Gun Dog Forum

I am looking at buying some remote bird launchers and wanted to know some thoughts on the different brands (Dogtra, Innotek, DT, etc.)
I am not to good on D-I-Y electronics or I would take the easy road.
If any of you have had any problems with yours please add it.

I didn't buy 'em, but I've worked with some Dogtra ones. Easy to load, a breeze to release, and they're pretty quiet (no pop).

I've always heard the Innotek ones have a tendency to break.

Edit: I should probably provide some context for that last statement: My trainer has had Innotek launchers before (and still has them sitting in the garage) but has switched to the Dogtra because the Innotek launchers became unreliable. Another deciding factor was that, at the time, she was also using Innotek e-collars and the remote Innotek gave her would control all the e-collars and all the launchers once programmed. Well, after the battery got low in the remote, the programming reset and at one time a dog got zapped instead of the proper launcher releasing a bird. After that, and after a (rare, I know) bad experience with Innotek customer service, it was Dogtra all the way, with separate remotes for launchers and e-collars.

Myself, I use the Dogtra releases at the trainer's preserve or my own DIY launcher (which works just as well if not better).

We use Innotek and they are reliable. I have heard things about the ones using the battery pack, we have the ones that take a 9 volt battery, which I like. I think if I was buying them now I would go with Dogtra.

I am not a fan of bird launchers and I think Innotek is nothing but junk, THat said.........

I have seen far too many dogs come in my kennel that were badly damaged with launchers cause they were in the wrong hands. But they are a great training tool for certain problems.

Secondly, Innotek launchers are the only product made by them that I never had a probelm with.

I identified each launcher by color codes to match the buttons, by putting matching wire zip ties on the antennas.

Phil
REO

I have Innoteks and have not had any real big problems. I have used them for many years. I have a friend that has the dogtra releases. They are the CADILAC of the releases.
QC is right they can help you in training and they can hurt you too. Just as any tool. Everyone has there own way of interduction of each tool. Take the Check Cord. You can make a great dog with the proper use of it and you can also make a mess of a dog with it.
Each tool has it's place and when used right you are going to enjoy your time with your dog!

Phil, you mentioned that dogs have come to you damaged by the use of a remote launcher are you saying that the dog owners allowed their dog to get to close and poping the bird in their face? I have used kick cages for a while but decided after watching Jon and Cindy Han's video "Pefect Start" that training pup with a launcher would make it easier to focas on pup not the bird.

Dogtra or DT are very good units - Innotek is junk - I've owned all three and you can't go wrong with Dogtra

As with any type of mechanical equipment you can get a dud, but I have used the Innotek launcher with only having to replace batteries twice in about 8 years. They receive lots of use and have served me well!

Janet

I use Innotek E-Collars, launchers, and backers.......I've never had trouble with any of them in all the years I've used them......

I did end up buying dogtra! seet me back a pretty penny bu tworth it.

Before this thread winds down, does anyone have any experience with the Tri-Tronics Pro RL?

Wagonmaster wrote:Before this thread winds down, does anyone have any experience with the Tri-Tronics Pro RL?

It was many moons ago a friend had some tritronic releases. They were big and quit heavy. One thing when you released a bird it did what it was intended to do.
I am not sur if it is the same as you asked for but I know it was TT....