Cat Mate Elite Microchip Cat Flap with Digital Timer & LCD Display (355) - For Small to Average sized Cats, Easy Installation in UPVC Doors, Glass, and Wood, White

I am thrilled by this. I loved my last Cat Mate door that worked with magnets, but my cats hated wearing the collar (I live in a place that they collected nails, debris, and the occasional UXO on the magnet), and so I had to leave it unlocked by taping down the latch. That worked for a year until another neighborhood finally cat learned to get in (but not out), wreaking havoc.So I upgraded to the one that reacts to the microchips in their necks, to avoid fighting with them about collars. It works perfectly. I had read the mixed reviews about this model and was nervous, but now am guessing it just REALLY needs to be installed exactly as instructed. I put a plank along their entry to ensure the exact 15cm specified for the height and the cats haven't given it a second thought, they don't even pause on the way in. They were initially alarmed by the little burr-click that it makes as they enter and exit, but they got used to that in two hours. (Some reviews made me fear it makes the sound throughout the night with self-checks but it does not--there is only a slight noise when they come in and out.) They have to push a little harder to open this one than the old one, but again, they learned fast, and it's good exercise.The door is slightly irritating to program for this day and age but it isn't at all hard, you just have to follow the very clear instructions to the letter. (Is there an app for that?)The best part is that the door so far recognizes their microchips instantly on approach and unlocks the door. They didn't need any training at all since they were familiar with the theory of pushing the old door.I love checking the time since they used it to know if they've been around in my absence, though too scared (of them) to try to use the available time controls to limit their movement. Also great improvement to enable a "training mode" for cats who don't take to it instantly, rather than having to tape down the latch, which was always a possible point of failure while I was on vacation.So, I recommend the company think about a much more intuitive, user friendly interface for future upgrades but am absolutely satisfied with ease of installation and performance. Thanks much!By the way, be careful when ordering to ensure you have the model that works with microchips, since the titles are very similar. Amazon was great about letting me return the wrong one.

My cats may be more skittish than yours. It took my cats over a month to get use to this cat door w/the lock deactivated (training mode). In training mode it's silent but also doesn't lock so it doesn't keep the strays out.The RFID chip sensor works great as does the lock mechanism, a very slight push & it unlocks for our cats. But when the lock actuates it makes a very loud ratcheting sound that sends my cats running for cover. By loud I mean not quite as loud as a Glock 9mm, but louder than my Byrna airsoft...not quite where humans need hearing protection but cats probably do. If your cat is deaf, no problem. Mine can hear bugs walking through my lawn so this thing sends them running...even if one is in a different room when the other triggers it, they both panic.I'm a Failure Analysis Engineer so I delved into it & found many problems. In short the mechanism rattles & the casing amplifies that & focuses it on the cat's head like a megaphone.If your cat is deaf this is the door for you but probably not a good idea to have a deaf cat go outdoors. I still need something like this so I may buy others but I'll be sure to quickly return any that make noises like this one.Updated: 4 months after installing this the PROG button no longer works. I confirmed this using several different functions involving that button. Looks like the buttons aren't sealed well against dust/weather. Again: design not appropriate for intended use. But this may work ok on doors between rooms inside your home...if your cat is deaf.

We were afraid of some of the reviews on this . We have 4 cats two adults and two new kittens that we didn't want to get out the regular magnetic cat flap we had.So we were going to install backwards to prevent exit for the kittens and our adults have a tag so they can go as they please.We were pleased to find out it prevents exit and entry without a tag.The cat must learn to first touch or headbutt door to activate the release.There is a scary light buzz sound when activated that scared them a little bit at first but they got used to it in a day.There is a learning mode that flap is released and they can come and go as they please.Our cat is 15lbs and has no issues getting through it.It locks after entry or exit in about 3 to 4 seconds.Perfect for us and our kittens can't get out in that time.Great product!Wish it had a charger to keep it 100 percent charged but we will replace 4 aa batteries every 6 ot 8 months.Update::::Amazing product kittens are kept in the house and older cats with tags activate the door easily and come and go when they want.We sometimes wondered if we had other cats coming in for food at night? But now know only our cats are coming in.Don't hesitate,Only negative is buzz noise when opening scares them at first but after a day they were good to go.Id recommend to put door in learning mode so there would be no buzz and they would learn to use door then activate a few days later.I think they will naturally learn to paw at or nudge door to activate door.Chip allows activation after nudging or touch.