SportDog SD 400 / 400S REVIEWS

SportDog SD 400 / 400S REVIEWS by STEVE SNELL

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.

Picking between the SportDog SD 400 and the SportDog SD 400-S

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.

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

These terms apply to the

Sportdog Collars.

Remote Transmitter: Transmits the radio signal to the Collar Receiver. It is waterproof and can be submerged in water.

Transmitter Indicator Light: Indicates that a button is pressed and also serves as a low-battery indicator.

Intensity Dial: Provides a choice of 8 levels of stimulation so you can match the correction to your dog�s temperament.

Upper Button: This button is factory-set to deliver continuous stimulation.

Lower Button: This button is factory-set to deliver momentary stimulation, or a "Nick."

Side Button: This switch is factory-set to deliver a tone without stimulation.

Toggle Switch: This switch is factory-set so that the Remote Transmitter can control two Collar Receivers. When the Remote Transmitter is programmed for three Collar Receivers, it switches the signals from Continuous Stimulation to Momentary Stimulation.

Collar Receiver: Receives the radio signal from the Remote Transmitter. It is waterproof and can be submerged in water.

Receiver Indicator Light: Indicates when the Collar Receiver has been turned on or off and also serves as a low-battery indicator.

Contact Points: The contacts through which the Collar Receiver delivers stimulation when a Remote Transmitter button programed for Continuous or Momentary Stimulation is pressed.

Charging Jacks: For connecting the charger. Although the Collar Receiver is waterproof without it, keep the cover in place when not charging to keep debris out of the opening.

On/Off Button: Momentarily pressing and holding this button turns the Collar Receiver on and off.

Continuous Stimulation: When a button is programmed for Continuous Stimulation, you control both when and how long stimulation is delivered to your dog through the Collar Receiver�s Contact Points. When a continuous stimulation button is pressed for 8 seconds or more, the Remote Transmitter will time-out. The button will need to be released and pressed again before additional stimulation can be delivered.

Momentary (Nick) Stimulation: When a button is programmed for Momentary Stimulation, stimulation is delivered for 5/100 of a second, regardless of how long the button is pressed.

Before you decide which collar to buy, read our Dog Training Collars guide for dog product comparisons, features, reviews, & more information.

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