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I'm just trying to understand this

  You see climber's, Special Forces guy's deploy rope in a bag. The weight of the rope in the bag keeps it from tangling like a coiled rope is prone to do.

  I think it's the same idea with the throw bag vs coiled throw rope. The rope in that bag had better be stowed properly or else it won't play out and you lose distance.

I'm a big believer in testing out equipment BEFORE you need it, if POSSIBLE?

  Those throw bags are reusable, so if you're going to carry one, I'd take it out into the yard and see first-hand how far you can throw it?

I'd also do it in windy conditions. Then I'd learn how to store it right and toss it again to check my work.

  IF as West Marine says, it will easily go 50-75 ft, that's great. I just wouldn't bet someone's life on that claim without verifying it for myself.