So I just received LB's email about the Einstein ecollar. This is the 2nd vendor I've received an email about this 'new' collar. Was wondering if anyone has used it and what their opinions are? I'm interested in the difference between the 400 and 800 models. The 400 has a 3/4 mile range and the 800 1/2 - personally the farther the better for me, so I'm unclear as to why the lower level model has a farther range.

Any help would be great!

Thanks.

PS - I currently use a dogtra1900.

I am looking for a collar myself and found that there are no reviews at all for any Einsteins anywhere.
Ive read the manual and they say it uses TENS technology (what they use in physical therapy on people). I wonder if anyone can share their experience with Einsteins, especially with harder dogs.
I have an 80lb hard GSD and I am not sure he will mind that TENS tech.
I called their customer support but they cant say anything of course. I am looking at TS-300 or TS-400 with the only difference being a quarter mile of distance.
Any other thoughts are also much appreciated.

So I guess I have to answer my own question lol.

I recently purchased the Einstein ET500 when it went on sale a few weeks ago. When I opened the box the first thing I noticed was how HUGE the transmitter was. For some reason the pictures made it seem small. So I was put off. The receiver (collar) is a regular adjustable nylon snap collar. Another minus for me. The receiver itself was small and compact, a plus as the Dogtra is like a tumor hanging off their neck. The receiver/collar is lightweight, seems durable, the light (flashes or constant) is a decent size so it does emit a fair amount of light when walking in the dark.

When I finally got the collar adjusted to it's proper fit (what a pain in the arse), I liked how the collar melted into his neck (labrador) and didn't seem unbalanced like the Dogtra. It is also unnoticeable on a black dog. So far so good. I was much happier with it than the Dogtra at this point.

Now the transmitter - it's a bit weird at first if you're used to a candy bar like remote; however, nothing is in too weird of places that it makes it awkward - it just takes getting used to (although for a woman I do have a big hand, so small hands may have a difficult time wrapping around). I like that you can lock the dial at your preferred setting. The manual says if you hold both C and M down at the same time it gives a step up in stimulation, but I haven't tested it yet. The tone feature freaked Enzo out at first (the Dogtra vibrated), but after 2 buzzes he realized what it meant (pay attention! lol). Turning the receiver on - you sync a red dot on the receiver to a red dot on the transmitter (once it's turned on) - that feature is kinda neat, but if you don't have the transmitter you can't turn off the receiver (head scratcher).

Ok, now for the real stuff...I nicked Enzo at 15 for forging ahead of me when leaving the house, he quickly backed up and got into place. What I liked - he didn't blink his eyes like he would with the Dogtra. I always had a hard time finding the sweet spot with the Dogtra - either he couldn't feel it or he eye blinked. So whatever technology Einstein touts it must be true or at the very least it works better with Enzo. I brought the stim level down to 12 today and when he went out of sight I hit C and he came right back. For some reason I think this collar is more humane than Dogtra. There is something in Enzo's response that seems different. I was never really happy with the Dogtra.

So yay for Einstein! I give it thumbs up (well at least for now).

I also bought one of the Einstein ET500's that Leerburg had on sale. I'd been using a Dogtra 300M and have also seen the Dogtra Edge and Dogtra IQ so I can compare between those four models.

My reason for buying the ET500 was primarily curiosity but also to have a backup collar or one to use on a second dog eventually.

I received the same yellow transmitter that Tanya described and one collar/receiver. I think the two dog unit is the real draw for this series since it would allow individual stim level selection for each dog; a feature I don't think any other maker offers, but I digress.... I found that the transmitter fit my hand well. It was a bit bigger than I was used to with the 300M but the button layout was natural for me.

I liked the digital read out and ability to lock the stim level so I didn't accidentally bump it up or down. I like the ability to jump the continuous stim up 25.... if I'm working at 15 or 20 typically and we encounter a very high level of distraction, it's nice to be able to stim at 40 or 45 without having to adjust the level, and then go back to working at 15 immediately afterwards.

I like the ability to remotely activate the collar light. Its plenty bright to view the dog from a distance but doesn't look like they've got a surefire flashlight attached to their collar. I've previously had an LED light on the collar and it was nice but I had to manually turn it on and off so being able to do it remotely and from this single device is great.

I'd never had much use for the vibrate on the 300M; my dog responded to it adversely and was more accepting of corrections with stim. As a result I hadn't intended to use the tone function. In testing she seems to be alerted by it but not unsettled the way vibration did. I think it may be more useful for my training than the 300M's vibration but that's really a personal choice there.

Build quality on the Dogtra 300M and ET500 were comparable. The Dogtra stuff (both transmitter and receiver) feel heavier which makes them feel like quality but the ET500, while lighter, doesn't feel cheap. I don't foresee durability issues with either but if I had to run one over with a car and use it, the Dogtra feels more like the survivor between the two. Maybe it's just because the Einstein transmitter is designed to float that I get this impression.

I like the nylon snap collar that the ET500 ships with. It's a feature I had been wanting for the 300M and I'd fashioned my own nylon snap collar to use with it. I found it plenty big for my 19" necked pup... in fact I should trim a bit off to get it fitting her. I'd bet it will fit just about any dog. The collar fits securely and doesn't seem like it will stretch. I feel like I can get a consistent tightness with it to provide consistent stim levels.

I haven't trained with the ET500 enough to have noticed any difference in response from the dog but the stim does feel a bit less sharp when I stim myself with it vs the dogtra.

In all, if I was buying now, I'd buy the ET500 vs the 300M. I'd be happy to own either but with the pricing on the ET500, the integrated light, the ability to jump the constant stim level by 25, the lcd display, and the ability to lock out the stim level, the Einstein has a few nice features that the 300M lacks.

I also like that it's made in Indiana and seems to have a good warranty. Now, if Einstein could just make the features of each of their collars a bit less confusing, I think it would make comparing their stuff easier.... it seems like they make a ton of models and each has a slightly different feature set.

Good stuff guys. Really appreciate the reviews. I found this handy too, for comparing the different features:

http://leerburg.com/electric-dog-collar-comparison-chart.htm?c1=7&c2=5&c3=24&c4=&c5=

I'm on the tipping point - order in the queue, trigger finger dancing over the send button.

Rationally, I do need them. You know for back-ups or when ordering new batteries or a dress up look, instead of the salmon encrusted, bruised and battered dogtra’s. And the light, OMG the light!

Oh heck, I just want to play with the new toy too, and it's Christmas.

A high tech two dog model, all in one. How up-to-date and convenient would that be.

You've both mentioned the size of the transmitter. I've got small hands too and am so used to the chocolate bars. From what you guys are saying, this might be a bit of challenge or at least a bit of an awkward learning process.

And I don't train with the collars, per se, more of a re-enforcement of trained commands. We do a lot of off leash hiking and they're more for my sense of security than anything.

It's been a long time since I've actually had to stim one of them, the vibrate is enough encouragement, if necessary, and I really like the silent instruction.

Maybe I should measure Bob's neck and practice on him. The stim sounds a bit less intense than the dogtra's and he's used to corrections.

A question for you guys. In the video, the tone sounds a bit like whistle. Is it as loud as it sounds and is there way to adjust the volume? And if you used the vibrate on your previous collars, do you miss it on this one?

Regarding the transmitter size, I don't really feel that it's overly big. I do have relatively small hands for a man but it fits nicely. It wouldn't fit well into a pants pocket but it does come with a nice belt clip to hang it from and a lanyard as well. I don't think any adult will find the buttons difficult to reach or find the device difficult to hold. In fact, once I used it for an hour I felt like the button placement was very natural. It is a deviation from the typical candy bar feel of the other remotes I've held but I'm sold on using it now... the Dogtra sits idle.

The tone is fairly high pitched. Whistling isn't a bad description. It is not adjustable for volume or tone. It's not really loud but my dog seems to hear it well. I find that, when she's standing more than 5 feet away, with the collar positioned on the underside of her neck and isn't facing me, the only reason I can tell that it's making a tone is the cute head cock she does at the new, unusual sound she's hearing. At that distance and positioning I can't hear the tone myself. Based on this I wonder whether I could use it as a marker of sorts but it's a bit too long of a sound, going for maybe a second or bit more, so it's not as sharp as a clicker or a snappy "yes."

As I mentioned, I don't use vibrate at all. Every time I've ever tried it my dog jumped like I gave her a correction @ 70 or so (where we usually work below 30 with moderate distractions). For her, the stim was much less offputting than the vibration. I'm looking forward to having a potentially useful button in the tone feature since the stim button was essentially useless to us. That's just my dog. One that responded well or was conditioned to respond to vibrate (I never bothered to try to condition her to accept it) might miss the feature.

Incidentally, the ET400 looks quite similar and has vibrate instead of tone. It's also rated for a slightly smaller dog but I've found the 15lb units all seem to be plenty for my 85lb pup. One of the other Einstein models might have the exact feature profile you desire if the ET-500 isn't a perfect match for you.

Again, I'm not sure I'd buy this to replace my 300M but I'd buy it over the 300M if I was shopping now. Like you, I needed a new toy to play with and liked the deal Leerburg was running

 Quote: CJ Barrett

Good stuff guys. Really appreciate the reviews. I found this handy too, for comparing the different features:

http://leerburg.com/electric-dog-collar-comparison-chart.htm?c1=7&c2=5&c3=24&c4=&c5=

I'm on the tipping point - order in the queue, trigger finger dancing over the send button.

Rationally, I do need them. You know for back-ups or when ordering new batteries or a dress up look, instead of the salmon encrusted, bruised and battered dogtra’s. And the light, OMG the light!

Oh heck, I just want to play with the new toy too, and it's Christmas.

A high tech two dog model, all in one. How up-to-date and convenient would that be.

I say go for it - I don't think you will be disappointed. And the light feature is pretty cool. Something DOGTRA did not offer on any of their collars.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

You've both mentioned the size of the transmitter. I've got small hands too and am so used to the chocolate bars. From what you guys are saying, this might be a bit of challenge or at least a bit of an awkward learning process.

IMO, it is substantially larger than the DOGTRA; however, it's not uncomfortable. Like Bryan, I've adjusted rather quickly to it's difference in shape.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

And I don't train with the collars, per se, more of a re-enforcement of trained commands. We do a lot of off leash hiking and they're more for my sense of security than anything.

It's been a long time since I've actually had to stim one of them, the vibrate is enough encouragement, if necessary, and I really like the silent instruction.

Maybe I should measure Bob's neck and practice on him. The stim sounds a bit less intense than the dogtra's and he's used to corrections.

haha - a guinea pig who can speak would be good! Like you I mostly use only for distance and sense of security. I think that's why I am so pleased with it this far. It isn't obtrusive and the stim doesn't seem to 'hurt'.

 Quote: CJ Barrett

A question for you guys. In the video, the tone sounds a bit like whistle. Is it as loud as it sounds and is there way to adjust the volume? And if you used the vibrate on your previous collars, do you miss it on this one?

It's a lot louder than you would expect, but I don't think it hurts their ears. To me (I've only buzzed it twice or so), it seems more like a vibrate type tone/sound. The first buzz really startled Enzo, but the 2nd he didn't even react. I never used the vibrate, by the time I found the button I hated the DOGTRA.

Great information guys, exactly what I needed to hear and here's my dilemma.

The two boys this would be fitting are now 3 and 4 (138 and 109 lbs) and have worn e-collars for most hikes just as long.

The vibrate is a big part of their training, a reminder/warning/precursor to an actual stim. It's as serious as a heart attack to these boys and they know it well.

I use a voice command, that's consistent in tone, for their recalls. Bob has difficulty maintaining this same consistency with their recall, he'll get flustered or is too passive, depending on the situation so we decided to train a whistle for him.

A bit confusing to explain but it's consistency with two very different people giving direction on the recall.

I don't ever want to stim my dogs unless it's absolutely necessary and love the buffer/warning system of the vibrate.

To replace this option with what sounds very much like Bob's whistle is confusing for me to differentiate how I'm going to introduce it and what their thought process might be. Not wanting to dilute Bob's serious recall and lacking the vibrate for the stim warning.

I don't know. I may be overthinking this but dishing out the 379.00 plus taxes and shipping and to be lacking a feature I rely on as heavily as the actual use of the collar itself, has still got me in the hovering position.

Why didn't they just include a vibrate?

If I was training a new dog this wouldn't be a concern in any way but the conditioning of these boys has been pretty specific and I don't know exactly how or even if I want to change things up at this point.

Gosh, decisions, decisions.

One of their collars has a vibrate instead of tone...do the comparison chart on Leerburg or go to ecollar.com for all their models.

For what it's worth..we were at a Retriever Field Trial seminar today, first time I had to use it in a live situation (live meaning new environment, people etc...) on unfamiliar grounds. I nicked him a couple times to let him know I meant business with a lot of dogs running around off leash but under control. His response to the nicks, and one time I accidentally hit both M and C which bumped it 25 points, Enzo let out a bit if a yelp..but in no way did he react the way he would with the DOGTRA. With the DOGTRA I'd get an eye blink and his shoulders would twitch/slump. I have to say, I'm really happy with the Einstein.

Tanya, you're right. And Bryan mentioned that as well.

When he mentioned the dog weight of 15 lbs and I looked at the collar, for some reason I assumed those two lower numbered collars were for the smaller dogs, the reason I mentioned my dogs weights as well.

Geeze, I can be such an airhead. Having the large dogs with a substantial amount of drive and not seeing a lot of difference in the features other than the 400 was 10 lb dog "compatible", I was actually looking at the 800. The dog weight was not something I looked at or even though about when purchasing the Dogtra's.

But like Bryan mentioned, your 500’s - 15 lb dog compatible (I wonder what that really means - is it the size the collar is able to reduce to) is fine for his 85 lb pup.

And then again, if everything fits (my one boy is like 13 of those 10 lbers with the thick neck and dense fur to match) there won't be a lot of additional training, other than my learning, if it has the vibrate.

Okay back on track for a more informed decision.

You guys are great. Really helped me with that dilemma.

And good to hear that you're really happy with it Tanya. It does boast the different stim technology than the older brands.