STEVE SAYS: SportDog introduces a new remote training collar this month that
incorporates high end features in a small compact unit with a price to
match.
The SportDog SD 400 is a fully waterproof, high quality, versatile,
expandable remote training system. All this for $159.99. The SportDog SD 400-S is only $169.99.
We have never had a waterproof transmitter in this price range, nor
have we had one that has user replaceable, rechargeable batteries.
The new SportDog SD 400 Remote Training Collar has three features
that you cannot find in any collar in its price range ($159.99):
- waterproof transmitter,
- versatile stimulation settings, and
- expandable systems so you can add more dogs.
Features of the New SportDog SD 400
- Waterproof & Submersible. Collar & Transmitter
- No external collar antenna to get hung up.
- 1/4-mile range
- Push-button ON/OFF switch activated at the collar
- Customizable transmitter settings. Choose from 7 pre-set modes.
- Up to 16 levels of continuous stimulation or 8 levels of momentary stimulation
- Instantly change stimulation intensity from the transmitter (tactile dial)
- Tone only button
- Rechargeable, user replaceable NiMH batteries in collar and transmitter.
- Low Battery Detect indicators on both transmitter and receiver
- Backed by a Lifetime Warranty
Built along the same lines as the new SD 1800, the SportDog SD 400 has many
similar features, but in a much smaller design allowing it to be used
on the smaller pets (8 pounds and up) but versatile and rugged enough
for close working hunting dogs.
It is a great collar for yard work and can be used by many hunters for
waterfowl dogs, pheasant hunters, flushing dogs and even close working
pointing dogs.
This collar also makes a great back up system for folks with longer
range collars that want a smaller transmitter for closer work.
Waterproof transmitters
Waterproof transmitter. It's submersible, too! Drop the transmitter in
the water, fish it out, and keep on training. Perfect for retriever
training.
Versatile Stimulation Settings
It is very difficult to explain to some one how sensitive their dog
might be the first time they use a remote training collar. You can not
tell what a dog will require from a stimulation standpoint until you
work with him.
Expandable System to Add Multiple Dogs Later
I want to be able to add dogs to my collar system as my needs change.
I don't want to have to sell my old system or send it in to have it
altered. I also don't want it to cost a fortune.
Another advantage of the new SportDog collars comes in the way that
you program the collars and the transmitter.
These collars are very similar, but there are a few differences that
may make you want to get one unit over the other.
The only difference in how they look is the collar of the collar strap.
The SportDog SD400 collar receiver comes with an orange strap. The
SportDog SD 400-S comes with a black strap.
The main difference between these units is in the stimulation levels
of the collar. The SportDog SD 400-S comes with a "high" power collar
while the SportDog SD 400 comes with a "standard" power collar. This
makes the SD-400-S stimulation stronger from the lowest setting up.
The high-powered collar level one is the same as the "standard" power
level 2. This means that the standard collar on the SD 400 starts one
level lower than the high powered SportDog SD 400-S. The high powered
collar goes one level higher than the standard collar so you have more
top end if you need it.
SportDog SD 400 REVIEW
The SportDog SD400 is easy to use and versatile. It's designed for anyone to use including pet owners, obedience trainers, and bird dog and waterfowl owners that do not require long
range systems.
The SportDog SD 400 comes as a one-dog system, but you can add a
second collar and a third collar at any time in the future if you need
to.
Customizing your Transmitter: The most amazing part of the Sportdog SD-400 is the versatility in the transmitter. This unit is designed so
that you can select the stimulation settings that fit your needs and
you can change them if your needs change with out having to purchase a
new unit.
The Sportdog SD 400 has 3 buttons on the transmitter and a dial to
control the stimulation settings.
The SportDog SD 400 comes preset to MODE-1 straight out of the box.
Many folks will like this set-up.
Lower Button: Momentary
Upper Button:Continuous
Side Button: Tone
This gives you an 8-level continuous, 8-level momentary collar with a
separate tone
I prefer MODE-5 which gives you 16 levels of continuous stimulation
with tone. The Lower button is continuous stimulation with intensity
level set to low end of reading on Intensity Dial (1-8). The upper
button is Continuous Stimulation with intensity level set to high end
of reading on Intensity Dial. The side button is set to tone only.
This setting gives you a wide choice of stimulation levels that will
allow you to work with even the most sensitive dog.
There is also a Mode 6 that gives you 16 levels of continuous
stimulation and 8 levels of Momentary. The Lower button is continuous
stimulation with intensity level set to low end of reading on
Intensity Dial (1-8). The upper button is Continuous Stimulation with
intensity level set to high end of reading on Intensity Dial. The side
button is set to Momentary controled at the dial.
These features are perfect for folks that want to train dogs that are
more sensitive. I use my remote collars to train. For training, I need
a collar with a wide choice of low level continuous stimulation. I
also need high levels for stopping the "unwanted chase"
The SportDog SD-400 transmitter is one of the smallest on the market.
It is perfect for the handler that does not need a larger tranmitter
to carry.
It has the "tactile" feel in the transmitter dial that I want. I can
change levels without looking at the transmitter.
I can also operate it one-handed. Using my thumb, I can change levels
at the dial and I can operate the buttons. This makes life easy. No
need for two handed operation that you get in some many of the
high-end collars on the market today. I always have something else in
my hands when I train. I don't want to have to put down anything to
operate my transmitter. Period.
Sportdog SD-400 ONE-DOG MODES
MODE-1: 8 levels continuous + 8 levels momentary + separate tone button
MODE-2: 8 levels continuous + a level 8 instant "hot" button for
dangerous situations + separate tone button
MODE-3: 8 levels continuous + a "plus 2" button that allows you to
increase the stimulation level by 2 levels without changing the dial +
separate tone button
MODE-5: 16 levels of continous stimulation + a tone only button.
MODE-6: 16 levels of momentary stimulation + 8 levels momentary
MODE-7: 8 levels continuous + 8levels tone with one second delayed
continuous stimulation + separate tone button
Sportdog SD-400 TWO-DOG MODES
You can add 1 ADD-A-DOG collar and use the SD-400 as a 2-dog collar.
MODE-4: 8 levels of continous stimulation Dog One + 8 levels continuous Dog Two
Sportdog SD-400 THREE-DOG MODE
You can add 2 ADD-A-DOG collars and use the SD-400 as a 3-dog collar.
MODE-4: 8 levels of continous stimulation Dog One + 8 levels
continuous Dog Two + 8 levels of continous stimulation Dog Three
Sportdog Collars.
