One if the most important accessories you can bring to the range, in a recreational setting or competition, is a quality shot timer. The ProTimer BT by Competition Electronics is designed from the onset for competition scoring, and integrates the device with a some of the most common scoring programs currently in use by USPSA, IDPA, and other organizations.
Introduced in 2021, the ProTimer BT hand-held, audio-detection shot timer that features a 0.5″ x 2.0″ LCD display screen that is set to display a variety of device settings and time durations. A secondary visual cue has been added with a configurable LED light adjacent to the buzzer to aid the audible impaired.
With an overall dimension of 5.0” (H) x 3.0” (W) x 1.5” (D), the ProTimer BT has a rectangular-shaped housing intent to fit comfortably in the hand, or be worn on a belt. The rear of the timer also includes a belt clip so that it can be attached to a variety of locations.
The timer comes with a 9-volt battery that yields (roughly) 25 hours of continual runtime (though this can vary depending things like screen backlight duration or frequency of usage). In addition, the ProTimer BT’s programming includes an automatic shutdown after 10 minutes of inactivity.
As the “BT” part of the name implies, the ProTimer BT also includes as low-power Bluetooth device that enables for connectivity to any similar-enabled device up to 50’ away. This is useful for linking the shot timer to many modern Bluetooth televisions (used to show score/time), smartphones, or for linking to the scoring tablets/software used by most competitive organizations and popular scoring apps. Additionally, a 3.5mm head jack allows for connecting a headset (not included) so that only you will hear the shot indicators.
The software inside the ProTimer BT also affords for a variety of customized settings including variable Hit Factor, Par Time, Start Delay (which includes instant, random, or a fixed time) and how the shots are displayed, backlight duration, and other settings (such as shot sensitivity and dead time). Additionally, it can store up to 70 shots per individual string, and up to 50 strings.
Performance Specifications
- 1.5kHz (105 dB) start buzzer frequency transmits well through hearing protection
- Accurate to 1mSec with times rounded to the nearest 10mSec
- Separate and independent shot sensor and buzzer
- Top-mounted display readable from your belt
- Two-year money back guarantee warranty against manufacturer defect
The ProTimer BT is only currently available in Blue, with grey-toned buttons.
An accessory for the ProTimer BT (sold separately) is a silicone skin that overlaps most of the timing device while still leaving aspects like the screen unobstructed. The purpose of this silicone is to add extra protection to the device against abrasion and other hard surfaces.
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): With an MSRP of $188.95 the ProTimer BT is the latest iteration of Competition Electronic devices to help shooters improve on the firing line. The shot timer offers programmable modes, delay, multiple shot tracking, and an easily read display. In contrast, the other market alternatives were the ProTimer ($167.95) or the Pocket Pro ($150.95) also from Competition Electronics, the Pact Club Timer III ($123.95) by Pact Inc., or the CED 7000 ($129.95) from Competitive Edge Dynamics. None of these offer the Bluetooth compatibility offered by the ProTimer BT. Most recently, Kestrel Ballistics offered their KST 1000 ($299.99), and Shooter’s Global released its SG Timer 2 ($299.99) and Shot Timer GO ($149.99), all three of which are similarly Bluetooth enabled. With regards to the market, the ProTimer BT was one of the more inexpensive Bluetooth-enabled shot timers available, yet still above the cost of similar timers without, so while the consumer will need to carefully consider their needs it is at a good listed price for all the functions provided.
- Comfort – Good (4/5): From a comfort aspect, the shape of the timer’s housing fit very nicely in the hand, with the rectangular profile of the timer filling the hand easily and gave enough dimension to readily control the device. There wasn’t an excess number of buttons, and the protruding design of the buttons themselves made manipulation without looking easy. The belt clip was easy to manage, as the oversized clamp side of the clip was large enough to get the clip over belts or through MOLLE bands. The adjustable audio level of the shot timer was convenient, yet loud and clear for anyone nearby to hear. The largest lettering in the LCD screen was approx. ½” font and easily read from the waist, however the smaller text elsewhere on the screen or in other menus was problematic at a quick glance. The adjustable backlight of the screen was comfortable and easily seen, even in full sunlight, and allowed for shooting well into hours of darkness (such as low-light/no-light competitions). Perhaps one minor area caution to the consumer is the buttonology and number of menu options was extensive, and took some time getting accustomed to navigating. The PTLink app does resolve much of this issue once linked via Bluetooth to a smart device, but then adds in another linkage to a second device for use when it may not be necessary. However, displays on a larger Bluetooth-enabled television greatly improved visual reference to the times themselves.
- Durability – Average (3/5): The ProTimer BT was made of a commercial-grade outer plastic/polymer shell, and the LCD screen comes with a non-replaceable polycarbonate window. It is most likely that the ProTimer BT would have the same level of durability as other shot timers using the same material, and so survived being dropped from waist height three times (with the silicone skin), during dynamic drills (prone, running, kneeling) or in contact with other gear with no detrimental effect to its key function as a shot timer. The only notable result was superficial marring to the silicone skin and window (the latter which did not obscure reading results but could become exacerbated over time/contact). It is likely that prolonged impact would at some point prove detrimental to the unit given its size, sensors, and materials in construction. Competition Electronics does offer a 30-day return/refund policy, and a two-year warrantee to cover any defect or damage to the unit shy of the owner purposely destroying it, but no protection service or warrantee plan thereafter. Competition Electronics does offer a repair service for current products (which includes the ProTimer BT), provided the product is still within the company’s product line. These services do fall in-line with other manufacturers of similar products and their services.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): Functionally, the biggest positive feature to the ProTimer BT (aside from the basic shot timer features) was the Bluetooth compatibility. It’s ‘PT Link’ smart device app was easily downloaded, and the app’s bottonlogy was simplistic. Moreover, it made screensharing to similar modern televisions easy with a single timer, and enabled the registered time to be more easily seen at a much larger font size than otherwise would be on the timer’s screen itself. These functions were/are mainly ideal for formal organizations however, as they are more apt to utilize the Bluetooth-enable tablets and other resources to formally track scores and times on software like PractiScore or ProShot Trainer. These features were somewhat lost for those utilizing the ProTimer BT in an individual capacity, because the PT Link smart device app replicates the functionality that was already displayed by the timer itself. For the latter individuals simply needing a basic timer, then the basic ProTimer (lacking the Bluetooth function) would be more ideal. The advantage to the individual for the BT version however, is that the app allowed for far more shot strings/times to be readily reviewed than what the screen on the ProTimer (with limited character size and length) can allow. The timer’s app also allowed for very quick and easy setup of the device as opposed to physically navigating the physical timer’s various menus. Regardless, the buttons on the physical timer and the software/programming of the ProTimer BT allowed for easy use and review of times, and establishing any custom setting as desired. It did get a little busy navigating all the software/programming options using only the necessitating two different buttons, but was manageable. Other positive notables observed for function was the volume setting included a wide range of decibel levels suitable for either indoor dry-fire practice or outside amid other participants on the range. Regardless the tone was clear and crisp at any setting. Competition Electronics does have an online manual for the ProTimer BT should it be needed later.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing in at a demure 9.5 ounces, the ProTimer BT owed its overall light weight to the timer’s housing, minimal internal hardware, and relative compact design that was neither burdensome nor unbalancing. When attached to a thigh holster the mass of the timer did tend to “flop” to a degree (simply from a mass/physics aspect), but not to the point the timer either came off or fell. The timer was more secure at the belt/hip with less effect of its weight being influenced by body movement. At either position however, the drum was still able to register the shots fired and record the data. The added silicone skin neither added any off-balancing weight nor inhibited any function of the buttons to the physical timer itself. In contrast, the ProTimer (8.0 ounces) or the Pocket Pro (6.5 ounces) from Competition Electronics, the Club Timer III (9.25 ounces) from Pact Inc., the CED 7000 (2.09 ounces) from Competitive Edge Dynamics, Kestrel Ballistics’ KST 1000 (14.4 ounces), and Shooter’s Global Shot Timer GO (3.2 ounces) or its Shot Timer w/U-Grip (11.3 ounces) all illustrate that the ProTimer BT from Competitive Electronics was appropriate (or average) for its weight and within the market of alternatives.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://competitionelectronics.com/products/protimer-bt
I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via High Ground Media, LLC, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.
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