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Need guidance for buying launchers

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InertiaDriven71

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have given up trying to get my family to throw bumpers for me (it is tough), and I am not even going to let them try to throw ducks up high enough. I have resigned to buying 2 brand new launchers that can throw ducks and bumpers.

I have found various launchers on Gun Dog Supply.... Do I have this right-- a launcher mechanism is $375 and up, and making it remote capable is several hundred dollars extra? Or can I buy one setup with electronics and 1-2 without to run off of that remote?

Please forgive me, I sit at the computer all day for work this time of year, and I cannot take another minute staring at a computer screen doing research all night. Please help a new guy with buying 2-3 launchers, If I have to buy all manual ones and get help to load and throw, that will be fine. I am trying to stay under $1500, and am ready to buy now.

Thanks in advance.
 
#3 · (Edited)
You need two wingers and electronics with two receivers.

For the wingers, it's tough to beat Zinger Winger II's. They're about $350 each.

For electronics, you have two choices. Dogtra, or Tri-tronics.
You can go cheap and get the old TT RR-150 from Collar Clinic, without sound, and those stupid plugs that I always lost.

But, I would recommend the Dogtra RR Deluxe. You can get an external loudspeaker for about $10 shipped, from here: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=267-7054&utm

There are lots of satisfied TT Pro Control users out there. But, I personally believe that Dogtra has a better system.
It will cost you about $300 for the transmitter and receiver. You can get an add-on receiver for about $180.
 
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#4 ·
If you decide to go with a launcher, I recommend the Thunder 500 w/,Dogtra electronics. You won't be able to launch birds, but if you're looking for a simple bumper launcher, it's a wonderful machine. I use mine every day.

Gundogsupply is a good place to order from, and it will take 7-20 days for it to arrive. Well worth the $ and the wait. If your looking for multiples, buy two of them used.
 
#6 ·
As a dealer for Gunners Up I will be glad to help you. Shoot me a PM with your contact info and we can chat by phone.
 
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#8 ·
When I gave up on my wife or daughter throwing dead birds I bought 2 gunners up SOG with TT electronics. Soon after buying those I bought a 3rd SOG. It is so nice not having to worry about finding a thrower! I have been very pleased with my SOG. They also have attachments for retired gun and my next purchase a box launcher.
 
#9 ·
My son & I ran 26 marks yesterday after school & 2 blinds. Don't worry about a high throw. Those short, 5 feet off the ground throws make a dog pay attention. When you truly need a high throw then let someone in your family run the dog and throw yourself.

Motivation is the true problem! A new 4 wheeler or utv that can only be driven while throwing marks is working for me. My wingers are in the garage & I hope they stay there. Ask me again in July about how my plan is working.

P.S. the 26 marks were split among 4 dogs. Only 2 are running blinds. Tired dogs are happy dogs. There is no way I could have done this with my 3 wingers!
 
#10 ·
Have been using the Zinger Winger Mini-Z G4 with the Dogtra RR Deluxe electronics for the last couple of years and am very happy with them. Going down the road at about 60 mph a few weeks ago when the strap holding my wingers to the trailer broke. Two of my wingers hit the pavement and bounced, when I went back to pick them up they were dented and bruised but are still working great.
 
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Discussion starter · #12 · (Edited)
I have to ask-- what is the loudspeaker for?

Another question-- even if I get the throwers with electronics (remotes), they still have to be reloaded for each throw, I assume? If that is the case, I may just get them without electronics and still have the family help.

What I have is a 4 year old BLF (pictured on my avatar) who struggles with >75 yard marks (especially multiples, my fault) and a superstar YLF who is 10 months old and I do not want to skimp on her training like I have with my BLF.

We are staring a hunt test in the face this weekend (Pin Oak HRC) and I have to run her through a finished test. We'll see.
 
#13 ·
InertiaDriven71 said:
I have to ask-- what is the loudspeaker for?
Click to expand...
It's louder.
The internal speaker isn't loud enough for marks longer than 100 yards, in windy conditions, or with background noise.

InertiaDriven71 said:
Another question-- even if I get the throwers with electronics (remotes), they still have to be reloaded for each throw, I assume? If that is the case, I may just get thm without electronics and still have the family help.
Click to expand...
If they aren't strong enough to throw a bird, they probably can't load a winger either.
 
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Discussion starter · #14 ·
They can throw a bird, they just cannot throw a bumper or bird consistently.... and I have seen boy scouts load them at Hunt Tests, so it should be OK for the wife and 8 year old (?)

What sound does the thrower make? Gunshot? Duck call?

Thanks for all the comments!!
 
#15 ·
You can run two wingers off one remote control release with a relatively cheap cable connecting them. Each remote release has two cable jacks, one on each side of the release. There are two buttons on the transmitter: one red and one green. The green operates one jack on the release and the red button the other. The wingers have to be relatively close, say 20'. That is the length of cable that I have.

Note: my Tritronics transmitter is the old style (red and green buttons). The newer ones may be a bit different but the concept is the same.

The noise on the remote is used to get young dogs attention to look in that direction. I use Tritronics releases. On the TT is is just a buzzer sound. The type of noise is not important.

Monday I had a winger at 238 yds and I could hear the buzzer and my dog has much better hearing than me.
 
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#16 ·
You can load a 209 primer in the release, for a gunshot.

The TT Pro control sounds more like a goat than a duck.
But the dogs don't care.
 
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#18 ·
If you get the remote ready winger you can always use them manually but have the future capability for remote launches.
 
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#20 ·
InertiaDriven71 said:
They can throw a bird, they just cannot throw a bumper or bird consistently.... and I have seen boy scouts load them at Hunt Tests, so it should be OK for the wife and 8 year old (?)

What sound does the thrower make? Gunshot? Duck call?

Thanks for all the comments!!
Click to expand...
.
I would think through things before allowing an 8 year old to dick around with a winger or a bumper boy.
Even big kids can get hurt stringing a winger when something slips. Especially if it's ready to go and all strung up, you place something in the basket and it goes off with your hand in there.
More than one person has been shot in the head when a BB accidentally launched while bent over loading it.
An adult would normally sort out how to handle these devices safely but not a 8 yr old.
 
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PalouseDogs
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