E-collar- which one? - Page 1

Now I'm thinking about a new e-collar. My VERY old Tritronics is dead, bulky transmitter only good for slapping with the antenna or throwing at the dog.  My cheap, crummy Innotek is not dependable, shocks the dog erratically when the battery gets low (Read: the FAST TRACK to screwing up a dog forever!!!) eats transmitter batteries like they were free, (they AREN'T!) so I'm thinking Dogtra. I rarely use e-stimulation, prefer to "teach" the old fashioned way, but there are  rare situations when e-stimulation is just the ticket for reinforcing an already known and understood behavior (read: dog gives you the finger) so I am ready to invest. 

I don't need a lot of whistles and bells, just dependability, sport-dog range, waterproof, and selection of stimulation-levels, from buzz to FRY... easy to adjust without a magnifying glass or instruction manual...  no stupid stimulation modules to lose... basically Idiot-Proof.  LOL

Budget under $300... and NO, I don't want any static from readers who don't approve.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
SS

Tritronics is still my favorite, but I've used a few DogTra recently and I was impressed with the quality. Easy to use, pretty much what you described. I'll look at them when I go to work today and grab the model number. I think the one we carry runs around $250. There are some Tritronics models out there with smaller transmitters, too, our local Bass Pro Shop has a great selection of them. And I agree about Innotek, they suck.

Everybody at my club uses Dogtra. I have an innotek IAU-300 or something like that, retails for $180 bought new from a distributor on Ebay for $85 plus for 60 I can make it into a two dog collar system. Fits my needs. I really like the Dogtra 1700, has a nice LCD screen that lights up and you are able to  read the stimulation level, so your not trying to figure out what number you are on.  Dogtra discountinued this series this year  but still honors the warranty, because it is discountinued distributors are selling it at a reduction.  Shelly what ever collar you decide on Dogtra, Tritronics check ebay first, alot of e-collar distributors are selling thier collars at discounted prices.

Another nice site is 

 http://www.k9electronics.com/default.aspx

Hope this helps

Mario

Shelley,

The Dogtra  1700 is a nice collar for the money. The low level stimulation problem that the older Dogtra collars were prone to have seems to be resolved with the 1700. I have had mine for almost two years with no issues.

I have Dogtra, no complaints.   

We use a Dogtra because we get the features and range we want for a reasonable price AND the transmitter is nice and compact.  I can't stand the bulky Innotek transmitters.  You should be able to find several options under $300.

I love my Dogtras!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like them for all breeds....one of the great features is the "pager" mode----it vibrates....

A 175 will run you about $175.  A 200 will run you about $200.00

I have 2-200's and 4 175's.....

I was in your boat recently and upgraded to the Dogtra 1700NCP.  It is totally waterproof (yes some of us are more "special" than others lol)     I tried it on myself and the increments of strength are very nice and gradual and you have around 125 levels to choose from.  I liked the reliability of it that I saw from our West side of the state K9 units.  I haven't used it on Claus yet as we have more ground work to do but I think it will do nicely.  Plus the pager feature will have its uses for tactical obedience.   

I was happy to not get a new charger for the old (15years or so) innotek.  It was unreliable and changing levels sucked.  I do not want to be messing with the seven magic tiny switches ever again.

Colleen

Hello Shelley,

I have been using the Tri-tronics G3 sport basic.  The collar works really well, holds a charge for a really long time and is very reliable.  I can go several days between charging the collar and when I use the collar it is on for several hours each time.  I put the collar on the dog a couple of hours before training and leave it on a couple of hours after training.  This helps to avoid the dog becoming collar smart.  So the collar may be on for 18 - 24 hours before I recharge it and have never had a problem.  I saw Armin Winkler do a demo between a Dogtra collar and the tri-tronics at a K-9 seminar.  He had several people take turns holding both collars and giving the stimulation, the dogtra had a slight delay from the moment the button was hit to stimulation.  The tri-tronics had no delay.  I bought my g3 sport basic from Jim Hill for $239.  The collar is easy to use, easy to charge and works really well.  I have an innotek collar and as you stated it is erratic and unrealiable, I'll never use Innotek again.

Jim

Another vote for the Dogtra 1700NCP, great collar for all levels of training and dog!!

Darlene

Grass Valley, CA

Vom Herrenhaus German Shepherds