Greetings from Colorado;
I have read many past posts on here concerning differences between the types of launchers. There are a great many opinions and differences for the different types of launchers when compared to each other. My question is what would you consider the ideal inventory of a moderately priced training arsenal.
I can see value in Zingers, DT-style .22 caliber fired launchers, Thunder-style gas launchers and handler launched/thrown components. There are single shot, up through 10-bank launcher devices. One could find themselves toting 100 pounds of equipment into the field and having a multitude of launching options.
If you were designing your training arsenal, what combination of equipment would you recommend, or perhaps you have the ideal training equipment ... so what do you own? I realize that a quad run would probably be the max training scenario, so perhaps three double stations and two zinger stations might be a solid double run setup. On the other hand, you may think that a triple DT and single zinger would simplify the scent of the hunt area. Maybe the thought is to use a Thunder 500 for single marks, then graduate into a couple additional single devices when multiple marks are worked.
I guess the question is what combination (and the rationale) would be most efficient for most budding dog handlers. If money was no object, I would presume two multi-station launchers and a plethora of zingers or GU programmed on the single transmitter would be best. I just don't want to spend $4K on launchers if there is a good formula out there for the variety of launchers to take a retriever through a quad or triple.
Opinions are welcome ... not looking for an argument, everyone's opinion is valuable. I will say the biggest mistake I made with my last Lab was not running a consistent program involving retrieves more than 80 yards. I want to fix that issue with my newcomer.
I have read many past posts on here concerning differences between the types of launchers. There are a great many opinions and differences for the different types of launchers when compared to each other. My question is what would you consider the ideal inventory of a moderately priced training arsenal.
I can see value in Zingers, DT-style .22 caliber fired launchers, Thunder-style gas launchers and handler launched/thrown components. There are single shot, up through 10-bank launcher devices. One could find themselves toting 100 pounds of equipment into the field and having a multitude of launching options.
If you were designing your training arsenal, what combination of equipment would you recommend, or perhaps you have the ideal training equipment ... so what do you own? I realize that a quad run would probably be the max training scenario, so perhaps three double stations and two zinger stations might be a solid double run setup. On the other hand, you may think that a triple DT and single zinger would simplify the scent of the hunt area. Maybe the thought is to use a Thunder 500 for single marks, then graduate into a couple additional single devices when multiple marks are worked.
I guess the question is what combination (and the rationale) would be most efficient for most budding dog handlers. If money was no object, I would presume two multi-station launchers and a plethora of zingers or GU programmed on the single transmitter would be best. I just don't want to spend $4K on launchers if there is a good formula out there for the variety of launchers to take a retriever through a quad or triple.
Opinions are welcome ... not looking for an argument, everyone's opinion is valuable. I will say the biggest mistake I made with my last Lab was not running a consistent program involving retrieves more than 80 yards. I want to fix that issue with my newcomer.
