What is a Wireless Dog Fence?
A wireless dog fence is a fencing system that dog owners can use without the hassle of a physical fence or the wires of an in-ground fence. The fence has an invisible boundary created by a wireless transmitter. The dog will wear a specific collar that will detect when your pet gets close to the invisible boundary and send a signal to your pet (either a tone or static correction). Many pet owners choose wireless dog fences because they are portable and easy to install. In ground and above ground fencing can be a hassle to install and can even be unattractive.
Why Motorola?
What to consider before purchasing a wireless fence?
Before purchasing a wireless fence, it is important to understand how they work and if it is a good fit for you and your pet. If you do decide to move forward with a wireless fence, there are a few things to consider before deciding which wireless fence to purchase. There are a ton of options on the market, so determining what features are important to you will help you decide which product is the right fit.
- Portability
- Depending on how you plan on using the wireless fence, a portable option may be beneficial. Portable wireless fences can be taken on vacation, camping, or to other backyards easily because they are simple and lightweight. If you just plan on using the wireless fence in one designated area, portability may not be a concern for you.
- Potential signal blockers
- Large objects and metal objects can usually cause signal issues. If you live in an area with a lot of potential blockers, you may want to consider a physical fence or an in-ground fence.
- Number of collars
- If you have multiple dogs it is important to know how many collars can be paired to the unit. Some units only allow for one collar to be paired, but some will allow for two or more. It is also worthwhile to do research to see how easily accessible it is to purchase additional collars that are compatible with the unit. Usually, the collar will go bad before the unit. Therefore, it may be cost effective to purchase a unit that sells replacement collars.
- Battery Life
- Battery life is a big concern for most wireless fence owners. If you plan on utilizing the fence a lot, it will be worthwhile to research the battery life of the unit and the collar.
- Rechargeable batteries can be a huge convenience if you plan on using the system a lot. Replacement batteries can be costly and a hassle to keep around the house.
Motorola WIRELESSFENCE25
Overview/Features
- The wireless fence unit
- Dog collar (receiver)
- Power adapters
- 50 Training Flags
- User manual
- Rechargeable battery
- Outdoor stake
Check Carefully Because…
- The Motorola WirelessFence25 is a convenient way to keep your pet safe. However, the installation may be difficult if this is your first time installing a wireless fence. The Motorola WirelessFence25 has a variety of resources that you can use to help with installation—such as the user manual and installation videos online.
- The Motorola WirelessFence25 can pair with up to two collars. However, some users have found it difficult to find another collar to purchase that is compatible with this wireless fence. This can be a concern regarding the longevity of the unit since the collars are usually the first thing to go bad in a wireless fence. Usually, you can just purchase a replacement if the first collar goes bad, but if they are not available you may be looking at purchasing a whole new unit.
- The collar is notorious for having a short battery life. Motorola says the battery life should last for 24 hours, but most users have found that it needs to be charged daily. It is largely dependent on how much you use the system. If you only use the system a few times a day, the battery may last over 24 hours. However, it will be important to frequently keep an eye on the battery life if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors.
The Must Know True Facts about the Motorola WirelessFence25…
- Motorola does not sell replacement parts for the Motorola WirelessFence25. Users can only purchase an entire new unit or a new collar. If something small breaks on the unit, the parts cannot be ordered. Another thing to be aware of is that the unit cannot be returned after 45 days, so it is important to install the unit as soon as possible to ensure that it works properly before the initial 45 days are up. If you notice any issues before the 45 days, you can easily get a replacement. If the initial 45 days are up, Motorola might have some flexibility, but it will be more of a hassle to get a replacement product.
- When you are deciding the boundaries of the safe zone it will need to be designed in the shape of a circle and all sides of the circle need to be the same length. Even though the size of the coverage can be modified, it still needs to remain in the shape of a circle with an equivalent surrounding radius. This can be a concern with property lines and potential blockers. This is common for most wireless fence systems. In-ground fencing gives owners a little more control of the shape of the fence.
What to watch out for with this product
- The Motorola WirelessFence25 collar has been known to be spotty. Some users have noted that the collar will provide their dog with a spontaneous static correction while they are in the designated safe zone. Others have noted that the collar will shut off randomly, leaving the dog vulnerable especially in a newly placed area. Most of these issues happen due to blockers in the area.
- Objects can interfere with the signal and cause dead spots. Things such as cars or garages may interfere with the signal. Metal objects are usually the biggest culprit of interference.
Crucial Tips
- If possible, try to keep the unit and collar in a weatherproof area. The unit is weather resistant, but larger storms can still have a negative effect on the product. Some users have made claims that moisture has gotten into the LCD screen after a rainstorm. The unit was designed so that it can be installed indoors as well. If the signal holds up, it may be a good option to install the unit indoors, in a garage, or under a porch.
- If your dog has thick fur, it may be beneficial to shave their neck when putting the collar on for the first time. The lighter/training static corrections are very subtle, and they may not feel it due to the thickness of their fur. This will allow you to use more of the modes that are designed to help your dog get acclimated to the new system.
- Only use the wireless fence in predetermined designated areas. Even though it is portable, the unit is not designed to be used while moving. The unit can be moved easily to other designated areas.
- If possible, do not place the transmitter near or within metal objects. The metal objects can block or deflect transmitters.
Motorola WirelessFence25 Pros:
- The Motorola WirelessFence25 is portable. It can be used for everyday backyard use or it can be taken on camping trips or vacation.
- The unit’s design is simplistic and does not take up a lot of space.
- The wireless fence does not require any wires or in-ground installation.
- The installation is fairly easy, but it may require some research if it is your first time installing a wireless fence.
- If the dog goes outside of the fence, both the collar and the transmitter will beep until the dog enters back into the safe zone.
- The warning tone is prominent and can really get your pet’s attention.
- The collar and the unit are both weatherproof.
Motorola WirelessFence25 Cons:
- The signal can be blocked by large or metal objects.
- The battery life is not ideal, especially if you plan on using it a lot throughout the day.
- Motorola does not sell replacement parts for the WirelessFence25 (besides collars).
- The unit can pair with two collars simultaneously, but users have mentioned that they found it is difficult to find additional collars to purchase.
- The receiver can sometimes be spotty given the potential signal blockage.
Conclusion
Motorola TravelFence50
Features/Overview
The Motorola TravelFence50 is another great option for a wireless dog fence. This wireless fence is a perfect option for those who have dogs who are not used to these types of containment systems because of the number of training modes offered.
Check Carefully Because…
Motorola TravelFence50 users have mentioned that they are having a hard time purchasing replacement collars for this system. This could be problematic if you are looking to keep this unit for a long time or plan to sync two collars to the unit. The collar’s battery life usually gives out before the unit, requiring a replacement collar.
The Must Know True Facts About the Motorola TravelFence50…
- The push-to-talk remote is unique and super convenient, but the battery life is notorious for being too short and it is not rechargeable. Instead, it takes AAA batteries, which can be a hassle to continuously purchase batteries for the remote. If you do decide to purchase this system, it will be beneficial to keep extra AAA batteries on hand.
- The Motorola TravelFence50 can pair with two collars simultaneously, but the push-to-talk remote can only be synced up to one collar at a time. You will have to choose which dog will hear you through the use of the voice remote.
What to watch out for with this product…
- The manufacturer states that the unit can be installed indoors or outdoors. However, depending how thick your walls are and how many blockers are in the way of the transmitter, installing inside may cause signal issues for the transmitter. It might be best to place it underneath a porch (or something similar) to avoid signal issues but still protect the unit.
- The signal is very sensitive to potential blockers. If you have objects in your yard that can fall between the transmitter and the receiver it can cause delays in the signal or cause random static corrections to be sent to the collar.
- The collar shuts off after 30 minutes with no activity. This can be an issue if your dog falls asleep with the collar on outside. This can leave your pets vulnerable without the collar.
Crucial Tips
- If this is your first time using a wireless fence system, it is important to read the user manual before installation and training. There are also a number of training videos available online for installation and training best practices for you and your pet. These resources will be beneficial to anyone who purchases the Motorola TravelFence50.
- The Motorola TravelFence50 is portable and has “travel” in the title, but it should not be used as a containment system while walking with your pet. It is designed to be easily moved from location to location so you can easily take your pet with you on vacation, camping trips, or another backyard. Walking with the unit will cause a lot of issues because of the potential signal blockers you and your pet will encounter while walking.
Motorola TravelFence50 Pros:
- The Motorola TravelFence50 push-to-talk remote is unique and can be used with or without being connected to the transmitter. Some owners have used this while taking their dog for a hike to call them back in. It depends how obedient your dog is whether that is an option for you. Either way it is a great feature to have while in the backyard or traveling.
- The unit is portable. It can be installed for everyday use in your backyard and taken on vacation or camping trips with you and your pet.
- The installation is easy and there are a lot of resources that Motorola provides to help walk you through the setup process.
- There is no physical fencing or in-ground wires.
- There are four training modes. Owners have stated that they have been able to avoid using static corrections. Instead, they were able to use warning tone only, vibrations, and the push-to-talk remote to thoroughly train their dogs.
Motorola TravelFence50 Cons:
- The battery life on the remote is short and the batteries are not rechargeable.
- The signal is very sensitive to potential blockers.
- Additional or replacement collars are difficult to find.
Conclusion
Overall, either Motorola wireless fence is a great option for you and your pet. If you are looking for a system that is lightweight, portable, and simple, the Motorola WirelessFence25 may be a great option for you. But if you are looking for a product that is a little more user oriented—especially for those who are new to using a system like this—the Motorola TravelFence50 is a great option!