This is topic Minaska M1 caller in forum Calls and Gear forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://www.huntmastersbbs.com/cgi-bin/cgi-ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000202

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 09, 2007, 01:19 PM:
 
I have a few issues with mine, and I should probably be contacting Steve any day now. I have the M1. My concern is that I left it in the vehicle on the World Hunt, and the batteries were sapped until it warmed up. Therefore, I have not sallied forth without a backup set of batteries, since then. I want to know if anybody in cold country has resorted to wrapping their machine in insulation? If so, do they pack it inside or ouside, maybe in a bubble wrap envelope?

Another thing is that the battery charger needs to be watched carefully, you cannot let it charge overnight with the case closed. They now warn you about that in the manual, must charge with the case open and don't charge it for over (forget?) two or four hours, max.

I have used this unit alongside two hunting partners that had WT units. The WT is much louder, and with my hearing, sometimes I cannot tell if the unit is playing, or not? I could solve that by sitting closer to the unit, but sometimes there is a perfect place for the caller and a perfect spot to sit.

I want to order the larger speaker and probably the lead acid battery and some type of instructions for hooking it up. I want an opinion on AA battery life with the big speaker. I still like the idea of the small unit because it does pack easier, but for some of the country I hunt, the volume is a little less than optimum.

In other words, I want the features of both machines, the Big Country and the M1, sort of a "component" unit.

I know that they say the range on the remote is 400 yards, but in my experience, it seems to be about half that distance, and it is important to have that antenna as high as I can get it. Sometimes I wish the unit would stand up rather than lay flat because this is when the antenna is the most difficult for the transmitter to find. I wind up holding the transmitter above my head to change sounds. I have not been busted doing this, but it's just a matter of time. The speaker is very directional and instead of pointing it away from me, I now point it back at me, to make sure I can hear it. I wish the antenna was longer, or folding, or telescoping; maybe a flexible antenna would be good, also? I need something to get it up out of the weeds when there is no place to set it on a rock or hang it in a bush.

Another thing I do not like is the on/off push button. It shows no indication of whether the speaker is on or off? And, for some reason, it is the easiest button in creation to accidentally be pushed. Maybe illuminate the button, or maintained contact? The problem here is that once I walk away and turn it on, I have to go back and check to see if the button is on or off. I solved that problem by removing the switch from the side of the unit and putting it inside the case where it cannot be disturbed. Ideally, plugging in the external speaker would bypass the built in speaker and there would be no need for this switch? The volume knob has been accidentally bumped and turned on while laying in other gear. It's amazing how easily this can happen while driving and that's anther question I have. Does the 9V battery in the remote lose power if the switch is left on? It seems to me that it does? Does the battery pack in the caller lose power if it is left on all day, or should it be turned off after every stand? The closure toggles on both the caller and the decoy are real fingernail busters.

The decoy. I have had some problems with it. At first, I thought the batteries were dying all the time, but found out that the motor was working, but the sleeve was slipping in the tubing. That caused me to put it away, several times, later finding out the batteries were good. I crimped the roll pin extra hard with a Sta-Kon crimping tool, and that solved the problem. Since then, I have had the tail fall off while walking out, several times and have had it fly off the wire, while operating. I fixed that problem by bending a kink in the wire, which makes it much harder to remove, but at least, I don't have to backtrack looking for a lost tail. Also, I don't turn the pot up all the way, a mid range speed seems to be enough movement?

I intend to cross post this evaluation on Huntmasters. Any and all input welcome.

Good hunting. LB
 

---

Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 09, 2007, 01:44 PM:
 
Leonard I haven't used my caller enough to know squat about it but a few of the same issues came up already and here's my opinion.

1 I think the volume is acceptable for most hunting but I did order the 10 watt TOA speaker and it is plenty loud.

2 The speaker switch was a pain, now I turn the call up as loud as it will go and can hear a slight hissing sound in the small speaker, before I walk away from it and that solved that problem.

3 Battery life is short for any AA battery when it's real cold, I'd like to see a lead acid battery option that has a lead to plug into the charging jack to parrallel the batteries and keep the voltage the same. I also want to find out if a cigarette lighter cord could be used as a vehicle maintainer.

4 I now hang my call from a tree limb and the remote works much better than when it's placed on the ground.

I would also like to add that I bought the unit because of the size and weight or lack there of, the TOA speaker weighs quite a bit itself and to add a lead acid battery just doesn't appeal to me except in a "component" type caller, add it when I need it. I carried a JS512 enough to know lighter is better.

I do know a new rechargable AA battery is out now with quite a bit of watts, I just can't remember the details but will check and post back.

[ March 09, 2007, 02:32 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
 

---

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on March 09, 2007, 04:55 PM:
 
For cold weather calling i take my caller and place it on the floor of pickup by the heater vent when driveing to a different calling location. I also found that i can be out for 2-4 hours before the cold starts to zap the batteries.
If needed i also found that those little hand warmer packets can be placed inside the caller to keep the batteries warm...
I have only tested mine out to 35-40 yards and i have to keep mine up in the air some also, in order for the remote to work properly..
 

---

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 10, 2007, 05:21 PM:
 
Leonard,
I think most of your problem is the dang AA batteries. A sealed lead/acid battery is only way to go in my opinion. The external 10 watt TOA speaker will likely give you more volume, but then you have more bulk to carry around. I think maybe you should consider trading the M1 in for a full sized Bandit with 15 watt horn, or the 10 watt TOA which ever suits your fancy.
 

---

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on March 10, 2007, 05:43 PM:
 
and i'll second that!
 

---

Posted by The Bandit (Member # 960) on March 24, 2007, 07:50 PM:
 
Leonard,

I was getting ready to ship your 10 Watt TOA speaker and the 3.0 Ah 12 volt SLA battery that attaches very nicely to the M-1. Well I got to thinking about packing the speaker, battery and your M-1 into the field and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the Big Country. Well I decided to build you a custom unit that will house the TOA speaker and larger battery that looks like the Big Country and you can attach the M-1 to the backside for the best of both worlds. You can go as light as 1 lb 10 oz with the M-1 by itself or you can attach the SLA battery to the M-1 and still be very compact and call for days on a charge, then if you want more volume you can attach the M-1 to the speaker / battery pack. This is a very versatile set-up and I believe I will do one for myself.

It shipped out on Friday











Thanks
Todd

[ March 24, 2007, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: The Bandit ]
 

---

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 25, 2007, 06:35 AM:
 
Todd,
It looks like you have outdone yourself this time. Holy Smokes!
 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 25, 2007, 08:02 PM:
 
I have all my pennies saved and I am in the market for one of these little buggers. I may never use it I just have to get one! Seeing it in action on BowMania made my heart flutter. I just have to find a 'Store near me' that stocks 'em.
 

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 26, 2007, 07:11 AM:
 
Thanks Todd. Very considerate, and I'm very appreciative. Can't wait to try it out.

Thank you, &
Good hunting, from Prescott Valley, AZ LB
 

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 26, 2007, 11:30 AM:
 
Just got back to Peoria. I want to commend the Borlands for listening to my comments as constructive, rather than critical. Looks to me like they addressed every one of my points of interest? That speaks well of the attitude at Minaska.

I'll be home tomorrow, and watch for the mailman. Excited!

Good hunting. LB

edit: Can I nominate "The Huntmaster" as a possible name for the unit? And, no I don't expect a piece of the action.

[ March 26, 2007, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
 

---

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on March 26, 2007, 06:01 PM:
 
Good job Todd! Thats what i like to see. A call manufacture wether it be hand calls or electric, willing to work with each other to produce good calls or callers.
 

---

Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 26, 2007, 06:56 PM:
 
Todd, do they make a safety cap to screw on that push button switch?
 

---

Posted by The Bandit (Member # 960) on March 26, 2007, 07:04 PM:
 

quote:

---

Todd, do they make a safety cap to screw on that push button switch?

---

I will see what I can find, something like the old red Eveready 6 volt lanterns used would be nice.
 

---

Posted by JoeF (Member # 228) on March 27, 2007, 03:28 AM:
 
A peice of sheet metal bent up in sort of a "U" shape to provide protective ears like those on the front sight of an Enfield might work.
The open end would probably need to be wide enough to accept a gloved finger tip.

I know shrouded switches are available, an off the shelf one that fits the real estate available might be fun.
 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 27, 2007, 07:13 AM:
 
I just went and picked up the M1 yesterday. It will come in handy on those night stands! Now I just have to figure out how to rearrange the sounds into the banks I want w/out erasing everything.
 

---

Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 27, 2007, 08:21 AM:
 
I bought a new sound card and keep the original one put up, just in case. I took some sounds from there and other places and still only have 60 sounds on there. Gonna figure out how to make my own recordings and be lazy.
 

---

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on March 27, 2007, 10:46 AM:
 
I did the same as Tom. I just bought another card and put my sounds on it. the card runs around 50.00..
 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 27, 2007, 01:32 PM:
 
I have a Canon Digital Camera that takes CF Cards so I have about 20 of them laying around. I want to shuffle the sounds around and get them in an order I can remember. Just reading the instructions it sounds pretty simple but...... ya just never know.
 

---

Posted by coyote whacker (Member # 639) on March 27, 2007, 03:25 PM:
 
smithers download the utility and then make sure your on the c drive for source you can copy all files there in a folder along with your other sounds, it will then reconize a new CF card and you only need a 512 MB card as that is plenty for 100 sounds and you can get them at best buy for 20.00 on sale!

Keep all sounds in 1 folder and then you just remove from bank and add to bank from the list, you can even preview the sounds before you add or remove with the minaska program, then go to print preview sound list make sure it all looks good then print our your sound list.

I too have the orignal minaska cf card and then my own sand disk brand 512MB card you can be within 100's of sounds by printing out list and keeping the cards handy in a matter of seconds, no other caller on the market like it.

I also backed all my sounds up on cd's in case I have a computer crash!
 

---

Posted by Norm (Member # 240) on March 27, 2007, 06:00 PM:
 
it is very easy to re-arrange the sounds into the libraries you want...

Leonard, looks like a great huntmaster setup you have there from Minaska.
 

---

Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on March 30, 2007, 09:11 PM:
 
Does anybody know how water resistant the M1 is? I was told to put a foxpro in a zip lock bag when it rains but this one seems a little better sealed... maybe.

Probably still a good idea to keep a zip lock bag around.
 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 30, 2007, 09:29 PM:
 
To say that I am disappointed with the function of the remote is the understatement of the decade.
 

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 30, 2007, 10:41 PM:
 
Well, when you regain consciousness, why not attempt a lucid explanation? We await, anxiously!

Good hunting. LB
 

---

Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on March 31, 2007, 08:13 AM:
 
smithers,
What problem are you having with the remote?
 

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on March 31, 2007, 08:32 AM:
 
Yeah, spill the beans, man!

Tom asks about the water tightness. The speaker looks like something you would want to protect from a driving rain? The case itself is damned near bulletproof, I think the only place where water (or melted snow) could seep in, is where the devices are located? They are just standard bulkhead switches, potentiometer and jacks, the holes are drilled in the side, so you wouldn't want to test it by dropping the whole machine in a bucket of water.

If I were hunting in rain, I think it might be a good idea to drape a piece of clear plastic over the caller, maybe a large ziplock?

Good hunting. LB

[ March 31, 2007, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
 

---

Posted by Nahuatl (Member # 708) on March 31, 2007, 10:37 AM:
 
There's a 5 year warranty on your Bandit. If you have a problem with the remote, return it to Minaska and let them fix it. You can see from the customer service Leonard received, they take the business seriously. They've been upgrading some components recently and Steve just told me that he and Todd have permanently solved the mystery of the decreasing remote range. Ihave had a problem like that too. I wish I knew more about the remote range, but honestly, I rarely put mine out further than 15 yards from my position.

Leonard, I have a WT and 2 Big Country Bandits (and 6 other callers including a new FX5). My WT sat collecting dust for the whole season. I never used it once. The Bandit was easier to use, easier to carry, and easier to recharge at home or on the fly. Plus, the Bandits slaughtered the coyotes. I ended up with 89 shotgun coyotes and another 28 with the rifle, almost all of them shot over the Bandits. The few that weren't, were called from the rig or with a hand call. Most of those shotgun coyotes were called and shot at ranges under 40 yards, so not only did it call them in, it called them close. I read a lot stuff about callers on the web, including the WT and FoxPro claims, but honestly I don't give a shit how anyone's caller sounds to me. I just want one that works on coyotes, and the Bandit has done really well around here.

You may have seen these pictures elsewhere but I'll put one of my collages up with a few Bandit kills. I've got 5 more pictures just like this one from this season, and you'll never see the same coyote twice. This is my favorite photo because it includes 6 doubles, a triple, and a quad, all daylight, all shotgun, all Bandit except the rifle dog in the middle which came to the truck caller. I attended 8 group hunts, hunted with partners, and photographed everything. On a hot streak with Liz, I called coyotes and bobcats on 6 of 7 stands, multiples on 5 of them, and we shot 5 coyotes and 2 cats in about 2 hours. If that isn't proof - I don't know what is. Even if it isn't on video, it actually happened.


 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on March 31, 2007, 08:36 PM:
 
I have contacted Minaska about the problem with the remote and they said they will take care of it and that is all one can ask.

The long and short of it is that I can only get the remote to work the caller at 30 yards or less, line of sight. Anything further and I look like I am waving someone down at the airport, wildly swinging my arm trying to will the caller on. As I jab and stab the remote toward the caller I look as if I am seizing.
I had trouble getting it to work 15 yards away if it was even partially obscured by anything. I have a JS Attractor and I can get it to work @ 50 yards thru the thickest nastiest stuff one can throw at it. I was a bit disappointed that a high end caller had such a feeble remote compared to a $40 unit. From what I understand it is a fixable problem and I look forward to having it resolved. Beans spilled.
 

---

Posted by Dusty Hunter (Member # 1031) on April 01, 2007, 08:16 AM:
 
Smithers, I couldn't even get 30 yards out of mine reliably. Sometimes mine would put out a sound other than what I asked for. Once I hit the mute and it made the mountain lion sound. Then another time, it just went diit, diit, diit,. . . The replacement unit they sent was no different.

[ April 01, 2007, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: Dusty Hunter ]
 

---

Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 01, 2007, 10:59 AM:
 
I spent some time ringing my Huntmaster out yesterday.

One thing I needed to watch was the jacks. Plug them in, and every time, it is a new adventure. The one for aux decoy and same thing for the external speaker. So, I soldered the connections, in some cases, and used insulated spade StaKons, in others. End of problem.

One wire pulled out from the charger jack, on my original charger setup; bad soldering job. I noticed that the jumper sent to tie the M1 with the Big Country speaker box is epoxyed in place to prevent this type of failure. The coax jumper for the speaker is factory potted, so not much you can do with it, especially since it appears to be the recepticle that is at fault? They just don't stick positively, wiggling them can get "sound" so it's a sloppy connection internally. Twenty-five cent quality control issue, on a $600 machine.

I charged the unit with the lead/acid battery until I got a green light, plugged in the jumper, and within ten minutes, the M1 (AA) batteries became extremely hot and the unit wouldn't work until I cooled it in front of a fan.

I don't know what's going on with this, but from this point forward, I'm going to remove the battery pack from the M1 unless I am using it as a stand alone unit, without the lead/acid battery supplying voltage/current. It could be that the AA batteries have a 10.5 volt dc output, and the lead acid is 12.6vdc

In other words, as a precaution, I will use the pigybacked "Big Country" combo unit with the AA battery pack removed from the M1 and reinstall it when I want to use the smaller unit independently.

Other than that, I really like this thing. I think it will do exactly what I want done. The volume is impressive, just what I was looking for.

Good hunting. LB
 

---

Posted by Nahuatl (Member # 708) on April 01, 2007, 11:15 AM:
 
Yesterday afternoon I tested the range on both Bandits using the same remote. One worked past the hundred yard mark. The other wouldn't reach 25 yards.

That one is going back Monday.
 

---

Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 01, 2007, 11:36 AM:
 
Would i have to send both back to get the remote fixed, or just the remote..
 

---

Posted by smithers (Member # 646) on April 01, 2007, 11:40 AM:
 
I did receive a reply from Steve at Minaska yesterday before I posted. He said they test the remote and caller before it is shipped at 403 yards. !? 372 yards of my range must have been lost in shipping.
 

---

Posted by The Bandit (Member # 960) on April 01, 2007, 03:17 PM:
 

quote:

---

Would i have to send both back to get the remote fixed, or just the remote..

---

quote:

---

However, Todd asks for both units, indicating to me that they are married, in some way?

---

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.0