Etch-Marc Thunderbird
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Can't wait to find out more info. on it. I just saw it advertised in the current HRC 'Hunting Retriever Mag.' Do you know what the costs is?Noah said:
:?:
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401 Posts
Thunderbird
I have been training with a person who has one. It throws a nice mark about 25 yards or so. It uses a dogtra remote release. The thunderbird uses mapp gas to shoot the bumpers. The sound when the bumper is launched, sounds like a real gun. I like the bumpers it throws too, the middle of the bumper has softer plastic that the dog can hold better. The softer plastic is nice on cold days.
Scott
I have been training with a person who has one. It throws a nice mark about 25 yards or so. It uses a dogtra remote release. The thunderbird uses mapp gas to shoot the bumpers. The sound when the bumper is launched, sounds like a real gun. I like the bumpers it throws too, the middle of the bumper has softer plastic that the dog can hold better. The softer plastic is nice on cold days.
Scott
I have not seen or used one yet, but I understand that TB uses a new a launch procedure (for lack of a better term)... you push button once to "fuel" it, then push again to launch. I've really liked my Max5, but from a fuel/charging standpoint, the TB sounds like it would be nice.
Can anyone else post up about their usage experience from the new TB. I'm particularily interested in hearing about, reliability and consistency - in otherwords does it misfire much, and if not are the bumpers being launched approximately the same distance on each mark.
Also, what do users think about the ability to adjust the arc and distance?
All comments will be appreciated.
Can anyone else post up about their usage experience from the new TB. I'm particularily interested in hearing about, reliability and consistency - in otherwords does it misfire much, and if not are the bumpers being launched approximately the same distance on each mark.
Also, what do users think about the ability to adjust the arc and distance?
All comments will be appreciated.
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9 Posts
Has anybody tried it (the Thunderbird) in cold weather?
We had problems with the Max in cold weather, but I liked them otherwise. Would really like to be able to use Maxwell in cold weather, and hoping the Thunderbird will be the ticket!
We had problems with the Max in cold weather, but I liked them otherwise. Would really like to be able to use Maxwell in cold weather, and hoping the Thunderbird will be the ticket!
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301 Posts
Any new insights from anyone?
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323 Posts
At this time, Sportdog isn't making any remote release electronics, so it wouldn't work with your transmitter.drbobsd said:
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394 Posts
Do they make a sound for it? Like BB has the advanced sound with the duck quack.
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5 Posts
thunderbird
The new unit works on the same principal as the Maxx Blaster 1000. Step one, A priming mechanism loads a chamber with gas. Step two, an electric firing system ignites the gas creating combustion in the chamber which discharges the bumper.
Because of the design cold weather should not have an affect on the system. They are new and time will tell what problems exist with the unit like anything mechanical.
If they are anything like the system in the Max Blaster, timing is critical. To little gas and not a good throw, this is supposed to be self regulating with an adjustment to increase or decrease the gas to change the throw distance?
I used the Maxx 5000 for as long as I could stand them and always had problems with the plate rotation system, inconsistency of the firing mechanism and hoses deteriorating and gas leaking. Maybe they fixed all that.
It will be interesting to see what develops with this new training equipment.
Tim
The new unit works on the same principal as the Maxx Blaster 1000. Step one, A priming mechanism loads a chamber with gas. Step two, an electric firing system ignites the gas creating combustion in the chamber which discharges the bumper.
Because of the design cold weather should not have an affect on the system. They are new and time will tell what problems exist with the unit like anything mechanical.
If they are anything like the system in the Max Blaster, timing is critical. To little gas and not a good throw, this is supposed to be self regulating with an adjustment to increase or decrease the gas to change the throw distance?
I used the Maxx 5000 for as long as I could stand them and always had problems with the plate rotation system, inconsistency of the firing mechanism and hoses deteriorating and gas leaking. Maybe they fixed all that.
It will be interesting to see what develops with this new training equipment.
Tim
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394 Posts
So Tim what are you using now for training?
Training
I use BB 12 shooters, I have 4 of them and just received my upgrades. I am happy with them and still own 2 Max 5000 launchers that are collecting dust.
I am not against the thunderbird at all, I am just happy with what I have and how they work.
Tim
I use BB 12 shooters, I have 4 of them and just received my upgrades. I am happy with them and still own 2 Max 5000 launchers that are collecting dust.
I am not against the thunderbird at all, I am just happy with what I have and how they work.
Tim
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394 Posts
Would you rather spend the extra money and get the BB or spend a little less and get the thunderbird?
Wow
That reads like a loaded question. Personally I can only base my decission on experience.
I train anywhere from 20 to 30 dogs a day so I have to have dependability. I did not get that from the Max 5000 units.
The BB's have given me few problems. I had some bumper blow up problems do to design, they replaced everyone and charged me nothing. Since then they have redesigned the bumpers and I do not hear of people having as many problems. I have wore out about 20 servos and they replaced everyone of them. Speakers have gone bad and they were replaced. I have sent the Max 5000 units into be repaired 3x, it cost me shipping there and back and the parts that "wore out" were not covered under any warranty so I paid for them as well. I have had three plates come apart on the Maxx 5000 from combustion. There response was just take them to a welder and have them repaired. Another cost to me.
I do not know if they operate any differently now then back then, some people may be able to respond. BB had some problems with customer service for awhile but I feel thay have that handled now. Most of the major hunting dog retailers carry the Bumperboy's but few if any carrie the Etchmark product to my knowledge. there are people who swear by Etchmark I am sure but I am content with BB.
BB has spent a lot of money in design, and as the ole saying goes you get what you pay for. Also, with the upgrades now and in the futuer, diversifacation in general, with Bumperboy you can start small and increase as you need to.
I would venture to say that the BB's you see for sale are because people are upgrading or not using them. Thats just my opinion.
If your budget allows you to purchase BB's then go for it. You may not be happy with one unit if you get into multiple marks, unless you always have someone helping you? its nice to set up my 4 units and run through 12 dogs before I have to rebird.
Tim
That reads like a loaded question. Personally I can only base my decission on experience.
I train anywhere from 20 to 30 dogs a day so I have to have dependability. I did not get that from the Max 5000 units.
The BB's have given me few problems. I had some bumper blow up problems do to design, they replaced everyone and charged me nothing. Since then they have redesigned the bumpers and I do not hear of people having as many problems. I have wore out about 20 servos and they replaced everyone of them. Speakers have gone bad and they were replaced. I have sent the Max 5000 units into be repaired 3x, it cost me shipping there and back and the parts that "wore out" were not covered under any warranty so I paid for them as well. I have had three plates come apart on the Maxx 5000 from combustion. There response was just take them to a welder and have them repaired. Another cost to me.
I do not know if they operate any differently now then back then, some people may be able to respond. BB had some problems with customer service for awhile but I feel thay have that handled now. Most of the major hunting dog retailers carry the Bumperboy's but few if any carrie the Etchmark product to my knowledge. there are people who swear by Etchmark I am sure but I am content with BB.
BB has spent a lot of money in design, and as the ole saying goes you get what you pay for. Also, with the upgrades now and in the futuer, diversifacation in general, with Bumperboy you can start small and increase as you need to.
I would venture to say that the BB's you see for sale are because people are upgrading or not using them. Thats just my opinion.
If your budget allows you to purchase BB's then go for it. You may not be happy with one unit if you get into multiple marks, unless you always have someone helping you? its nice to set up my 4 units and run through 12 dogs before I have to rebird.
Tim
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394 Posts
Alright
Thanks
Thanks
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