Looking for opinions on the phantom predater game caller. Looks promising to me, but am curious about battery life. How long will the one 9 volt battery last and how good is the caller? Thanks...

I have used the Phantom Caller for the last two days. This has been my first attempt at calling varmints, so I'm not speaking with a lot of experience here. Used the caller for about 5 hours each day in temperatures of about 20-25 deg F. Battery seemed to hold up fine. The cord is only 50 ft and felt it was too short to get the speaker away from my position. Guess you can buy more wire at Radio Shack. The calls sounded to my untrained ear very artificial.
It is small and light which is good, but I don't think I would buy one (borrowed this one from a friend).
I have been looking at the Foxpro, which seem like a better unit. It can be set up with a wireless transciever with a range up to 100 yds. It is pretty expensive though.

Guys, I got the Foxpro a couple days ago, took
it out in the front yard to play with it and the remote, and it has got to be in a class all by
itself. High quality, well made, yes expensive
at 560.00 for the 16 sound unit with remote, case,
and mossy oak camo. The camo is a flat color and
is very sharp looking.
I set it out about 30 yards, turned on the crow
fight and within 15 seconds they were diving the tree tops, then switched to the dying crow and they went
completely mad......even tried to flare below the tree tops. Keep in mind with the remote you can
mute the sound, turn the volume up or down and
what was really cool you can switch the sounds.
I just don't see how it can be beat.

Got one couple weeks ago,taken it out a few times.Gota figure a way to handle the cord as it always getting tangled.Some of the sounds sound artificial & limited to 9.It is 1/3 the cost of a Foxpro remote.Does anybody have a good way to handle the 50' cord?=CJ

MachV -

I went to Home Depot and bought a cheap plastic electrical cord holder to wrap the cord around.

It looks kinda like the letter "H" and has clips to hook the loose ends under. Cost a couple of $.

Elkslayer

Had the Phantom caller all of two days. It was not what I had expected. Returned it and bought the Fox-Pro w/remote and the flexibility with the choice of programmable sounds and caller set-up distances I think gives a hunter a slight edge.

Two have stated the Phantom call has artificial sounds; has anyone else had similar thoughts on this unit ? I'm thinking about buying based on the price ($200) however if it does not produce, then the price makes no difference - efryman - I used an old Burnham Brothers rabbit call and a Stewart mouse call on Christmas day in Portage Valley several miles down the road and then south into Middle Glacier Canyon (not too far due to snow) - called for about 40 minutes and got two coyotes to visit within range - they somehow identified me and boogied into the trees at about 50 yards distance - the mouth calls will work but the idea of setting up an electronic unit seems like a better way - any other user feedback on the Phantom or Foxpro is appreciated - KMule

Went out again today, but no luck. The cord on the Phantom caller is a pain in the ass. It is too short to set the speaker up where I want it and it gets tangled every time. I think I will save my money for a Foxpro. I really think the longer range and wireless flexebility is worth the extra money.
Saw tons of wolf track while out today, looked like a pretty decent size pack had run through the area. Too bad it is such a long way to get there. Took me about 1 1/2 hrs on skis to get there and 2 1/2 to get back. With 5 1/2 hrs of daylight that doesn't leave a lot of time for calling

Kmule, Efryman.
I am going to Montana on the 1st of January.
I will be back on the 12th. I am going down coyote hunting. When I get back if you want to go out and hunt over the best electronic call get in touch with me.

I had a Phantom and it worked great for me.The reason I sold it was that damb cord and haveing to push the button so often.I am saveing up for a FoxPro and I am useing my hand calls witch have always work great.

Where can I find more information on the FoxPro?

Ok, I really hate to do this but I would feel bad if I hadn't.

You might want to hold off on ANY purchase of anybody's electronic caller until the jury gets in with the results of the newest kid on the block,,, that is something called the LOUDMOUTH.

It is all over the forum on PredatorMastersforums.com. It sounds really like it has all of the features the others are misssing.

To name a few;
- wireless remote operation,
- ability to record any downloaded sounds so you can customize your calls (like we don't have too many piglets squealing out here in Wyoming's high sage prairies)
- and many others I can't remember

Here is a link to the thread. Read up about it.

http://www.predatormastersforums.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000617

[ 12-31-2002, 06:49: Message edited by: Elkslayer ]