If I were to buy an automatic trap, based on over twenty years of shooting experience with them, I'd look for a good, used, ProMatic. IMO they are the best there is.
I once had the extended use of an old Comet, manufactured in CA, I believe. It was unique in that it came with a wireless remote, and could be set to change presentations with each throw ....... "wobble" traps, they're called today. It was also different in that the machine did not cock and load until you pressed the button. Most, today, cock and load after the throw, so that the next throw is nearly instantaneous. The advantage of the way the Comet worked is that it created a three second delay. In practice, I clipped the little remote on my shirt pocket, loaded my gun, pressed the button with my left hand, and had time to mount the gun during the three second delay. This allowed me to replicate my preshot routine when shooting sporting.
You can get wireless remotes that have adjustable delays built in, now. I really think they're worth the extra cost, because they allow you to move about, changing the presentation, while not having to move the machine to do so. Before a tournament, or big registered shoot, I'd take the trap to a field and wire it to my truck battery with a long set of jumpers. I'd have it set to throw a slightly climbing target at a pretty fast clip. I'd start behind the trap shooting straightaways. When I'd smoke three or four straight, really smoke them, I'd move, in a big circle, creating new and different presentations ......... quartering away at different angles of left to right, then left to right crossers, then quartering towards me, then finally straight to me overhead. I'd then continue in the circle and all those presentations would be presented from right to left. At each "station" I'd stay until I smoked three or four ............. not chips .......... dust. I'd be alone, so that I wasn't distracted by conversation. I shot the best scores of my life when I was doing this. It's the best practice I ever did.
Good luck in your search. Go for the best you can. You won't ever regret it.
SRH
