SportDog ProHunter 2400

Reviewed by: Gary Laskowsky – LCS Telephone Specialist/Customer Service

We’ve found that the SportDog ProHunter 2400 to be a excellent choice for training a single dog, whether it be a retriever, pointer or from the hound family. The 2400 has excellent range (1 ½ miles) and great flexibility in training flushing dogs as well as pointing breeds. Having 30 levels of continuous and 20 momentary levels of stimulation allows just the right correction level. Also a tone /call button for tone training. I highly recommend this training collar.

SportDog SportHunter1800

Reviewed by: Cathy Carlson – LCS Telephone Specialist/Customer Service

I have been using the SportDog SportHunter 1800 lately and have discovered there are a number of cool features that I had not realized were available on this unit.  The feature I really like is the toggle switch on the handheld unit.  This switch allows you to train two dogs on separate collars from one transmitter, and not lose the tone feature.  Other units without the toggle result in having to program out the tone option when you expand the collar to two dogs.  In addition, the unit is compact and waterproof and stands up to hard hunting conditions.  I like this unit and highly recommend it!

Product: LCS Better Waterproof Chaps

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager

I have been using the LCS Better Waterproof Chaps for upland hunting and other general uses over the past two years with great luck.  The chaps are made from heavy duty Cordura® nylon on the outside (double layered on the front) and offer a sturdy waterproof liner.  There is a large zip opening at the cuff that allows you to easily slip them on over the bulkiest of boots.  The fit is excellent and they are cut generous in the thigh area (available in regular and husky) and have a belt strap that allows you adjust the length of the inseam.

The only thing I don’t like about these chaps are they are warm when using on days above 55 degrees.  Due to the waterproof lining, they do not breath well and condensation can build up against your leg.  For use on hot days, the LCS Warm Weather Chaps are probably a better choice.

The LCS Better Waterproof Chaps are well-made products at a fair price.  I use and recommend them.

 Product: LCS Red Cedar Bedding

Reviewed by: Jack Sankey – LCS Telephone Specialist

I feel the LCS Red Cedar Bedding is the ultimate!

It comes in ribbon form – not in the messy, eye and nose-clogging chips.  It seems to provide greater warmth for my dogs and works as a natural tick and flea deterrent, and usually does not get moldy after getting wet.  It comes in two sizes, the small is about enough to line one crate, and the large cover four normal boxes with some left over.  It is far less messy than straw and the dogs smell a lot better too.

Red Cedar Bedding is my choice for my kennels! 

Date: October 2, 2008

Product: New Garmin Astro DC30 Tracking System

Reviewed by: Randy Carlson – LCS General Manager

The new Garmin Astro DC30 with the Low Profile Collar is finally available from Garmin, and some of the guys at LCS and myself have had an opportunity to use it extensively.

The most important feature is the completely redesigned collar unit.  The new Low-Profile collar is about half the weight of the original unit and now naturally rides under the dog’s neck.  The antenna and how it attaches to the unit is completely redesigned as well.  The antenna is longer, more flexible, and extremely durable (Andy showed me a collar he had been running on his coon hounds for the last two months, it has seen plenty of use and the antenna is still in excellent working condition!) and adds significantly to the range of the unit – now up to 7 miles. The battery life on the new DC30 now ranges from 17 to 36 hours on a full charge, depending on how frequently it is set to update the dog’s position (choice of 5, 10, or every 30 seconds). 

This Garmin Astro is unlike any others I have used.  Not only does it show you the dog’s position, both visually on a map screen and with a compass pointer, you also can see your own location on the map screen as well – which is updated continuously.  A huge feature, particularly for folks running hounds, is the screen shows a dotted line “trail” indicating where the dog has been.  With this information on the map screen, you can at a glance determine no only where the dog has been, but more importantly, in which direction it is heading – giving you a clear idea where to go to get in front of the chase!

Finally, when you get out of your vehicle, you push the “Mark” button.  This show on the map where you are parked, allowing you to easily return to your vehicle after the hunt…even in complete darkness.   The Garmin Astro can also be used as a traditional handheld GPS unit helping you to find a tree stand, or used in your vehicle providing turn by turn directions.

No other tracking system that we have found does all this and produces easy to read screens.  The unit is simple to operate and waterproof.

 I feel the Garmin Astro is the tracking system of the future – here now!

Date: October 2, 2008

Product: Avery Classic Whistle Lanyard

Reviewed by: Cathy Carlson – LCS Telephone Specialist/Customer Service

I like a heavier, more substantial whistle lanyard around my neck, versus a thin lightweight piece of nylon or similar.  What I have not liked in the past is the high price you have had to pay for a nice leather lanyard.  The Avery Classic Whistle Lanyard is a great new option.  It is nice quality braided leather that comes with two length adjusters (you have to be patient to work these) and two clips for holding whistles and/or calls.  It’s very comfortable around my neck and positions my whistles at the right spot for easy use.  I like the deep brown color, but it comes in black too.

Reviewed by: Gary Laskowsky - LCS Telephone Specialist

I’ve been using the Tri Tronics 100 Series now for over 15 years. Starting with the 100 Lite and continuing through the Pro100 XL and XLS. I find that this training collar to be most reliable. With years of using Tri Tronics it’s even got better with the new G2PRO100. Being a trainer breeder of Labrador Retrievers, I find this to be a valuable training tool. It can be expandable to 3 dogs, has a quick two-hour charging capability. It also gives me the exact correction level for multiple dogs.  I highly recommend the TriTronics Pro 100.

Reviewed by: Jack Sankey - LCS Telephone Specialist

This is without a doubt the best product we have ever used at home for our dog nail-trimming chores.  Keeping the nails at reasonable length is a very important part of canine foot care and health.  This product is far better than any of the styptic liquids we used in the past.  When we are trimming our dogs’ nails and accidentally get too close to the vein, we get the ‘Kwik-Stop’ out and apply it immediately.  Once you’ve tried it, I’m sure you will agree it’s the fastest-acting styptic available.

If you want a special treat for your dog that is sure to please them and build their health at the same time, consider the Pet-Tabs Plus product.  My dogs love the taste of these tablets and look forward to their special “treat” each evening.  I think they would polish off the whole bottle if we permitted them.  The tablets easily broken in half for smaller dogs under 20 lbs.  Dogs over 20 lbs. may have a whole tablet each day.

Give them a try and see if your dogs love them as much as mine!

Click here to view