I'm asking more about the pan 3" on the 650 2 1/2 on the550

Is the half inch worth buying the 650.?

In my opinion the traps are so different the last thing I'd be basing my choice on is the pan size.

I agree with Yes sir. Alot also depends upon what your going after.

Agree with above. Depending on what your trapping I believe jaw spread is more important than pan size.

I like the oversized pan for coyotes. I just don't like packing setters
I think I will stay with the 550s.

550 is plenty in Wisconsin

Works great for me here in MN.

buy bigger pans for the 550's!

I don’t like 650s. They’re well built but I dislike dog less traps altogether. I run a lot of 550s though, and they are great traps. As far as pan size, the 550 pans are plenty big. Don’t put a bigger pan on them. Bigger pan, better chance the trap goes off with half the coyotes foot on the jaw of the trap, then best case scenario you got him by a couple toes, worst case you got an educated coyote. If you want a bigger kill zone, you need a bigger jaw spread. You can get away with a bigger pan then.

If you want to try the 650s then do it, they are a good coyote trap, just not my style. When I run bigger traps, which I do when I’m trapping areas I’m fairly certain I won’t run into domestics or thieves, I run bridger #3s and #3 and #4 double longsprings, and sometimes even #5 longsprings. But I don’t know if that’s legal in Wisconsin. Here I can use as big a trap as I want to.

550's will work for what ever you chase in Wisconsin.

Both are excellent traps or split the difference and go with the new Alphas! If domestics are a concern I would suggest the 550 offset although I have released several dogs from. 650's with no damage.

The 650 is a tank and the 550 is a little tank. I like having both jaws tied down on the 650’s and once I set the pan tension it stays until I reset it. Some of them were set over ten years ago at 4# and they are still at 4# . As far as the pan size I think they are appropriate for the size of the trap.

I use the 550's offset here in Wisconsin and they're a great trap for coyote and fox.

They’re both great traps and will hold whatever steps in them. Don’t worry about the pan. The 650’s are great but pretty tough on a coyote.

Try the Alpha

Big pan
Nice jaw spread and legal in most states

Since we developed the Alpha my 650s set in the shed. I didn't care for dogless till I used them. Now I prefer dogless reason being no dead spot and larger kill zone. I still use 550s in certain situations. There's a use for both. Example, snow...... The Alpha is a better snow trap.

I use the MB 650 is/os laminated, cause that's what I have for coyotes.

Would get some Alpha's if coyote fur prices were much better or if someone wanted to donate a few. In my opinion, they are the new go to trap for yotes.

This is a good idea for you to consider if there are any Fox in your area?

I agree with Lance the MB 550 for the price is a great trap for what animals I trap in Wisconsin

I would vote 550s.