Arguably, the most important tool you can take with you to any range or match (aside from the firearm and ammo) session is a shot timer. Introduced initially in 2012, the Pact Club Timer III is the most recent updated iteration to PACT Inc. line of hand-held shot timers that enable you to evaluate individual speed and gage rates of improvements.
The Club Timer III is a simplified, hand-held, audio-detection shot timer that features a large 3/4″ x 2.0″ LCD display screen that is set to display a variety of timer settings and time duration. With an overall dimension of 5.5” (L) x 4.75” (W) x 2.5” (D), the Club Timer III has a slight wedge-shaped housing tapered slightly at the bottom to fit comfortably in the hand. The rear of the timer also includes a fixed belt clip so that it can be attached to a variety of locations, such as belt, pocket, or gear.
The timer comes with a 9-volt battery that yields (roughly) 20 hours of continual runtime (though this can vary depending on frequency of usage). In addition, the Club Timer III’s programming includes an automatic shutdown after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Performance Specifications
- 115 dB start buzzer frequency that transmits through hearing protection
- Accurate to 1mSec with times rounded to the nearest 10mSec
- Separate and independent shot sensor and buzzer
- Two-mode function between Split Time and Shot Time
- Customizable Par Time, and start (delayed 2-3.5 seconds, or instant)
- Intuitive buttons with clear visual recognition and recessed to prevent accidental activation
- Top-mounted display readable from your belt
- Records up to 100 shots in a single string, displays most recent time
- 30-day money back guarantee, limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defect
The Pact Club Timer III is only available in Black, with two-toned buttons (white and green).
Product Evaluation Scores:
- Cost – Good (4/5): With an MSRP of $129.95 the Club Timer III is the latest iteration of PACT 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) from Competition Electronics, and the CED 7000 ($129.95) from Competitive Edge Dynamics. More recently, Kestrel Ballistics offered their KST 1000 ($299.99), and Shooter’s Global released its Shot Timer GO ($149.99) and its Shot Timer w/U-Grip ($299); however, these are not directly comparable to the Club Timer III due to other functions/features. With regards to the market, the Club Timer III was one of the more inexpensive shot timers currently on the market and at a good listed price for 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 narrow-but-wide 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 rubberized/recessed design of the buttons themselves made manipulation without looking easy. The belt clip was a little difficult to manage, if only because the clamp side of the clip was very tight to get over belts or MOLLE bands. But the belt clip itself did retain a positive/secure lock and at no point did the timer inadvertently come loose during dynamic drills. The audio level of the shot timer was non-adjustable, yet loud and clear for anyone nearby. 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 was problematic. A recommendation for PACT Inc. would be to consider making the display programmable, whereby the end-user could select through several different formats and font sizes are presented to find their best and most comfortable setting. Also, PACT Inc should consider adding a backlight feature, as seeing the window clearly in low-light was difficult as there was no contrasting sunlight.
- Durability – Average (3/4): The Club Timer III 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 Club Timer III would have the same level of durability as other shot timers using the same material, and so survived being dropped from waist height ten times as well as during dynamic drills (prone) 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 outer shell and window (the latter which did not obscure reading results but could become exacerbated over time/contact). PACT Inc does offer a 30-day guarantee to cover any defect or damage to the unit shy of the owner purposely destroying it, but no protection service or warrantee plan thereafter. PACT Inc does offer a repair service for current products (which includes the Club Timer III), with free repairs (sans $1 for S&H) for up to a year for those who purchased their product through the official PACT Inc website.
- Functionality – Good (4/5): As a simplified, basic shot timer the Club Timer III offered end-users the ability to jump directly into shooting with minimal (or no) setup at the start. The buttonology was easy, with as few buttons on the timer to get confused with while operating. The challenge arose with those buttons while navigating the timer’s two main settings; Delay (meaning there was a programmed delay of a random three seconds prior to the starting buzzer) and Instant (the starting buzzer sounds immediately upon pressing GO). Programming the Par Time (if desired, is the time limit permissible to complete the shooting sequence) worked the same way as setting a digital watch—cycling through the numerical value (0-9) and setting it before advancing to the next digit. The process continues until all values are entered. It was noted during operation there is no “stop” function/button to stop time if the shooter fails to fire, or otherwise one needs to stop the timing function. Time only stops at the last shot, or the timer is reset back to the timer setting. So usage/programming can get confusing, but not insurmountable. Internet research shows the instruction manual is online, while several step-by-step setup/usage videos are available by third parties and provide easier-to-follow instructions for more visual learners. The Review (RVW) button did allot for easy review of shot time, splits, and sequence. There were no other shooters at the times of review, so the sensitivity of drum to register individual shots over others nearby or elsewhere on the range could not be evaluated. However, the sensitivity of the drum while suppressed was not able to delineate shots taken (because the drum’s device uses the concussive soundwave of the shot exiting the barrel to register) without physical assistance (i.e. clapping the shot timer’s drum). Otherwise, the tonal buzzer was clear and loud, and easily heard at distance.
- Weight – Average (3/5): Weighing in at a demure 9.26 ounces, the Club Timer III owed its light weight to the overall 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, but not to the point the timer either came off or fell. The timer was more secure at the belt 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. In contrast, the ProTimer (8.0 ounces) or the Pocket Pro (6.5 ounces) from Competition Electronics, 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 Club Timer III from PACT Inc. was appropriate (or average) for its weight and within the market of alternatives.
Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)
Product Link: https://pact.com/product/club-timer-iii/
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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