I try to keep current with training tech and I find that shot timers have really made some gains in complexity – for many, utility – compared to the original shot timers. The old standbys are still handy. While some use smartphone apps for timers, I try to keep the phone for communications use.
That’s not easy; my current chronograph, the Garmin Xero Pro C1, uses an app. Ear pro commonly used, like Walker’s Disrupter, also communicates with the phone.
A shot timer using up some of the smart phone’s power was only a matter of time.
Of what importance is a timer? To keep track of how long it takes to accomplish tasks, to solve problems – to see where you need improvement. It’s kind of like a target; it’s hard to chart your progress in shooting skills without (1) seeing where the rounds are landing and (2) knowing how long it took you to get them there.
Too many people get wrapped up in minutia. An example is obsession over split times that are quicker than you can assess the effect of rounds downrange. Still the timer is useful, for everything from starting and holding you accountable on bullseye strings of fire to seeing if you can keep up with Dave Spaulding on his shooting drills.
The new timer (above) is smaller than the original SG Timer.
I’d received the SG Timer, a Shooters Global product that had been provided through another vendor, some time back. I found it complicated, but usable, a very interesting device – but the speaker made the tone weak enough I couldn’t hear it on the outdoor range.
Back to the drawing board. Later, Shooters Global announced another product, the Shooters Global SG Timer GO. Like its bigger, older brother, it’s rechargeable, it uses “Blue Tooth” to communicate with the phone – which, through the same app as the SG Timer, you can control the timer – and it’s sufficiently complicated that you can use the device and app to track your progress, not an insignificant thing.
Coming in at around half the price of the older device, the Timer GO is smaller too, and has less display. It also has a “function” key and a “start” button – those are what you need. It came with a Velcro belt loop to which the device can snap on. It’s easy to get the timer off of the belt loop to check your time – if you don’t have the app do it. It also comes with a lanyard.
I elected to use the lanyard to hang the Timer GO around my neck.
The display is large enough that an old fogey can read the results – even when he doesn’t want to. I had the opportunity to try out a new, top-secret gun, right after I got the timer. It worked as advertised. Like the SG Timer – and the Garmin Xero Pro C1 – it seems the Timer GO has some pretty remarkable battery life. That will depend on use, no doubt.
It’s not waterproof but neither am I. As I tend to avoid shooting in squalls, I don’t find that a disqualifying feature. You can video your performance, using the app and your phone as the camera. I tend to recommend shooters video themselves as they shoot to see what others see – and what the shooter likely misses – that can be improved.
Using it on social media is for the younger set – and it’s available.
The short course I first tried it on was just checking an unfamiliar firearm. The course included pairs from 5 yards, failures-to-stop from seven yards, a 10-yard pair and a failure to stop from 10 yards. The times were consistently slow – as I am with the Competition Electronics Pocket Pro II and the PACT Club Timer III. This gives me some confidence in the accuracy of the SG Timer GO.
The buzzer is loud enough to hear on the outdoor range. I can see the display. I’m not sure there’s more to say, except I like the small envelope as well. Compact, light, handy – and the display is big enough to read, all good things.
I’m still finding the interface to be less straightforward than on simple timers, but the expansive range of functions will have strong appeal to those who can make use of them.
Me? I’m going to keep using it.
— Rich Grassi
