The Miller ELITE Flyball Box Frequently Asked Questions:

    1. What does the name mean?

    2. What are the features of the Miller Elite Flyball Box?

    3. How does the Miller Elite compare to the Premier Flyball Box?

    4. How does the Miller Elite compare to the Springback Hybred?

    5. What regulations does the Miller Elite comply with?

    6. What's the difference between the pebbled and the ribbed matting?

    7. Is there a money-back guarantee?

    8. I'm still not ready to buy. Can I rent a box?

    9. Is the box customizable?

    10. How adjustable is the box?

    TESTIMONIALS

    1. What does the name mean?

      The name Miller ELITE comes from the box's designer, Mike Miller of the Dog>Gone Flyball Team in Sarasota, Florida, who is a sales engineer and designer, and flyball enthusiast. "Elite" stands for Engineered Low Impact Technology Enhancement. Mike began developing the box when one of his dogs was injured (fortunately the injury was not career-ending), and he decided to develop a box that would minimize the impact on the dog's shoulders and joints.

      Return to the top

    2. What are the features of the Miller Elite Flyball Box?
      • Hinges on the front and springs on back of box absorb the shock of the dog hitting the box, saving their shoulders
      • Lightweight (only 27 pounds including mat and thrusters)
      • Durable (powder coated finish on virtually all surfaces)
      • Frame and 1/4" rivets made from rust-free aluminum construction (some hardware and springs are steel)
      • Two thrusters - fully adjustable (usual adjustment: throw = 24" for standard tennis ball)
      • 8 standard colors (custom colors available for extra $50)
      • 3 Mat color options
      • 2 Mat texture options
      • Custom made for you (Ships 2-3 weeks after your order)
      • New: Nail guard added to protect the paws and nails of high hitters

      Return to the top

    3. How does the Miller Elite compare to the Premier Flyball Box?
      The Premier box is a standard, traditional American-style flyball box, made with plastic sides instead of wood. The plastic sides give the box a certain amount of flexibility, but it does not have a spring/hinge configuration.

      Feature

      Premier

      Miller Elite

      MATTING

      1/2” Tuff Spun mat 

      3/8” Tuff Spun mat.

      1/2” is available but adds 3 pounds to box weight

      MECHANISM

      Plunger style firing mechanism

      Lever style firing mechanism. 

      The lever style is self-cleaning.  When cocked, it will always fire.  It is also dual-action in that it throws small balls as they rest against the plunger and strikes larger balls similar to the pin style.  No need for large and small ball firing mechanism.

      FASTENERS

      Stainless Steel

      Aluminum and Zinc plated steel.

      There are 113 aluminum rivets holding the box together, and each is rated for 1300lbs in shear (most of the forces on the rivets are in shear) and 830lbs in tension. The hardware on the hinges is 3/8" zinc-plated steel, which was chosen because it is "harder" than stainless steel and resists stripping and shearing.

      SPRING TENSION

      N/A

      Combined spring tension is just over 70 pounds. 

      A fast, average-sized Border Collie generates about 140 lbs of horizontal force which translates to about 100 lbs of downward force on the spring.  The Border Collie will fully compress, but slower or lighter dogs also benefit from the spring action as they actually can compress the springs slightly.

      FRAME

      Rigid frame

      Plastic sides and base

       

      Spring Back Frame - Powder-coated Marine Grade Corrosion resistant Aluminum.

      Reduces shock on joints – please see video.

      WEIGHT

      57 pounds

      27 pounds.

      Easier to transport and easier on the boxloader.

      Return to the top

    4. How does the Miller Elite compare to the Springback Hybred?
      The Spring Back Hybred and the Miller Elite are similar only in that they both employ springs in the back of the box to cushion impact as this is the most effective area. The approach angles, firing mechanism, color options, spring tensions are all very different.

      Feature

      Spring Back Hybred

      Miller Elite

      APPROACH

      49 degree angle – 45 optional

      40 degree angle.

      Optimized for maximum landing pad and generating force downward so box does not move when the dogs hit the box except for the spring compression.  The higher the angle the more force generated back and less into the springs.

       

      MECHANISM

      Pin-style firing mechanisms

      Lever style firing mechanism.  The lever style is self-cleaning.  When cocked, it will fire.  It is also dual-action in that it throws small balls as they rest against the plunger and strikes larger balls similar to the pin style.  No need for large and small ball firing mechanism.

      FINISH

      Anodized aluminum is the only coloring option, at an additional cost.  Anodizing can easily be removed with cleaners like "Greased Lightning", warning label on bottle says not to use with anodized aluminum.

      Powder coated finish goes on dry and is baked into the aluminum.  Most household cleaners will not damage finish.  Use with the same care you would with your car's finish and you will have years of like-new look.  Powder coat is very difficult to remove, except by sandblasting.

      SPRING TENSION

      Spring tension is drastically higher than the Elite, although exact resistance is not listed. 

      Combined spring tension is just over 70 pounds. 

      A fast, average-sized Border Collie generates about 140 lbs of horizontal force which translates to about 100 lbs of downward force on the spring.  The Border Collie will fully compress, but slower or lighter dogs also benefit from the spring action as they actually can compress the springs slightly.

      FRAME

      Open frame with plungers (firing mechanisms) exposed. 

      Closed frame construction that is light-weight and strong. 

      Cannot accidentally misfire or injure the boxloader.

      BOXLOADER COMFORT

      No place for boxloader to brace legs.

       

      Back is enclosed and padded, giving the boxloader a place to brace legs.

      Return to the top

      5. What regulations does the Miller Elite comply with?

        We have we have confirmed that the box meets/exceeds all NAFA, U-FLI, BFA (British), BFF (Belgium), AFA (Australian). We are still checking on other flyball leagues. If there is one you want us to check, please write us at info@dogshirtstore.com
        and we'll be happy to check it out for you.

      Return to the top

      6. What's the difference between the pebbled and the ribbed matting?

        Both are made from Tuff-Spun and are easily replaced. (Just do a web-search for Tuff-Spun). The pebbled is preferred by some teams because as the dogs hit the box and their claws make little circular scratches, the pebbled shows the damage less. Dog>Gone has said that after 8 months of use in twice-weekly practices and regular tournaments, the pebbled matt still looks good.

      Return to the top

      7. Is there a money-back guarantee?


        Yes, The Miller Elite Flyball Box is covered by a 30-day Manufacturer's Full Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee. Click         here to read and print out the money-back guarantee. Close that window to return here.

      Return to the top

      8. I'm still not ready to buy. Can I rent a box?

        Yes! In order to introduce the Miller Elite Flyball Box to various regions of the country, the manufacturer is making one box available to rent (US only). Here are the details:
        • All rentals require a credit card to hold in case the box is not returned, or is returned damaged.
        • You (the customer) are required to pay shipping both ways, plus a $50 fee for a 30 day trial. Shipping currently varies between $60 and $120 each way, depending on how far you are from Florida. The unit must be returned in the original shipping container, and shipped with insurance against loss or damage.
        • If you decide to purchase a new box within 30 days of return, the $50 will be credited back to the purchase price of the new box.
        • The "rental" box is not for sale. In the event that the box is not returned, your credit card will be charged $550 for the remaining balance on the box.
        Note that there is currently only one rental box available. For more information, please write us at         info@dogshirtstore.com to see when we could schedule a rental. As a suggestion, get a couple of teams together and split the rental fees, or rent one when you have a tournament, so that others in your region could try it out too!

      Return to the top

      9. Is the box customizable?

        Yes, the box may be customized to your needs. Contact us at info@dogshirtstore.com with what you have in mind, and we'll prepare a quote to your individual requirements.

      Return to the top

      10. How adjustable is the Miller Elite Flyball Box?

        The box is very adjustable to your specific needs. We have an instruction sheet prepared by the manufacturer that shows how the box may be adjusted in various ways. Click here to view it. The instruction sheet will open in a new window, please close that window to return here.

      Return to the top

      TESTIMONIALS

        I like my Elite !! I use it at our outdoor training/practice sessions because it does NOT react to dirt in the mechs like our Phillips and our Springback boxes. The plunger types HATE dirt and get jammed, probably even damaged, by dirt thrown in by the dogs. The Elite doesn't care -- it is a simpler mech (and easier to cock than a plunger type -- many of us have had to use a *stick* to cock the other boxes). ~ Barbara Craig - Florida Flash Flyball, Region 11

        To anyone looking to purchase a Miller Flyball Box, Jumpin' Jax can sum up your decision for you rather easily. DO IT!!! JUST DO IT!!! This was not a decision that our team made lightly. On our team, we have all types of dogs - everything from a 2 1/2 lb min pin, to BC's and a pointer mix who weighs about 70 lbs. Some of our dogs hit the box very hard, and some don't. This box doesn't move even when the big pointer mix hits it, and it's better for ALL of our dogs to use; it can and does accomodate all the dogs. Mike put so much thought into this design: it's easy to move and easy to load. Since many members of our team have physical issues they deal with, hefting our old box in and out of the ring during a tournament was sheer torture - even with two people to do it. Now, our 27 lb box only needs one of us, and we're not dragging butt at the end of the day, or in need of medication to unknot muscle spasms in legs and backs. ~ Robin Wooldridge - Jumpin' Jax Flyball, Region 11

        My friend from up in PA just got your box not too long ago. It has totally changed flyball for my dog! His turns are now much easier and the box is very forgiving on their body and less tiring for my height dog Bailey. ~ Joan Werleman

      Return to the top

       Back to www.dogshirtstore.com (or use your back button to return to the page you were on previously).