Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased the Catmate 3000 after trying and returning different brands of auto feeders (both failed) from other sellers. It's used to feed a couple of feral cats at my job (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release). It's been in service for more than two weeks as of 12/28/12 and has proved itself to be reliable. Much more reliable than me feeding them only occasionally because of days off or delayed by snow storms. I also own a Cat-Mate 20, and it too is very reliable, but it only does two feedings. A wooden box was built around the feeder to keep the raccoons from getting into it. However a mouse has figured out how to get to the food by climbing up the tube, but gets only a few kibble at a time. I'm waiting for the cats to discover him one night. The box/feeder is bolted to a pallet and covered with a tarp. A wildlife camera is used to monitor the food station. Programming is easy after you done it once or twice (the push buttons have a very stiff feel, but that's for a reason). The programing instructions have several steps but are easy to follow (it's not some weird inturpetation). It's recommend setting up and running the feeder for three days before putting it to use. I use slightly less than two cups of food per day. Portion control appears to be consistant. Feed times were spot on. A little bit of food can fall out of the nozel if you're using small kibble. BE SURE NOZZLE SNAPS IN PLACE or a lot of food will fall out. I don't use the frequent feed, advanced feed, manual feed or extra feed options, so I'm sorry I can't comment on them. I only use it to drop food three times a day, everyday and I can change the daily amount when their eating habits change. There shouldn't be any food to remove by sundown. I like the fact you can turn off the feeder without having to reprogram it. You can also change the batteries without reprogramming if you do it within 60 seconds. I can't comment yet on battery life, but I'm using premium brand alkaline batteries (4 x size C) which is recommended by the manufacturer. On other equipment, I find rechargeable Ni-MH batteries don't keep a charge as long as good quality non-rechargeable, especially in the cold. Also noted in the instructions is the low battery indicator on the feeder only works with non-rechargeable (standard) alkaline batteries. The cats visit the feeder often and seem to appreciate it. To them, it's magic! UPDATE 1/11/14 The feeder has been in service everyday, outdoors, since December 2012 and it is still working reliably. Even during and after the Polar Vortex we experienced when temperatures reached -17 degrees F. I changed the batteries after one year even though they were still good.