Icotech Rascal

[ColinBr]

Anyone using or tried 1 of the Icotech Rascal callers?

Was looking into getting my first caller and thought this would be ideal with using the phone rather than a remote.

🔥🔥🔥 NEW – The ICOtec Rascal – BLUETOOTH 🔥🔥🔥 – Best Fox Call

bestfoxcall.co.uk

 

[The Singing Stalker]

At least you won’t lose the remote….. hopefully.

 

[ColinBr]

Anyone using 1?

 

[Milk no sugar please]

Well I’ve just brought one so I’ll give it a test later this week and let you know if it’s any good, especially their claim of 100m Bluetooth range

 

[ColinBr]

Well I’ve just brought one so I’ll give it a test later this week and let you know if it’s any good, especially their claim of 100m Bluetooth range

Appreciate that mate. Do let us know

 

[Milk no sugar please]

To add an update to this:

I took delivery of the unit today. I ordered on Saturday and waited expecting the unit to arrive midweek. I had a call this morning from Rob at bestfoxcall who it turns out lives not 1 mile from me so I arranged to meet him after work to collect. He called as it was clear we lived close which is a nice touch to get me going quicker than relying on postal or courier service.

Nice guy and he says they have tested the unit to around 85y currently. I tried the demo unit he had to hand and my iPhone had no issues collecting the Bluetooth signal at short range. I tried my unit when I got home with the same result. I was also told it’s likely I will get a fair number of nights out of the batteries. Volume levels are good and simply controlled via the phone. I was also given a bank of sounds via drop box.

The unit seems well made and it is packaged ok without any plastic packing junk. In all the excitement today I forgot to buy batteries so Rob was kind enough to supply 4x Duracell as he wouldn’t have postage costs. The app is currently under development and is being overhauled ready for a soft release this weekend at the shooting show.

I will be giving it a run this evening with a friend and I’ll let you know how we get on but initially the unit looks fit for purpose.

 

[ColinBr]

Thanks for the update. Will look forward to your findings once out in the field

 

[Liveonce]

watching with interest, I use a bluetooth amp&speaker to my iphone, works ok but even with straight line of sight cannot get 100mtrs, you may need the very latest phone to get 100mtrs with 20dbm transmitter output powder.
lets us know how you get on.

Understanding Bluetooth Range | Bluetooth® Technology Website

What is the range of Bluetooth® technology? The effective, reliable range between Bluetooth devices is anywhere from more than a kilometer down to less than a meter. Use the Bluetooth Range Estimator…

www.bluetooth.com

 

[Milk no sugar please]

So I’ve just got home and here’s what I thought:

Initial impressions are good, the unit is easily able to pick up the Bluetooth signal on my phone at 100 yards. This was my main concern and fair play the unit exceeded expectations in this area. I guessed I might get 60y out of it but was pleasantly surprised by the range performance. I suspect the unit will be capable of more than 100y and will work it out one day soon with the range finder.

The batteries have lasted all night long, I cannot comment on how long they will last ultimately but I will update this thread when I know. I was out tonight from 2000 until 2330. The night here is quite cold at -1 and getting frost and condensation on anything metal so battery life is generally less than a hot day. As mentioned before I have been told these should comfortably go on a good few sessions with a good quality battery.

The calls are clear and the unit can be very loud if that’s your thing. I used an app called UK game calls which produced excellent results, three fox seen and dealt with using rabbit distress noise. Ymmv.

When you turn the unit on, if you’ve already paired to the unit it will automatically connect- a nice touch.

The only negatives I can see right now are that using your phone on a dark night lights you up like a Christmas tree. If you’ve got very wary fox about they might be put off by this as you are reasonably close to the caller. Also a negative was that the led light on the side of the unit blinks blue and it’s bright. I covered it up with a piece of black electrical tape on the side of my mod which is there in the event of rain.

I think I will likely macguyver a strap onto the unit as carrying it with a rifle and sticks was a bit of a pain in the posterior. I think likely I will jb weld a pair of sling swivels or similar onto it to loop a piece of rope through. All of my shooting is on foot, if you shoot from a truck this will likely be a moot point.

I only came home now as I’m stalking in the morning and my thermal ran out.

There you go @ColinBr I should say you’re quite alright to buy one I hope that’s helpful for you.

Edit- For @Liveonce my phone is an iPhone XR, so not the newest latest and greatest and I had no issues.

 

[Liveonce]

if your phone is an iphone, not used others, did you have it in “dark mode” that reduces a lot of the light coming from the phone, caller looks good then.

 

[Milk no sugar please]

I didn’t to be honest no. I still think my face would be lit up but it didn’t seem to cause us an issue last night- it is more just something to be aware of. I think the ones with a remote are an extra 50 Alan’s so possibly a consideration for some shooters.

 

[ColinBr]

Thats good enough for me mate. Thanks for your honest opinion its appreciated that you've went out your way to write this up.

 

[Milk no sugar please]

No worries happy to help. I’d buy from Rob at best fox call, he is a gent, a knowledgable guy and easy to deal with

 

[ColinBr]

No worries happy to help. I’d buy from Rob at best fox call, he is a gent, a knowledgable guy and easy to deal with

Yes it was best fox call I was planning on buying from

 

[Milk no sugar please]

An update on this, I was going to jb weld something on to attach a sling. Just been out to the work shop and found there is a moulded loop slot in the bottom of the unit so no bodging required

 

[Andyquadra]

Any more feedback? Probable looking at it when I go to the Stalking show

 

[Tazz]

Well I’ve just brought one so I’ll give it a test later this week and let you know if it’s any good, especially their claim of 100m Bluetooth range

Interesting that lots of the top electronic callers advertise 100-200yds range on the handset, given we want to bring the fox to us why would you want the caller 200yds away!!!

 

[Milk no sugar please]

Any more feedback? Probable looking at it when I go to the Stalking show

What do you need to know?

 

[Andyquadra]

What do you need to know?

General feedback really
Range and connections still good?
Is the app easy to use?
List of calls, mate has the 500 version, but in reality only uses less than a dozen calls

 

[Milk no sugar please]

Still working exactly as described. Range is good, 100y no problem. Still on the same set of batteries I got with the unit. I don’t use the app that comes with the app, I’ve been using uk game calls well, rabbit distress being a particular favourite. I’ve not had to use or tried many others yet.

I set it up 60 to 70 yards away as I want to be sure of a hit and then keep still. Simple stuff and gets results. Worth the hundred bucks I would say