10.12.2012

To my knowledge this is the 1st flap on the market to work with an implanted chip PLUS timer function. I never wanted the extra collar but I wanted the timer and so I waited eagerly for this product to become available. It is installed for about 5 weeks now, it took our cat about a week to get used to the noise when it opens (in both directions). The cat was already used to the manual 4-way cat flap from the same manufacturer (btw identical dimensions to product ref 307). Despite the fact the cat needs to give the flap a slight push to activate the RFID reader circuit (power saving) he can almost run through the door. On the down side the menu operation is not quite self-explaining,but I documented the most important procedures with my own words for the next time. Secondly, the cat in/out symbol does not show a proper status even if the cat has no other route to come in or out. But these are minor issues to me, overall I am very pleased.At the moment I'm using Lithium AA batteries because they will not fail on very cold days (flap is installed in a cold room). This can be an issue with Alkaline batteries, although I am not sure if this would be the case with this product. The Alkalines I used for the first 4 weeks still had full 1.5V. I would assume the promised batterie life time of about 1 year is possible.Update: I just saw the disappointing reviews on the 356 (same model w/o display): Well, I had really some problems to get the implanted microchip programmed as well. Mainly it was difficult to get the cat into the tunnel - the cat simply refused ;-) But after successful programming it works like a charm.Update 2 : I had a small issue with the timer button. I bought the product in a different country and I work in the electronic industry so I did not plan to send it back for warranty. I checked the internals, it must have been a misalignment of the circuit board where the buttons are located. The button mechanic is somewhat critical in its arrangement, its a matter of a fraction of a millimeter to work or not. Especially the timer button was critical from the beginning but it refused working the last days. I was able to fix it using a piece of adhesive tape, it is working again. Nevertheless, as an early adoptor I am still happy with the product. Since the settings I found during the last 3 months are quite stable now I will not alter them too often in future. On the other side I found out that one would have about 2 minutes for replacing the batteries without loosing the settings (basically the timer, the RFID is stored non-volatile anyway). During the repair I measured the (lithium) batteries, still over 1.5V. The cat uses the flap appr. 10...20 times a day.I think the button issue is not a general problem so this is still a big thumbs-up for the flap.Update 3 : (June 2014) It's already the 2nd cat with this flap, the first cat died unfortunately. With a few month inbetween it is still the first set of batteries!!! (Lithium batteries as described above). Again, programming the chip was a hazzle and not intuitive. You can try several times and think it does not work but then finally it works and you don't know what was different the last time - hmmm. After all it performs very well, despite the programming I am still impressed by the product. Other thoughts: would be nice if the flap could work without ID chip just with the timer function while the (new) cat is not chipped. Could also help to get the cat used to the noises and the procedure (hitting the flap to activated)Update 4 : (December 2014) Two years now, still working great. Cat uses the flap daily at least 5..10 times. Still the first set of batteries (The Lithium type I mentioned). The mounting with only 2 screws is really flimsy, needs maintenance from time to time. What else? Would like to see a logging function implemented in a future product - would be fun.Uodate 5 : (29.11. 2015) Today, exactly 3 years later the first(!) set of lithium batteries died. Not bad after all I think. Unfortunately it happened without warning, but a sudden depletion is kind of typical for this type of battery. I always wondered if the cat would be locked outside if the batteries are dying in the wrong moment. But luckily enough the flap disengages completely before last shutdown. So if this not what you want make sure you change the batteries by time.Update 6 : (27.11.2016) Had a problem with the locking mechanism. Occasionally the lock did not open. I opened the unit and found the a lot of dirt in the gear. Thankfully it works completely without grease, so the cleaning was not a big deal. If this happens to you make sure to make photos to assist you during reassembly. See photo above. After reinstallation everything works again like before. Four years now, not bad!

30.3.2017

I looked at some of these reviews and thought long and hard about buying this product. But my two cats were used to a cat mate electro magnetic cat flap with its basic flimsy security that was thwarted by the local Tom. So I decided to stick with the same brand and upgrade to microchip security.Both my cats are in their prime (ahem!) and I was concerned about how they could cope with a cat flap that had the potential to trap paws and generally be difficult in the reported ways. However, I'll start with the fitting. It's true the instructions are utter rubbish. Took a while and a lot of head scratching before this was installed. We still haven't got to grips with the timer,I can't muster the energy to spend a whole weekend deciphering the instructions. However the cat flap works without the timer, but it's an expensive feature that I've not managed to get working. I wish cat mate read Amazon reviews and would address their shocking inability to convey how their product is installed and how to programme it.Poppy my 14 year old cat got to grips with the new cat flap clicking and whirring noise upon use (it is noisy compared to their old one) and is fine. Holly the 10 year old is less sure and refuses to use it after two months of use. Grrr. Nothing is pursuading her. Not even cheese dreamies. Long and short of it, it all depends on your cat and my youngest is not nervous at all , she hates the cat flap for an unspecified reason and that's it. End of.... Cats eh? Can't blame cat mate for that really.Th one cat who does operate the cat flap does so paw first with no paw trapping issues in two months. I was very scared when I read about that and have been monitoring use. What this cat flap does though is completely jam locked randomly meaning no cat can enter or exit. It's very annoying. I jut have to check frequently the cat flap isn't jammed which is a bit of a pain. To be fair this might have something to do with our energetic springer spaniel poking her head through the cat flap which it isn't designed for. At best it's not very robust at worst it jams for no reason. The big plus is I don't have an extra cat living here as it's keeping the local Tom out of the house. It works for that.The product could be very good. It's almost but not quite. Not quite as bad as some reviews IMHO but with the installation and programming issues, plus it dividing cat opinion in this household on whether the noise is tolerable to delicate feline ears means it's a meh really. Cat mate, it appears is not quite for some.***UPDATED**** Perseverance pays it seems. It may have taken Holly a few months but she's overcome her phobia of this cat flap. I admit I may have played a large part in this as I spent quite a few weeks coaxing her out of the cat flap with cheese dreamies to such an extent that she may have been convinced that the cat flap was a dreamies dispenser upon operation. Regardless she is now operating the cat flap without dreamies bribery and has forgotten she once found the noise scary. So, both cats now operating this flap normally and the jamming doesn't appear to be quite so prevalent. Not sure why that is, but this product is growing on me. I might have a bash at programming it and face the dreadful instructions head on. I'll keep you posted.A few months on and I've given this an extra star. Just changed the first set of batteries which lasted many months. Both cats using this flap brilliantly and the local tom has given up trying to break and enter through this. Zero cats have got through this little gem except my own. It's taken time for the cats to adjust but the features and extra security have been worth the perseverance. I can see if the cats are in the house or out at a glance. It's grown on me this cat flap and I would recommend it.

8.10.2018

If you've got a cat that likes to go out at 4am in the morning and you don't want a daily alarm, this is the cat flap for you and is worth every penny, but is hard to learn to program.Our new cat has a habit of starting his day early and previously would move heaven and earth (and whatever else we had in front of the previous cat flap) to let himself out, even breaking the plastic panel on the Petsafe door at one point. This cat flap is very good and sturdy and in the month I've had it our cat has not broken the flap panel or managed to unlock the flap outside the allowed times.This catflap however has a larger tunnel than the previous Petmate and is very fiddly to set up with one person,be prepared to grab a saw and someone else to help you have an easier time with installation.I will say the catflap is very unintuitive to use at first. The manual has everything smooshed together without any clear bullet points or clear indication what does what so it can be quite confusing at first even for someone that works with a lot of electronics. That said programming in a cat's microchip into the system (before installing into the door/wall) is very easy, so easy that I didn't realise it was done (and was afraid it wasn't registered correctly as there's no real indication that you've done it). I suspect you'd have an easier time if your animal wears and keeps on the compatable ID disc option.If you cat has kitty friends (or if one of them sneaks into the house by another entry method) they can go outside (as long as the flap is set to allow out) without needing to be programmed into the cat flap system.Also the flap has a rather cute icon to say which programmed cat is in, and when they last used the cat flap.The timer programming is very awkward to set up (as is almost all the programming on the cat flap) and is set for all cats on the system. Personally I've got mine set to 8pm Cat In Only to 4am Cat Out and In, I'm almost certain that you can only set one timer program. It would be nice to be able to set multiple programs or be able to set a different program to a different cat.If you've got a nervous or shy cat expect them to be scared of the sounds of the lock system on this door, they locks make a noise when the registered animal is close to the sensor. Give them some time to get adjusted and they'll have no problem.The flap is very clear and even after a month's usage (and kitty wanting to go out and scratching it), the panel is still crystal clear. Our cat also liked to attacked the previous cat flap from all sides to get it to open, but this one is like a mini Fort Knox, not even Houdini himself could get out this cat flap when it is locked.I have given this product 4/5 stars only because the main selling point (the timer programming) is very fiddly to work. You hold one button and then press and hold a second one, but get the presses wrong and it's a different command or nothing happens. Also the buttons were very firm to press. Perhaps this is down to stopping a cat pressing buttons randomly however it does make it very difficult to use. I do recommend this cat flap to anyone considering it, but bear in mind it will take you a few days to get the hang of the programming (heck after a month I've still got the manual nearby in case I need to change something on the hoof)

20.3.2016

We got this cat flap as we were getting unwanted visitors. It arrived on the Sunday when we weren't expecting it until the Tuesday at the earliest so that was a good start.Programming it for our cats chip was dead easy, found him having a wash, I called his name, he looked up and I held the tunnel part on the outside of the cat flap over his head, he looked puzzled and had a good look and sniff and job done. There is no need for the cat to go right through, just far enough for the chip to be read.Fitting was easy, the existing hole needed enlarging slightly. The only problem was the correct length screws were missing!

19.4.2019

We had two cats, both getting on in years, and we'd moved to a new area. We installed a non-microchipped cat flap and neighborhood cats would come in for their breakfast, lunch, tea and midnight snacks and use the night time litter tray, and sometimes even get stuck in when we had locked the cat flap for the night. As you can imagine this was getting a bit stressful for us and for our cats so we tried this.First the good bits....One of our cats is an extreme escape artist, he has previously broken cat flap doors, finding ways around the programmers and locks (usually by clawing under the edge of the flap and then breaking the door itself), but to date (1 month in)

4.1.2014

This Super Selective Cat Flap is more intelligent than the instructions suggest. Firstly, if you have a problem with unwanted visitors, then this is the cat flap for you and your cat(s)!Secondly, the programming was really quick and easy, however, what the instructions don't say is that once you have programmed your cats' microchip, which must be done by getting your cat to pass through the tunnel from the OUTSIDE as per the instructions, then the Cat Flap knows that your cat is indoors and will allow free access to exit again at anytime. I could not understand why after the cat had come in that the flap would still open from the inside without the cat (or a programmed disc) being anywhere near the flap.

2.9.2020

My 5 months old kitten needed just two days to learn how to use it. Half a day Training mode with an open door, one day with closed door on Training mode and half a day me standing outside with treats (to repeat a few times).I was worried about the lock noise, but it doesn't bother her at all. The tunnel might seem too long on the outside but it helps the cat to come back as it's usually higher above the ground and it reads a microchip so don't cut it. I've ordered an outdoor half step just to make it easier for her to reach the tunnel. I know that with 4 buttons it might be difficult to operate so many functions and yes, it works but it takes time to learn.If you are buying this CatFlap because of the timer function please note,

18.6.2016

This is simply fantastic. I moved into my grandma's old house and needed a way for my little cat to get in and out. She has never used a flap before, previous landlady refused to allow a flap to be installed. Installation was pretty simple, 10 mins with a drill and a jigsaw. Programming was fairly simple too, activated the chip scanner, grabbed the cat and posted her from the outside back into the house and it was all done. Set the timer, which works perfectly. It did take her a few days to get used to it because every time she touched it the noise of the solenoid motor made her jump and run away! With some persistence I showed her that it was safe and she now uses it without any issues at all.

29.3.2017

Now that it's installed it seems to be working well. I thought i was going to have issues at first because having managed to get my cat to go through and it registering his microchip - I then tried to encourage him on several occasions to come back through so I could check it was working before I installed it but on each occasion I couldn't get it to work. I was also concerned that I seemed to be able to open it. I rang the supplier with my concerns and they explained that it wasn't a case of the cat just having his head in the entrance but also pushing against the door (on this particular cat flap), so the false situation didn't really allow a proper test.

22.10.2015

Meow..... Meow..meow. Meow..... Meow... Mmmmeeeoooww... Meow. Meow.... Meeeooow.(Translated it mean) :My owner was worried as some of the other cat flaps do not pair with the latest microchips like I have, but this was not a problem and my owner set it up with a great YouTube video.They then let me use it in training mode for a couple of days so I could get use to it (this just let's easy access in and our without locking).A couple of days ago training mode was disabled and they have even set the timer from 3pm until 9am to keep me safe in rush hour/when it gets dark.They have still got power saving mode disabled,

7.3.2016

Good cat flapThe only one I could find with a timer and chip detectionAs per cats protection league guidance you should try and keep you cat in after dark / before dawn (as that is when they are more likely to be hit by traffic / catch wild animals). Annoyingly there are few catflaps out there that help you achieve this.Even though amazon's recommendation engine suggests you need the Cat Mate Cat Flap Adapter Kit for Walls and Glass Panels - you don't (I double checked with cat mate). I my case I was going through a (cavity) brick wall. To be fair I did not ask re glass so check with them / your glazier if your going thought glass.If your going through a cavity wall you will need a "Cat Mate

7.2.2016

Had this unit for about 5 months but only fitted it 3 months ago. BoB (the cat) has taken to it very well and has adapted to the curfew lock (19:00 to 06:00), we have many foxes around at night) Last week I noticed the flap was not closing when BoB went out, to the lock position, I've given it a good clean and it seems ok now. My back door has quite a big step up so I have made a wooden / decking step and this just right for BoB to be at the right height to get in and out easily and is strong enough to withstand my weight. BoB, like most cats these days has been 'micro-chipped' and the flap responds quite well to him with just a slight delay, but he is used to it now.While I am mostly happy with this unit,

10.4.2018

An excellent product - does exactly what it says on the box. To register the cats chip I found it easier to hold the cat and place the cat flap over his head rather than try to push the cats head into the flap tunnel. Took only a second or so for the mechanism to record the chip. It's certainly easier to program before fitting the flap to the door. I read some previous reviews where owners had mentioned the noise the flap makes when the mechanism releases. There is a brief whirring noise but it is not intrusive (to my mind anyway) and if your cat is worried by such a noise I would question whether it should be going outside in the first place.

3.11.2013

This cat flap was bought to replace a PetPort cat flap that our neighbour's cat had broken through and damaged the mechanism.The flap is quite tricky to set up, but once this was accomplished it has worked faultlessly. The button to program the cats tag in is inside the unit and not easy to see, so it is worth checking where this is before putting the flap into the door.The flap has a power saving mode that makes it appear that the flap is unlocked, but a cat trying to get in from the outside will activate the lock. This is not obvious and had me scratching my head for a while.The flap is quite stiff for our cats to operate, but they quickly learned to push it with their paw to overcome the magnet that hold the flap closed.

2.5.2018

Item arrived as described. I was a little nervous due to the mixed reviews.First problem I encountered was that the cut out required was larger than our previous cat flap (that was over 20 years old).As it is fitted to a double glazed door I had to get a new panel manufactured (thank you sealedunitsonline).Once fitted programming was easy (if you follow the instructions), the cats soon got used to the 'unlocking' noise and the timer function is brilliant. Screen does however 'blur' slightly when pushing the function buttons.The 'IN' and 'OUT' indicator for our two cats also works brilliantly despite one of our cats being in the habit of sticking her head out then coming back in.

Petmate Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Flap with Timer Control (355W) - Reviews

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