Shot Timer

[Rack]

I’m interested in suggestions on a good shot timer. Currently have an app on my phone, but would like a dedicated timer. Is there a particular model that is the “gold standard”? Any to avoid?

Thanks much!

[Glock26]

The AMG Lab Commander is the best that I've tried.


Sensitive enough to pick up a hammer/striker drop in dryfire
Bluetooth functionality to automatically populate the time within PractiScore


I recommend buying it from Brass Pickers (https://www.brasspickers.com/range-supplies/p/amg-lab-commander). It comes in stock once or twice a month. This is better than buying it direct and having to wait 6+ months.

Alternatives:

Competition Electronics Pocket Pro I or II
Competition Electronics ProTimerBT (Bluetooth version, also comes with a headphone jack)
PACT Club Shot 3

[RJ]

I've had my early production AMG Labs Commander shot timer since Alex developed it in 2018. Reference thread here:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?33692-AMG-Lab-Shot-Timer

It has performed with zero issues. I use it almost every day for Dry Practice. Set to the right sensitivity, it will pick up the "click" of striker release on my Glocks. It will also sync up via bluetooth to a smart device; although this is a feature I've not explored a lot. I like the large, easy to read display, simple logic, and easy setup of parameters using the buttons. Par times are settable with a resolution of 0.050 seconds. The beep can be set from LOUD to Medium to soft, soft enough it doesn't bug my wife when I'm practicing. It is available with various belt options. I have mine on an unlatched tek-lok that I slip over my USPSA belt, then tip up to change various par times when running drills. I use mine with 4xAAA Eneloop rechargeable batteries.

Seems like at just about every match I've been to over the past 3 years, the RO is using an AMG Commander, so they are all over the place.

Previous to this, I used a PocketPro II timer, the large one with the 9V battery. It was ok, but a bit clunky to use. Before that, I used a basic shot timer on my phone, but found a dedicated timer with par settings to be vastly more useful.

They are hard to come by, Alex is having trouble filling orders as fast as he would like. They are extremely popular.

I quite like mine.

83371

[David S.]

The Active Self Protection guys advertise the RangeTech (https://www.rangetechtimer.com/) timer. I've never messed with one personally, but it seems like a neat option.

ETA: I personally use the AMG Labs timer. I used the Pocket Pro II before that. It worked fine, except it's bulky and 9v batteries are a pain. I kept having to re-solder the cheap connector pigtail.

[JCN]

Dry fire: phone app for fast reps and set programs. I can audibly tell if I beat a par time, I don’t need to record usually.

Live fire: AMG commander and PractiScore App. Can download and compare split times and runs for review.

Live fire indoors: Shotmaxx wrist worn timer with accelerometer so it only picks up your shots and filters out the asshole with the AR pistol next stall over.

[Clusterfrack]

My AMG Commander has been great… until recently. The start button is wearing out. :-(

[Clusterfrack]

My AMG Commander has been great… until recently. The start button is wearing out. :-(

alexmg PMed me right after I posted, and arranged for me to send my unit in for repair. All I have to do is pay $13 for shipping. THAT is good customer service! :)

BTW, I have one of the first Commander shot timers and I can't even begin to estimate the number of cycles on that button.

[Sal Picante]

Another vote for the AMG... I like it cause it picks up dry fire.

p/B-IyVkKJbtq

[ECK]

I have 3, the AMG, Pocket Pro II, and Pact III. One of the clubs I shoot at has the CED 8000 and CED 7000.

Of the five, my favorite is the AMG. The only thing I wish the AMG had was the microphone on the opposite side as the display screen. If I can I like to point the timer’s microphone at the shooter and have the display facing me so I can use my peripheral vision to see if the shots are registering. That said, with the sensitivity bumped up I haven’t had any issues RO-ing even the quietest PCCs or rimfire rifles.

My next favorite is the Pact III, partly because I can see the display while pointing the microphone towards the shooter. But adjusting sensitivity is a PITA with that tiny screw underneath the battery. The Pocket Pro II is better for adjusting features, plus the back light, but it feels kinda chincy in the hand. Plus the LCD screen developed a shadow which is annoying. I mainly got the PPII for dry fire since it has good par time features.

I don’t like holding the CED 8000, but the big display is nice. The 7000 was kinda neat sized, but I much prefer the AMG’s functionality. I got my AMG in early 2020 and have been using it exclusively since.

[Clusterfrack]

Another vote for the AMG... I like it cause it picks up dry fire.

p/B-IyVkKJbtq

That’s probably why my start button wore out…

[JCN]

Another vote for the AMG... I like it cause it picks up dry fire.


Needs moar belly button ring.

[Rack]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at the AMG.

[Rack]

Of the five, my favorite is the AMG. The only thing I wish the AMG had was the microphone on the opposite side as the display screen. If I can I like to point the timer’s microphone at the shooter and have the display facing me so I can use my peripheral vision to see if the shots are registering...

Seems like it would have been designed that way. I've never used a standalone timer before, though.

Thanks.

[Craig_AR]

The Active Self Protection guys advertise the RangeTech (https://www.rangetechtimer.com/) timer. I've never messed with one personally, but it seems like a neat option. ...

Based in their demonstrated use in videos and in live in-person training, I bought a RangeTech last year as my first timer. I am very pleased with it. Lower cost relative to other established brands is a nice aspect. What I really like is the Bluetooth use with multiple devices (an old iPhone not on a network, an iPad, an iPod Touch, and my primary phone), and the ability to set all parameters and time settings on the device screen, instead of remembering a lot of menu click options on the timer itself. Another positive is the ability to start each sequence from either the button on the timer or the device screen. Finally, since all the times are left recorded on the screen in a table, it is much easier to check total and split times in one view, instead of stepping through them on the timer display.

By using two support devices at once, I can use the RangeTech and a MantisX at the same time with visible displays, a really good tool set for both dry and I've fire.

[Clusterfrack]

I agree that the Rangetech shot timer looks interesting and innovative. (As well, Riley Bowman is a good dude, and a skilled shooter.)

However, lack of a display is a dealbreaker for me. While connectivity is useful, I don’t want to need my iPhone in addition to a shot timer. What a hassle, and dropped phones on range gravel is likely to be more expensive than having a ST with a display.

[Tokarev]

Kestrel has a timer in the works. It can be seen on the Kestrel website but there's no real info available yet.

From the few emails I've exchanged with a customer service representative the timer will have several memory settings that can be used to store different par times or personal best times.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[HeavyDuty]

I’ll tag onto this.

I need a timer, it will be used indoors on public ranges and also outdoors.

Is the PACT Club 3 decent for this kind of use?

[David S.]

The Active Self Protection guys advertise the RangeTech (https://www.rangetechtimer.com/) timer. I've never messed with one personally, but it seems like a neat option.

ETA: I personally use the AMG Labs timer. I used the Pocket Pro II before that. It worked fine, except it's bulky and 9v batteries are a pain. I kept having to re-solder the cheap connector pigtail.

The screen failed on my AMG Labs timer. I emailed them using the website contact form, but haven't heard back. I need to pursue it further. I have no doubt he'll make it right.

In the mean time, I just got a RangeTech timer in that I'll be testing. I received the unit right at one month after purchase.

I'll keep ya'll updated if anyone is interested.

[Clusterfrack]

Kestrel has a timer in the works. It can be seen on the Kestrel website but there's no real info available yet.

From the few emails I've exchanged with a customer service representative the timer will have several memory settings that can be used to store different par times or personal best times.


JCL, how are you liking your Kestrel Shot Timer?

[Clusterfrack]

I’ll tag onto this.

I need a timer, it will be used indoors on public ranges and also outdoors.

Is the PACT Club 3 decent for this kind of use?

"Decent" is a relative term. The PACT and PocketPro are decent, for 1980's technology. The CED 7000 isn't that much better, and I've worn one out just using it for dryfire. They get the job done, but I can't imagine buying them instead of one of the nextGen timers: Commander, MDT, and Kestrel. These are admittedly all more expensive, but I think you get more for your money.

[JCL]

JCL, how are you liking your Kestrel Shot Timer?

It's a nice piece of kit, feels solid in the hand. Good ergos. I haven't fully explored all of the gee whiz stuff like bluetooth connectivity, nameable presets and multiple par times but it does all of the basic stuff really well. Menus and navigation are simple and intuituve. The review function is impressive. The dry fire sensitivity setting works as advertised, which is nice because that was my main reason for getting it. My only minor gripe is that the beep on its loudest setting isn't quite as loud as my Pocket Pro, but it's plenty loud even double-bagged with plugs and muffs over ears that have definitely seen better days in the higher registers.

[David S.]

In the mean time, I just got a RangeTech timer in that I'll be testing. I received the unit right at one month after purchase.

Mixed feelings so far.

Things I don't like:

My biggest complaint is that the beep isn't loud enough. I double plug with Howard Leights ANRs and foamies and I can barely hear the beep when the timer is attached to my belt. By comparison, the Pocket Pro 2 volume is good and I wish the AMG was a little louder. I wish this was a lot louder.

Navigating the app for basic functions is a bit clunky. For instance, you have to dig into menus and enter numbers to get to delay vs instant start. Same with par time. It'd be nice to have a quick On/Off in the main menu for those functions.

It does not have an auto-off function.

Like the PP2, it doesn't feel super durable. The AMG spoiled me here. Time will tell how it holds up to range bag life.

It would be nice if the par time function in the app was usable without the timer paired.


Things I do like:
Otherwise, it works about as expected.

It picks up centerfire shots fine. It does not pick up dryfire, which I knew going in. I haven't tried shooting indoors, .22lr, suppressed or near other shooters yet.

Bluetooth pairing is straight forward enough(IOS).

[JCN]

My biggest complaint is that the beep isn't loud enough. I double plug with Howard Leights ANRs and foamies and I can barely hear the beep when the timer is attached to my belt. By comparison, the Pocket Pro 2 volume is good and I wish the AMG was a little louder. I wish this was a lot louder.

One thing I have started doing for rimfire Steel Challenge when I double plug is use double electronics.

I use Howard Leights muffs and Walkers plugs and turn them both up.

Dunno if that’s an option for you, but thought I’d mention it.

It’s also possible to do something a little less deadening than foamies. Like silicone putty swimmer plugs.

[David S.]

The screen failed on my AMG Labs timer. I emailed them using the website contact form, but haven't heard back. I need to pursue it further. I have no doubt he'll make it right.


TLDR, It seems to be working again.

info @ amg - lab dot com for the company email.

Alex contacted me and patiently walked me through making some back end adjustments.

After all that, I think I had some battery corrosion on one of the terminals. Rotating the battery seemed to have increased the contact/voltage enough to brighten the screen. I cleaned them up with vinegar, and that seemed to do the trick. I'm not quite "check to see that it's plugged it in" retarded, but pretty close. *facepalm.*