Some electronic traps are large, heavy, and very difficult to use: at least that’s what the trap thrower scene had looked like. But to my utter surprise, the Champion Workhorse electronic trap proved to be everything that I wanted. It was strong, durable, and offered an amazing throwing range. Read for more.
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Champion Workhorse vs Wheelybird
But I didn’t just rush into the decision. I first compared it to another very popular electronic trap: the Champion Wheelybird. As I am not considering myself a complete professional, the cycle time of 2.5 seconds of my preferred model worked in my favor.
Moreover, the Workhorse offers three different angles, whereas the Wheelybird offers only one. All this convinced me that I was making the right choice.
Assembly and Instructions
As soon as I saw this electronic trap, I was convinced that it was simple yet durable in its design. The package contained all the accessories and tools I wanted for quick assembly. Not just that, but it also came with a very well-written instruction booklet containing all the required information. Once I had the tools, and the instructions with me, all I had to do was follow the steps. The instructions were pretty clear and I was able to set up my electronic trap in no time.
After setting it up, I paired it with a 20AH battery voltage. To my surprise, the battery, although small, worked perfectly well with my electronic trap that offered a capacity of 50 clays.
Adjusting Angles and Throwing Range
Like most people, I also like to experiment with different launch angles in between shots. To my utter delight, the Workhorse electronic trap allowed me to customize my trap shooting experience. It came with three different launch angles that I could use in between shots.
When I purchased this trap, I was hoping that using multiple angles in between shots would be quite easy. However, that was not quite the case. Not only was it uncomfortable to pull off, but it also required some time.
With time, I learned that the best way to do this is to adjust the rear u-shaped leg. This adjusted the launch angle to 14 degrees, 20 degrees, and 27 degrees. By making these changes, I was able to vary the throwing range between 55 and 75 yards.
I also liked the presence of the orange safety ring on my machine. This came in handy during the earlier days when I was still getting used to the design. There was an automatic on and off switch that kept me safe and ensured that no accidents happened during my shooting practice.
It’s a Trap. Without a Wobbler.
One thing that I would have loved to see in my electronic trap was a wobble base; however, that was not the case. Such a base is sold separately and allows users to automatically change the angles and directions of the shoot.
After much contemplation, I decided to buy this base separately. To my surprise, this proved monumental for me. With the help of the wobbler base (note: that’s not the same thing as an oscillating base), I was able to change the trap’s throwing direction and angle from left to right and up to down automatically. However, this wobble was quite expensive and forced me to spend a lot of money. But it was worth it!
Foot Switch or Remote Control?
Another feature I found useful instantly was the foot-activated switch that comes with a 25ft pedal cord length. This not only helped me in the shooting but also ensured that I didn’t have to free my hand to operate the switch.
However, I soon discovered that a lot of people also buy a remote control separately. This comes in handy for people who want to increase their yard length. However, I didn’t buy this remote control since I knew I’d have to free my hand to use it: something that didn’t seem practical to me.
Finally: Flawless Target Magazine
Moreover, after using the model for a couple of days, I realized that it was much better than all the previous models in this category. One of the best upgrades was that removing loading, removing and putting back on the target magazine was much easier than many other models that seem like they were equipped with the wrong target magazine. I also felt that it threw the clays quickly and with constant speed. This helped me get the required leverage to shoot at the clays with enough vigor and concentration.
There’s Still Room for Improvement
Although I loved using this electronic trap, some things made the whole experience rather awkward. For starters, the model wasn’t very easy to carry around. It was not only heavy but was also difficult to store after usage.
Although I needed some time to find out about all of its features as I practiced shooting with Workhorse, there is one thing that didn’t escape my notice. Unlike many other electronic traps, this one can’t shoot doubles at the same time. Since I am more interested in shooting singles, this didn’t bother me much.
I also felt that the angles were rather difficult to switch in between shots. This made my shooting experience less fruitful. Watching my brother using the machine, I also felt that Champion Workhorse electronic trap wasn’t completely suitable for amateurs.
Another thing that made me slightly regret my decision was the bad after-sales services that the model offered. When I complained about some of its features to the customer service, they paid no heed to it and gave me some further unnecessary instructions to follow.
Is Champion Workhorse Worth the Money?
Despite the slight awkward usage, I was still very impressed with the overall design, shape, and durability of the model. It is made with high-end materials and offers longevity, plus the safety switch is a nice addition. So all in all, the model was indeed worth the money I spent.
Closing Thoughts
If someone had asked me whether I would buy this trap again, I would say yes. No model is entirely perfect, but this was closest to the perfect trap that I could get in my budget.
