Champion Workhorse Electronic Trap

The media could not be loaded. Received trap launcher yesterday. Took only a few minutes to assemble. Only a few parts and the instructions were clear. Paired it with a light, 20AH deep cycle battery and a "small-battery" box, also from Amazon. You will need a battery charger (I already had one) but, even with a cheap charger, you could probably be out the door for about $300 for the whole kit.We used it for the first time this morning. Worked flawlessly right out of the box. Launcher is solidly built and heavy enough (about 30 lbs) for stability but still easy to move. We did not even need the supplied stakes during use. It barely moved during launches (sitting on grass field). Fired a case and a half of clays without a miss ... the launcher I mean, I missed plenty. ;-).The "safety ring", which we did use, is very easy to install and remove for transport if you are tight on space. I do recommend using it, that swing arm comes around fast! Not something to use around small children or pets. Launch angle is adjusted by moving the back leg and to do that you have to remove and replace two wire-lock pins. It is not difficult but not quick so not something you would routinely do every 5 clays for example. In practice, I have found that I only need one pin and I don't bother locking it. If constantly varying the launch angle is what you need, my understanding is that a "wobbler base" will be available in 2018.Launcher does not shoot doubles but will fire sequentially with it's 2.5 second cycle time for as long as you hold the foot switch down which is fine for my needs and it sends them our far and fast. I actually have it paired with a Trius 1-Step manual launcher. With the included 25' foot-switch cable for the Workhorse, I can either shoot myself from the location of the 1-Step while controlling the Workhorse some distance away or, if I have another person, they can control both while I am free to move around the firing line to vary the target presentation. If you have or have seen a 1-Step in action, this unit seems to shoot faster and (to my eye) maybe 30% farther though I did not measure this. I love my 1-Step and this is even better.In case you have a smaller vehicle, the overall dimensions are ... without the magazine or safety ring, 24Lx19Wx20H depending on how you set the back leg. The clay guide just lifts right off for movement. It fits (left to right with the back leg folded over the top) in my Ford Fusion Hybrid trunk but I have to be careful putting it in as it is tight.Regarding the clay guide, I would suggest some blue lock-tight on the threads of the screws that attach the plastic ring on the top of the 4 rods. If you move the unit regularly, you can just lift the guide off the unit, keeping it assembled, but the screws tend to loosen up over time.Overall, I am very pleased and would highly recommend to anyone.Update: Have owned for a couple of months now and have put 2000+ clays through it with NO issues. Very pleased with product.Second Update: Have owned for about 1-1/2 years (no issues) and just added a Champion 40924 Wheely "Wobbler". Nice addition to the basic unit. Look up that on Amazon to see my review with pros and cons.

I remember the days of throwing these by hand. In fact those memories were so less than fond, I now own this! Great machine, throws well, consistent and has height adjustability that met what we need. Quick to set up, pretty simple to make adjustments. I brought the manual and a couple hand tools to the first use. The arc of the swing is an absolute stay away from area!! I could not imagine being struck by the arm. It has a safety halo for a reason, I suggest using it! We ran nearly a full case of targets through it on the first use. No issues. 100% would recommend.

Worked perfectly for backyard sessions. Highly recommend this and the company, it had a plastic piece broken during shipping, (obvious shipping damage) Called up the company and sent me a new part free no hassle. Nice to just call and speak with a person. Only critique I'd give is the bologna about needing a deep cycle battery, total false. I've seen guys run with a drill battery and we used a cheap smaller lawn tractor battery. Used it for two boxes of clays with no hiccups. Deep cycle? Maybe if you want to shoot many hundreds and have a wobbler, maybe you would need the expensive deep cycle. Champion should publish a real needs evaluation on this besides just saying you need the biggest and most expensive battery. Like saying a 30-06 is needed for adequate mouse hunting.Why did you pick this product vs others?:pick it up, put in the trunk or truck bed easily.Build quality:Seems stout and well made to me.

So fun and works well. The spring can be loosened for storage and tightened before using. If held down well with the provided stakes, it slings clays very fast and consistently.

I did extensive research before purchasing this unit. I did not want to pay several hundred dollars for a thrower so the price on this one (around $250) looked promising. I am very pleased with it. Initial assembly instructions were clear and straight-forward. Have taken it out about 7 times and thrown over a 1,000 clays. It worked without hesitation and with no problems whatsoever. It would be nice if the cycle rate was a little faster (2.5 seconds) but that is plenty fast for my crappy shooting (LOL). It takes less than a couple of minutes to change the angle of the thrower, but that is really no big deal. Also, the 25 ft. cord and foot pedal allow for the shooter to throw clays across their line of sight. Use the leg stakes provided as it will bounce around a bit without them (when you see the size of the main spring and the torque it generates, you'll see why). USE THE SAFETY HOOP PROVIDED - the throw arm launches with authority! At about 25 pounds it is easily portable and takes around 3 minutes to set up. I power it with a motorcycle battery ($42) which threw about 600 clays before the battery needed a charge. Overall I am very pleased with the performance and quality. Bottom line: Simple to use and it works without a problem.

It's fairly easy to assemble, and comes with a very detailed guide for the proper use of the product. A highly convenient and useful practicing device.However, the target limit switch towards the front of the unit was busted in the box and had to be repaired for the time being for safe use. I had already put together every piece in the box before this was noted and needed just a new limit switch to swap out. I found it difficult to navigate through Amazon to the company to replace the switch and not have to return the entire unit. Otherwise, could have been 5 stars for the cost.

This is a great thrower!!