Motorola Travelfence50 Review

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350
Motorola TRAVELFENCE50 Wireless Fence with Remote Trainer

Looking to get a remote trainer AND an invisible wireless fence?

Can't seem to find a system that's compatible and well priced?

Today we are gonna review an unusual device that comes with both options in a bundle. It's ideal for the average dog owner who is looking to limit his pets movement while at home, but retain the flexibility that comes with a remote trainer.

The Motorola TRAVELFENCE50 Wireless Fence with Remote Trainer offers a two-in-one product that sort of delivers on both fields. We're here to let you know how well it performs so let's jump right into it.

Specifications

  • Includes a wireless fence unit and a remote trainer unit
  • Covers up to one square acre
  • Collar is a bit bigger and is recommended for dogs over 20 pounds
  • 15 levels of static simulation, vibration mode, and a tone-only mode.
  • Waterproof but not submersible
Collar fits dogs that weigh 8 pounds or more
5 -22 inches neck size
Eight levels of static stimulation and tone-only mode
Waterproof and submersible
300 yards of range
Fits neck sizes 6-23 inch
Compatible with PetSafe PIF-300 wireless fence
Fits dogs weighing 5 pounds or more
Five levels of correction as well as a tone-only mode
Rechargeable batteries
In-ground system
Waterproof collar
Four levels of stimulation plus vibration
Utilizes a conventional 9V battery
Low battery indicator light
System supports multiple collars

Motorola TRAVELFENCE Wireless Fence with Remote Trainer– The Basics

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350 – The Basics
Petsafe Stay and Play Fence Receiver – The Basics

The great thing about this particular unit is that it combines an invisible wireless fence and a remote trainer in one package. So while having a containment system, you're not depriving yourself of the mobility that comes with a remote dog trainer. Since it utilizes a wireless method, the setup is very easy and you won't have to dig up half of your yard.

The way it works is that the wireless fence unit establishes a circular boundary area. In ideal circumstances, it can cover up to one square acre. When your dog comes about 2 to 3 feet near the boundary zone, the collar on his neck will make a beep sound, warning your dog, followed by a mild static simulation to grab its attention. There is a safety precaution installed such that it will stop correcting your dog if it stays outside the set perimeter zone for more than 30 seconds. We recommend using training flags to give your dog a visual representation of the boundary zone.

The remote trainer is meant to be used separately from the wireless fence when taking your dog for a quick walk.

This particular model is designed for owners with particularly stubborn and feisty pets. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it on dogs without behavioral issues, but the sole purpose of it is to deliver a somewhat uncomfortable static signal which is responsible for toning your pet’s behavior down.
As you can tell, it has eight levels of correction. Most other models on the market usually don’t have more than four or five. Those three more levels are what makes this collar so effective when restless pets are in question. The 300 yards of range gives you more than enough time to react properly if something goes wrong. In other words, you can rest assured that it won’t go out of signal range before you press any of the buttons on the controller.
The first thing you need to know is that this isn’t a fully functional system but a collar. That means it won’t work without a proper transmitter. In this case, if you have the PetSafe PIF-300 system already installed, this particular collar won’t have any issues when synchronization is in question.
This model offers five different levels of static correction and a tone-only mode for training. Five levels offer more than enough variety for you to fine-tune the unit and find the one that doesn’t over-stimulate your pet. It fits on any breed as long as they weigh more than five pounds. Therefore, if you own a particularly small breed, you might want to look for something with less correctional intensity.
The batteries are rechargeable, and the charger is included with the unit. You have the choice of buying the collar without the charger, but do that only if you already own one. In case this is your first PetSafe product, we recommend buying the whole set in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and additional costs.

The Features

The Design

The collar is large and fits on medium- to large-sized dogs. The manufacturer recommends dogs breeds that usually weigh over 20 pounds. The built quality is okay, the unit is made out of sturdy plastic and the strap is nylon. Our dogs didn't experience any irritation during testing, but we recommend not leaving the collar on your pet for more than 12 hours. It has a low battery indicator light and also a speaker since this model features voice communication.

The wireless fence unit has an LCD backlit display, using the interface you can easily adjust the correction level. You can place it inside your house but if the need arises, you can take it outside and anchor it using the outdoor stake and a ground plug.

The remote has a nice design and features a similar LCD backlit display like the fence unit. it has all the standard buttons, but also a push-to-talk button which is used to communicate with your dog. This is something we found especially great, you can issue voice commands directly to your dog's collar up to 150 yards. The range on it is kind of lackluster and kind of leaves you wishing for more.

The collar is pretty neatly designed. The biggest upside of it is the fact that it isn’t bulky or cumbersome. That being said, we did find the two contact points on the collar a bit peculiar and invasive, but it’s not a massive concern as it is more of a matter of your pet getting used to it. The on/off button might not seem like a big deal, but many other models simply don’t feature one. When you have a battery powered gadget, an on/off button is of utmost importance when it comes to efficiency and energy saving.
The transmitter works well and it’s quite easy to get the hang of it. It features two buttons of which one sends a short-timed signal whereas the other sends a continuous signal. On top of that, you can choose between eight different levels or even select the tone-only mode if you’re just getting started. Keep in mind that you need to find the optimal level of correction as soon as possible because not all dogs react the same to respective impulses.
DogWearing Motorola TRAVELFENCE50 Wireless Fence with Remote Trainer

The Battery

The wireless fence unit can operate using an AA-sized NiMH rechargeable battery pack which is supplied in the package. When you first install them, we recommend charging them fully before you decide to use the unit without it being plugged in. The transmitter uses two 1.5V AAA-sized alkaline batteries, and while they are not rechargeable ones, we got good mileage from them before they went flat.

This model features rechargeable NiMH batteries that last about 40-60 hours per charge. The biggest complaint most people have is the fact that this model does not feature Li-Ion batteries which are more efficient and offer better performance.
Both the collar and receiver feature a low-battery indicator and can be charged at the same time thanks to the included split-end charger. Make sure to keep them charged at all times and you shouldn’t run into any major issues.
While many people consider this feature pretty irrelevant, the difference between rechargeable and switchable batteries does exist and it’s worth mentioning. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the fact that you don’t have to stack on batteries and plan ahead. Instead, all you have to do is plug it into the charger and let it recharge. The cycle lasts only about two or three hours, meaning there isn’t much downtime in the first place.
The drawback of this system is that the battery is built-in. In other words, if anything happens to the battery itself, the whole unit becomes more or less worthless. Luckily, these batteries aren’t prone to failing and breaking often.

The battery on the collar was our biggest upset, it's rechargeable but not replaceable so if you were thinking about getting a spare one you can forget about it. The battery life is not awful, it lasted about 50 hours for us, but we wish it was a little bit better.

The correction levels are excellent. The difference between levels isn’t massive which allows you to adjust the collar quite precisely. Furthermore, if you don’t want to use the correction system right away, there is a tone-only mode which is designed to help your pet get used to wearing and using its new accessory. The fact that everything is wireless makes this model perfect for parks, camping, RVs, and etcetera.
One of the great features is the vibration mode. It allows the owner to train their pet without having to use the electric stimulation. It helps you to gradually train your faithful companion instead of making you use progressive methods immediately.
Other features
While most pet collars look pretty similar to each other, some crucial differences need to be pointed out. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the build quality. One can easily tell that this unit is made to last, even in case you have a particularly feisty furry friend. The gadget isn’t too bulky or cumbersome, but it’s not the most comfortable thing on the market either. The collar features a plastic clip which does its job relatively well.
The system box is pretty straightforward, and there’s not much more to it. It comes with an adapter which can be a nuisance for some people due to its somewhat short wire. Therefore, make sure you plan the positioning thoroughly and install the box near an electric outlet to avoid issues with the length of the adapter wires.
While most pet collars look pretty similar to each other, some crucial differences need to be pointed out. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the build quality. One can easily tell that this unit is made to last, even in case you have a particularly feisty furry friend. The gadget isn’t too bulky or cumbersome, but it’s not the most comfortable thing on the market either. The collar features a plastic clip which does its job relatively well.
The system box is pretty straightforward, and there’s not much more to it. It comes with an adapter which can be a nuisance for some people due to its somewhat short wire. Therefore, make sure you plan the positioning thoroughly and install the box near an electric outlet to avoid issues with the length of the adapter wires.

PROS:

• Is both a wireless fence unit and a remote trainer
• 15 levels of correction offers enough variety
• Push-to-talk feature

• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good coverage
• Easy to setup
• Good build quality
• Smooth correction levels
• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good build quality

CONS:

• Has difficulties keeping the signal   consistent due to obstacles

• The collar battery is not replaceable

• Underwhelming battery
• Batteries are built-in
• No on/off switch
• Batteries don’t last long
• No OFF button

What We Liked about It

We are definitely a fan how easy it is to setup compared to a standard invisible fence system where you have to place wires underground on the line where you want to limit your pet's movement. We also love the voice command option, it lets you praise your doggy from a distance when he runs after that curve ball you threw at him. It's also great when your hiking and he tries to wander off.

Two sets of different sized contact points are provided so you have options whether you're planning on using the collar for a long- or short-haired breed.

The best thing about this particular model is its portability. In other words, you don’t have to set up any invisible fences or hassle with miniature flags. All you have to do is put the collar on your pet and start the training. Also, the user manual is well-written, and it contains quite a bit of useful information on how to start the training process if you’re a complete novice.
The other thing we liked is the price. Many people expect it to be more expensive than the wireless containment system, but it’s not. In fact, it comes at an affordable price meaning that most pet owners can indeed plan on investing in such a gadget without having to think about their budget too much. However, it may not be as versatile as some containment systems that are available on the market nowadays.
The overall versatility and build quality are the things that we liked the most. In the sea of cheap and underwhelming dog collars, this stands out as one that’s worth investing in. As we already said, if you own the PIF-300 system, this particular unit is one of your safest bets.
The fact that it’s very easy to use makes it ideal for beginners and inexperienced pet owners. It’s also an affordable piece in comparison to some other models that offer similar capabilities and features. It isn’t the best thing on the market, but it’s certainly a piece that’s worth checking out.
People who are searching for high portability combined with great efficiency should find this collar interesting, to say the least.

What We didn’t Like

What We didn’t Like

The fact that the rechargeable battery in the collar is not replaceable is kind of mind-boggling to us. All batteries wear out after some time so this is definitely a downside. Also, the collar is pretty bulky which makes is very unpractical for smaller dog breeds. If you're considering getting this device make sure your dog is at least 20 pounds as per instructions.

The range on the wireless fence was somewhat inconsistent due to obstacles and uneven terrain. What we found to work best is to place it higher, for instance, if you live in a two-story house try placing it on the second floor.

The batteries are probably the weakest point of this product. While they aren’t bad per se, the engineers could have implemented Li-Ion batteries without a problem. The included ones may be considered obsolete and subpar in comparison to Li-Ion. While 40-60 hours seems long and sufficient, you may run into battery issues occasionally.  
The other thing a lot of users complained about is the inconsistency of the signal. In other words, if you select the level seven, the device might output a level four signal. It’s not a frequent occurrence, but it can happen. If you’re worried about consistency, consider checking some other models out, this one might give you troubles in the long run.
The battery is okay, but the fact that it cannot be changed might be a deal-breaker for some people. The recharging cycle doesn’t last long, but it can catch you off-guard. However, there is a low-battery LED light on the collar, meaning you should keep an eye on the levels.
The pet area cannot be changed into a square or rectangular shape. While this is usually typical for most wireless containment systems, it’s still worth mentioning. If you have anything against a circular shape of the area of effect, you might want to look into wired units as they offer more adjustability.
The lack of the OFF button is a major issue for many pet owners. Even though the process of changing the batteries is incredibly simple, it’s not uncommon for people to forget about it. That means you’ll have to go to the nearest store in case you forgot to stack on batteries the last time you were shopping.
As we already said, this fence does not come with wire included. While it’s clearly stated in the description, you would be surprised by the number of people that oversee it. Therefore, if you don’t have wiring installed in the yard, make sure you purchase it separately.

Conclusion


This definitely is a unique system and it's almost the only one of its kind on the market. Considering its a two-in-one product, the price is okay but we expected a little bit more from a manufacturer like Motorola. Would we recommend it? Sure, but just keep in mind it has it's limitations. Really, you should be fine with using it if you don't have a small pine forest just laying there in your yard.

If you're not in need of an invisible wireless fence and are just shopping for a remote dog trainer with amazing range, we recommend taking a look at this product.

The Yardtrainer 350 is a decent remote trainer; there is no question about that. Is it the best one on the market? It certainly isn’t. Is it worth checking it out? Yes, it definitely is. In the end, it all comes down to your requirements and preferences. If its features and capabilities fit your idea of a perfect dog trainer, don’t hesitate to give it a chance. On the other hand, there are plenty of other models to choose from.
As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is its ease of use. If you’re an absolute beginner, this model won’t be much of a challenge thanks to its simplistic concept. As for the downsides, the battery and signal inconsistency should be your primary concerns.
This collar is a universal answer for most of your problems. If you have a feisty or disobedient pet, the Stay and Play Fence Receiver can help you when it comes to behavioral corrections. On the other hand, you have to be prepared for trials and errors because nothing happens overnight, especially when it comes to radical changes.
Beginners and inexperienced owners love the ease of use and simplicity of this unit. On the other hand, people who already trained their pets usually look for something with more features. In the end, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. As far as we are concerned, it’s definitely worth checking it out.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution when it comes to training your pet and correcting their behavior, an invisible fence is one of your safest bets. Now, make sure you fully understand your possibilities and responsibilities towards your furry friend. These things can easily become an instrument of abuse if you don’t use them correctly. That doesn’t always mean it’s the owner’s fault, but it does correlate with owner’s ignorance or lack of experience.
As far as your budget goes, you won’t damage it too much. As we said earlier, these fences aren’t cheap but are certainly a good investment, especially if you own a problematic dog. Many people spend hundreds of dollars on professional trainers, and they don’t always guarantee success. This way, you can take a role of a trainer even if you don’t have any experience, and train your pet according to your own preferences. It does take a bit of effort and time, but it definitely pays out in the end.