SmallCaliberCentral

Looking at the Foxpro FX5 or similar. New to calling, want versatility, and quality. Primarily coyote calling, but you never know. Any advice?

I'm easily satisfied with my FX3 & the 32 sounds I can program on it. Some folks like more. Some only ever use a basic set of sounds. The new FP Scorpion & the Minaska Bandit will fit in your coat pocket & has real good volume. Olus an additional speaker can be added for more volume. The FX3/5 is already a boomer & it carries very nice. Battery life on my FX3 is great. I hunted hard for 3 1/2 days last week in W Va & it was not turned off until the last stand ended. No battery failures either. You can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned callers. HTH

The small size of the scorpion is quite attractive as I have enough bulky junk in the cab of my truck already. I believe the drawbacks are lesser volume and no display/function w/o remote?

How does one obtain sounds not pre programmed?

Western Rivers.com as well as doing a search for animal sounds brings up a bunch. I'll get some links for you.

http://www.western-rivers.com/downloads.html

http://www.ewcalls.com/Call-Sounds-Single-Files.htm

So if I understand correctly, there is no need to be particular about what is loaded when purchased as about anything can be found and loaded once in hand?

Yes & no. If you're in an area where there aren't elk then you might not want the elk sounds. Like here in Ohio we can't use ecalls for turkeys. So you wouldn't want those either. Allpredatorcalls.com & FP will customize your sound list. They will even help you customize it over the phone if need be. All at no extra charge. The Minaska callers come with 100 sounds & their free sound library which they are always adding to. The difference being you will have it quicker by walking into a store & walking out with it the same day. Whereas ordering a customized sound list will hold you up for 2-3 days depending on availibilty & shipping.

HTH

OOPS!! I believe the Scorpion comes with the same remote as the FX5. Which is backlit with red or blue. Your choice. If there is no display on the unit then you would have to use the remote even when it's beside you.

There is less volume BUT. If you call areas like I have where a ton of volume is not needed due to the terrain or closeness of setups then the Scorpion would be great. Out in the open prairie states I would want more volume. Then get into the windy states & volume is also a concern.

I was hoping to walk into Gander mtn and walk out with the Scorpion, drop in batteries and play. No shipping and a $20 discount coupon for any $100 purchase. Not sure if they stock it or not.

I like the idea of the sound library being open for Minaska. I'd give a little extra to Foxpro for unlimited access...

You get "x" number of sounds on a FP depending on the unit purchased. After that their sounds are $25/16. The Minaska library is accessable from your computer once your caller serial number is activated. But they might do that for you before you get it. Not exactly sure. I bought my FX3 with the 32 sounds I wanted & in the order I wanted them. Since then I've re-arranged them several times for various hunts. Both callers are easy to program. HTH

Our Gander doesn't stock the 5 or the Scorpion so I had to order online. Pretty sad, if there was a local place that stocked or could get quickly, I'd be all over it. My go to shop is 45 miles the opposite direction of the way that I go to shoot etc...

So which caller did you order? I couldn't cough up the money for the Scorpion. I found a deal on the Johny Stewart Preymaster PM4 $165 dollars shipped I have been pleasantly surprised it works great so far I hope it holds up. The on off switch is not as positive as I would like it but the ability to play several sounds at the same time is great.

I ordered the Scorpion in Mossy Oak to match my Ranger (like that matters) first from gamecalls.net (unresponsive and apparently non stocking and then cancelled and ordered from APC.

Good deal! Let us know how it works for you. I would have loved to gotten a scorpion but have been low on money since the cut back in over time and my kids student loans are getting way out of hand. Its time the boy went to work.

I have a Western Rivers caller and it is crap, don't waste your money. Bought a Foxpro Scorpion and love it. Perfect size, great volume, tons of sounds (comes preloaded with 100 calls of your choice, holds 200), comes with the tx-200 remote, a bunch of decoys are available, and the battery life is great. I bought an extra speaker with it for calling crow or real windy days/open spaces. Got it from allpredatorcalls.com

The word is that gamecalls.net does not stock product regardless of what they say. I cancelled and ordered from allpredatorcalls.com who had it in stock. The order was placed at or around closing time Thursday. Friday am I received a call from APC looking for my sound selection. The gentleman who called really knew his stuff and worked with me to come up with a list based on what I asked for and steering away from some of the lesser quality sounds. Said it should ship Friday. I haven't seen any tracking or further notice, but the professionalism of this Company so far has given me great confidence.