This is another one of those "I bought this one because" threads. I just spent a week perusing this site, retrievertraining.net and workingdogforum.com, pouring over manuals and websites, etc., so why not? Maybe someone will benefit. In the end I was disappointed that I felt I had to compromise so badly. Someone needs to put all the "good stuff" into one collar.

After an initial cut the only players were the Innotek IUT-300, DT Micro-IDT, Dogtra 1700 and Tri-Tronics Flyaway.

I ultimately settled on the Dogtra 1700. Only the Dogtra and Tri-T will let me substitute a nylon collar with a side-lock buckle after I get it sized. Those are also the only two that will let me use the SCG-LBM contact (see

http://www.e-collars.com/24copad.html). Those two and the DT had plenty of levels to choose from. The Dogtra was half the size and 2/3 the price of the Tri-T, so it got the nod.

So what's missing in the 1700? Here's what: the small size of the DT or Innotek. The Li-Ion battery in Innotek. The electronic fit-check feature of the Innotek. The sleek charging station of the Innotek. And most importantly, the low price of the DT and Innotek products. Funny how the sleekest, most modern design, the Innotek, was also the least flexible and the least expensive.

So come on, all you "high-end" collar makers! Let's see some modernization in your lines! Smaller, with better batteries, please, and a fit check feature to boot!

st

Tri-Tronics new Sport line has made some major improvements, you should have looked at these. You said the Dogtra was smaller than the Tri Tronics?? Did you just mean the transmitter because the reciever on the Tri Tronics is the smallest of them all. Dogtra and Tri-Tronics are built heavier and not so sleek because they are built to last, are waterproof and the Tri-Tronics are damn near indestructible. I have a Sport 50 that I ran over the Transmitter in my truck in a gravel parking lot. It's scratched up but still works perfectly fine to this day. That kind of construction unfortunately costs money.

You're right, I should have considered the Sport G3 as well. It does have a nicer charging cradle and uses a 9V transmitter battery. It's a better price match to the 1700.

Even so, in the grand scheme of things the G3 receiver still uses a NiMH battery, doesn't have a fit check feature and is nowhere near as small as the Innotek.

What is a fit check feature?

Considering how long collars have been around I think some of the advancements are a drastic improvement over what we used to be able to get.

The Innotek "ultra-smart" series collars make a clicking noise when you put them on when you achieve the proper contact with the dog's neck.

Scott (ahem...) I told you to get the Innoteck IUT-300, LOL -- but you'll warm up to that Dogtra anyway, I'm sure <:-)

You know what I'd also like to see? A digital model that you can program two levels and nick/cont for each of 2+ dogs. So then you can just toggle which collar is activated, not have to go thru the whole re-setting of level for each dog.

It isnt a big deal, and I survive as it is, but it would be nice.

Jennifer, if I understand your post correctly, that's just exactly how my Innotek IUT-300 (two dog unit) operates <:-)

 Quote: Candi Campbell

Jennifer, if I understand your post correctly, that's just exactly how my Innotek IUT-300 (two dog unit) operates <:-)

REALLY?! I'll have to look into this... I just bought the TT Pro 500 G2 so it will be a while before I need another collar hopefully, but when I'm shopping around maybe I'll consider the Innotek's... I just wish they were more streamlined like the Dogtra's and TT's in terms of appearance.

Jennifer, I'm talking about the Innotek IUT-300 ("Ultra-Smart") rwo dog unit -- They're SUPER streamlined & the transmitter is TINY...

People don't even know my Akita or my Borzoi are actually wearing e-collars & they think the transmitter (worn on a thin lanyard around my own neck) is a cellphone, LOL