Automatic Cat Feeder, CSF-3 Super Feeder, Digital Timer, Chute Cover, Stand/Bowl-Up to 8 Daily Meals, 4 3/4 Cups Capacity Optionally Expandable

Before anything else, I want to say that I 'love' this feeder. The most helpful ratings here are spot-on about the CSF-3 small animal feeder. It's definitely comprised of high quality construction, and, once assembled, should provide years of service. Ordered directly from Super-Feed, their process takes great care to notify you of where your shipment is at. I ordered the unit on a Friday after noon and received the unit just before mid-afternoon the following Monday without using expedited shipping. Based on all of the reviews emphasizing the complexity of the timer I decided (immediately upon unpacking things) to simply tackle the timer first. It turns out that the digital timer I received (Safe and Easy brand) is a product from China, which could explain why the small "Timer Instruction Manual" included eludes so many. I wanted to feed 4 meals each day for 7 days a week (which most people will do). With this digital timer I set the current time, then (to program those meals) I press "PROG" and then press HOUR and MINUTE of that 1st meal (5:30 AM). I then press "PROG" again to set the HOUR and MINUTE of when the timer should turn off at 5:31. (That covers the 1st meal of the day). For the other 3 meals, I would repeat this process three more times. Lastly, there's a HAND icon on the digital unit that you can press until the display shows AUTO-OFF (and it's as simple as that)-Putting the timer to the side, I began assembly. Have all needed tools (mainly some screwdrivers) already handy and a flashlight (some of the adjustment screws are small so the light will help get at them). This way assembly will take only about an hour or less. Definitely have the assembly video on youtube.com available. There's no need to read through the voluminous paper instructions (so I have no complaints about there being a video). I did run into a problem with the L-shaped mounting bracket (used to hold the feeder to the rearward stand). This bracket fits over the feeder and helps to hold it firm against the rearward stand; however, it also has two holes drilled into its base which are designed to fit over two rubber footers on the feeder's base. In my case though, the mount's holes had been drilled about 3/8" off and so would not fit flush to the base (preventing me from screwing it tight). No bother ; I determined that the footers (if removed) didn't affect feeder function so i pulled them off and attached the mounting bracket as directed.-Many reviewers mentioned that the calibration process (using the "feed cycle duration calibration screw" inside the unit, and the "black food volume knob" on the front of the unit) could be tricky. I decided to set the black volume knob to the smallest opening possible (by turning it most clockwise) and then using the internal calibration screw I was able to calibrate the unit after just 4 or 5 tries to produce 1/4 cup of food per meal. It seems simplest to me to change one variable at a time. My unit included the calibration screw which could turn up to 15 times (I may have turned it less than 2 times before t was just right) so in this case less (adjustment) may be more.-Overall, a very fine unit this is, with questionable paper instructions so I highly recommend only using the video to construct it. I also recommend setting the timer independently first, and closing the volume screw as much as possible before you play with the feed cycle duration setting. The only physical improvement I can think of is for Super Feeder to add a high-water mark system to the unit so that (at a glance) a user can tell if the unit is not functioning properly. Then again, I have no reason to think it will ever not work.

The best way to talk about this feeder is to first talk about its shortcomings:Cons:- The setup process to put the feeder together is poor. I just put a grill together last month with no problems. I put together this cat feeder and hit a lot more snags. The directions are very poor. To the creators of the device, if you have to watch a video to put your device together then chances are you need to revamp your directions. No other product I've come across suggests to watch a video.- The process to setup the portion amount is poor and frustrating. There is no easy way to just select the amount and move on. It involves a lot of trial and error to turn a tiny screw that will adjust the amount of time the food chute stays open. Once you move the screw, you have to activate the feeder to shoot the food out to test the amount. Then repeat this more than a dozen times and measure the food that came out until you have it just right.- The adjustment screw to match the size of your food is not ideal. I use a smaller type food and I had to try extremely hard to make the opening small enough. My thumb certainly felt it afterwards. I'm just glad the screw hole was not stripped in the process.- The scheduling for the food drop is cumbersome. It is essentially a timer you use for a living room light. You have your on time and off time. Setting the timer to go on at 8:00AM requires you to have a shutoff time at 8:01AM. If you schedule the food to go off 7 times in a day, then you'll need 14 total times. Why they decided to do it this way makes absolutely no sense. It's not a deal breaker, but there is a better way.- Way too expensive. If this feeder were 160 bucks with a nice LCD screen and easy programming then I wouldn't mind as much. But it is way overpriced and I am sure the creators make a pretty penny on this thing. I do not know how this compares to the cheaper models out there.I think most of the reviewers here tend to agree with the list above. You might be thinking that this is a bad feeder and to avoid it. I gave this feeder 4 stars because it does work like its supposed to. Once you have the setup process out of the way then the product works just fine. It seems to be fairly consistent on the amounts of food given. It's also great to know that if the power goes out, the feeder may miss one of its scheduled feedings, but will pick up whenever the power comes back on.Overall, I would say if you've got the cash, have some patience, and need an automatic feeder then this is a solid choice. My cat does a lot less begging for food than she used to.