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.

CED 7000 or AMG Lab Commander both have many features like par times, volume, sensitivity, etc. that will help you with your training

Looking into shot timers a few years back, I settled on the PACT Club Timer III.

Can't say anything good or bad about it because the purpose to which I intended to put it has not presented itself. (When we go up north to a best friend's property we always mean to get some shooting in, but it somehow hasn't happened for quite some time--except for shoe-horning in a bit of time just before leaving.)

ETA:

Instead of again RTFM'ing about how to use my shot timer, I decided to check YouTube for "How To" videos. This one I thought was pretty good:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

I'm looking to get a shot timer. I've been looking at the CED 7000 and the PACT Club Timer III.
I want a loud buzzer, and something that is going to hold up. Is there something else out there better?
Maybe I should buy something like SG Shot Timer or Kestrel?
The SG Timer GO is a fantastic shot timer that offers great value for money, SG Shot Timer with U-Grip more expensive, but looks great, Kestrel Built like a tank, five year warranty and upgrades, made in the USA.

Used a Pocket Pro for years until the screen went wonky. Picked up a PACT III a few years ago. Either is fine.

What do you guys think about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...d=AWMRP37E5VETO&th=1

I'm reading this one has adjustable sensitivity and echo filtering, which makes it a little more convenient for indoor ranges.

I read a review for the pact III that mentioned it's too sensitive for indoor use.

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:
What do you guys think about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...d=AWMRP37E5VETO&th=1

I'm reading this one has adjustable sensitivity and echo filtering, which makes it a little more convenient for indoor ranges.

I read a review for the pact III that mentioned it's too sensitive for indoor use.

For indoor ranges the best adjustable sensitivity and echo filtering has SG Shot Timer GO.

The Kestrel KST1000’s sensitivity and echo time rejection can be adjusted quite a bit, but I haven’t used mine indoors.

A discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xiif4pDfiH8

But it is pricey.

Pact 3 here. The only complaint I have is that I have to shim the battery or it won’t make contact.
The louder the beep the better it is for me. I’m going to be looking at other options soon and the kestrel is one I’m interested in.

Definitely an older thread.

The Kestrel is seen in a number of videos of various events, so I’m not its only fan.

Its sensitivity can be set to custom levels while having good echo rejection, and again that can be set by the user. Its two large displays are convenient as well as is being able to easily shift back and forth between displaying splits or total times. There are provisions for fixed delay start times, random start times, and three par times settings.

There are three beeper sound levels, and if the unit is held close I can hear the medium level even with foam plugs and a good set of passive muffs, despite my poor hearing. The high level can obviously be heard from a farther distance.

A significant benefit to me is that it will store the data from a large number of shot strings that can easily be retrieved. I shoot many drills consisting of one or a few shots whose times I record for later analysis, and the Kestrel will store them for retrieval later, even after the unit is turned off.

The Kestrel uses two CR123 batteries that seem to last forever. I put batteries in my unit a year ago and despite being used regularly for sessions lasting a hour or more, the battery level indicator still shows full.

Rechargeable batteries make no sense in a device that may sit for long periods and might require recharging before heading to the range—or worse—in the middle of a range session (how would that even be done?). Although the batteries obviously don’t last forever, the spares in my range bag can be swapped into the unit in literally a minute or two.

The Kestrel is obviously expensive and although I was initially hesitant about its price, every time I use it I’m glad for its features and the pain of the cost has long been forgotten.

If you are "older" and have any "hearing loss" be sure your ears can hear the beep before buying a timer.
There are significant differences in the frequency of the beep, and there are huge differences between timer manufacturers for frequency and decibels.
Check YouTube videos and try and locate a video of the unit you are contemplating purchasing, and be certain that your hearing loss matches/meshes with an audible sound you can actually hear.
I've officiated at many matches and countless times I have held a timer up fairly close to a competitors ear muffs, had the timer beep, and the competitor simply can't hear it.
Usually old deaf guys.