Invisible Fence®

Manufacturer: Radio Systems Corp.

Manufacturing Facilities: Assembled in China from parts made in the US and China

Brand History: Invisible Fence® is the original brand of dog fence. John Purtell started the company in 1976, when he purchased the patent for an unknown and unproven dog fence called Stay-Put. Purtell created a comprehensive installation and training program for the product and marketed it under the Invisible Fence® name. Today, Purtell is President of Perimeter Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of Pet Stop® professional dog fences.

Invisible Fence® currently is owned by Radio Systems Corp., which purchased the brand from a private equity firm in September, 2006. In addition to Invisible Fence®, Radio Systems Corp. manufactures the PetSafe®, Innotek®, and Guardian® brands of dog fence products.

Product Cost and Availability: Invisible Fence® products are available exclusively through regional Invisible Fence® installers. Pricing varies based on the area of the country in which you live, so you should contact your local Invisible Fence® dealer for pricing information.

Warranty: The standard warranty for Invisible Fence® brand products is one year. Lifetime warranties are available, but don't necessarily come standard with every product. You should contact your local Invisible Fence® dealer to confirm pricing and warranty information. Warranty returns are generally processed through your Invisible Fence® installer.

Batteries: Invisible Fence® brand products require custom batteries that you'll generally purchase on an annual "battery plan". The price of the annual battery plan varies based on your location, but usually ranges from $60 - $100 per pet. It is possible to buy Invisible Fence® compatible batteries from sources other than your installer, but be aware that doing so may void your warranty.

Receiver Info: Invisible Fence® receivers include adjustable correction levels that are accessible only by an Invisible Fence® installer. This means that you can't change the correction level yourself; you must contact your installer for a service call if you wish to adjust the correction level.

The Invisible Fence® standard receiver weighs approximately 46 grams. The Invisible Fence® Model 5000 (for stubborn dogs) weighs approximately 125 grams.

Transmitter Info: Invisible Fence® has several different transmitter models that vary widely in price and features. Basic Invisible Fence® transmitters power as little as 500 feet, while high-end systems power up to 100 acres. Invisible Fence® transmitters do not include integrated lightning protection, so you should ensure that your installer includes supplemental lightning protection in your hardware package.

Wire: The type of wire included with an Invisible Fence® varies with each installer. The minimum wire quality you should expect is 18-gauge solid core wire, although 14-gauge wire is much more durable.

Installation and Training Support: All Invisible Fence® brand products include professional installation and training support. The level of training support varies with each installer -- some installers include only the initial training sessions and charge for additional support, while others offer training support as a standard part of the installation package. Make sure you understand exactly how much free training support you will receive when you purchase your Invisible Fence®. Ideally, you'll receive at least 6 months of free, onsite training support.