Pounce
What is the maximum length of line that it can be used with?
It's designed to be used indoors in a single room, so if the room is approximately 12'x12' square you should be able to set up a course to fit. If you have a bigger room it may be possible to set up a bigger course - you can always try - and if it is too much for the motor handle, just go back to the smaller size that did work. You can tie more rope on or cut it shorter as many time as you want. The knots just give the cats another thing to pounce on!
If you know you would need a larger course and/or want to also use it outdoors - you might consider getting "Chase!" instead. It is capable of courses up to 100 feet and you can control the speed (up to 20mph) and direction of the lure.
Could the braided line from the dog versions be used with it?
We would not recommend using the braided nylon line because it's designed to use the lighter, softer twisted rope that will ship with the kit. Look for 2.5mm - 3mm twisted cotton cord when seeking replacement line.
Can the SwiftPaws replacement flags you sell on the website be used as lures with Pounce?
Yes! They are made of maize flour and printed with infant safe ink. But they would need to be cut into smaller pieces to use with Pounce. But this just means they'll last longer! However the "Critter Pack" critters are too heavy/bulky for the Pounce motor.
How fast can it go?
The speed is shown in the display as revolutions per minute and is variable from 1500-3000 rpm and can move in both directions.
How long does the sequence run in automatic mode?
In automatic mode the main unit will run a preprogrammed sequence for 2 minutes - then rest for 30 seconds. It repeats 4 times and then automatically turns off. The whole sequence is about 9.5 minutes. (10 minutes if you count the final 30 second rest period)
How long would each charge of the battery be expected to last?
The battery should last long enough to use it all day before recharging.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The manual states that you can plug the drive in to charge while you're using it. While this is true - it is not advised.
This interferes with the programming that stops the drive when the voltage drops to a certain level to protect the battery from being over-discharged.
Pounce uses a LiPo battery - they can become permanently damaged if the voltage drops below the minimum voltage.
When it's constantly plugged in - we have learned that:
1 - it does not charge at the same rate as power is being used - so the voltage will still drop
2 - it does not sense that the voltage has dropped and so it's possible to over-discharge the battery to the point of failure.
How to charge the Pounce drive for maximum performance and battery longevity.
The LiPo battery performs best when it is recharged regularly. We recommend charging it overnight after each day of use, even if it was only used for a short period of time, so that you begin each day with a fully charged battery. If a LiPo battery's voltage drops below a certain level, it can become permanently damaged and may no longer hold a charge.
If it hasn't been used for awhile - recharge it first before using it. This can take up to 4 hours, so plan ahead!
If you notice a decline in performance or length of the automatic play session, stop using it and plug it in until it's fully charged (this can take up to 4 hours) before using it.
Could the battery be replaced if it stopped holding charge?
No.
Will it be possible to purchase additional lures?
We now have Mini Critters for Pounce available on the website!
Can it be used outdoors even though it was made for indoor use?
No. Pounce was designed for indoor use only. Electric toys intended for outdoor environments must meet specific electrical, structural, and safety standards to handle exposure to moisture, dirt, temperature fluctuations, and increased power demands. Outdoor-rated electric toys are built to comply with more stringent environmental protection requirements, enhanced durability standards, and stricter safety and charging protocols to safely manage these additional risks.
See what Meghan, our CEO and founder has to say about Pounce! by SwiftPaws here: https://youtu.be/LVXezOjuLWI