Need help choosing a shot timer for IPSC / C.A.P.S. matches

[Basic-Wedge]

A group of us are hoping to start an airsoft IPSC / C.A.P.S. league in Manitoba. I intend to buy a shot timer as my contribution to the effort, but there are several brands and models to choose from, so I could use some help picking the best one for our use.

We'll need a timer that's airsoft specific, so we're looking for one with the usual adaptations, like a more sensitive microphone and a quieter start tone.

For my personal training, I'd prefer a unit with its display on top, so I can hook it to my belt and just glance down to see the readout. That's more of a want than a need, though...

Here's are some of the shot timers I've been looking at so far:

"The first of its kind, the Competitive Edge Dynamics CED7000A Airsoft Timer is a “sound-activated” timer designed to record the sound of shots fired from 96+% of Airsoft brands on the market. Ideal for training, the CED7000 Airsoft Timer has all the features of its big brother (CED7000), but includes a softer buzzer sound and a more sensitive microphone. Now, practice like the real professionals do! Perfect for club competitions, groups or individuals who wish to practice at home!" ~$120

http://www.cedhk.com/shop/products/C...oft-Timer.html

CED introduces the most advanced timer on the market today, yet as easy to use as your mobile phone. The CED8000 timer features a large backlit display, advanced programming, memory, and a range of features that make all other timers obsolete! Easy to use and so compact and lightweight, that it will fit into your shirt pocket! ~$150

http://www.cedhk.com/shop/products/CED8000-Timer.html

Speed-Timer 3000 Air Gun Shot Timer. If you shoot Air Soft, Air Guns and compete in any Air Gun Related Games that require accurate timing, these are the Timers. ~$140

http://www.ruready.com/airgun07.htm

The original PACT Club Timer was designed as a rugged, inexpensive timer that was simple to operate and contains all the features needed to run matches without the advanced training software, keyboard and display of the Championship Timer. We've incorporated several software changes you've requested over the years. ~$130

http://pact.com/index.php?option=com...d=17&Itemid=32


Those are the main contenders, so far. The PACT timer is my personal favorite, but it, unfortunately, isn't available in an airsoft version. Same for the CED8000, though I've heard it may work with airsoft guns anyway. That leaves the CED7000 and the Speed-Timer 3000 as obvious front-runners, with the Speed-Timer being the only one with a top mounted display.

Do you know of any other timers we should take a look at? I'd like to hear what other action air shooters think of these choices...

[ILLusion]

- If you want a top view display for personal training, the CED8000 is what you might be looking for.

- In our experience, most of the airsoft-adapted versions with microphones for shot detection are not that effective. In fact, the device's own beep can trigger the sensor. You are better off doing a direct connection to the device, via hit detectors. This would require you to use compatible targets with switching mechanisms. In any case, having sound detection can be handy - but be aware that they may not be very accurate, and may not pick up some shots, or may pick up sounds that were not shots. For example, a magazine reload and the subsequent slide return to battery could potentially register as two hits if the microphone is set to a very sensitive level.

- The Speed Timer 3000 does not have sound activation.

My personal experience is with both the CED7000A as well as the CED8000, and the Speed Timer 3000. I do not know the PACT.

My recommendation would be the CED 8000 based on your needs, due to the need for a top view display as well as potential for sound detection. However, for the 8000, I would most recommend it to be used with direct connection targets (CED has a few nice ones available, with LED hit detection as well as external device triggering).

[ILLusion]

As an additional note, at CAPS, we have run without handheld timers for years now. We have a Madbull large "Big Board" clock display triggered by a switch on a long cable. On triggering, a loud audible beep is made, and the clock starts counting.

The shooter runs the course, and is required to hit a stop plate at the end of the course of fire. This stop plate is attached to a switch, which connects directly to the timer. Hitting the stop plate will cause the timer to stop, creating an accurate recording of the time.

This is not effective for timing shot splits, which is where more advanced timers (such as the CED products) come in to play.

CED also has a big board setup, which we haven't felt the need to upgrade to yet, but had I seen it before, I probably would have picked that up for the club over the Madbull one, due to the number of advanced features. The most useful, would be the wireless start of the clock. Triggering can be made via the CED8000 if you have the wireless module installed.