its only really 8 levels on the indcator but there is a mode to add half levels that way you are not over stimming your dog if you have a very sensitve dog.If you use the collar correctly you have already determined the correct level for your dog before you even correct them and you are not fumbling around looking for the right level during your training.You would be doing the same thing with a collar that only had 4 levels.If your dog vocalizes at any time the level is too high unless of course in something like your case kfhunter your dog is chasing deer then you light em up