 
     # Formatter should return just the string value of the input
     # It is used for comparison of if we should re-render
-    modelCtrl.$formatters.push (val) ->
-      if val and val.startDate
-      then _format(val)
-      else ''
+    modelCtrl.$formatters.push _format
 
     # Render should update the date picker start/end dates as necessary
     # It should also set the input element's val with $viewValue as we don't let the rangepicker do this


    modelCtrl.$isEmpty = (val) ->
      # modelCtrl is empty if val is empty string
      not val and val.length > 0

    # _init has to be called anytime we make changes to the date picker options
    _init = ->

    _initBoundaryField = (field, validator, modelField, optName) ->
      if attrs[field]
        modelCtrl.$validators[field] = (value) ->
          value and validator(opts[optName], value[modelField])
        $scope.$watch field, (date) ->
          opts[optName] = if date then moment(date) else false
          _init()
