I have been using a Aqua Pro feeder since 2012 and it has done OK. I am on my second distributor unit and had JB welded the plastic surfaces(Old Unit) that were worn, twice before I bought the new Unit.

The original was bought on Amazon for just over $100.Bucks and like I said did OK considering. Had to clean it often due to moisture intrusion as much as anything.

Anyway over the years I have looked at the Sweeney feeder, TX Hunter and was sold for the most part on the TX Hunter.

As I searched around on the internet and looking at reviews etc... I found the Outback brand and low and behold I found out they are "IN THE HOOD", have a good reputation and dropped in to talk with them.

Had a good conversation with Mike Seahorn, Shop manager, and he said and did show me everything about the whole feeder, parts, motor and how it works.

I called them a few weeks later and I told them I wanted to try some different feeds through the unit and it happened to be raining on the day I went, and gave it it a try, so to speak. I told them I wanted one that would throw just about anything. In Short, it did throw all feeds and sizes. I threw Aquamax Sportsfish, Aquamax 5D05, Optimal Bluegill, Skretting 9.5mm Extruded floating. The feeder threw all products separate,and combined with no problem(s).

I told them I wanted to know how to make and adjustment on the unit and they said timer was the only real adjustment,but there was some adjustment on the spinner plate they use but would not be necessary all the way from meal to the bass pellets, of which I did not have.

Mike then told me that they have sold many of the units, different tank sizes and have had no problems. He said a few people have sent the units back with no complaints but just did not want them, and they gave them !00% of there money back. He said he would give me my money back basically anytime, within reason, if I did not like it, no questions asked, or would come out and fix any problem I have,if I ever have one. From hogs to coon damage they will fix, at no cost or give me a replacement unit complete.

Needless to say, I have one on the trailer and when it quits raining I will install it. I will follow up in 6 months or so and let the forum know what I think.

The unit has 3 moving parts, motor (12V), spinner(centrifugal) plate that seal off feed flow and a heavy duty metal flapper distributor to kick the feed out the tube.

I hope, as the guinea pig here, I will have positive opinions in a few months. I will give my opinion and take it back it it is a bunch of trouble.

Wish me luck and I will send anyone that wants pics, if the want to send me their email (I do(will not) not text) or if they want to post pics I have, no problem from my end. To much trouble to go back and redo what I did to get pics on the last time I did that.

mpc, which model did you look at?

#600. All the fish feeders use the same distributor.

OK guys, I have it temporarily set on blocks. Quick easy hook up, set up and the variable test time was a nice feature. The AquaPro feeder timer did not have that feature.

SO one second on the Optimal is about a good hand full. It took about 9 seconds to get what my fish will eat in 11 to 14 min. Looked like about a pound to at most 1.5 lbs.

The timer is easy set and has 9 stations/6 or 12 Volt/ up to 29 sec., I believe,run time. I will check and report.

Just a side note it is not level and there was a bit of residual feed at the end of the tube. I'll report back when all is set right.

Another side note. I was checking amount per second before I let feed out into the pond. At three seconds I just held the sack over the tube some and had a pretty good slug in the tube when I went on up to 6 seconds run and it knocked it all out, except the little on the end of the tube.

That's it for me, I got stuff to do and I hope the info helps.

Mike,
Sounds really good.....keep us posted!
Charlie

Mike watch out for coons that they or hogs don't knock it over

And make sure u keep the lid on tight, my Texas Hunter feeder lid is somewhere in the bottom of the pond after the big storm we had day before yesterday. Have not found it yet but will be looking for it again today. No telling how far it flew out in the pond. We had some really strong winds. I guess I forgot to fasten it down

Tracy

My clip fasteners are absolutely necessary. I have muddy coon tracks all over the tops and side of mine.

Dave,
I have seen the same on the sides and top of mine as well. I always keep the lid buckled down.

I will use little "S" clips like these on the latches to keep them secure. Sometimes those coons are too durn smart (or I forget to latch it).

https://www.campmor.com/c/s-biner-size-2-80700blk?gclid=CMKtkeTY_8wCFc8lgQododQDPg

They can be found in most sporting goods stores near the registers. The clips are at the most 1 1/2" long.

I've got AquaPro, that's a little over a year old. I had some issues with it last year. Jammed up a few times, then replaced the wiring harness. Moved the solar charger from east side, shaded to west side for the most sun. So far his year it's been running very well.
I'm running optima feed through it without any problems. I did not see the "Outback" brand anywhere, as I was looking for feeders last spring.
The only thing I really wish I could change about the AquaPro is that some of the feed, not a lot, lands very close to the feeder. I wish it was zero for the first 10' or so. My water level has dropped due to leak, and low rainfall this year, and it's a little bit longer shot, just to get to the water. No problems with coons, and their tracks are all over it. I've trapped over 20 in the last year. I think the supply is endless.

You guys are so right about keeping the latches latched. Getting senile I am guessing, leaving the lid not latched will cause it to fly out and into the pond when the winds kick up.

Tracy

The AquaPro feed landing close to the feeder is still an issue with the Outback feeder. I am looking at a slight mod to the unit but will need to touch base with the Owner/shop foreman to make sure they will take it back if I am still not happy with the product.

I have decided to build a rack of sorts to slide the unit out into the pond and back for filling, due to water fluctuation.

The good thing about the AquaPro is the distributor/Flapper unit starts before the feed motor and stops before the distributor flapper stops. But I still had some feed hit the shoreline too.

I do not know if the TX Hunter and or the Sweeney feeders have the issue of feed being dropped at the feeder discharge port or not.

Mine has a wire cable that would keep it from going over board

Mine came with a teather cable also. Mine is only about one year old though. Found a fish on top of mine once!!

The cable to the top is sort of a pain if you've got anything else in your hands when opening it, but at least it keeps me from misplacing it..
The lid on the AquaPro is pretty heavy, it's hard to imagine a wind strong enough to carry it out into a pond. That's Texas for you. No offense intended.
MPC, I really like the idea of a sliding rail system to move the feeder out and back due to fluctuating water levels. If you get it done, I'd really like to see some pictures.
I have mine on cinder blocks, I can move it forwards and backwards, but it's not easy. I have it secured to the blocks to keep the coons from knocking it over.
Jeff

I got tired of messing around with my feeders on shore so I just built a 4x10' Tommy Dock out of used lumber. That got my feeder out over the water and made a world of difference.

Setterguy,I will take pics and then post when it is all done. You can PM me your email and I will send them to you then. It is to much pain to get a pic on the PB forum. At least for me.

MPC, I sent you a pm with my email address.
Thanks
NEDOC, the dock idea is a good one. Would a floating dock work better? Of course, you are adding cost, but getting easier adjustability. (At least in my opinion..)

NEDOC, Tommy Docks are what we use here as well. Very good products.

FYI, if you order their hardware through the big orange box store, you can avoid the shipping costs.

Nice work Corey! I like feeder platforms, too. Yours are better designed than mine for sure, well done.

Anyone else catch the feeder brand advertised in the latest issue of Pond Boss mag? I had never seen them before, but I don't always scan the ads carefully, so maybe they aren't new to the scene. I don't recall their name - anyone else notice this or know anything about them?

I did not know they were called Tommy Docks. I built three that look almost identical to the picture. I just called them feeder platforms. One of the three I built is wider to the point I could add a second TH feeder placing them side by side. I wished I would have built all three as wide as that one. It makes it easier to adjust feeder spinner plate when there is extra room and it also makes a nice place to fish using the fly rod.

Tracy

Checked the magazine, feeder company is Monarch. Anyone have any insight/experience?

I like the looks of the feeding unit itself. It looks sturdy and well put together.

http://www.deerfeedertx.com/s/cc_images/teaserbox_13410658.jpg?t=1456943778

There's a couple of other interesting feeders they sell and a couple that are "coming soon"

http://www.deerfeedertx.com/products/fish-feeders/