I am, of course, referring to our cat Buttons! We got him from the RSPCA last November (which is why he has a silly name, we couldn't agree on another one so he is stuck with his original name).
To begin with we weren't intending to get a cat flap. Our back door is UPVC and my other half ... Read review
Staywell Selective Entry Cat Flap. Only allows access to cats wearing appropriate colour ... more
coded infra red collar keys. Requires 4 x AA (1.5v) batteries - alkaline recommended.Includes Tunnel Extension. Depth can be extended by use of the Staywell 310 Tunnel Extensions. Includes 1 infra red collar key with cat collar. Colour - Available in White Only Overall SizeCut Out SizeGlass Cut Out SizeMax Pet Shoulder Width 241mm x 252mm168mm x 175mm212mm diameter 150mm Suitable for fitting into doors, walls or glass to a maximum depth of 54mm (2"). Depth can be extended by using Staywell 310 Tunnel Extensions.If you have more than 1 cat, you will need to purchase additional collar keys of the same colour code. Additional collars&keys ?13.95. Please choose from the drop down box and select the quantity you require. The price is calculated on the cost of the flap - ?49.98 plus each additional collar required..
Postage & Packaging:£3.95 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: It stops other cats getting in Disadvantages: none
I am, of course, referring to our cat Buttons! We got him from the RSPCA last November (which is why he has a silly name, we couldn't agree on another one so he is stuck with his original name).
To begin with we weren't intending to get a cat flap. Our back door is UPVC and my other half thought it would be difficult to put one in there. However, after a spell of cold weather we came to our senses and decided it would preferable to ... ...open most of the day.
We started off by buying the magnetic version of this cat flap, but when we got it home and read the instructions we found it was not suitable for UPVC (i.e. metal framed) doors. We took it back to our local Pets at Home store and had to have a refund. They had no infrared doors left, having had eight cat flaps stolen that week! Their price would have been £49.99.
I am, of course, referring to our cat Buttons! We got him from the RSPCA last November (which is why he has a silly name, we couldn't agree on another one so he is stuck with his original name).
To begin with we weren't intending to get a cat flap. Our back door is UPVC and my other half thought it would be difficult to put one in there. However, after a spell of cold weather we came to our senses and decided it would preferable to have a cat flap than to have the back door open most of the day.
We started off by buying the magnetic version of this cat flap, but when we got it home and read the instructions we found it was not suitable for UPVC (i.e. metal framed) doors. We took it back to our local Pets at Home store and had to have a refund. They had no infrared doors left, having had eight cat flaps stolen that week! Their price would have been £49.99.
We didn't meet anyone selling them cheap in a local pub (!) so we had a look on line and found the same infrared door for £56.38, (including postage) but with two keys.
FITTING The cat flap was really easy to fit. We drew in pencil on the door, where we wanted the door to go, according to the instructions. Out came the jigsaw and we cut a chunk out of the door (whilst keeping our fingers crossed that it would turn out to be the right size!). To our surprise it was almost perfect. We had to file down a little bit on one side, but that was probably due more to a cutting error than the instructions.
The internal piece of the door then fitted into the hole, and the external piece fitted on the other side. It did help to have two people fitting it as one could hold it in place on the inside while the other clipped it into place on the outside and inserted the screws which hold it all together.
THE CAT FLAP The cat flap is white plastic, basically a square with rounded corners. The centre flap which swings in and out is clear plastic. From the outside of the frame it is about 9" x 9". There is a panel on the top of the inside which lifts up to reveal the controls and the battery compartment. This takes 4 x AA1.5v batteries which should also last about 12 months. There is also an option to use mains power, however we haven't done this. The cat flap has four settings: in only, out only, in and out, completely closed.
THE KEY The key is plastic and tube shaped. It comes in a variety of colours; blue, green, yellow or pink. It apparently weighs 8g with the batteries inside and it seems quite large, but Buttons doesn't seem to mind wearing it as part of his "bling". He also has a bell and a name tag attached to his collar. They did supply a collar with the key, but we used the one Buttons was already wearing. If you have more than one cat, or your cat loses his key, it is important to get one the same colour. The key contains two small round batteries (SR44, LR44 or D357). These batteries should be expected to last twelve months. The key flashes at two minute intervals. The key must be pointing away from the cat's body (i.e. towards the cat flap) so that it can work. Replacement keys cost about £12.
THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET The instructions are 40 pages long, however, only the first eleven pages are in English! The instructions were very easy to understand, and illustrated with a variety of drawings and diagrams to illustrate relevant points, such as fitting the batteries in the key, how to assemble the cat flap and so on. We found them very helpful.
DID BUTTONS LIKE IT? We didn't know if he'd used a cat flap before, but we now think he had as he didn't take much persuasion to use it. We followed advice we had been given and left the door on "manual" mode until he had been in and out a few times. Then we switched it on. Every time he goes near it does make a "click" as the latch opens, which did make him jump at first. Now he doesn't seem to notice. It also works as an early warning as we can tell when he's outside and about to come in as the door clicks whenever he is near. We've had it for about six weeks; so far we have had no problems with the key not working. Buttons seems glad to be able to wander in and out as he pleases.
Advantages: The principle is great Disadvantages: Poor electronic and mechanical design
...2 seconds.
I contacted staywell who then told me that I had to take the batteries out for half an hour before trying to change the latch time. I tried that and some bleeps started to happen and although it didn't bleep everytime I pushed the settting button it did bleep and I managed to get the latch time to 5 seconds and it all worked for a day. The key then failed and the spare key failed about 10 times over the next three months. I was convinced ... ...of the suggestions made by staywell was that I changed the batteries in the flap and this I did. I even managed after much fiddling to reset the latch time to 7 seconds. It seems that when you take the batteries out the latch time goes back to 2 seconds.
Unfortunately another problem occurred recently when a rogue cat chased our cat and managed to break open the cat flap. The part of the flap on the inside is secured to the main body of the flap ...
gordonw 07.11.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Staywell 500 Infra-Red Cat Flap
Advantages: You might be able to one day recycle the plastic Disadvantages: It does not work
...and forked out for a Staywell 500 infrared cat flap (with blue collar tags). My cats got used to it no problem and the infra red mechanism works ok letting the the cats in and out as desired. BUT .... the intruder cat is somehow still gaining access, somtimes i could hear it coming in when both my cats were with me in the lounge. So i decided to lay in wait to observe how the stray was getting in .... he simply pushes the flap strongly on one side ... ...their product. I did contact Staywell about this problem but they didn't seem to care and told me just to put something over the clear part of the plastic so stray cats can't see through and would be less likely to enter, which is just about the worst piece of customer care i've ever come across, anyway, i did that, useless, and to this day the stray has been pestering me with his spraying and unrinating, food stealing and bringing fleas into my ...
Ally_Dub 08.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Staywell 500 Infra-Red Cat Flap
Advantages: none Disadvantages: other cats get in - my cat can't
...weeks ago I purchased a Staywell 400 Series – Magnetic Cat Flap and fitted to all your guidelines – Found within few days that another cat was somehow managing to gain access… Found that one cat was gaining access with just a metal collar – not a magnet and another by forcing the flap (no collar at all). As I am heavily pregnant and did not want continuing stray cats – spraying on, lying on, defacing my furniture and eating all of our own cats food ... ...500 Infra Red Cat Flap – I have had this fitted around two weeks. I still have the problem of another cat inside the property and my own cat that cannot get in. The stray either (I have observed it) head butts the door or claws its paw under and with a hook drags the cat flap door towards it … On the other hand my cat who hasn’t realised these ways of getting in yet, has the problem of her collar failing and not being able to get in at all (all batteries ...
mchuckyegg 06.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Staywell 500 Infra-Red Cat Flap
Advantages: I've had no problem with intruding cats. Disadvantages: Overall expense and lack of reliability.
...and the collar supplied by Staywell is not a safety collar so it could easily cause your cat damage. I use safety collars but this means that the keys are more easily lost. The flap seemed to work OK when I had just 2 cats but now that I have 5 it seems unable to cope consistently. I have to check the collars morning and evening to check they are still functioning and I would say that there is a problem at least weekly. The keys get wet easily (eg, ... ...wet weather) and this stops them from functioning. I have had my latest model about 6 months and the sensor is starting to play up and does not always recognise the collars. I do not feel happy about leaving my cats all day in case they are unable to get in the house. I am changing to a Pet Porte Microchip cat flap. It is more expensive initially but I am sure that the overall cost will be less when you add up the cost of collar keys and replacement ...
Cendrillon1970 07.04.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Staywell 500 Infra-Red Cat Flap
Advantages: To be honest I can't think of one Disadvantages: Poor design will cost the owner in replacement parts and keys.
...weeks use. I wrote to staywell and the responce I had was the keys and water resistant and not water proof so won't survive a dip in the water bowl. They wouldn't replace the key under warranty and suggested using silicone to seal it. They have identified a problem with the keys but haven't incorporated a seal into the design nor have they suggested sealing it with silicone in the instructions.
So the cat flap is back on manual mode and I'm chasing ...
kazoo_u 10.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Staywell 500 Infra-Red Cat Flap
