@Ben Stoeger Thanks for the info! Would you mind doing a video on your preferred ear protection! I've been using the cheap electronic ear muff style and see all sorts of equipment available now.
No complaints with my AMG LAB Commander (once it finally arrived). The beep is loud, it's sensitive enough to pick up dry fire, and it has multiple presets to make it MUCH faster on the range to switch between standard time stages and par time stages; while not messing with my settings for dry fire at home (on another preset).
I got to use a lab commander at our steel challenge match last weekend. I liked it a lot. Nice size , easy adjustments for sensitivity and a loud beep.
Another helpful feature is that you can have someone film you at match in spy mode with your phone through the app and it starts with RO timer in spy mode and gives you splits on the video. Also can film a practice with timer and will show splits on video. You should play around with it, i think it would help your students.
I wish it actually worked. Spy mode sounds awesome in theory but i can’t get it to work with multiple different timers. I reached out to shooters global three times via email and no response.
I have the first version that you tested, and I have to say that the "beep" was too quiet for me as well..... With the new design of their latest clip for it, they actually fixed the issue and it sounds much better.... I wasn't a fan of it at first until I ran it because that was all I had.... I have to say it is the best I used yet, and awesome paired with a watch.... and the Video recording with my timer overlay seems to aid me in visually seeing what I'm doing wrong from a different perspective at times.... Firmware updates have also made things more streamlined.... ehhh well see how long she lasts tho, that's the final test for me lol
Have used the Pact III for a year or so now, not a high volume shooter but its been good with no issues, been in some light rain and it didn't seem to mind
I have a pretty bad hearing deficit so I need a timer that has a loud beep. Why any company would design a timer with such a high pitched low volume beep is beyond me. Unfortunately as shooter we develop hearing loss over time because while using hearing protection helps it does not make it safe for our hearing because sound waves still travel through our nasal and oral pathways that are of course connected to our ears as well.
I really like the SG go timer. That being said I'm not a professional instructor. So what I use it for may not work as well in your environment. One of the biggest benefits 9f the SG timer for me is being able to adjust the volume sensitivity to pick up shots through the app. I can use the timer at a public indoor range and after some tweaking get the timer to pick up only my shots. When the lane next to you is rat tat tatting with an sbr 7.62 with a muzzle brake it'll take a minute to find the sweet spot, but I can usually get the timer to filter that out. The timer also great for dry fire which is a nice feature to practice draw and reload times if your range doesn't allow drawing from the holster. I'm not sure if other timers offer this, but with the SG timer and drills app you can actually record video and it will overlay split times on the video. I though I was a good shooter until I put myself on a shot timer and realized I SUCKED. A timer will keep you honest. I've been able to take videos and adjust my grip and stance through dry and live fire with the SG timer. It's no replacement for a class and formal, but it's definitely a good investment. I think the SG timer is really good for someone who does a lot of their training on their own with an occasional class.
Personally I like the sg time I dislike its complexity. The one been is showing has a top screen and that’s actually a missed feature for me. Aside from that the sg is awesome
@@aleks2194 I want to say I dial the sensitivity to 40 ish and have the timer on my belt. It'll pick up reloads and the striker, but not the draw. I'll check here in a bit what the setting are for mine.
@aleks2194 I looked at the timer and app and I'm honestly not sure what I did. I thought I adjusted the sensitivity, but I think that's only for live fire? I do run all my dry fire through the training section on the app in conjunction with the timer rather than the timer alone. It's set for a 9x19 handgun. You may be doing all that already as well so I apologize I couldn't be more helpful.
I’ve had my Shot timer GO for a couple weeks now and works great. But it’s my first time so do t have a reference for comparison. My draw is getting fast so it’s working 😂. I like the “training” parameters and drills you can set up
my Fav thing about the SG Go timer is I can change the sensitivity of it. So when Im on the range I can use like 70% for 9mm. But when Im at home and I want to do some Dry fire drills with a Timer, I just crank that baby up to like 96-98 and it will then pickup my Dryfire shots as well.
I bought the competition electronics pocket pro without really knowing anything about timers besides seeing a lot of famous shooters online and when I sorted price low to high it was the cheapest at the time... wish I would have splurged a little more for something like a pact or the one you mentioned here. The build quality reminds me of a harbor freight free multimeter but lower tech. Not surprised to hear you broke a lot of them but seriously nobody ever talks about it. Seeing one irl for the first time was definitely a shock, at least it's simple to use...
I'm currently switching between an old CED 6000 and an original Pact Timer from the 90s. They both buzz instead of beep, but they were also both less than 50 dollars on ebay.
I have the original SG Timer. It has been great so far. If you are filming drills it is nice because you can have your splits and total time displayed in the video through their app.
I have the SG go timer and love it. The smart dryfire mode is so nice as it picks up dryfire shots, draws and reloads. Adjustable volume is nice and the battery lasted 3 months with daily training. I also got the rangetech timer and that one is a paper weight lol
Dropped the Pact iii and it breaks easily, can’t pick up the rifle shot from 10 yards away. SG has really great app for stage plan and real time recording. That $300 is not just paying for the timer, it’s all the other features you can use on your phone.
Sucks that you have bad luck with the Pact. I've beat mine around quite a bit. If it's not picking up your shots you can turn up the white sensitivity screw a bit
A lot of people seem to like the AMG commander. It is smaller than that SG Go timer and takes batteries. The only big thing about it is the wait time. You also got to buy a holster for it if you want to attach it to your belt.
I wouldn't get it. I mean I wouldn't say it's super rugged but good enough for the occasional drop. Google on 2 yrs with it. It's not a bad timer for the money but the PACT timer might be a better one especially since it doesn't pick up dry fire shots. Thinking about trying the shooters global go timer but that one looks cheap...so may just buy the nice fancy one in Ben's video
I wasn't sure with which timer to get. Sounds like I should pick up the SG Timer Go. Thank you for helping me save money as I was thinking of spending $300 for the larger SG Timer or the Kestrel.
I have the expensive Shooters Global and the volume is definitely an issue especially in an indoor range. I don’t like the OS of the “GO” version because all the setting have to be set via the app in your phone and the bugs THE CRAP out of me. If the expensive shot timer actually had a good loud buzzer then it would be at least a 8/10 Shot timer… but right now it’s 5/10.
I decided I wanted to upgrade my go-to timer, which had previously been the Pact. Got the Shooters Global Go, but didn’t care for the cumbersome nature of setting pars and interacting with it. Too much reliance on the app to interact with the timer (beyond) some presets, for my liking. Also, the belt clip was not available publicly when I got mine (3/24) and I did not care for the Velcro belt loop or the necklace. So, I spoke with some folks and was encouraged to get the Shooters Global original. Didn’t like that one either. Way to quiet of a buzzer and I didn’t like the two part configuration. It fell off my belt too much. Ended up going with the Kestrel which I am very happy with. That being said, I look forward to future firmware updates on the Kestrel, hoping that they allow for more integrated Kestrel app features soon.
Kestrel is a tank, works great, superbly customizable in settings, but no practiscore integration yet. AMG Commander works great but you’re waiting a year for them now.
Do these timers have adjustable volume. Using these in the house without ear pro can be a bit loud. Wish i could tone things down a bit for dry fire use.
It's a good timer, nothing wrong with it per se. I used it with a belt clip that allowed me to flip it up and look at the screen. I was super annoyed that I couldn't just look down at the timer to see what my times were. I bought the SG go specifically because of the vertical screen, so I can look down and quickly see my time. The app also integrates with apple watch so I could use that to start the timer and/or view my time as well. I think the phone/app integration is a HUGE plus rather than a detractor. I prefer to configure the timer on my phone than dink around with button presses. The fact that you can create presets on the phone makes it much easier as well. Honestly I don't get all of the hate on the phone stuff, all of the timers are a pain in the butt configuring via buttons In my opinion. Then there's the fact that SG is: - A professional company - With customer service - Able to ship you a timer immediately vs AMG which is: - Made is some guys garage - Has a multi month lead time - Zero customer service or professionalism - No benefit other than integration with Practiscore. I am happy there is competition. I suspect this will motivate AMG to get their act together or they'll fade into irrelevance.
I bought the Kestrel shot timer when it came out. It's a lot better than electronics pro. Especially in durability and it picks up dry fire practicing. Also has pre-programed settings for dry fire & suppressor. Even 22lr suppressed.
Pact Shot Timer, the best for the money. Why? It has a very loud bip, Instant or random setting, it[s rugged, reliable, battery lasts forever and rain doesn't kill it.
Is the Kestrel usable with a cable too, not using bluetooth to have the tone on the earpro? Can you test some apps maybe with an additional microphone to see if any of them are solid?
I'm a simple guy and mainly want a big button, a loud beep, a single par time, and a delayed start for when I'm by myself. I've been happy with Competition Electronics, except their latest firmware includes multiple par times that I seem to get tangled up in more than they help. The top mounted display on the SG Go seems like a win, because I'm almost always alone with the timer on my belt. A top-mount display means I just need to glance down to see the time. The Go seems a bit thick though. And if I have to configure par time via a bluetooth app, then it's a non-starter for me, because I change par times often during practice sessions and have no interest in juggling both phone and timer.
I've only ever used the Pact timer, shot pick up is occasionally spotty and it does not work with suppressed firearms. Haven't been able to find a definitive solution for suppressor use, but if ever I do find a timer that can reliably pick up suppressed shots it will be all I use.
Great timing! I’ve been putting off buying a new shot timer because I didn’t really like any of the newer options for my needs. But this one looks perfect. I ordered it as soon as I finished watching the video just in case Ben’s endorsement causes it to sell out. Lol
I have been watching your videos and decided to subscribe. You put out lots of golden information, I like to learn and as retired combat arms vet I have a huge passion for firearms. The almost two hours videos you post are second to none info, thanks. I was checking out your store and I think you pretty much checked every box😂, dawn you have lots of goodies!!!
I've owned every timer from Pact, CED and Double Alpha. I agree. The Kestrel is the top timer currently in production. Much more robust construction (glass filled nylon I believe), it's water proof, two screens, beep loud enough for the range and can adjust down low for dryfire in the house, replaceable batteries, clip is well thought out, easy operation. Everything I need. Haven't used the bluetooth feature. My previous go-to was the Pact MK IV. The best feature on the MKIV is the full number keypad. Very easy to change par times on the fly. I really like that. The screens go out on them pretty regularly and it's made out of the same cheap plastic as most of the CE timers. None of the other timers have really stood out to me. They all work for a time, until they dont. I greatly prefer replaceable batteries over rechargeable. Nothing worse than setting up for a class and seeing that the battery is dead on your timer because you didn't plug it in after class the day before. I bought the fancy GO timer at the same time as the Kestrel. I honestly haven't used it other than when opening the box. I could tell that the beep wasn't going to be loud enough on the range. Same cheap plastic as most of the established timers.
I just bought my first timer and its the pact club timer or something like that. I hope it doesn't break. It's definitely loud enough. I double up on ear pro cuz I'm already technically deaf in my left ear and I have zero issues hearing the timer.
I've found my Mantis 3 to be pretty much unuseable for live fire. It just doesn't pick up shots consistently enough, no matter how I've tried to get it calibrated.
I just “upgraded” to the go from the older shooters global. I got the original SG because it picks up dry fire which is awesome but other than that it kind sucks. I agree with you that the beep is not nearly loud enough, the 2 piece design was cool at first but if you run hard with it on you the timer will end up on the ground maybe or maybe not picking up shots still. Lastly it’s just too complicated. It’s hard to figure out and has to much extra unnecessary stuff going on. I like the new go way more but the only thing I don’t like is you can’t see the full shot string on the timer you have to look on the app which is pretty annoying if you’re trying to check first shot, split or transition time.
I really like AMG Lab Commander for how simple it is and how big the numbers are. I would like to try out the SG GO thou, however I'm a bit uneasy about having to set most of the the options trough the app and not the timer itself (which as far I I know is the case with GO)
Had mine for about 4 months. I'd personally give it a 5 stars for PERSONAL use. Being able to hold the small button to switch timer modes really quick, loud beep, spy mode (favorite feature of mine), insanely long battery life (like weeks, not days) of regular use (i do fundamental/intermediate classes professionally), and crap ton of other positives - its a solid choice for personal development. Only downer is professional use. If you gotta change par times, different settings, what not - you have to do it on your phone or whatever device. Can it be done, yes. But pro level - this is where AMG shines. I still give it a 5 of how much you can do in the personal development level. I'd say if you can figure out your phone/tablet - you can figure this out, as most of their FAQs are readily available on the app or RU-vid even
