Viatek BC16G Super Bark Stop
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List Price: Our Price: $57.23 You Save: $22.76 (28%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Lawn & Patio See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Viatek BC16G Super Bark Stop
Customer Review: Arrived Used and Broken
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this product through Amazon's affiliate 'endless variety'. When it arrived the state of the product box and inside packaging was that of a USED AND RETURNED item. After installing the 4-D batteries and powering the unit up, it failed to operate. Guess why the previous owner had returned it... So if it was returned for non-operation, why was it shipped to me? This is the 2nd time I've paid for NEW but received USED (and BROKEN in this case) buying through Amazon affiliates. Half of the printed info included with the item has to do with returning a defective product. Odd, about 1% of electronic based items end up being defective. Why the focus on that aspect? Let me guess - You pay a restocking charge when you return an item.
As the warrenty is worthless, I opened the plastic case up and fixed the thing myself. Inside I found both volume and sensitivity controls broken - only by pressing or twisting would they stay in contact (oxidation). The single-sided PCB has moisture damage (more oxidation), many of the components are hand soldered and some were overheated (melted/cracked insulator on caps). There are globs of solder and pieces of cut component leads everywhere. I'd be ashamed to put my name on this product. Chips are code dated 2002 and the design looks way to complicated for what little it does (VOX, timer, osc. and power amp). The item WORKING should retail for 20 bucks max.
As for operation, I have not noticed any effect on yapping dogs, but there may be a delay in them figuring it out, or it is just not loud enough to bother them.
Customer Review: DOES NOT WORK!
Summary: 1 Stars
The high pitch frequency didn't work on any size dog. The Audible alarm got their attention but didn't stop them from barking. I now leave it on to hopefully annoy the neighbors into doing something about their dog. When I was shopping for this product in desperation I ignored all of the negative reviews and clung to the hope that I would be the lucky one. $60 dollars is too much to blow on this. It doesn't work and I beg anyone reading this not to waste their money.Customer Review: Did not stop dog from barking
Summary: 1 Stars
I somehow knew this thing would not stop the neighbor's dog from barking. I looked at this unit on-line several times, and each time decided not to buy it. One day I must have had a weak moment with that dog barking and Barking and BARKING... So, I thought I would give it a shot. Alas, I put it within 30' of the dog, 6' high and in direct line of sight. The unit appears to be functioning and sending out it's signal. Even on the ultrasonic setting, there is a slight audible 'click.' However, it has no effect on the dog. The dog still barks and barks and barks... Maybe it would work for your dog, but it did not work for mine.Customer Review: Didn't Work For My Dogs
Summary: 1 Stars
It is so hard to find a product of this type that works but since it worked for more people than average I thought I would give it a try. First off, the product itself feels very cheap. I followed all the directions for optimal placement, adjusted the different settings multiple times and still saw no results in the amount of barking. I wasn't expecting a product that was 100% effective but this didn't even make a dent in the problem.
BUYER BEWARE ~ if you are thinking of trying out this product be sure of yourself. If it doesn't work for you either and you need to return it, the company charges a 15% restocking fee and makes you pay for all shipping . . . which almost makes it worth keeping the stupid thing as a paperweight rather than end up getting only a small portion of your money back.
Customer Review: Didn't work for me, but your mileage may vary
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this device in the hope of eliminating or significantly reducing the noise emanating from my neighbor's mutt. The offending dog is often left on the neighbor's porch, where it harasses just about every living thing that passes by.
Before ordering, I had read varying accounts of its range in terms of how close the unit must be to the dog in order to attain the desired effect. In my case, the neighbor's porch is about 35 to 60 feet aware from mine. Unfortunately, this was not "too close for comfort" as far as the dog was concerned.
Having read a number of very mixed reviews of this and similar devices, I was not overly optimistic about the prospect of it actually working. Alas, it did not. Some dogs just don't hear them. In my case, it was probably due at least in part to the distance.
My suggestion is to go ahead and pick up one of these devices if and only if you are within 20' of the target. If it doesn't work, go ahead and return it to the manufacturer for a refund (which is exactly what I did). By the way, you don't need an RA (AKA RMA) number to return the device. Just send it to the company along with your receipt, and a note saying that you would like a refund (not an exchange).
(...) I sympathize with anyone having this problem, and wish you all the best of luck. No one deserves to have their peace and quiet disturbed without good reason, and the argument that "dogs bark" simply does not hold any water.