DT Systems SPT 2430 w/Beeper 1 Dog System

Overall this is an excellent product. I attended a George Hickox school maybe 10 years ago and bought my first one at the school. I have owned probably 3-4 since that time - the most recent version I purchased is about 18 months old. They do need periodic repair if put through the normal paces in the field and grouse covers and battery replacement is usually about every two years depending on usage but DT is excellent on customer service for all of their products. (I also have the RAPT 1400 for lab training -- also an excellent product - but it does not have the extreme low range stimulation level differentiation of the 2430 and have not yet used it for pointing dogs). The 2430 "rise" function was eliminated and now is vibration only. I did not regularly use the rise function in any event (though I believe some trainers did). The Stim /Jump function is invaluable. As for the stimulation range from 1-50, I am personally not sure anything over even a 20 would ever be needed (folks may differ on this but if you are collar conditioning and training properly, a 1- 5 stim/jump should normally be sufficient for most dogs - maybe a 10 or higher on some occasions - safety "stops" or running game avoidance). The range differentiation in the low stim. range is what separates this unit from the others. The unit comes with a G. Hickox e-collar training overview pamphlet that is truly excellent. Constrcutive criticisms based upon 10 years of use: (1) Make the collar in sizes S, M, L - the "one size fits all" collar simply does NOT fit smaller dogs necks well, and it is absolutely critical that you get a snug fit (or stimulation will not be consistent). (FYI - for smaller setters etc. I have moved the beeper unit on the collar, taped soft foam cushion inside the collar and added a few more collar holes to allow a tight fit.); (2) Add a 'hard' main on-off switch. The unit turns on when essentially any function button ( beep, run, stim., vibrate etc.,) is depressed - this leads to the annoying feature that the unit can be turned on inadvertently when placing it in your field bag /vest after a hunt. To turn the unit off - both stim. level buttons on the right hand side need to be simultaneously pushed. A main on off switch would make this a more user friendly unit. Such should be doable for the price tag on these units! (3) Make the gradually increasing vertical hash stim. selection screen either easier to see or digitial/numeric. (I'm 58 and my eyes aren't what the used to be. A "1" on the screen is about the size of a period and tucked into the extreme lower left corner of the screen -- very difficult to see - I am not sure a dog can tell the difference between say a 7 and an 8 but it takes a bit of eye test gymnastics to differentiate between the two using the naked eye); (4) Based upon first hand experience, if you are not careful the stim. level can be and unintentionally adjusted by inadvertently pressing the right side buttons which can happen when for instance moving the unit to or from your vest while hunting. For me, I'd score the 2430 as a "9" on a 1 to 10 scale. For the price though it could and should be a "perfect 10" with the above adjustments.