As a Gunners Up Dealer whenever anyone inquires about pricing for the Son Of a Gun model I always encourage them to consider spending the 20 extra bucks to get the full size model instead, unless the storage and transportation is an issue on a daily basis ( is - truck bed length, trailer rack, etc ) The reason being that the versatility of being able to have several different positions to set the bands, as well as the throwing distance / arch of the throw makes it worth the extra money to me and the majority of my customers.
Regarding "tricks to increase the distance" I am wary of giving that type of advice since the individual models are designed to be used with the rubber tubing that they are shipped with, and changing it out with a different thickness or by shortening the length could potentially either void the warranty or even decrease the safety of its use. Please be careful whenever you make changes like these and understand that the GU does not endorse doing so.