpha 200i Dog Tracking Handhelds

1. From the device menu select Setup
2. Select System
3. Select Mass Storage Mode
4. Select Prompted
5. When you connect to a computer or something the device views that way you will receive a prompt that states "Go to mass storage?"
6. Select No
   

Alpha 200 Plus, Alpha 300, or Alpha 300i Dog Tracking Handhelds

1. From the device menu select Settings (the wrench icon on the favorites bar)
2. Select System
3. Select Mass Storage Mode
4. Select Prompted
5. When you connect to a computer or something the device views that way you will receive a prompt that states "Use MTP (media transfer)?"
6. Select No