I wish I would have found this board first but I didn't anyway I have already ordered a western rivers call with a remote do they work ok or not(I hunt in Saskatchewan where the tempature goes from cold to damm cold)? I found quite a bit of negative feed back on this board but it was all older posts have they fixed their problems or not?
western rivers electronic call
- Thread starter Canada
- Start date
me
New member
Quote:
I wish I would have found this board first ..... I found quite a bit of negative feed back on this board but it was all older posts have they fixed their problems or not?
That's what I said shortly aftrer I returned my Predation to Cabelas within the 30 day return period.....
You've probably also seen a lot of my posts.....
To address your questions about whether or not they've fixed their problems..... I spoke with Bryan, the President of Western Rivers, during my "frustration" period..... When I made a couple of suggestions, he remarked "Apparently you've never been in manufacturing and don't understand the costs in changing a design." His talking down to me, when he didn't have any idea of my background, was infuriating. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif I somehow or other managed to keep my cool.
If you keep your call, you'll get to know Keith.....
He's their Tech Specialist and a really first rate guy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Unfortunately, even he can't fix their problems - only apply bandaides.
I guess I should step back from the keyboard now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif .....
me!
I wish I would have found this board first ..... I found quite a bit of negative feed back on this board but it was all older posts have they fixed their problems or not?
That's what I said shortly aftrer I returned my Predation to Cabelas within the 30 day return period.....
You've probably also seen a lot of my posts.....
To address your questions about whether or not they've fixed their problems..... I spoke with Bryan, the President of Western Rivers, during my "frustration" period..... When I made a couple of suggestions, he remarked "Apparently you've never been in manufacturing and don't understand the costs in changing a design." His talking down to me, when he didn't have any idea of my background, was infuriating. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif I somehow or other managed to keep my cool.
If you keep your call, you'll get to know Keith.....
He's their Tech Specialist and a really first rate guy! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Unfortunately, even he can't fix their problems - only apply bandaides.
I guess I should step back from the keyboard now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif .....
me!
ME
i am reading all these posts on here and other forums,,,the more i read the more confused i get,,,i want to buy a caller and will pay$300-$400 for a top rate caller but i only want to make 1 purchase so i guess ill keep reading posts but thank you for a very good point and i WILL KEEP THIS IN MIND!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Thank you
Ohiobob
i am reading all these posts on here and other forums,,,the more i read the more confused i get,,,i want to buy a caller and will pay$300-$400 for a top rate caller but i only want to make 1 purchase so i guess ill keep reading posts but thank you for a very good point and i WILL KEEP THIS IN MIND!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Thank you
Ohiobob
trapwv
New member
Mine has give me little trouble. I have not had it in the kind of cold you can put it through but I have been out at temps around 0 degrees F. The screen will not work when it is really cold but the call functions fine. I think the call performs ok for the price. Remote works well and the flexibility of loading yourself is hard to find at this price range. Hope things work out ok with the cold.
me
New member
Bob -
I did two reviews on the Predation over at WomenHunters.com. One on the first unit I purchased; I deleted it when Western Rivers agreed to replace my unit. I did a second when I received my origianl unit back; reconditioned with a new, antenna-less remote. I'd love to refer you to the second review, but WH has had some site problems recently and it would seem that they have lost their archives. Here is the text from the first review; the second said basically the same thing.....
I have been buying from Cabela's for something close to 25 years. Never, in all that time, have I ever been at all dissatisfied with any product. I still wear the Cabela's Gor-tex hiking boots I bought something like 20 years ago! My Cabela's Gor-tex parka and jean-cut pants are as good as the day I got them 20 years ago! For years, until I stopped hunting and gave it away, I used a Johnny Stewart cassette tape predator call with excellent success that I had gotten from Cabela's.
This year, I decided to return to hunting. Coyote hunting had always been one of my favorite winter pastimes so I wanted another electronic call.....
On my old Johnny Stewart call, I had and extra 100' of wire so I could put the speaker out away from me. I also had a tape I had dubbed with the first 15 minutes blank so I could set the call even further away; but then I couldn't control the volume. Since they are now available, this time I wanted a remotely operated call. I originally wanted the Johnny Stewart "Bushwhacker" because it is a name I had used and trusted in both electronic and mouth blown calls..... But it wasn't available..... So I made a call to Western Rivers..... Western Rivers assured me that their call would be all that was advertised: "The most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems".
I ordered it from Cabela's over the internet last Friday evening. Paid the extra amount so I could be sure to have it for the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend. I was Excited!
The package got here Wednesday. I was Excited!
I opened the box. I was Excited!
I picked up the unit. I was Excited.
I turned it on.
I couldn't quite read the LCD display.
I was Disappointed.
"Maybe it just needs to charge more," I thought.
So I charged it overnight.
I still couldn't quite read the display.
I was even more Disappointed.
I was expecting there to be a horn-type speaker inside the unit. It turned out to be a regular diaphragm speaker. It appeared to at least be some sort of plastic rather than paper. It might be water resistant.
I try to operate the remote. Those little buttons should operate with ease. No, they don't. I try a finger nail. No, they don't. Even with the acrylic overlay, my nails aren't strong enough. I go to my thumb nail; finally I can operate the buttons. But they still take a lot of fiddling around; some you press in the center, some you press on the edge and some you have to kinda roll your nail all over. All of them have to be pressed very hard.
I was SO Disappointed.
I read the instructions. They said to put something like tape or nail polish on the antenna to keep it from unscrewing. "Are you kidding me? It's not made from the factory so it will stay where it's supposed to be? I thought I was spending $249.99 for the 'most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems'. Fresh out of the factory and you want me to hold it together with duct tape?" I dabbed two coats of bright red on the antennas for both the call and the remote.
I was getting REALLY, REALLY Disappointed.
OK..... Maybe things will be better out in the woods hunting..... Maybe the thing just needs to be "worked" a bit..... Maybe the "most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems" just needs a bit of practical experience to get into the swing of things.....
It had snowed Wednesday night, but the temperatures were in the mid- to upper-30's. Not a cloud in the sky! A beautiful day to be out hunting coyotes!
Oops..... My gloves will only let me easily uncover my fingers but not my thumb..... "You mean I have to take my glove off EVERY time I want to start or stop the call? Every time I want to change volume?"
"Fer cryin' out loud. Outside, I can't read the blankety-blank-blank display at all. How am I supposed to tell what sound is going to come out of this thing?"
The sounds were excellent but the unit wasn't loud enough for them to carry any distance.
On my third sitting, I discover that I've lost the antenna to the remote control - bright red nail polish and all. I found a temporary solution by pushing the remote against the barrel of my rifle so it would act as the antenna. I had to take my gloves off BOTH hands to do that.
I was well beyond "Disappointed".
I wanted to go out again on Friday. I needed an antenna for the remote so I pulled out the biggest paper clip I could find, straightened it out and taped it into the remote. I also taped the antenna to the unit. I tied hunter orange tape to both antennas so I could easily find them just in case they still fell off.
I get to thinking..... "Maybe the remote's battery is just low..... Maybe if I change it....." So I pull out the instructions..... "To change the battery in the remote control simply pull outward on the lower part of the remote where the lanyard attaches" "You mean I've had this thing hanging around my neck by the lanyard and, every time I pulled it out to operate it, I was taking a chance on releasing the battery tray and losing the battery in the mud and snow?" Yep. That's the way they designed it.
The unit is going back to Cabela's on tomorrow's first UPS truck.
If you are a salesperson in a suit hoping to impress a buyer in a suit in a carpeted, well-light office, who doesn't hunt..... The Western Rivers "Predation" may well be your ticket to a sale.....
If the buyer has ever been out in the woods..... You'd better have long eyelashes, lush lips, shapely legs and a short skirt.
The Bottom Line:
Dollar for dollar, this is the most poorly designed piece of outdoor equipment I have ever purchased.
me!
I did two reviews on the Predation over at WomenHunters.com. One on the first unit I purchased; I deleted it when Western Rivers agreed to replace my unit. I did a second when I received my origianl unit back; reconditioned with a new, antenna-less remote. I'd love to refer you to the second review, but WH has had some site problems recently and it would seem that they have lost their archives. Here is the text from the first review; the second said basically the same thing.....
I have been buying from Cabela's for something close to 25 years. Never, in all that time, have I ever been at all dissatisfied with any product. I still wear the Cabela's Gor-tex hiking boots I bought something like 20 years ago! My Cabela's Gor-tex parka and jean-cut pants are as good as the day I got them 20 years ago! For years, until I stopped hunting and gave it away, I used a Johnny Stewart cassette tape predator call with excellent success that I had gotten from Cabela's.
This year, I decided to return to hunting. Coyote hunting had always been one of my favorite winter pastimes so I wanted another electronic call.....
On my old Johnny Stewart call, I had and extra 100' of wire so I could put the speaker out away from me. I also had a tape I had dubbed with the first 15 minutes blank so I could set the call even further away; but then I couldn't control the volume. Since they are now available, this time I wanted a remotely operated call. I originally wanted the Johnny Stewart "Bushwhacker" because it is a name I had used and trusted in both electronic and mouth blown calls..... But it wasn't available..... So I made a call to Western Rivers..... Western Rivers assured me that their call would be all that was advertised: "The most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems".
I ordered it from Cabela's over the internet last Friday evening. Paid the extra amount so I could be sure to have it for the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend. I was Excited!
The package got here Wednesday. I was Excited!
I opened the box. I was Excited!
I picked up the unit. I was Excited.
I turned it on.
I couldn't quite read the LCD display.
I was Disappointed.
"Maybe it just needs to charge more," I thought.
So I charged it overnight.
I still couldn't quite read the display.
I was even more Disappointed.
I was expecting there to be a horn-type speaker inside the unit. It turned out to be a regular diaphragm speaker. It appeared to at least be some sort of plastic rather than paper. It might be water resistant.
I try to operate the remote. Those little buttons should operate with ease. No, they don't. I try a finger nail. No, they don't. Even with the acrylic overlay, my nails aren't strong enough. I go to my thumb nail; finally I can operate the buttons. But they still take a lot of fiddling around; some you press in the center, some you press on the edge and some you have to kinda roll your nail all over. All of them have to be pressed very hard.
I was SO Disappointed.
I read the instructions. They said to put something like tape or nail polish on the antenna to keep it from unscrewing. "Are you kidding me? It's not made from the factory so it will stay where it's supposed to be? I thought I was spending $249.99 for the 'most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems'. Fresh out of the factory and you want me to hold it together with duct tape?" I dabbed two coats of bright red on the antennas for both the call and the remote.
I was getting REALLY, REALLY Disappointed.
OK..... Maybe things will be better out in the woods hunting..... Maybe the thing just needs to be "worked" a bit..... Maybe the "most advanced unit in wildlife calling systems" just needs a bit of practical experience to get into the swing of things.....
It had snowed Wednesday night, but the temperatures were in the mid- to upper-30's. Not a cloud in the sky! A beautiful day to be out hunting coyotes!
Oops..... My gloves will only let me easily uncover my fingers but not my thumb..... "You mean I have to take my glove off EVERY time I want to start or stop the call? Every time I want to change volume?"
"Fer cryin' out loud. Outside, I can't read the blankety-blank-blank display at all. How am I supposed to tell what sound is going to come out of this thing?"
The sounds were excellent but the unit wasn't loud enough for them to carry any distance.
On my third sitting, I discover that I've lost the antenna to the remote control - bright red nail polish and all. I found a temporary solution by pushing the remote against the barrel of my rifle so it would act as the antenna. I had to take my gloves off BOTH hands to do that.
I was well beyond "Disappointed".
I wanted to go out again on Friday. I needed an antenna for the remote so I pulled out the biggest paper clip I could find, straightened it out and taped it into the remote. I also taped the antenna to the unit. I tied hunter orange tape to both antennas so I could easily find them just in case they still fell off.
I get to thinking..... "Maybe the remote's battery is just low..... Maybe if I change it....." So I pull out the instructions..... "To change the battery in the remote control simply pull outward on the lower part of the remote where the lanyard attaches" "You mean I've had this thing hanging around my neck by the lanyard and, every time I pulled it out to operate it, I was taking a chance on releasing the battery tray and losing the battery in the mud and snow?" Yep. That's the way they designed it.
The unit is going back to Cabela's on tomorrow's first UPS truck.
If you are a salesperson in a suit hoping to impress a buyer in a suit in a carpeted, well-light office, who doesn't hunt..... The Western Rivers "Predation" may well be your ticket to a sale.....
If the buyer has ever been out in the woods..... You'd better have long eyelashes, lush lips, shapely legs and a short skirt.
The Bottom Line:
Dollar for dollar, this is the most poorly designed piece of outdoor equipment I have ever purchased.
me!
I thought was my predation caller was a nice entry level MP3 player. Sound quality decent but the loops were short. Batteries never let me down. Good range with remote. I solved by cold weather issues with a converted fanny pack with a couple hand-warmers. My opinion is the antenna is a lil fragile, but I always disconnected prior to transport.
My predation is currently selling well on eBay as I am now ready to step up to a Bandit or FX3.
My predation is currently selling well on eBay as I am now ready to step up to a Bandit or FX3.
me
New member
It seems to me that WR is a fairly small company..... That "Brian" is very likely the same Brian who is the President of the company that I spoke to.....
For whatever it's worth, since I am posting all these ill-feelings, I would welcome hearing what he has to say.
I also feel that, considering the nature of my posts, it isn't really fair of me to hide behind the anonimity of the internet..... Brian, I am Staci Matheis.
me!
For whatever it's worth, since I am posting all these ill-feelings, I would welcome hearing what he has to say.
I also feel that, considering the nature of my posts, it isn't really fair of me to hide behind the anonimity of the internet..... Brian, I am Staci Matheis.
me!
swift one
New member
I have owned a few products from WR. While most were decent products, the Predation had issues. It was a great theory but a poor design IMO. I got to know Keith the tech guy real well and after about 3 trips that my caller took back to the company, I had enough.
The antenna was very fragile and came unscrewed. I was told to put nail polish on the threads to keep it from coming unscrewed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
At one point the sound quality became very poor with a lot of crackling and popping in the background. Keith could not get it fixed. I could not get a refund. I sold it on EBay and I hope the new owner is happy with it.
Since the Predation I have owned a Preymaster and now a Bandit. I have also hunted under the FX3.
Let's start with the Preymaster in comparison to the Predation. The Preymaster was not a remote unit but gave better sound quality and dependability than the Predation ever did. IMO, the Preymaster is an excellent entry level ecaller and a great caller for night hunting.
The FX3 and Bandit in comparison to the Predation is like camparing night to day. Both the FX3 and Bandit smoke the Predation in all categories. ALL CATEGORIES. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I personally like the simplicity of the Bandit's remote better than the FX3's but that is really only the only differece that I see between the two.
Brian used to come to this site a lot but for some reason does not anymore. There was talk about improving on the Predation's antenna problems and a couple of other things. I don't know if they have happened or not. IMO, there are alot better callers out there that you can spend your hard earned money on. I hear that there is going to even be a remote operated Preymaster in the future. That would be sweet.
The antenna was very fragile and came unscrewed. I was told to put nail polish on the threads to keep it from coming unscrewed. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
At one point the sound quality became very poor with a lot of crackling and popping in the background. Keith could not get it fixed. I could not get a refund. I sold it on EBay and I hope the new owner is happy with it.
Since the Predation I have owned a Preymaster and now a Bandit. I have also hunted under the FX3.
Let's start with the Preymaster in comparison to the Predation. The Preymaster was not a remote unit but gave better sound quality and dependability than the Predation ever did. IMO, the Preymaster is an excellent entry level ecaller and a great caller for night hunting.
The FX3 and Bandit in comparison to the Predation is like camparing night to day. Both the FX3 and Bandit smoke the Predation in all categories. ALL CATEGORIES. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I personally like the simplicity of the Bandit's remote better than the FX3's but that is really only the only differece that I see between the two.
Brian used to come to this site a lot but for some reason does not anymore. There was talk about improving on the Predation's antenna problems and a couple of other things. I don't know if they have happened or not. IMO, there are alot better callers out there that you can spend your hard earned money on. I hear that there is going to even be a remote operated Preymaster in the future. That would be sweet.
TheHuntedOne
New member
about the same as the callers
Sub par
Too much noise to much junk. You would do better to use a rusty bucket and a couple of nails and shake it around on stand.
The big problem with the Predation, aside from the fact that it is broken more than it works, is that the sounds on it are really bad. The upside was that you could easily replace them. And yes, I actually owned a Predation. For 6 days. It died on day 6, never having been to the field.
Al
THO Game Calls
Sub par
Too much noise to much junk. You would do better to use a rusty bucket and a couple of nails and shake it around on stand.
The big problem with the Predation, aside from the fact that it is broken more than it works, is that the sounds on it are really bad. The upside was that you could easily replace them. And yes, I actually owned a Predation. For 6 days. It died on day 6, never having been to the field.
Al
THO Game Calls
trapwv
New member
I believe things to be getting a bit harsh here. I still believe the unit to be decent for the price. I have hunted with people who had better units but they cost much more or do not have remote capability or the ability to load sounds. I think WR tried to make a call that had some of these features for less money. Basically, this is what we got. Add better components for sound quality and price goes up. Add better antenna-price goes up. Next thing you know, $450. There are some issues with the call that need improvement. The antennae issue is a big one. If WR would make some of these minor improvements they would have a good product. If you want the best then spend the money.
TheHuntedOne
New member
I agree with you. The reason I purchased a Predation however was because at the time, it was the only unit on the market that would handle MP3 files.
The antenna was not an issue for me. The sound of the Predation was excellent once you got rid of the sounds that came with it and put in some clean sounds. It was loud and very clear.
As for being harsh - that's not true. I have been nice.
I had my predation 6 days. Never took it hunting. I did take it to the range one day to test the remote. The thing stopped working. No sound at all.
That is not harsh, that's true. If the Predation would have worked, I would have been very happy with it. Like I said, it had good clear sound and enough volume for anything I would have done with it. None of the little things were a factor.
What was a factor was that it was not a reliable hunting tool. I will not carry something in the field that does not work or that I cannot count on.
I have never seen one mention of the problem that my unit had being fixed by Western Rivers, and after talking to them, I was left with the impression that this was a common problem that they were well aware of. To my knowledge, they are still selling the unit with the same potential for failure that mine had. If it were not for that, I would still own one.
Cabellas is known for it's customer service and return policy. The Predation is one of a handfull of products that Cabells will NOT take back after 30 days. That should have told me, and anyone else who wants to buy one, something significant.
Al
THO Game Calls
The antenna was not an issue for me. The sound of the Predation was excellent once you got rid of the sounds that came with it and put in some clean sounds. It was loud and very clear.
As for being harsh - that's not true. I have been nice.
I had my predation 6 days. Never took it hunting. I did take it to the range one day to test the remote. The thing stopped working. No sound at all.
That is not harsh, that's true. If the Predation would have worked, I would have been very happy with it. Like I said, it had good clear sound and enough volume for anything I would have done with it. None of the little things were a factor.
What was a factor was that it was not a reliable hunting tool. I will not carry something in the field that does not work or that I cannot count on.
I have never seen one mention of the problem that my unit had being fixed by Western Rivers, and after talking to them, I was left with the impression that this was a common problem that they were well aware of. To my knowledge, they are still selling the unit with the same potential for failure that mine had. If it were not for that, I would still own one.
Cabellas is known for it's customer service and return policy. The Predation is one of a handfull of products that Cabells will NOT take back after 30 days. That should have told me, and anyone else who wants to buy one, something significant.
Al
THO Game Calls
trapwv
New member
I hope WR is seeing some of these issues and designing them out of the call. I personally have never had an issue with mine. I have heard that sometimes the data will lock and the call will have to be reset. Possibly even need to clean, erase, and reload. To this day I have not had a bit of trouble, hope it stays that way. I agree with you on the sounds. I erased all it came with and loaded new. I am not real impressed with most of their sounds on the site. They are just not distressed enough. Overall, I am pleased with my purchase and hope things continue to go well. I will not even pretend to say it compares to an FX3, but it is much cheaper. Hope I didn't upset anybody, just hate to see one opinion only. Good Hunting
TheHuntedOne
New member
I am glad that your caller is working well for you. I wish mine would have done the same. I thought, for the money, it was a very good machine. Like I said, if it had not broken after only 6 days, I would have been very happy with it.
Good calling this season
Al
THO Game Calls
Good calling this season
Al
THO Game Calls
Well from what i have read so far i came to the conclusion that i will NOT buy a predation,,,ive read where they tried to make an economical remote caller,,,my opinion is IF IT DOESN'T WORK,,,IT IS NOT WORTH A PENNY!!!
so it seems that they make very nice(and expensive) paper weight,,,but i cant call animals with a paper weight
I have received many PM's from different people on this site warning me,,,damn neer PLEADING with me NOT to buy the predation for any amount of money,,,,and to me peoples experience is all i need to hear to scare me off,,obviously the only people buying their product is the people that DONT do any research or fact finding and these are probably the same people selling their predation callers on e-bay to all the people that PM'D me thank you very much!!!
Ohiobob
and i never knew there was a site for women hunters,,,so i did learn a few different things by coming on to this site
so it seems that they make very nice(and expensive) paper weight,,,but i cant call animals with a paper weight
I have received many PM's from different people on this site warning me,,,damn neer PLEADING with me NOT to buy the predation for any amount of money,,,,and to me peoples experience is all i need to hear to scare me off,,obviously the only people buying their product is the people that DONT do any research or fact finding and these are probably the same people selling their predation callers on e-bay to all the people that PM'D me thank you very much!!!
Ohiobob
and i never knew there was a site for women hunters,,,so i did learn a few different things by coming on to this site
me
New member
Quote:
I have received many PM's from different people on this site warning me,,,damn neer PLEADING with me NOT to buy the predation for any amount of money,,,,
I swear, Mr. Crapshoot, it wasn't me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I say enough right out in the open! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Bob and others -
Another really good site for women is WomenAnglers. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Point your wives and daughters over to us!
Drop in and say "Hello" yourselves, too!
http://womenanglers.us
(Note that this is a .us NOT a .com site.)
The Hostess of the site is Wanda (Babblin' Brook). She and her husband, Tommy, have a cable TV outdoors program down in Arkansas.
If you're ever looking for a really cute gift for your children, wife or girlfriend (Like when you're looking for a way to tell her you bought a new rifle! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) take a look at the "Cabin Critters" in the banner at the top of the website! They are adorable! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
me!
I have received many PM's from different people on this site warning me,,,damn neer PLEADING with me NOT to buy the predation for any amount of money,,,,
I swear, Mr. Crapshoot, it wasn't me! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
I say enough right out in the open! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Bob and others -
Another really good site for women is WomenAnglers. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Point your wives and daughters over to us!
Drop in and say "Hello" yourselves, too!
http://womenanglers.us
(Note that this is a .us NOT a .com site.)
The Hostess of the site is Wanda (Babblin' Brook). She and her husband, Tommy, have a cable TV outdoors program down in Arkansas.
If you're ever looking for a really cute gift for your children, wife or girlfriend (Like when you're looking for a way to tell her you bought a new rifle! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) take a look at the "Cabin Critters" in the banner at the top of the website! They are adorable! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
me!