Minaska or FoxPro

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deerhunter1970

New member
What do you guys recommend for the brand (between the Minaska or FoxPro) and model? I see benefits from both companies but would like your real world experience. Thank you
 
Minaska and FOXPRO both make great callers. Check out the features on both brands in the price range that you want and buy the one you like. I had a great first year of using my FOXPRO FX5.
 
I love my Minaska; The one you choose will be based on which one you feel best meets your needs.

You can probably do a search here and find 100's of other opinions as this is a commonly asked question.
 
Agree with all the above posts. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Deerhunter might I suggest you go back into this forum several pages, I think there is just tons of posts on the information you request. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I ask this, as about every week or so someone asks the same question. Thanks,
 
If you have a chance go to the store and check them out and like the rest have said pick out the one that will work for you...what I like you may not and what you like I may hate.

When every you buy something you have to buy what you like and what will work for you so head to the store and find out first hand what you really like. Nothing like holding and playing with the product you want to buy....good luck
 
Quote:
If you have a chance go to the store and check them out and like the rest have said pick out the one that will work for you...what I like you may not and what you like I may hate.

When every you buy something you have to buy what you like and what will work for you so head to the store and find out first hand what you really like. Nothing like holding and playing with the product you want to buy....good luck



This is fine advice that these great fellas have given to you. This is how I chose to investigate things as well. In the end the FX3 was the best tool to fulfill my needs. I bought one of the first ones that allpredatorcalls.com had to sell and have never looked back, BUT you may have seperate and different needs from your unit.
 
thanks for the responses. I'm new to the new electronics. what do you all mean by 'what fits my needs'? They play sounds right. What features should I be looking for. I mainly use hand calls and an old electronic call that uses tapes. I live in Alaska and I hunt wolves, coyotes, fox and if we are lucky lynx. Also no one around here has a Minaska call that I've seen. I played with them at the shot shot show and they of course told me it was the call I needed for AK (FP said the same thing). Any help would be great. Thanks
 
I have one brand and a friend has the other. Both play sounds, have remotes, and do the job. Its all about personal prefference, yours! You can't go wrong with either. Good luck, and post pics. I would like to see more wolf and lynx pics..
 
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Summary of major features of Foxpro and Minaska models with similar features, form factor, and price point.

FX5 vs. BCB

Batteries - 8xAA NiMH (10.2v) vs. 12v gel cell (13.2v).

Remote - LCD scrolling, volume scrolling + 4 presets + timer vs. direct numerical access sounds and volume

Sounds - 50 .FXP vs. 100 .MP3

Amps - mono vs. discrete 2-channel

Memory - Internal 1G vs. 256K CF card (user up to 16G)

Price (from APC) - $680 ($710 from Foxpro; comes with 50 sounds + $25/16 extra sounds) vs. $580 ($600 from Minaska; 100 sounds on caller + free sounds for life)

Form - FX5 is smaller and lighter. 8¼W x 6¼H x 4¼D 1192g vs. 8½W x 6½H x 8¼D 2140g


Scorpion vs. M-1

Batteries - 8xAA (10.2v) vs. welded 10xAA L battery (12v) or base model 8xAA

Remote - same as above

Sounds - same as above

Amps - discrete 2-channel vs. mono

Memory - 1G mini SD user upgradable vs. 256K CF user up to 16G

Price - $500 + $20 for camo (100 sounds + $25/16) vs. $490 for 10xAA model with recharger (100 sounds + free for life) or base model $350. with 8xAA no recharger (30 sounds)

Form - 7W x 4½W x 2D 704g vs. 6½W x 5H x 2½D 766g

OC vs. U1 - decoy models

Batteries - 8xAA (10.2v) vs. 12V gel cell (13.2v)

Remote - same as above

Sounds - same as above

Amps - discrete 2-channel vs. discrete 2-channel

Memory - internal 1G vs 256K CF (user up to 16G)

Form - (no data for OC) vs. 8½W x 6½H x 8¼D 2348g

Speaker - plastic vs. aluminum

Price - $700 flat black (100 sounds + $25/16) vs. $680 in camo ($700 from Minaska; 100 sounds + free for life)

Foxpro models with internal memory (FX3/5 and OC) require a computer hook up to change or reorder sounds and larger memory available from FP. Minaska memory cards and Foxpro Scorpion cards can be edited by user with a computer, and can be swapped in the field in a few seconds. You'll need to synch the Scorpion's remote to the new card to take advantage of the lcd.

In AK, you'll probably need to keep the batteries and the Foxpro remote LCD warm.
 
Gary,

Sounds: the Foxpro's plays wavs and MP3's as well as .FXP

Batteries: the OCC can be configured to use 10 AA batteries or an internal gel cell and the Scorpion can run on 10AA as well.

Synching the remote: don't you have to print a new list for the sounds on the Minaska if you change them? Or are you going by memory?


I have been to Alaska with the TX-200 remote in minus 26 degree weather with no trouble. I just keeped the remote close to my chest cavity.


You will need a computer to change your sounds on the minaska s well... The sounds don't get on the cards by themselves do they?

You can hold 200 sounds on the FX5, Scorpion and OCC. That is equal to an extra card on the Minaska.

Thanks,
Steve
 
The comparison above summarized the info at AP's site for the six models mentioned straight out of their boxes, the way he sells them, without upgrades/options or additional expense.

Speakers, custom camo, batteries, chargers, deployment bags, extra toppers, memory, and sounds can be had for all of them for more money.

The threads pinned at the top of this forum are too old to be any good to anyone. None of that stuff is current. Interesting to see how much everything has changed in two years, but useless.
 
Gary,

We must be reading different websites? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

As quoted right from AP's site as far as the sounds the FX5 plays (and all of our other units states it as well): built in USB port allows for instant download of sounds—no reader/writer necessary. The FX5 is designed to play mp3, uncompressed wav files, and fxp (FOXPRO's own proprietary file type!) for the highest quality sound ever!

As far as the batteries on the M-1: Rechargeable Battery Package with wall charger Included (8 AA's). And the base model is not available from AP.

Just thought I would clarify.
 
Gary,
I'll be updating the testing this fall whenever the new products roll off the production lines. I'll have the WR Nite Stalker, Minaska's, FoxPro's, WT's (Somehow), and probably some JS products as well. I PM'd the guy who started this thread and told him he's welcome to meet me to check out all of the callers, but I haven't heard from him. It should be an interesting new round of testing. If there's anything you'd like to see "special" on the testing let me know and I'll try to fit it in there.
 
Minaska Outdoors - M1 Mini Bandit (BASE UNIT) Remote Controlled Game Call with 30 calls (your choice) # M1M-BASE

Minaska Outdoors Bandit M-1 BASE UNIT (30 Calls You Pick). This compact little powerhouse contains 30 lifelike, digital-quality game calls of your choice. The full-function remote activates the sounds from up to 100+ yards away under ideal conditions. The high-quality internal cone speaker provides clear, highly audible sound. Receiver includes 256MB compact flash memory with is upgradeable to 16GB, there is no time limit on each sound so you can customize your call sequences to any length, external audio-in jack for use with a microphone, MP3 player, CD or tape player, a 3.5mm external speaker jack, charging jack, auxiliary decoy function and a toggle for shutting off the internal cone speaker. The Mossy Oak Break-up camouflage base unit operates on 8 AA batteries (batteries and charger are NOT included). Remote requires one 9-volt battery. Specifications: Size 6-3/8" x 4-3/4" x 2-3/4". Unit weighs only 1lb 10ozs with batteries installed! PLEASE NOTE: The M1 Base Unit Package does NOT qualify for the FREE sounds for life or Minaska users forum access. This unit DIFFERS from the “Regular M1 priced at $469.95” in that the regular M-1 comes programmed with 100 calls, includes USB reader/writer, FREE sounds for life from Minaska Outdoors, access to the private Minaska owners forum, and rechargeable batteries and charger.

See The Minaska Sounds Listing / Pick Your Calls Here

APC Exclusive - Custom Programmed Minaska's!
Includes 30 calls of your Choice - You Pick & We Program!
$349.95
 
The chart above is aimed at anyone thinking about a first e-caller purchase or someone who'd like to upgrade to a newer model.

I checked the various sites and corrected some of the info above. Sounds for the Foxpro callers from FP, Byron, or Bob A. are all FXP. There were no MP3 or wave files for sale there. The current M-1 caller comes from Minaska with a welded 10xAA 12v L battery. I updated prices for the M-1 ($490) and Foxpro sounds ($25/16) and added the actual battery voltages.

AP carries a lot more stuff than his site lists. Sometimes you have to call to get the current info. I think even Steve B. has the wrong price above unless he's giving a $20 discount on the M-1. The Minaska site says it's $489.95.

The Foxpro site says the FX5 is $710. and quote " Runs on 8 “AA” batteries (rechargeable NiMH batteries and charger sold separately)" but I believe mine came with both the NiMH batteries and the charger, so that's probably wrong too.

Peter, you could load all your calls with the same sounds and play them for 250 experienced predator hunters and collect their comments, just like I did last summer.

 
Gary,
I was thinking of doing exactly that, but from behind a curtain so nobody could see what caller is playing. Vary the distances people have to listen to the sounds so they can get an up close listen and then back them out to varying ranges and see what happens. That way I could get a fair shake at what everybody thinks "sounds" the best without any favoritism on brand. Did you play the sounds to get opinions of sound quality? Caller functions? Volume / Clarity? The only downfall is going to be the callers which don't have sound loading capability, but that's alright, they'll all get WT sounds on them then /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Who knows, maybe WT will have a programmable unit on the market by then. I'm going to try and video all of the testing as well, so people can actually see what's going on with the callers, rather than a bunch of typing with photos. I'll be posting it on a few forums too in case there are skeptics on testing procedures.
 
I think what would also be needed is a little explanation to people WHAT to listen for. Most don't understand, for example, what signal to noise ratio is. But, when explained, and then told what to listen for, it becomes very evident. Signal to noise ratio can be easily understood by listening to silent passages in a sound, and listen to the noise that is generated in those silent passages. The more "hissing" you hear, the worse off the particular unit is (and there are some very poor ones out there!) Now, alot of times, this can't be heard from behind a curtain, and the user should be very close.
There certainly are ways that people can be deceived when things are not explained properly, and fair comparisons are not performed.
Again, for anyone coming to the World Predator Expo, I will be covering alot of this, and explaining in more detail what everything means.
 
I've heard the term *signal to noise ratio* many times. I never really did understand what it meant. Thanks for the explanation.

Sooo, in a nutshell, signal to noise ratio = noise or hissing heard in silent passages when playing a sound.

Going by that definition, I personally think signal to noise ratio means absolutley nothing when discussing e-callers. Anybody who has ever used or listened to a cassette caller such as a JS 512/612 knows they have terrible *signal to noise ratio*. But, the cassette callers WILL call animals as well as any digital call. There are some who claim that analog sounds are actually superior to digital sounds for calling. That I don't have an opinion on. It's possible though.

Looking forward to your thoughts on this Foxpro.
 


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