Update: June 2010 - It turns out that CMI went out of business some years back, just after this product review was written. When CMI went out of business, the Chinese Factory Workers just kept making the products, using whatever parts they could get, and printing up more "CMI" packaging and user manuals as needed. U.S. Customs seized a shipment of these fake products, and notified the Chinese Government (Like the Chinese Government didn't already know... this ploy is as common as dirt in China). The knock-off products sat in a US Customs warehouse for several years, and then the Government sold them off during one of their Surplus Auctions to make room for other Seized products. Someone bought the fake stuff cheap as one huge lot at auction, and then re-sold it for a profit in smaller batches to many other sellers... now all those sellers seem to be selling "CMI 911 Alert Products" on e-bay, while carefully NOT saying they are, or are not, "CMI". They don't want to get dinged by E-Bay, but they don't want to deal with irate customers wanting refunds either. If you're reading this, then you probably typed "CMI-Befirst.com" into Google, and came to the first website listed at the top of the search results page (this review of one of CMI's "real" products from 2004)...
Sorry, but that's all we know about "CMI-befirst.com". This was simply a legitimate product review of a real CMI product back when CMI really made it. We don't sell any products whatsoever. We have absolutely no connection to CMI or to any E-bay sellers, nor do we have a contact address for CMI (they've gone out of business, remember?) or any CMI product sellers, nor can we answer your questions about any fake CMI products you bought that don't quite seem to work. Contact the person you bought it from.
August 2004 Review:
(Review By AFarmer)
August 2004
Manufactured by: CMI PO Box 170 Deerfield, IL 60015
Made in China
Phone: 847-215-8400
Website: http://www.cmi-befirst.com/cmi-pet.htm
I've used the mini pet strobe on my rottweiler every night for over a week and the strobe is bright enough to see even when she is not facing me. Further, I knew when she was coming to my call, rather than straining to hear or see her as I frequently did before finding the mini pet strobe.
The strobes are composed of three colors, red, white and blue - very visible at night.
Other uses: Yes. Children and/or bikes immediately come to mind. Visibility: product claims 1/2 mile. I know I let Babydoll wander 600' away and knew exactly where she was - even through tall weeds. No worries about visibility.
The Down Side:
The white strobe went out after about 10 hours of use - but the blue and red continue just as they did when I first turned in on.
I bought 2 at the time of purchase and will see if the second one has one light go out before the others to determine if the first one is faulty - or if the strobes go out one by one to let the owner know the batteries are low.
Would WE Buy It Again?:
YES! Excellent value
Technical Specs:
Batteries: Model CR1130, comes with 2. CMI offers additional batteries for 50-cents each.
Battery Lifespan: 20 hours
Size: About 2 inches overall including the transparent plastic dome and hook to attach it to the collar.
Weight: negligible. Would work on a toy breed as easily as large.
Warranty: Yes, 5 years
Cost: $6.95
OTHER:
Availability: I found it in a feed store. They can be ordered direct from the website.
UPDATED: 09 September 2006:
The Second Battery in some of the "Knock off" models are almost impossible to remove without damaging the unit... beware of imitation units.
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