Freedom from extension cords...... - Champion Targets Single/Double Remote Release Systems

This is a worthy addition to your motorized clay bird launcher if you want to be able to shoot birds from several angles, distances and directions. It frees you from having to use an extension cord to separate the trapper and/or shooter from the launching machine. I use it with my Champion Wheelybird thrower. Setup is straight forward and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. After installing the battery in the hand held controller, you connect the receiver to a power source (typically the battery that powers the thrower), press the "learn" button in the covered compartment under the receiver, then press the button on the controller you want to use to launch the bird (there are two such buttons). Once the receiver has "learned" the button frequency security code, the ready button on the top of the receiver will flash rapidly for a few seconds and you are ready to go. There is a small dial knob in the covered compartment of the reciever to adjust the time that the relay stays closed when activated by the remote control button. This enables the receiver to accommodate different cycling times for various throwers. The Wheelybird operates at the lowest (shortest relay time) setting.

The hand held controller has a power on/off switch on the side. When the switch is set to the on position, You have to press the launching button once to activate the link to the thrower. After that, each push of the button will result in a bird launch based on the cycle time of your launcher. When communication with the receiver is successful there is a light on the top of the controller that turns green. If communication to the receiver is not successful the light flashes red. I have used it out to separation distances of 50 yards with no loss of signal. The range is advertised as out to 120 yards (line of sight) but I have yet to test it that far.

The receiver has an Arm/Disarm button with two indicator lights. One is for "power" (green) and the other is a "ready" indicator (red). Pressing the Arm/Disarm button will disable communication so the remote cannot launch a bird. This is a safety feature to enable loading the stack feeder on the thrower. The "ready" will flash when the receiver is in the 'disarmed" state. Pressing the "Arm/Disarm" button again will restore communication. The "ready" light will go steady on at that point and the reciever is again active.

You will most likely need to cut the wire from you existing wired lauching button to your thrower to install the receiver. Banana type prong plugs are provided with the unit for this purpose. I used regular extension cord male/female plugs for this purpose. If your thrower has an outlet already installed to connect its button controller, than you will need to install the male mating plug to the wires on the receiver. These wires come prestripped with the ends soldered. Plan on adding an extra foot or two of wire to these wires (they are 18" long) if you have a larger separation between your battery and the controller wire on your launcher.

A rectangular patch of velcro is provided so the receiver can be mounted on top of the battery. The battery cables are colored red/black and are 18" long with small alligator clips. The alligator clips are too small to allow direct connection to the battery. Yoy have to clip them to the battery connectors on your thrower.

I found 2 "weaknesses": 1) the antenna for the receiver uses a very narrow screw for mounting. It will be very easy to bend with the antenna mounted and potentally easy to break off. Care should be exercized in handling & protecting the antenna from rough handling. 2) the hand held controller uses a small 12V battery (23A or vr22).