Just a mini-rant before I jet off for SLC tomorrow morning.
In May of this year, I purchased two new Competition Electronics Pocket Pro II shot timers. These replaced the two 14-month old PPIIs that had both broken. Those replaced the two CED 7000s that had both broken, which replaced the previous two CED 7000s that had broken.
Now, one of my six month old PPIIs is completely unusable. As soon as it’s turned on, the timer starts counting upwards and most of the settings cannot be properly adjusted.
The other won’t shut off unless the battery is removed.
So in less than four years, I’ve managed to go through eight shot timers from two different manufacturers. That’s about a thousand dollars worth of malfunctioning junk.
Color me cranky…
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
Sounds like a huge window of opportunity for you to get involved with timer manufacturers to create a better product. “The Pistol-Training.com Pocket Pro III”!!
Todd, I think there’s an app for that.
Seriously.
JRL — I’ve yet to find a shot timer app that works adequately.
Did something change with your grip? If you were using the same grip that you’ve been using throughout the test, I’d guess you could eliminate that variable from the problem, since it’s not really varying.
I’m pretty sure I’ve been gripping the shot timers the same way. 8)
Yep, meant to put that comment on the Glock Endurance Test post… woops.
If someone would make a quality, Japanese component, standard battery timer with quality buttons and casing, wi-fi/bluetooth connectivity to computer software that records and organizes strings, and real durability, I would gladly pay ~$300 for such a device.
My CED 7000 hasn’t given up it’s ghost yet, but it smacks of cheap buy-in-chinatown quality.
Sounds like talking to the manufacturers or an electrical engineer is in order. Either fix the current ones or make a new one.
The writing on one can’t be all that complicated so my question would be how do you engineer the electronics so they are more resistant to shock. All of the makers of “battle tested” red-dots and electronic optics have to know how.
I meant wiring not writing.
Todd, I had a problem with my CED7000 when I first got it, it ran fine for a few weeks then it wouldn’t charge. I sent it back and CED replaced it free and fast. I realize that none of these items is going to last forever, but were I you, I’d be sending them back and getting replacements. Your usage cycle may be considered a bit extreme compared to most of us. 🙂
I would think a company such as this would want to keep a person like you happy. Hundreds of students see what gear you use, and want to emulate it. You have an internet presence that can drive consumers to a product. If I were the manufacturer, I would send you new gear, just because your word of mouth can help or hurt my business…
I’ve used PACT timers for at least 15 years now. My primary is a 4-5 year old Club Timer but I have 1st gen and 2nd gen Championship Timers/Chronos that still work just fine. The only problem I’ve ever had was with the 2nd gen Championship Timer. The go button quit working. I called them up and they walked me though a simple fix.
I doubt our own experiences with timers is relevant to the amount of usage Todd subjects his timers to.
Dude, I’d offer to lend you my 25 year old Pearl Systems Timer, but I’m afraid you’d work your bad MOJO on it. Of course then I would have an excuse to by a new one. 🙂
You should get one of those credit cards that gives you an extended warranty with all purchases.
http://www.doublealpha.biz/timers/CED7000PRO/ced7000pro-shot-timer
Well whaddya know…
Obviously as a consumer, sometimes you have to find your own solution around a poorly designed product… E.g. extended warranties, replacement by the company, having to buy a special credit card. Honestly, how much effort would it take for the OEM to just simply build a better timer! Put in a PCB with thicker copper traces, make an effort to beef up all solder joints. Heck, I’ve even seen some electronics that have had their completed boards dipped in resin to resist shock… It could be done, and for not alot of coin.
Just sayin…
when our club first started shooting IDPA 4 years ago we started 2x RU Ready timers, those lasted about 8 months and then crapped out… sent them back to the manufacturer (who is canadian, as am I) an it took over a year to get them back, and both did have faulty electronics.
we replaced those with CED 7000’s and purchsed two of them so we always have one running, plus a few other members have personal ced 7000’s…. so far expcept for the gremlin of the the top microswitch breaking off internally they have been good and easy to use timers, warrenty repair has been under two weeks and CED has provided great service to us.
I wish they would make one that is bulletproof… but then we would have no reason to upgrade.
For what it’s worth, the CE Pocket Pro (not the “II”, but the regular one) seems to be pretty simple and pretty bullet proof. It’s not quite as easy to drag info out of as the others, requiring two hands to review shots and splits, etc… But we’ve been using a handful of them at the local USPSA club now for years with no issues that weren’t caused by someone dropping the timer or something like that.
I use a CED 7000 myself – I’ve had a few cases where the timer has hung, and I have to take it apart to disconnect the battery to reset the silly thing. That’s why they started putting a Reset switch in them (which mine doesn’t have).
The PACT Club TImer III might be a reasonable choice, too.
Dave Re: The PACT Club TImer III is suboptimal because the sensitivity adjustment is behind the battery and not easily adjusted.