Customer Reviews

Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring

5 star:		(457)
4 star:		(69)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

This feeder is the best I've had, and I have had a bunch. It has a huge capacity so you don't have to fill it very often. It is almost impossible for squirrels to stand on and if they manage to get a foothold their weight closes the feeding ports so they can't get anything. You can adjust it to exclude large birds such as starlings and grackles. When it needs to be cleaned you just put it in the dishwasher. When an especially crafty squirrel tried to chew it's way in to my feeder I informed Brome about the damage and they sent me a replacement part for free! Squirrel busters have a lifetime warranty against squirrel damage. I have had mine for about 3 years and couldn't be happier with it. If you only have one bird feeder in your life this should be the one.

This is the second Squirrel Buster feeder I've bought. I've had the first one for over five years and am replacing an old feeder (not a Squirrel Buster). This feeder is the best feeder made to discourage squirrels from emptying seed. Our area is loaded with squirrels and they have tried everything to get to the seed in the feeder, with no luck. One time they did damage the feeding ports in an attempt to get at the sunflower seeds and when I contacted the company, they sent me a new part at no charge. Another time these darned squirrels actually chewed on the metal lid and again, the company sent me a new part. I would not hesitate to recommend this feeder to anyone, especially if you are bothered by raiding squirrels. The feeder is well made and holds quite a bit of seed (I use sunflower seeds in it)and is very easy to clean. It is well worth the cost. The customer service I've received from this company is absolutely top-notch.

My issue isn't squirrels, it's starlings and grackles. They'll empty a feeder in a day or two and keep the 'desired' birds from feeding. This feeder thwarts these pest birds better than any other feeder or feeder cage that I've tried. The smaller birds have no trouble getting to the seed and we've even had a pair of cardinals feed for the first time in the three years we've been feeding. I'm thoroughly satisfied so far with this item and am buying one for my father and one for my sister. Highly recommended.
----Update----
It does indeed deter squirrels as well, I watched one try again and again to acess this feeder to no avail. However, the local starlings have learned to grasp the cardinal ring and flap enough to partially open the feed ports (clever little buggers). The cardinal ring will be removed to eliminate that issue. The versitility of this feeder is wonderful.

Length:: 0:11 Mins

I am pleased with this feeder. The construction is excellent and I've been enjoying the return of my titmice. You've got to hang the feeder, though, where squirrls can't hang from a branch and hold down the ring to get the seed. Squirrels must be very smart. I'll probably buy another. 5 stars! See my video of this feeder in action at [...]! Update 1/09: I did buy a second feeder and love it. I took it apart and washed it in the dishwasher which was great. One night I saw a rodent on it and I wanted then to sterilize it. I've owned lots of feeders and this one really brings in the smaller birds. Note: Interior screw is plastic. If you put a little vaseline on it, the bolt goes on a lot easier. Gee, they could have used a metal thread! Still 5 star.

ADDITIONAL POST: I lost my instructions for assembling after washing and called the number on the website they they talked me through the process. It was nice to speak to a actual person. I think they are in Canada. Great service. 8.2.10

have owned for 2 months and all of the previous reviews are what we have experienced also.

definitely worth the premium price. i have lost at least 6 feeders through the years to squirrels.

the spring tension for the amount of weight of birds that closes off the feed holes is adjusted by simply turning the clear plastic tube/rod inside the tank.... and now it's just right. i originally rated it 4 stars because i couldn't find my manual and the bigger birds couldn't feed, please consider it a 5 star item!

go ahead, make the plunge!

UPDATE SEP 2010: the squirrels managed to eat a hole at the peak of the cover where the hanging rod goes through allowing water to get inside. emailed the company and a free replacement cover was mailed to me. I threaded a one inch flat washer down the hanging rod so it lays over the hanging rod entrance hole in the cover and now the squirrels can't figure out how to chew on the cover.

This feeder was a bit expensive (price has been dropping though), but when I opened the package I could see why, the build quality and design is excellent. Plus it's very large. My previous feeder was a square plastic tube with a moving metal cage with fake "leaves" around it to stop the squirrels. It worked well enough for a year, but it had exposed springs and thin plastic, it was just a matter of time and the squirrels bent the metal leaves and ate through the plastic.

The Brome is much heavier throughout, with a strong plastic tube joined up with metal and plastic parts. The mechanical spring adjuster is totally enclosed within the unit so it doesn't rust and the squirrels cant get at it. It also comes apart easily for washing. The "cardinal" ring is an optional installation, other wise you set the perch length for the size bird you want to attract.

So do birds like it? yes very much, it will hold 3 or 4 finch at a time, or two larger birds.

So has it stumped the squirrels? yes they try sometimes, but are satisfied to hang out on the ground below. I did have an unknown predator skunk the feeder once when I had it installed too low to the ground. I suspect it was either Deer or raccoon that rocked it side to side dumping 1.5 lbs of seed out. I've moved it higher now and have not had a repeat event.

I suspect with care this feeder will last many years.

June 2008 update
A year later and this feeder has held up very well. Squirrels have scratched the lid trying to open it but they still can't get to the feed. The top appears to aluminum because despite the scratches it has not rusted. I like how easy this feeder is to clean and the spring mechanism is very well protected so it's still working like new. I continue to have deer problems with the unit, they appear to just lick the seed out of it, so I have to look to hang it much higher our of deer reach. I have cardinals, finch, woodpeckers, and lots of other great birds that love it.

October 2008 update
I continued to have problems with deer getting at this feeder until I moved it to a much higher position. I now have it suspended from a wire between two trees so the bottom is about 8 ft off the ground. I no longer have any problems with ground animals getting to the feed and the feeder lasts for over a week without refilling. Squirrels try to climb down from the top, but they can't get to the feed and give up quickly.

The feeder is excellent at keeping out the larger gray squirrels, but smaller red squirrels figured out how to beat it. They manage to hang enough of their butts over the edge to open the feeder. The spring is adjusted to that morning doves (larger birds) can use it - if you don't have any of these, you may be able to lower the spring tension to keep the red squirrels from winning.

Just got my second Brome feeder. It replaces a Droll Yankee Flipper which while entertaining, is not squirrel proof. Once the little devils figure out how to hang on to the perch and kill the battery it turns into a buffet! The Brome is well made, easy to clean, and the weight adjustment keeps Jays,Doves,Starlings, etc on the ground where they belong. Read the directions before assembling, it is a little tricky. The weight adjustment takes a little tinkering after you put it up to get it adjusted to accomodate/reject the various species of birds. Update 9/01/2008 Zero Squirrels!

9/20/2009 UPDATE

The buggers(squirrels)are still trying, but haven't succeeded!

I delayed purchasing this item for awhile because the price seemed like a lot for a bird feeder. I'm really glad I finally splurged because I will easily recover the entire cost in saved bird seed just this winter.

I put ours outside the bedroom window and in the morning we can lie in bed and watch all the different varieties of birds take turns having breakfast. The larger Blue Jays and Grackles still get fed, but I have the spring set so that the ports close down partially for them and they can no longer PIG out on our expensive seed. It's also fun watching the squirrels try repeatedly to get at the seed...but they never do.

The kids really enjoy being so close to the feeder that the birds can watch them too! They think the Chickadees are cute because they have to stand on tip toes to get at the seed and they look like little kids trying to reach the cookie jar. The youngest calls Titmice "Mohawk birds" because of their funky top feathers. She is also doing a science project identifying all the different varieties that we get at the feeder.

This is a very thoughtfully designed product that is well worth the price.

I love this feeder. In fact, I have three. It requires only infrequent cleaning since water can't get into the tube. However, I recently found a goldfinch stuck and hanging upside down from the feeder. Its foot was wedged between the end of the perch and the cardinal ring. I called Brome and was told that they were aware of the problem and they sent me some small rings (with no instructions) to cover the ends of the perches. I wish Brome would modify the feeder before they sell it rather than offer a fix only when confronted with a complaint.