PetSafe In-Ground Radio Fence PRF-3004W

The PetSafe In-Ground Radio Fence (PRF-3004W) is Petsafe's entry level system. It is a good basic system that is hobbled by two glaring omissions: adjustable correction levels and a low battery warning. Without these two important features the system is hard to recommend.

The PRF-3004W has only one correction level. This means that you cannot adjust the correction level up or down to account for your dog' size and temperament. Being able to adjust the correction levels is important, because it is difficult to tell what level correction a dog will need based just on breed and size. Dogs react differently and it is useful to be able to increase the correction level if it is not enough to re-capture the dog's attention; and to decrease the correction level if it is causing the dog distress. The correction level on the PetSafe In-Ground Radio Fence is about right for an "average" 25-30 pound dog.

The PetSafe In-Ground Radio Fence also has no low battery warning on the collar. When the collar batteries get low, you don't get any early warning. Instead the collar range starts dropping and the correction power fades away. This means you have no idea that your dog is not being contained.

A smaller issue with the Petsafe PRF-3004W is the use of proprietary non-rechargeable batteries in the collar receiver. We dislike proprietary, non-rechargable the petsafe non-rechargable batteries for two reasons. First you need to keep buying new batteries which is bad for the environment and your pocketbook. Second, the batteries are special Petsafe batteries which are not widely available. You either have to go to a large pet store or get them online. Our experience is that most people forget to keep some in reserve which means there are often times when they have no batteries on hand and their dog is unprotected. On the positive, the price of the batteries are not too high, they are about $15 for four.

Otherwise this is a good solid system. The base station and collar are both reliable and durable, we see these models operating out in the field with plenty of mileage on them. The Petsafe PRF-3004W lacks a few of the premium features such as the backup battery for the transmitter as is typical on budget systems. This means that if you have a power failure the system does not work. But, for most people the lack of frills would not be a big deal.

Summary: Without a low battery indicator on the collar, and without the ability to adjust correction levels the Petsafe PRF-3004W system is of limited appeal. Even, at this price point there are better choices with multiple correction levels and a low battery indicator.

If you found this website useful, please consider making your PetSafe In Ground Fence purchase using our online store

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Collar

The PetSafe Inground Radio Fence (PRF-3004) collar is a compact lightweight collar.

No Low Battery Warning Notably, it lacks any kind of warning light to let you know when the collar battery level is low. The only way to know the battery is flat is to test it regularly on the fence and make sure it is still beeping in the right places. You will notice that as the battery gets flat, you need to get ever closer to the boundary line to make the collar beep. The collar will stop working completely within a few days of your noticing the symptoms of the battery being flat, so you will need to keep a couple of spare batteries on hand.

Disposable Battery The collar uses a proprietary PetSafe RFA-67 battery, which will last about three to four months and costs about $8 for two. Not as good as a rechargeable battery or a regular non-proprietary battery, but the price and performance are reasonable. Single Correction Level The collar has a single correction level. In our experience the correction level is about right for a 25-30 pound dog of “average temperament.” This weasely phrase shows why having only a single correction level is such a bad idea. Dogs all respond differently to the correction, so systems really need a few correction levels to let you personalize the system to the dog. For example if the dog barely flinches, you want to be able to turn up the level to capture the dog’s attention. Conversely, if the correction level is too high for the dog and stops the being able to concentrate, then you want to be able to turn it down. Without the ability to alter the correction level, this collar is a bad idea for most dogs.

One situation where this single correction level collar could be prudently used is if you have a dog already well trained on a dog fence system and where you know how the dog reacts. If you know that a “low-medium” correction level, is effective for your dog, this collar would make sense for the dog and is a little cheaper than adjustable level collars available on the market. (Collars on PetSafe Deluxe In Ground Radio Fence (PRF-304W) which adds three correction levels are $25 more).

Long Prongs The collar comes with standard length prongs. Long prongs for long-hair dogs are no longer included with the system. (they were included prior to November 2009) If you need long prongs, you can get the long prongs made by Perimeter Technologies and use them with this PetSafe system.

Indoor Pod CompatibilityYou can use the included collar (PUL-250) with any current PetSafe In Ground Fence System and with the PetSafe Indoor Pod.

Base Station

The base station on the PetSafe PRF-3004W is the same base station used on the PetSafe Stubborn Dog. The base station cover flips up to reveal the controls. Boundary Width Control – this dial lets you select the distance from the boundary wire that the warning zone and correction zone start. The warning zone is the first 20% of the boundary width, and the correction zone is the next 80%.

Power Light – lets you know when the system is plugged into the wall outlet and power flowing

Loop Light – lets you know that the boundary loop is complete and has no breaks. When there is a break the light blinks and an alarm sounds

Boundary Wire Terminals – this is where you attach the boundary wire, the loop starts and ends at the control box

Boundary Size Switch – this calibrates the system for large and small boundary loops. select A for boundary loops over 2,400 feet (up to a maximum of 2,000 feet); C for boundary loops between 1,300 and 2,400 feet; and B for loops under 1,300 feet.

The base station is powered by regular 110V AC power. Just the included adapter into the nearest wall outlet.

Boundary Wire, Flags and Splices

The PetSafe In Ground Radio Fence includes enough wire for about one-third of an acre. The basic kit includes:

• 500 feet of 20 gauge boundary wire
• 50 boundary flags
• 2 waterproof splice (for joining pieces of wire)

Extra boundary wire, flags and splices are available for yards up to 10 acres (3,000 feet of boundary wire). Each extra boundary kit (including 500 feet of wire, 2 splices, and 50 flags) costs $29.95. You can also upgrade the wire to 18 gauge. The upgrade is not terribly useful for most people but is available if you want it.

Training DVD and Instruction Manual

The system comes with an instruction manual. In the past, these systems included a training DVD, but for reasons unknown PetSafe stopped providing the DVD in November of 2009.

Indoor and Outdoor Zones

You can use the PRF-3004W in conjunction with the PetSafe indoor zones.

Warranty

PetSafe’s standard limited lifetime warranty comes with the system. This is a one year full warranty, then a fixed charge repair in subsequent years.

Model	PetSafe In Ground Radio Fence PRF-3004W
Type	In Ground
Collar Battery	Disposable - proprietary
Correction Levels	1 Level
Beep Only Training Mode	No
Collar Warning Beep	Yes
Collar Vibration	No
Independent Correction Levels	n/a - only one correction level
Collar Dimensions	1.25” (L) x 2.25” (W) x 1.25" (D)
Collar Neck Size	2" - 23"
Collar Water Resistance	Waterproof
Collar Fit Test	No
Maximum Number of Dogs	Unlimited
Minimum Dog Size	12 lbs
Minimum Age	6 months
Maximum Containment Area	10 acres (3,000 feet)
Boundary Width	0-10 feet (adjustable)
Control Box Dimensions	4.75” (L) x 4.25” (W) x 2” (D)
Control Box Power Source	Wall Outlet (110V)
Control Box Battery Backup	No
Indoor Pod Compatibility	Yes - Petsafe
Outdoor Pod Compatibility	No
Included Boundary Wire	500 feet + 2 wire Splices
Included Boundary Flags	50
Training Materials	Manual
Other	Boundary tester
Package Dimensions	12” (L) x 6” (W) x 6" (D)
Package Weight	11 lbs
Warranty	Limited Lifetime

For the Petsafe PRF-3004W In Ground Radio Fence Manual click here. (PDF)