Dogtra 280x Review: Pros and Cons
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- The Dogtra 280X is a remote training collar that is replacing the existing Dogtra 280C. Is this new version of the Dogtra 280 better than the original 280c? What are the differences between the 2 versions of the e-collar? Although this is mainly a review of the 280X, it is also a comparison of the 280c vs the 280x.
Here is a link if you want to check out the 280x: amzn.to/4dxtX32
As you are researching collars keep in mind that a variety of terms are used to describe the same thing. All of the following terms are used: Remote Collar, E collar, electronic collar and shock collar. We hate the last term because an e collar delivers low stimulation levels and cannot shock a dog and should not be used with the goal of scaring a dog.
Is the 280X the perfect dog training collar? In this video we give a full review of the remote training collar and all of its features from the 280X manual. This includes the 280X Pager Function, Stim Levels, Multiple Dog Expandability, LED Light, and more.
The 280X has a range of ½ a mile, so it is a great recall option for dogs on large properties or when hunting.
Dogtra 280X Contact Points are removable for ease of e-collar cleaning and maintenance. You can also switch them out with the new line of Dogtra contact point replacements to find the option that is the most comfortable for your pup. Keep in mind that contact point extensions that worked with older Dogtra collars will not work with this collar. You need male contact point extensions not female.
Dogtra modified the pager/vibration on the 280x vs the 280c and to be honest we were quite worried about this. The 280c has a very powerful vibration and we didn’t want to see it become a lot stronger. After working with both collars we feel that the vibration/pager on the 280x is not a lot stronger and is the perfect level in our opinion.
The collar also has a led light on it which is pretty awesome. The light is very bright and works well. We show a clip in the video of a dog wearing the collar at night with the light.
Dogtra also added a tone feature to the 280x. This may sound like a small feature but it is huge! Many dogs are uncomfortable or scared by the vibration function and the tone gives you a better and easier option to train those dogs. The tone is plenty loud and works well even in a noisy environment.
The Dogtra 280X Remote Collar is expandable for up to 3 dogs. The remote has an option to switch between collars and you simply need to purchase additional collars to easily pair with your e-collar remote. This is great news because the 280c required you to purchase the 282c to operate the collar with two dogs. That meant if you bought a 280c and then wanted to add a dog, you need to buy a whole new remote. The Dogra Arc has always been expandable to two dogs without buying a new remote, but the 280x is even better since it is expandable to three dogs.
Dogtra 280X E-collars have a stimulation level up to 100 and is more than enough for any dog that you could be training with. The 280x is stronger/more powerful than the 280c, but we consider the difference to be pretty negligible at most working ranges. Keep in mind that we find this collar to be way stronger than needed when you understand how to train a dog properly.
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Looks like a great update to the dogtra lineup!
Absolutely! I'm excited to check out the 1900x as well.
@SuburbanK9DogTraining will you review the 1900x?
@@DrTirsiSorry for the late reply! For some reason we didn’t get a notification for this comment. We are definitely going to review the 1900x. We have one that we are testing out now and will shoot a video once we get a little more time using it.
@@SuburbanK9DogTraining Thanks, Looking forward to your review :)
1900x is probably the best out there for any medium large breed. Loved the regular 1900s but way more in love with the x.
Let us know what you think! Is there anything we missed on this review? Also, if you have used a 280x do you agree with our assessment? This is a very new collar and we are excited to get to know it better over the coming months. We know different trainers will have different opinions and can't wait to hear from everyone.
@SuburbanK9DogTraining had the beagles out this morning with the 280x.. it performed flawlessly and it was business as usual,. The vibrate is very similar to the 280c so they didn't even notice.... was nice having 1 remote instead of 2... very happy so far 😊
@@somewhereinsd362 That is great to hear! Did you end up needing a different working level with the new collar? We had a few people from Dogtra on our podcast the other day and we spent some time talking about the power difference between the two collars. In my opinion, the difference didn't seem too pronounced at a level of 20 but the difference between them grows at a higher level. In case you are interested in listening, our podcast is called "Balanced Training With Suburban K9" and the episode will go live later this week.
@SuburbanK9DogTraining I usually run them at 45... they are very stubborn when on a rabbit..lol.. I did have to bump to 50 to get an adequate compliance reaction, but i have them recall trained on the vibrate so I don't use the nick/constant much anyway...
Hands free remote compatible is 🔥 I’m going with the 1900X.
Let us know how you like it! We have a 1900x on the way and are excited to try it out over the next few weeks. It looks pretty awesome!
are you going to do a video on the 1900X ?
Absolutely! A few of our trainers have been using 1900x's over the last month and we will be making a video with our thoughts fairly soon.
I was excited for the collar but I feel it’s inconvenient to to train two or three dogs at the same time to have to flip a switch to work with dog two or three. It Would be nice if there were a button for each dog
Are you a dog trainer? If you are a trainer and constantly have new dogs that you are working with I totally understand. If I am working with multiple dogs that don't belong to me I will generally use one dog systems for each dog with fully separate remotes.
If you are not a trainer and are just using this for your dogs, Dogtra does have another good option. I prefer the 280x due to the size of the remote and price point, but the Dogtra Edge has buttons for each dog. It is definitely more convenient if you are switching between dogs constantly.
Thanks for dropping a comment and pointing this out to people!
@ I’m a dog trainer and when I get a client with multiple dogs in I need to work them together so this remote is no good for me unfortunately. I do love the new features on it just wish they made it more convenient for multiple dogs.
What is your preferred collar for multiple dog households? I think this will be good info for people to see when reading the comments.
Weren't you disappointed when you realised it didn't even have the functions that a 10 year old EZ Educator 900 has?
I was going to upgrade my 280c, the 280x looks great and has boost, lock and tone, all useful. But I thought I might as well look around if I was going to buy a new handset.
The 280x is just a minor upgrade, no programmable buttons, no computer connection, no different modes for the different stimulations. It's like this was designed 10 years ago then sat on the shelf til they came up with a nice modern looking case.
Really struggling to see why I would buy this over the same priced EZ 900.
The main reason we prefer Dogtra collars is that they are reliable and simple to use. Our average client prefers a very simple collar that they know will work when they need it to. The only feature I wish the 280x had would be the ability to have a different preset level for each dog. Hopefully they add that feature in the future!
@SuburbanK9DogTraining I'm not seeing any more reliability issues with the various Educators than I see with Dogtra.
As for simplicity even the top of the range, which has way more than 99% of us will ever need, is no more complicated than a smart phone or watch.
Waiting for your review of the 1900x! I have 2 dogs, a high prey drive cattle dog mix 45# and a reactive pitbull mix 55#. We trail run in the mountains and I want to have more off leash control and better recall. I’m honestly worried that the 1900x might be too big and high output for my dogs? I want to use the lowest stim level possible. Debating between the ARC, 280x or 1900x. Thanks!
We have been using a 1900x for a while now and really like it. It is well made and is a step up from the 1900s. I wouldn't worry too much about it being too high power because you can turn it down to a very low level as needed. That being said, the 1900x is a big receiver. Unless your dogs really need the extra power or you really want the extra range, there is no way I would choose it over the 280x.
I would personally choose the 280x over the ARC because I like the light and the boost function, but they are both great collars.
@ Thank you so much for your help! I got the 280x and I think it will be a good fit. My cattle dogs working level is a 7 and my pit bulls working level is a 10. So according to the 1900x stim level chart it would have been too “strong” for them both.
Definitey think the smaller receiver is a big selling point for us too especially for my smaller dog. We have an old sport dog collar and really like the tone function, so I was leaning more to Dogtra new functions with the x.
Because we aren’t hunting I think the range will be fine for out in the woods running and biking.
Just found your channel and have really enjoyed and benefited from your knowledge. Thank you!
So in your opinion, is it worth buying if you already have a 280C? I have a 280C for my Dobermann and her working level is a 12. I’ve been wanting to find a Ecollar like my 280C but with tone and a light to see her at night for a while. I was considering the Mini Educator (though I like the Dogtra remote more) until I learned that the vibration and tone are the same button so would be having to constantly switch between the two. The 280X sounds like exactly what I’m looking for but would love some input. Thank you!
If you are looking for a collar with a tone and a light then the 280x would be my first choice out of every collar on the market. The tone and vibration are different buttons and both work very well. If you didn't care about the tone and light and already own a 280c I wouldn't bother upgrading, but if those features are important to you the upgrade definitely makes sense!
We have been testing a 1900x as well and it is an awesome collar, but the higher working level is not a big selling feature to me. Dogs should rarely need more power than a 280x has and the extra range on the 1900x isn't needed for most use cases.
Let us know if you have any other questions!
Thank you! I do currently have a 280C and I really like that but I also got a pager only collar from Mini Educator. I love the tone and vibrate on that and conditioned my dog to recall with the tone. However, I’d really like an Ecollar that does all of it (tone, stim, and vibrate) just in case as I live in the country with lots of wild animals nearby. The light is also very helpful as she’s a black and rust Dobermann so very hard to see in the dark.
I think the 280x will make your life a lot easier! I have a brindle Cattle dog mix who is impossible to see at night and the light helps so much!
@@SuburbanK9DogTraining thank you so much for all the info and your help! I really appreciate it!
@@SuburbanK9DogTrainingjust got one for my rottie / cattle dog mix who is conditioned for recall on tone. Excited to try our 280x soon.
Does it have a ring on it? so u can wear it around your neck like the 280c?? ....
It does! It comes with a nice lanyard as well as a belt clip.
Thank you... I'm ordering one today ☺️
Let us know what you think after you get it! We've been using one for about a month and still love it! The 280c is great, but this is a huge improvement!
I will, I'm running 2 beagles with the 280c and looking forward to one remote around my neck instead of 2... gps is on my belt ...
Awesome! I think you will love moving to one transmitter! Just as an FYI, we had the folks from Dogtra on our podcast today and will be posting it in a week or so. Definitely check it out if you like podcasts. We talked a lot about their current collars as well as the future of the industry.