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I am looking for an electric dog collar $200 and under. Any thoughts as to which one to get.

Well it all depends what you want it for, Sport Dog Field Trainer 425 is a good bottom end collar. Have you any training in the PROPPER use of a collar? Is your dog collar conditioned? A collar can cause way more problems than it will solve unless it is used right, you can't just throw an E collar on a dog and expect results it first the handler must learn how to use it properly then the dog must be collar conditioned. Way to many people misuse E collars, I am not saying you are onr of those people but when I hear someone is looking for a "cheap" collar my 'radar' goes off.

Well they go up to $800 in Cabelas, I can afford $200. I'm all in to learning how to use one, but like I said I can only go $200.

I don't have any experience with this one, the Garmin Delta, but Garmin owns TriTronics. Cabela's has them listed on sale for $169. If it's as good as the basic entry level TriTronics I bought three years ago after trying two less expensive brands it's a winner.

As I said, the Field Trainer 425 or the Wetland Hunter 425 are both $0200 at Cabelas and are decient "low end" they come with a good collars. They come with an instructional video and there are a number of good dvds out.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Dog-Training-Supplies/Electronic-Dog-Collars%7C/pc/104791680/c/104715180/sc/104314680/SportDOG-Brandreg-Wetland-Hunter-SD-425-Training-Collar/1570488.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Felectronic-dog-collars%2F_%2FN-1104239%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104314680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMM%253Bcat104715180&WTz_l=SBC%3BMM%3Bcat104715180%3Bcat104314680

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Dog-Training-Supplies/Electronic-Dog-Collars%7C/pc/104791680/c/104715180/sc/104314680/SportDOG-Brandreg-Field-Trainer-SD-425-Stubborn-Training-Collar/1570487.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Felectronic-dog-collars%2F_%2FN-1104239%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104314680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMM%253Bcat104715180&WTz_l=SBC%3BMM%3Bcat104715180%3Bcat104314680

Thanks Guys

Check Out the Tri Tronics collars in the Classifieds right now. I have no connection to the seller.

I would buy a TT or Dogtra over any of the other brands.

That's good advice right there.
Only thing I'd add is to get one with a toner.

Keep in mind that e-collars are NOT training devices, they're to enforce what the dog already knows, and you'll be fine.
Luck

At present, I have a TriTronics Sport Basic, a simple, three-button transmitter with instant, continuous, and beeper functions. A wheel controls the intensity. According to a couple of trainers I know, this collar is (was) arguably the finest available to the average hunter/trainer, as it is simple, lightweight, and has great battery life.

Garmin now owns TriTronics, and now has a product called the Garmin Delta. It looks similar to the Sport Basic, with the same basic controls and small transmitter size. Gun Dog Supply has it for sale at $170. If I had to replace mine, it would probably be with this one.

I train 5 days a week and hunt almost every day of the waterfowl/upland season I have 2 TriTronics and 3 Sport Dog(1 single 2 duel) and they have all stood up well over years od hard use, I would not hesitate to buy either brand again,as for tone its not an option it's a must.

That's a fact! ^^^^
Best thing they ever came out with.
Makes life easier on you and the dogs.

I just ordered my second Sport Dog (825) for use with my GSP. If your dog is older, get one that has vibration in addition to tone. My Jake can no longer hear the tone so the vibration works well.

I recently bought a Sportdog 825 (has vibrate/tone option) for under $200.00. It supposed to have a 1/2 mile range. Being new to e collars (trained 2 dogs prior without one), I had it for weeks before I used it on my dog. Read all about using e collars from different sources and different opinions too.

Recently started using it, and so far things are going good. My dog already knew all the commands already as was stated above. This alone appears to be a key ingredient to the collar training.

I train with a Tri-Tronics PRO G3 and hunt with a smaller Garmin. If you are going to have someone else train your dogs, just get something small that you can wear around your neck. If you are going to do all the training, you may need to invest a little more to get more features, range and power.

Not convinced the vibration thing is particularly useful myself. Bought a D. T. Superdog for Larry Brittany, Mr. Sensitive, long ago. A mild tingle was enough, level 3 of 20. Level 5 if he was being particularly hardheaded. Worked as a reminder that we were hunting together when that magic nose would lead him astray.

Anyway one day I decided to try the kinder, gentler vibrator mode. Poor boy about stroked out with that crazy invisible thing going nuts on his throat. (Felt kinda bad about that)

Wonderful cure for selective deafness. I'd come out of the field in a better mood and that transferred to him, so we were both happier for it.

Sakoluvr,

Larry Brittany was not a hard case and knew my commands before the collar so these rules worked for me. (Read all the advice I could find too.)

Command - ignore - quick zap - command again.
No zapping if you can't see the dog.
No zapping if he can't hear/see the command (used a whistle and hand signals)
Use the lowest zap level that works that day. With Larry it was a matter of getting his attention, not punishing him.
Don't let him get far enough out of control that range is an issue.

Gotcha. There are 2 "ranges of power" on my unit. Factory default is medium. Eight settings for each range. I have been using #2 setting just to get her (Kirby's Honey Bun, AKA Honey) attention. No punishment, just a substitute for collar pressure that she would get from a leash.

Honey is a 70 lb female yellow lab.

That's the idea in my opinion, worked perfectly with my Brittany. Never owned a lab (she sounds like a beauty) but those I've known seemed less sensitive or their enthusiasm required a little higher level. But all dogs are different.

Can't say about the vibration function as I've never had one but I wouldn't buy one without the tone. It works the same as the low setting in that they figure out what comes next real quick so I figure, why shock em if you don't have to.

"they figure out what comes next real quick so why I figure why shock them if you don't have to." Agreed, got to have the toner. I can't remember the last time my dogs needed anything more than the tone.

Any tips about transitioning from static to tone?

Nope, Mine's the standard model TriTronic. It's got three basic controls: a buzz (tone), and one each for momentary or continuous "stimulation" with a dial for the degree of that.

If the dog's doing well I leave it alone. If not, a warning buzz/tone first and if that doesn't work a little electricity, never any more than it takes to get them doing right. I'd say what's necessary depends on the dog and the situation.

The vibration line was meant to be funny in an offbeat sort of way. Me screwing up by not introducing him to the thing so it wouldn't scare him.

It took me a long time to come around to shocking my buddy, had seen the reactions of dogs to the old style blue bolt from above collars. Then came the collars you could dial down to nothing at the transmitter.

When I was a kid Popular Electronics had an article for a practical joke gadget they called a tickle stick. The unsuspecting victim would get a mild and odd sort of shock, a sort of tingling sensation that wasn't painful but sure as hell got your attention.

For Mr. Sensitive a shock somewhat below the level of the old tickle stick was sufficient. Reaction was like a tug on a cord, he'd stop and turn towards me for a command. No sign of discomfort. If a tone does the same thing, great. Either way you're not hurting your buddy.

Be careful how much juice you get with the collar. I might have Zapped my dog Jet with a bit more amperage than he was ready for...

Reminds me of my cousin's dog except a lab after a collar accident.

We were all packed tight in his SUV on the way out when his dog starts going nuts. Took a few seconds to figure it out, much longer for Lady I'm sure. One of his kids was sitting on the transmitter and had butt dialed it up a few levels. Poor girl got extra loving that evening.

To no one in particular:

Never use a shock level on your dog that you haven't tried on yourself first.

I zapped my arm a few times to get an idea of what my lab is feeling. I agree, it helps put things in perspective. Good point.

That would be why you don't put the collar on until it's time to go to work

I NEVER have the transmitter on, or accessible, if the collar is on my dog, until it's time to go to work or hunt.
I often put the collar on my dog before it's time to actually hunt, as she gets so wound up before being turned out of her crate that she is hard to handle. The transmitter is OFF, until we are boots on the ground hunting.

As to using the 'beep' function on the collar- I've found it to be invaluable. I use it for the Here command. It is extremely useful in the field to turn your dog if he is a bit out of range, or showing signs of wanting to chase after a rabbit or deer. It's also silent to those around you.
The beep function for Here seems to be more effective than the verbal command- I suspect it is the close association to a momentary zap if the command is not obeyed.
In my opinion, the primary use for an ecollar is never giving a command that cannot be enforced- Rule #1, as far as I am concerned.

I've got a Dogtra for my lab. Agree with all above comments that dog needs to be trained and handled first. I have mine set to give a mild shock (think mosquito bite to you). It lets him know I'm watching and to stay in touch with the boss. Mainly use it now, after 5 years, when hunting grouse locally or especially on an annual SD pheasant hunt. Tar knows that just having the collar on means business, and it's not unusual to not have to give a jolt on a 5 day pheasant trip. One tip I've been told by the kennel owner I got the dog from is that if you have to give him a hard jolt (running deer, rabbits, etc.) don't let the dog think you are the zapper. He wants to trust you, so if you have to zap him for whatever reason you want to be his hero when he comes back to you for comforting.