Hi all,
I'm thinking about getting a shot timer to use as a training aid. At my range, the competition R/O's all use the PACT III timer. I'm currently thinking of getting this one ($130.00 on Amazon) , but I'm wondering if A) there's any difference between a training and competition timer? And B) if there's anything better out there.

Thanks in advance.

I have been using PACT III for years and have been completely satisfied with its performance for my needs. I also use a shot timer app on my iPhone that I downloaded for indoor dry fire practice. I can’t say if there is something better on the market, but the PACT does everything I ask of it for my practice sessions and it’s very easy to use.

If you want another to consider, I have had the Competition Electronics Pocket Pro II for several years and have been happy with it. I had a couple of CED timers before and their biggest disadvantage was that they would pick up sound echoes from wet or snow-covered ground. The PP II can be set to ignore very short splits and eliminate that problem.

It looks like the display of the PP II has been changed, possibly to show the individual shot times separately and in a larger font rather than in a small list, and that would be an advantage over the one I have. Otherwise it does everything I want.

One thing I definitely advise in a shot timer for individual use is for it to use a standard, nonrechargeable battery. The 9v battery in the PP II lasts literally for months with frequent use, and when it finally dies it can be replaced at the range in a minute or two.

I have an older CED timer that I bought when I was shooting USPSA back in the mid `80's, and it still works fine. The only thing I don't like about it is in order to change the battery you have to remove the whole back of it, which entails unscrewing four screws.

I have a competition electronics pocket pro II, works fine.

I mostly use it as a beeper.

I started out with a Pact Timer/Chrono. It's been a great timer. Never had an issue. I bought a CED 8000 years later because of the smaller footprint. I've been very happy with both.

I have used all of them. Pick one. I don’t recommend using phone apps for live fire.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I have used all of them. Pick one. I don’t recommend using phone apps for live fire.

I've been using a shot timer app on my iPhones for a long time with no problems, so I'm curious. Why don't you recommend them?

^^^^^^^^^^
In years past, they were totally unreliable and a waste of time.
Glad to see you've had better luck. Which one are you using?

Oddly enough, it's the one called Shot Timer.