Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over shot timers today. These tools are used by a wide variety of shooters. The purpose of this blog post is to provide a brief overview of these training aids and discuss some of their traits. Without further ado, let’s get into why you should get a shot timer.
Simply put, a shot timer is a device which is designed to act as a stopwatch and react to gunshots. The devices will measure the span of time which occurs from the activation of the timer to the last shot fired. Basically, once the timer is turned on and activated, it will begin to listen for the sound of a gunshot. Once it detects a gunshot, it will mark the time at which it heard the gunshot.
Shot timers emit a loud “beep” when they are activated. This piercing beep can be heard even when wearing substantial ear protection. Most shot timers can be programmed to have a set or random delay or countdown before the tone is emitted. This allows a user to have a consistent start time or mix it up with random calls to action.
Shot timers will also typically include features which are appreciated by many shooters. Timers will generally feature some form of clip which allows the unit to be retained easily on one’s person. A shooter can hook a timer onto their pocket, thigh strap, or range belt for easy access. When the timer is worn in this fashion, most units, feature an upward-facing screen which is easily seen by the shooter. This makes it easy for a shooter to examine data from the timer at a quick glance. Timers are also ergonomically shaped, making it easy for a bystander to hold and utilize a timer on behalf of another shooter.
Shot timers are manufactured by multiple manufacturers. Some of the most common shot timers on the market are going to be the PACT Club Shot Timer 3, Competition Electronics ProTimer BT Shot Timer, and the Kestrel KST1000. Shot timers can be acquired in a variety of price points. While the purchase of a timer can seem like a somewhat steep and an allocation away from the ammo fund, the acquisition of one is a worthwhile investment.
Competition shooters are some of the most common users of shot timers. In these circumstances, these devices are used to track a competitor’s time throughout their course of fire. Most shot timers will also feature a means to keep track of split times as well. Data like this is utilized in the scoring of stages during matches. A competitor’s time is factored into the evaluation of their stage in addition to things such as their overall performance.
Shooters of all types will benefit from the use of a shot timer. These training devices will help an end user to gather metrics which can help them improve. If one wishes to improve something like their draw time or time it takes to get their first shot on target, they can gather the necessary data with a shot timer.
A shot timer will benefit a shooter regardless of the firearm they are shooting. Pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooters alike will find timers to be invaluable tools if they wish to improve their times. Essentially, shot timers are not limited to any one type of shooter or shooting discipline.
A shooter developing their skills will find shot timers to be both a blessing and a curse. They are a blessing due to their ability to measure one’s ability and time. They are a curse as they can show that a shooter is not nearly as good as they think they are. Seeing one’s limitations and deficiencies can understandably lead to frustration. In turn, this frustration can be turned into a motivation to improve and hone one’s skills further.
It should also be known that a shot timer is not an end all be all training tool. Training with the sole purpose of beating a par time and meeting time standards is a limited way to practice. Only chasing fast draws and split times without any consideration to technique and other factors will indubitably build training scars. If one has poor fundamentals and technique and does nothing to improve upon them, these shortcomings will persist. Essentially, one must not neglect the other, less glamorous aspects of one’s development and training if they want to truly improve.
At the end of the day, a shot timer will be a great addition to any shooter’s collection of gear. These tools can help a shooter improve their skills and provide invaluable data one can use and base their training off of. Ammunition is a necessary component of training, with or without a shot timer. We here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide variety of ammunition to help you hone your shooting skills.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.
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