So I decided to try out the Icotech GC300.
It came in yesterday and I must say I did like the feel of it and the durable plastic. The sounds seemed pretty good. I havent had any distortion issues with it. You do have to press the buttons firmly to make it work but its not that big of a deal. Ive only tested the range out to 50 yards since im hunting the woods. It uses 4 AA batteries on the speaker and something weird like a 21A battery for the remote(it came with this battery). It has a jack on the back for an external speaker. The remote is NOT backlit, which means you have to memorize the buttons or have a light with you if you hunt at night.
Now for the field results...First I must say that I have probably been the most unsuccessful coyote hunter on this site. I have had well over 50 dry stands and 2 years of coyote hunting and have only ever killed 1 coyote and I was actually deer hunting. I live in NY so I always assumed that the coyotes here are too smart for calls. I am pretty bad at hand calls so I feel as though I need an e caller.
WELL....I went out into the woods at dusk and set the caller 35 yards away. I was facing the caller and after sitting for about 15 minutes, i started calling using the cottontail distress. Only 10 minutes after I started calling, a coyote came from my right. I didnt want to mess up so i wanted to get a shot off before it was too late. Well, I got too anxious and made too much noise while trying to turn in my seat to get a comfortable shot. It heard me and scurried off. So I was still unsuccessful but that was actually my first coyote that I have called in. And it came in very quickly.
Now the BAD news...I decided to go on a hunt this morning and brought the caller. On my first stand, nothing. On my second stand, the caller didnt work. The lights were working, batteries were brand new and the caller was only 35 yards away. Its like the speaker and remote werent communicating. I looked at the ICOtech website and did their recommendation and restarted the speaker and remote connection but it still didnt work.
Needless to say I was going to contact Icotech and get a replacement but Im getting a Foxpro wildfire 2 as a birthday present instead so Im just going to send the Icotech back. In conclusion, I dont believe this is actually a bad call. I think I was one of the few people who just got a defect....things happen even with the best equipment. This call does have good reviews and is currently on sale for $62 on Amazon. I feel like this would be a good starter call and I doubt anyone would have my luck.