The Dakota Clay Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I had an old Pact Club timer, but due to an unfortunate accident, I'm in the market for a new shot timer (left it on top of my cab then crunched it under my back tire when leaving the range this weekend! ). I'm considering a Pact 3 club timer ($140), or a Pact Mark IV Championship timer ($200). I kinda like that the Mark IV can be retrofit to perform as a chrony also (beats haulin 2 machines around), but then again, I already own a chrony, and buyin an auxillary skyscreen just adds to the cost ($70 for the Mark 7). I can't get a straight answer about what functions the Mark IV has that the Club 3 doesn't other than the chrony. The Club 3 is definitely smaller and more ergonomic, So what's the verdict on these 2 units? I'd rather save the $, but I do AT LEAST want total time, step function/split time, RELIABLE FUNCTION, and an audible buzzer. Excel interface is nice, but not necessarily a necessity. Or, am I way off base with the Pact units? I've heard TERRIBLE stories about their customer service, but I've also heard really good stories about their function. My own club timer worked fine for several years, it just wasn't any match for my Michelins. Is there a different unit that I should be looking at instead of the Pacts? Thanks pards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Pinkerton SASS# 87592 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I can't speak to the Pact timers, but I've had 2 CED timers that I've been real pleased with. The one I'm using now is (i think) the 7000. It's the one that looks like a bulky ipod. Works great & has every function I could want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauder SASS #13056 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Had several friends that after much use had to have their Pact Club timers rebuilt. Took a few weeks, but they got good service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isomkid Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I've had good luck out of the Competition Electronics Pocket Pro. It doesn't have a huge amount of functions, but it has all the ones that you listed as requirements. I shoot at a club that uses the Pact 3 Club Timers. I don't like the start button that you have to release in order to sound the buzzer on the Pact's. I also don't like the shape of the Pact's, It seems like no matter how I hold it I'm either covering up the buzzer or the microphone. I guess those are personal preferences, but I like Competition Electronics. Little Wing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Jackson Turner Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I have had a bad experience with PACT's customer service the 2nd time I tried to deal with a problem with my Pact timer. I use Competition Electronics, and have never NEEDED to use their customer service. Cheers, FJT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Red OToole, #48939 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Another vote for Competition Electronics over Pact. Just a better product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cinch, SASS#29433 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I don't care for the wire battery snap on the competition electronics. If your good with a soldering iron you can hook it back up without using their warranty, but when it comes undone the morning of the match... I like holding the button down and releasing when the shooter is ready for the beep and have never used the Pact warranty dept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckaroo #13080 Regulator Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I run two clubs. Both use the PAC Club timers. They do offer a free timer with the purchase of three. They were purchased with a lifetime warranty. These were the older ones with the mechanical buzzer. As they broke, we sent them back for repair. This took 4 months or more. Eventually, the lifetime warranty went away because they changed the internals. So much for lifetime. So, we purchased (between the two clubs) 16 more with the new and louder buzzer (it is much better). Of the 16, we had trouble with 8. Four had to be sent back. The others had, and still have, trouble with the battery contacts. They get weak, right out of the box, and loose contact with the battery. This causes the unit to reboot. It happens when the thumb presses on the battery door causing it to loose contact. We bend the contacts after each match. The only way to remove the battery is to smack it against your hand to make it pop out. Another design flaw. I got them for our state match in hopes of eliminating any timer issues. Before the first stage was over, we had four timers down. Someting no match director wants to deal with. Finally, the microphone pick up is on top. The timer has an ergonomic shape and the natural hold would cover the mic hole. When they work, they are OK, but I would not buy another one until several design changes have been made and customer service picks up speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jefro, SASS#69420 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Another vote for Competition Electronics over Pact. Just a better product. Yep, I prefer the full size Pocket Pro. Good Luck Jefro Relax-Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shotgun Bandit Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 I don't care for the wire battery snap on the competition electronics. If your good with a soldering iron you can hook it back up without using their warranty, but when it comes undone the morning of the match... I like holding the button down and releasing when the shooter is ready for the beep and have never used the Pact warranty dept. Do ya take the batteries out of yer flashlight when ya aint usin it?????? Bandit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cinch, SASS#29433 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Do ya take the batteries out of yer flashlight when ya aint usin it?????? Bandit Ha! Where did I put that flashlight? I try to put in new timer batteries when it matters... Roo, Hold your right hand in front of you like you were getting ready to chug a Dos Equis, place the belt clip against your palm, display toward you... now nothing is covered Now feel around on your gunbelt for the knife that ya bought from Redwing... (you did give him some business didn't you ) and use the tip to remove the battery. Ya could get a small piece of ribbon and place below the battery... I've never used either warranty dept. and I have found that if ya put either one in your vest pocket then they just don't work like they are supposed to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cash Duckett Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 CED 7000. I don't know about taking the battery cover off, never had to. Easily holds a charge for two day matches, about 15 on each posse, still had half a battery. I do use the wrist strap and a silicone cover. I even have the arm band type holder, but haven't tried it yet. Very pleased with this timer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Possum Skinner, SASS#60697 Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Our club bought 4 pocket pros. 2 have had problems repeatedly. Won't buy from Comp. Elect. again. Just our experience. Our Pacts have never had an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I don't see any clear consensus on which timer is better. I am in the market to purchase one for myself and have seen today our club's Pact timer giving us fits in the middle of a match. I have used the Pocket Pro but I don't have any first hand experience on reliability. Seems they both have their pros and cons and followers. So I guess my question is this: Do I just spend the money and take my chances? Rev Willy Dunkum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rio Brazos Kid Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I shoot at 3 different Clubs on a regular basis, two of which use the Competition Electronics Pocket Pro exclusively. I also own one of them. Other than having a battery go dead, I have never witnessed a single problem with them. Pact products??? I personally have had plenty of problems with their electronics, and will never ever purchase another Pact product. Customer service?? Talk about rude !! RBK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Monte McCrae SASS #61622 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I have 2 different shot timers in my Android phone both work great. The one even has a power factor calculator build into it as well. Both were FREE so I have no need at this time to spend over hunderd bucks for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas John Ringo, SASS #10138 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 I have a CED 6000 that is 14 years old, zero problems in that time. I don't think they even make that model now. Would buy another in a heartbeat, if I needed one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Rock Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Just for record: The parts PACT claims are not available is an excuse. They may not have them but they are available (Radio Shack, Internet etc.). Pretty slimy way to back out of the "Advertised" lifetime warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Muerto Negro Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Our club has the pocket pro we have experienced no problems. Monte what are the names of the apps you have can you use them for dry fire practice? El Muerto Negro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adirondack Jack, SASS #53440 Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 The IPSC Shot Timer (Beta) from the android market will work in dry fire mode as long as the hammer fall is louder than the cycling of the action.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Texas Jack Black Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 Love my Pact timer, never any problems with it, bought it years ago. T J B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Monte McCrae SASS #61622 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 The 1st is "IPSC Shot Timer (Beta) Ver 0.9.4" the second is "ShotTimer Ver 2.0" the second has the power Factor Calc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyrus Cassidy #45437 Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I've had a PACT for about 10 years and as of yet have had no problems with it. That said, it doesn't see a lot of heavy (i.e club) use, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appalachian Alan Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 Since android was mentioned. It sounds like a cool idea, you could even have someone program it into a scoring system. But something about holding my $400 smart phone up to the abuse we give our timers scares me. Dry fire leaving the phone on the table may not be that bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olen Rugged Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I had an old Pact Club timer, but due to an unfortunate accident, I'm in the market for a new shot timer (left it on top of my cab then crunched it under my back tire when leaving the range this weekend! ... . Is there a different unit that I should be looking at instead of the Pacts? Thanks pards! I have both PACT timers and have used them without problems for ?many years. The Mark IV is best for PAR time practice and use as a chronograph. The Club timer has timed thousands of stages without any thing more than a battery change. If I were looking for something else I would consider these two: CED makes the smallest and most capable timer around, the CED7000 look at them here: http://www.cedhk.com/shop/products/CED7000-Shot%252dActivated-Timer.html One of the best values and probably the most overlooked timer is the R.U. Ready, Speed Timer 3000. Fairly small and also has what I believe to be the loudest buzzer of any timer. Look for them here: http://www.gunfighter.com/timers/index-cas.html Olen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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