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Author
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Topic: CS24L Krakatoa (mini review)
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 26, 2010 08:44 AM
All in all, worked well.
Checked batteries, after three and a half days of calling, compared to ten not used, hardly any difference?
The plug in feature, which I requested, and which I think is a worthwhile feature, well, it isn't very durable rolling around in the back at 40MPH. Still worked, but I need to epoxy.
(edit: thereafter, I unplugged it every time, but it sticks out like a sore thumb, so if you do it, be careful.)
I must put something on the speaker. The 10watt was never a problem, but this size does get in the way, several times, in fact, it konked on something.
The TX500 is a delicate critter. Sometimes, commands were ignored, sometimes a fraction of a second too long on the button and it shut down. Then, you have to start over and try to remember where you were, according to the timer, which is another worthwhile feature. I found it easier to check it than my watch. (edit: the problem with this, of course, is it is a distraction when you need to be alert, not looking down at a screen.) Another thing was the flash of the screen, itself. Almost every time I dropped it on the lanyard, it was facing away and seemed to be a giveaway to my position?
I have to figure out a better way to strap it than what I used. I can't afford to use the bracket, not enough hands for that, so it must be slung and I need to find a better way.
Also, this sucker does not rest as well in branches as my Minaska. I need to ponder that a bit, because the line of sight gets a whole lot easier with elevation.
The foxbang didn't work, the first time? I got into it and changed from medium to "lowest" setting. (223 Ackley)
I'm told, it worked afterwards, but I personally didn't hear it? What are we talking about, the remote or the unit? Which one is affected by the gunfire? The remote, right?
All in all, these are minor issues. I'm still a fan. I think I have all the rabbit vocals I will ever need and enough coyote howls, (what, 12, 15?) to cover my needs.
Good hunting. LB
[ October 26, 2010, 08:51 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted October 26, 2010 11:03 AM
"I must put something on the speaker. The 10watt was never a problem, but this size does get in the way, several times, in fact, it konked on something."
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So what size is the speaker you have on that thing, ya pin hed? (I really enjoy calling you that) Hey, I am gonna check out the rubber truck bed, spray-on stuff. I read on another thread that you can get it at most good hardware stores.
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted October 26, 2010 11:34 AM
Leonard,
I think my CS-24 was one of the first to have those external plugs put on it. I wanted it for being able to quickly disconnect the entire wire and battery pack and keep in my pocket between stands on the snowmachine in the cold. I needed all wires capable of stowing away so they wouldn't crack in the cold. I think if they made a 90 degree connector, it would be less prone to breaking and not stick out as far though for your type of 40MPH truck riding abuse. I've searched, but couldn't find a 90 degree connector yet online.
For a strap, just get yourself a section of 1" wide nylon strap, like the stuff on those cheap ratchet straps. Pop out the two bolts that hold the bracket on. Then, melt a hole into the nylon strap and put the bolts through them. You'll have a quick and simple strap to throw the thing over your shoulder.
To get the thing up into the branches, you might be able to use one of the NRS, cam-lock straps to just cinch it down into whatever cluster of branches or trees you have.
http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1440
If you just get a long enough NRS strap, you can use that to carry the thing too.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 26, 2010 11:48 AM
That's what I'm using, Tundra. (Aaron says hi; and you never called him back?)
Anyway, I bummed some one inch nylon strap from Tim Behle a couple years ago and use it for lots of stuff. Problem is where to string it, for ballance....I'll figure it out. Haha about tree branches. These "trees" aren't a good size bush; stunted mesquite, 3/16" diameter and it's too heavy for support.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted October 26, 2010 12:06 PM
Leonard,
Tell Aaron I said Hi. When did he call, I never got the message(s)? Tell him I'm sorry about that, I wanted to get out and fish with him while he was here this summer.
Maybe you need a tripod setup to get it off the ground easily? Possum Al has a nice tripod setup for his CS-24 and has some photos I'm sure he can post. Slick, quiet, and effective. Tripods sink in my snow up here, so I just throw the thing down in the snow or lash onto a tree with the NRS strap.
Posts: 857 | From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 26, 2010 12:47 PM
No prob Tundra, he's staying here and leaving for Germany tomorrow. Schweinfurt, famous for disasterous attempt by U.S Forces at bombing the ballbearing factories, in WWII. They are still trying, though......
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted October 26, 2010 01:49 PM
quote:
I have to figure out a better way to strap it than what I used. I can't afford to use the bracket, not enough hands for that, so it must be slung and I need to find a better way
Leonard here is a bracket I made for my WT for fasten a strap to. You can get the material at any hardware store. In pic I use a U-bolt to fasten strap to and to also use as a handle, you could use eye-bolts also. When hung over shoulder the back side of caller will rest against youre hip as you walk out to youre stand.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Toys/IMG_1681.jpg[/IMG]] 
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Toys/IMG_1679.jpg[/IMG]] 
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5624 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 26, 2010 02:10 PM
Is that a thirty watt speaker, Tim? I will figure out something along those lines. This one is a little ackward, doesn't seem to ballance very well, hence the klunking, every so often when least needed. I may try a couple cheap coathooks (upsidedown) for a strap and as something to snag on branches. Lots of choices, I'll work on it.
Randy Reeves had a nice setup for his TX500. He looped it on a belt loop and slipped it into some kind of hammer strap on the side of his coveralls. My solution of putting it in my shirt pocket was okay, but interfered with every other strap I had crisscrossed on my chest. It scares me to death that I could lose it if it wasn't tied to me some way. You can't use the caller without it, and I like to use a caller when it gets down to showtime.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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TA17Rem
Hello, I'm the legendary Tim Anderson, Southern Minneesota Know it all
Member # 794
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posted October 26, 2010 02:42 PM
Leonard for a case for the TX 500 you may want to look at the soft cases used for handheld GPS.
I found one that my remote fits in and it comes with a belt clip or rings for mounting, also has a extra pouch for spare batteries. http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/TA17Rem/Toys/IMGA0050.jpg[/IMG]] 
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What if I told you, the left wing and right wing both belong to same bird!
Posts: 5624 | From: S.D. | Registered: Jan 2006
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted October 26, 2010 06:51 PM
Leonard, I carry my remote in a water bottle pouch, the lanyard is tied to the pouch so I won't lose it and I can take it off if I ain't going digital.
I too have noticed the flash off the screen, another reason I keep it low on the belt and in my lap. Well also because I can't read it when it's hanging around my neck...
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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Kelly Jackson
SECOND PLACE/GARTH BROOKS LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 977
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posted October 26, 2010 07:58 PM
Put the remote around you neck LB.
Don't lose it.
I use a lanyard and then put the remote in my shirt pocket. The dog remote is on the lanyard and in my other shirt pocket.
I still think the CS24 with the smaller speaker is all the call you would ever need.
Stay after them
Kelly
[ October 26, 2010, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Jackson ]
Posts: 997 | From: Comanche OK | Registered: Oct 2006
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 28, 2010 11:19 AM
Yes, Kelly. I figured out that I should put the remote on a cord around my neck and stick it in my pocket. If the small speaker is all I need, why did you wait to tell me until I bought the large economy size?
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Kelly Jackson
SECOND PLACE/GARTH BROOKS LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 977
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posted October 28, 2010 11:40 AM
I thought I did LB.
Posts: 997 | From: Comanche OK | Registered: Oct 2006
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted October 28, 2010 11:40 AM
LB, probably for the same reason Vic didnt mention that he got rid of his CS 24 cause the Fx5 did all he needed to do, until after I spent the extra few hundred. LMAO
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted October 28, 2010 11:43 AM
BTW, when I ordered mine, I asked several people and got the same answer. If I was going to spend that kind of money on a damn call, I wanted the best. They said the CS 24 is all the call you could ever need. So, I didnt get the Krakatoa. That is what I was going to get. Glad I didnt now.
Someone, I cant remember who, was going to send me another speaker to try. Lets see, who was that?... ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) Just yankin yer chain....
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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tlbradford
Rimfires are MAGIC on COYOTES! If you do your part
Member # 1232
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posted October 28, 2010 05:14 PM
Tom64. You must look like batman with that utility belt. It looks good.
Leonard, I got the Krakatoa too. I wanted something louder for the huge canyons I bear hunt. I may regret hauling around a bigger speaker, but since this is my first e-caller, I won't know better. So ignorance is bliss in my case.
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"Dan Carey ain't that special" - LB
Posts: 423 | From: Spokane Valley, WA | Registered: Mar 2007
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Rich
2,000th post PAKMAN
Member # 112
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posted October 28, 2010 06:07 PM
"Someone, I cant remember who, was going to send me another speaker to try. Lets see, who was that?."
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What the heck are you gonna do with another speaker? You trying to be like the Possom and need a wheel barrow to haul all of your crap out to each stand? I can already see the upcoming post---Possom Al and Andy are both nursing hernia's. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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If you call the coyotes in close, you won't NEED a high dollar range finder.
Posts: 2854 | From: Iowa | Registered: Feb 2003
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Dan Carey
unknown comic
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posted October 28, 2010 06:47 PM
Yeah, put the remote on a lanyard and place it around your neck, as Kelly suggested. Then tie a short (3 foot or so) piece of parachute cord to the handle of the CS24 and the other end to your belt loop on your right side. When you are through calling just stand up and walk away. Your caller will follow you back to your truck.
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted October 28, 2010 07:34 PM
...and people say, you don't add much.
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32370 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Dan Carey
unknown comic
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posted October 28, 2010 07:59 PM
LOL
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RagnCajn
ADDS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
Member # 879
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posted October 28, 2010 08:29 PM
For carrying my remote, I use a loop lanyard, I simply run the loop through a belt loop off my left side and slip the caller through and pull tight. The best part is I normally wear Carhardt carpenter pants. I do my traveling with the remote stuck in the hammer loop.
Feel free to use this but it comes standard with the Buckethead kit.
edit to add: sitting on a short stool, I just let it drop once to get a shot off and when the remote hit the ground just as it got to the end of th rope, the selector button made first contact and the sound changed to the setting on the dial switch. So make sure the lanyard is short enough not to hit the ground if you should let it go.
[ October 28, 2010, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: RagnCajn ]
Posts: 362 | From: Shreveport LA | Registered: Jul 2006
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TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561
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posted October 28, 2010 09:20 PM
Batman huh?
I might have to download a new theme song for my endzone dance... dada dada dada dada Batman!
From L-R, remote, range finder, shooting sticks, hand calls/howler, overnite bag, headlite and a bottle of water. It's light and the padded belt is comfy.
On another note. Have a buddy who bought a track cell phone for umm... entertainment. He called it his batman phone and all was well till his wife found it and catwoman. Thanks for reminding me of that.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005
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fgf4
unknown comic
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posted October 28, 2010 11:37 PM
OK Andy...
quote:
Someone, I cant remember who, was going to send me another speaker to try. Lets see, who was that?... Just yankin yer chain....
I know, I know! I'm horrible about sending stuff and I live next to the post office!
Here is what I've been working on for Andy and Austin. If I start making these setups I will make a few changes, like a little longer legs.
This is a TOA SC610 10watt speaker setup wired for stereo use on a CS24... it's a match to the CS24 speaker.
The legs swivel and adjust with just the one knob and the strap hangs nicely at your side.
The handle on top was just a secondary thought and needs to be much smaller and lighter if used at all. I'm thinking about a strap on or Velcro setup for the battery pack to go under the speaker to lower the center of gravity. A gel cell pack could also easily be strapped underneath. I'd welcome any suggestions or wants.
Here are three common TOA speakers used in callers...
The left speaker is a TOA SC630 30watt used on the Krakatoa and WT2030.
The bells and cones are interchangeable between the 610 and 615, they use the same driver so the 10watt is also capable of 15watt. The size of the cone and bell is the ONLY difference!
I think Tim's WT unit uses the SC630 or SC650 speaker... I've never had a WT so I may be wrong on that...
I have made a bending jig and who knows when I'll get this working like I want? I need someone like Geordie who can weld!!! This setup was hand bent with pliers, then brazed...LOL
Not sure how compatible this will be with the "BucketHead" unit...
Nikonut
Edited: Corrected pics and some info... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
[ October 29, 2010, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Nikonut ]
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Andy L
HI, I'M THE NEW MODERATOR OF THE CENTRAL MISSOURI FORUM, PULL MY FINGER!
Member # 642
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posted October 29, 2010 04:38 AM
Niko, I was just yannkin your chain. I dont bitch about gifts. Ever. Like I said, I surely dont expect it but you are such a nice guy for offering. Either way.... ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
I got that Reese lanyard they offer for the remote. I like it. Hangs a little low, but Im used to that. Bwaahaaahaaa. Made a funny. But no, seriously, I am. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Anyway, holds the remote, AP6 and Skeerys Secret Weapon, butt plug or whatever they call it. I dont know that you need anything else unless its a Higgy Howler in your pocket.
I get set and lay the remote on my lap facing up, where I can watch the timer when I want, which is one of the kewlest features, IMO, no matter how dumb it souunds. I can, with very little hand movement switch sounds or volume. I love it. When walking, I drop the remote into my top on my ASAT leafy and good to go.
As for carrying the call, I have no trouble not clanking, as much as I would like some realtree wrap. However, if I am walking far, I wear my backpack and put the call in there. Also, I can stick my shotgun in there and carry my rifle over my shoulder. Not to mention, the backpack has a harder backing and I can lean up against a tree or sage or whatever and be very comfortable.
As for setting up the call itself. I too like to get it elevated, when possible. I have no problem putting it in any kind of tree or bush. I dont know if the Krakatoa is just that much bigger or what?
Rich, as for your tongue in cheek pot shot, lol, Niko offered to send me a bigger speaker to try. It matters not to me. If he does send it, I can either change out the speakers or add the other one and try it on a windy day or big counrty.
I love my call so far. Only thing I dont like, is the silver carry handle. Nothing that a roll of cheap tape wont fix. I have hunted with a Minaska Big Country recently and a WT Atom. Both of them were fantastic calls. IMHO, I think I got the best of the three. The owners of the other two are very good freinds of mine and I in no way am putting their calll down. Both are very, very good, but there are a few features that I wouldnt tand my CS 24 for either of them.
And, Todd Borland is a Prince of a man. My one frined with the Manaaska needed a battery. I called Todd and was passing withing 30 miles or so, on a Sunday, and he met me with a battery. We vistited a while. And, he could have named his price, he charged me very little and would only take five bucks for gas. Just a great guy. Ive had some correspondece with Mike Dillon, someone I have given hell over the years, and he is a prince of a man too. I have no doubt if I had any problems with my call, it would be fixed, pronto.
Oh, and as for the presets, I got some on there, but I dont have that many sounds. I got about a half dozen each of rabbit distress, bird distress, coyote vocals, fox stuff, crow stuff and coon stuff. I also have some of my own, and a friends, super sercret stuff, and I got them all grouped together. After getting used to it, I would rather just use the dial. No biggie. Least of my worries.
Anyway, there is my mini review. I love the damn thing and wouldnt trade it for anything. For clarity, volume, ease of use and features, I dont know it gets any better, however, I dont think you would be upset with either of the other big two listed either.
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Andy
Posts: 2645 | From: Central Missouri | Registered: Apr 2005
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TundraWookie
Knows what it's all about
Member # 1044
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posted October 29, 2010 07:30 AM
Great post and photos showing the various TOA speaker callers and ways to mount them. Tim's WT has the 30Watt speaker, it looks like the first of the 2030 models. I have one of those and it's a nice caller, except for the exposed antenna wire. The 30Watt Toa is a big sucker for sure and quite a bit heavier than the 15W and 10W TOA. The only difference between the 10 and 15 watt TOA is the speaker cone. The magnetic driver and rear cap are identical. I initially switched out my CS-24 speaker cone with a 15W model, but went back to the smaller and easier to carry 10W sized cone. Nice looking stands and handles Nikonut on your speakers. For that TX-500 on stand, I have an elastic velcro band that I put around my leg and fasten the remote to. It keeps the thing from sliding off into the snow and I don't have to worry about where to quickly get to it without taking my eyes off the field. I have one of those neoprene cases for my TX500 and it keeps the thing absolutely silent should anything bump it.
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