Wildlife Support

We have listed all necessary information (collar circumferences, VHF frequencies, address details etc.) into an order information document which we will send to you to be filled when you are ready to order the collars.

Unfortunately not, this is the responsibility of the customer since neck sizes can vary a lot. However, we have extensive experience in producing collars for most species, and therefore we will double-check the values you provide us.

We deliver the collars using global courier services. This enables to track the shipments effectively. We deliver to almost all countries in the world, excluding only a few where trade restrictions exist.

We recommend testing each GPS collar and the data reception before every deployment. However, our GPS collars are supplied fully programmed and could be used on the spot. They come with batteries attached and magnets that act as on/off switches.

To test a collar, place it outside, remove the magnet from the electronic housing (top) and leave until data is received via a communication platform. Allow 1-2 days for this.

Afterwards, you can reattach the magnet to deactivate the collar again.

We will program the collars ready for you according to your instructions as a part of our service. You will need to install our GPS Plus X software on a computer running Microsoft Windows. The GPS Plus X software is available on our website and you will also receive it on USB stick with the shipment. After this, you will need to register your GPS collars into the software and optionally fill in a few collar details depending on the collar type you have ordered. All necessary information for setting up the equipment can be found from our extensive manuals, and a quick start guide and YouTube tutorial is also available. If you would run into any problems, we are glad to help you.

Yes. If you have purchased a collar interface (USB to VERTEX collar interface for VERTEX PLUS collars or USB Remote Stick / USB Bluetooth Stick for VERTEX Lite and SURVEY collars), you can reprogram the collars quickly as long as they are not deployed. Afterwards it is also possible to reprogram the collars remotely if they are equipped with UHF, GSM or Iridium communication, since these options provide a 2-way communication with the collar allowing changes also after deployment.

The collars have a bolt plate attachment and we ship the required tool with the collar. It’s important to find a fitting tightness for the collar. It should not be put on too loose, in which case the animal is either able to get rid of the collar or ensnarl itself, and it must not be too tight. Depending on the species, there is a seasonal variation in neck size and circumference but more important is the age of the animal.

Yes, you can download the activity data either remotely via UHF communication on site, or via IoT communication, if one of these options are built into the collar. Activity data from collars with other communication methods (GSM, Globalstar, Iridium) can only be obtained after you have retrieved the collar from the animal. To download the activity data, you will need a collar interface (USB to VERTEX collar interface for VERTEX PLUS collars or USB Remote Stick / USB Bluetooth Stick for VERTEX Lite, VERTEX Fusion and SOLEX collars) to connect the collar to your computer.

Multi-user access is implemented in our free web service INVENTA.

DOP is the abbreviation of “Dilution of Precision” and gives an idea of the location’s precision. High values indicate that the location is likely to be inaccurate while low values indicate a better precision, thus likely a more accurate position. The DOP for stored 2D positions displays HDOP horizontal value with the fix, where 3D locations are stored with PDOP position value in your GPS data file.

The UTC correction affects only the schedules and communication time setting inside the collar. The collar follows the UTC time it receives from the GPS satellites. To get the data in LMT, this can be set up in the GPS Plus X software. You can change the LMT column from your GPS data file by choosing “Configuration” menu, then “Local Settings” and the “UTC correction” tab in the GPS Plus X software. After changing, all exported files show the correct LMT.

Small jumps in the time stamps can be caused by a correction of the internal collar time: With every GPS fix, the internal collar time is compared with the current GPS time and corrected by the second if necessary. This may lead to short time overlaps or gaps in the ACC data. You must decide for yourself how to proceed with these sequences.

• Do not store collars in a position where the magnets can touch each other.
• Ensure all applicable magnets are in place (Camera, collar electronics, Drop Off, where applicable)
• Store away from a heat source or direct sunlight.
• Ensure collars are turned off by listening for VHF beacon.
• Your Drop Off may need to be reprogrammed for future deployment. Please check the Drop Off info file for the max. lifetime of your Drop Off before deploying the collar. 
• Update the firmware and test your collar prior to your next deployment.
• Check your collar schedules (camera, GPS, VHF) and end dates prior to next deployment to ensure they are still appropriate.

• Iridium unlimited plan: deactivation is more economical if the collars will not be used/tested / refurbished within 3 months.
• Iridium 3kByte plan: deactivation is more economical if you will not use/test / refurbish the collars within 4 months.
• Iridium billing period starts in the middle of each the month, therefore deactivating the collars before this time period is recommended.
• Globalstar: it is more economical to keep the airtime active if a collar will be used within 15 months.
• For multiyear storage, it is more economical to deactivate Globalstar collar IDs then pay the activation fee prior to deployment.
• See your terms and conditions of airtime and your selected plan for more details.
• To deactivate, authorized users must email VECTRONIC the specific ID list with request to deactivate.  
• At least 2 weeks prior to testing or deployment, user must email request with ID list to reactivate.  

The VHF beacon can use 4 different modes (Beacon Mode 0-3). Please check the audio samples below. This feature can be a useful backup to clearly identify specimen with same or similar frequencies.

Emergency Mode:

Beacon Mode 0:

Beacon Mode 1:

Beacon Mode 2:

Beacon Mode 3:

Mortality Mode:

For VERTEX Plus, Lite and SURVEY collars, the VHF Beacon is on all the time when all scheduling rules have expired.

Our GPS collars with GSM communication of the VERTEX generation (Plus and Lite), are using the frequency bands of the 2G network and only parts of the 3G network.

The predecessor models GPS Plus and Pro Light are using only the 2G network.

When your collars are using our Vectronic SIM chips, the data transfer in the 2G network is performed via GPRS as long as the coverage is sufficient. If this is not possible, SMS will be sent.

Collars with own SIM cards only use SMS for data transmission.

The shutdown of the 3G network will barely affect the data transmission of our GPS-GSM collars. The priority usage of the 2G network will allow a continuous operation.

The shutdown of the 2G network unfortunately has a bigger impact on the data transmission of our GPS-GSM collars. Collars of the Vertex generation can still access the 3G network, if available. However, the data transmission will only be possible via SMS.

If the collar sends data in GSM Mode 8 (8 fixes per message, default setting for VAS SIM Chip) the change between GPRS and SMS happens automatically depending on coverage. If GSM Mode 1 to 7 is active only SMS will be sent.

Using GSM communication, you don’t only get data from the collar, you are also able to send new configurations to the collar. The collar is “listening” for new configurations etc. after it has sent a message itself. It is not possible to contact the collar without that, so when the collar is not transmitting data, neither you nor us can communicate with the collar. Depending on the changes, the collar will send a confirmation message to indicate that it has received the command (e.g. change of activity mode). Changes of schedules are not confirmed. The message size is limited to 109 bytes so you might not be able to send complex schedules but have to update them from time to time. Please see our manuals for further details. Your SMS will remain available at the provider of the SIM card of your collar for a few days (depending on the provider). If you get no confirmation or can’t recognize your changes after that period, you will have to send the command again.

Both are satellite communication systems to transfer the GPS and event data of your collar directly to your office. There are several differences between them including satellite coverage, message size, data transmission confirmation and transmission success, pricing and remote contact abilities. A two-way communication is only possible with Iridium satellite communication and it has several advantages over Globalstar. The Iridium modem in the collar is significantly heavier than a Globalstar modem and not suitable for some study species. Please contact us to discuss the usability for your specific study idea.

To make a transmission via Globalstar, the collar needs a clear path to the Globalstar satellite in the orbit. Trees etc. can hinder the signal and interrupt a message. A Globalstar message with one position is smaller, so it is more likely that it comes through. A message containing 2 GPS positions is bigger and might be interrupted more often as it takes longer to transmit this message. In contrast to GSM and Iridium, the collar gets no confirmation, neither for a failed nor for a successful transmission, so the setup is even more important.

Iridium is transmitting the data in packages. The size of the package depends on the Iridium mode; Iridium mode 1 is for sending every GPS position immediately, Iridium mode 6 means that the collar will collect six GPS positions before transmitting them via Iridium. The number of Iridium packages also depends on the Iridium mode:

• package: position 1-4
• package: position 5-12
• package: position 13-18

The more packages, the higher the risk that the data won’t get through. Especially for animals in difficult terrain like mountains or forests, where transmission problems are to be expected, because the free view to the Iridium satellite is not given, a low Iridium mode should be chosen. So better use Iridium mode 4 or less. However, reducing the Iridium mode also reduces the battery runtime.

Both are satellite communication systems to transfer the GPS and event data of your collar directly to your office. There are several differences between them including satellite coverage, message size, data transmission confirmation and transmission success, pricing and remote contact abilities. A two-way communication is only possible with Iridium satellite communication and it has several advantages over Globalstar. The Iridium modem in the collar is significantly heavier than a Globalstar modem and not suitable for some study species. Please contact us to discuss the usability for your specific study idea.

The Iridium satellite receives and confirms the collar message and forwards your message either to an Iridium relay station or to another satellite if no station is available. The second satellite will also try to contact a relay station and so on until it is received by a relay station. That makes it usable worldwide. The relay station forwards the data to our servers. We store the data and forward it to you. Remote communication works the same way.

It is no problem to activate the VF remotely, but the number of posts for the VF is limited to 15 posts when sending it via Iridium and GSM command. As long as the collar is in your hands you can upload the VF via cable, which allows up to 255 posts per polygon.

GPS Skip Count can either be configured in the User Configuration or you can create an extended GPS schedule including the Skip Count. Important to know: Extended GPS schedule has always priority. If you want to delete the Skip Count of an extended GPS schedule, you have to send a new GPS schedule with Skip Count 0 to the collar. Selecting a new Skip Count in User Configuration will not lead to any changes as long as an extended GPS schedule is active. Firmware Version 2.10.5 (VERTEX PLUS) / 1.4.4 (VERTEX Lite / SURVEY) or higher is needed for configuring an extended GPS schedule. 

You can check the collar settings in the info file, which you will receive via email or on a USB drive shipped together with the collars.

• Iridium / GSM communication is active
• Firmware for VERTEX PLUS Iridium collars: 2.10.5 or higher
• Firmware for VERTEX PLUS GSM collars: 3.0.1 or higher
• Firmware for VERTEX Lite Iridium or GSM collars: 1.4.9 or higher
• UHF Drop Off ID is 7884 or higher

No, the Drop Off is designed for one time use only to increase the reliability. If you fire it, you need a new one.

.The reason that you receive the notification/triggered messages from different phone numbers is due to our used system. We have several ground stations that are able to send these messages and it can happen that the numbers which will send SMS alerts are rotating. This is due to telecommunication laws which limits the amount of SMS which we are allowed to send per day and device. Following numbers can act as possible sender: 

+12242028180 

 +14708008847 

 +14708008851 

 +14708008852 

 +14708008854 

 +14708008857 

 +14708008859 

 +14708008861 

 +14708008863 

Based on the data on our server the SMS received on your phone are fitting the triggered messages in our system.