This is a topic that doesn't get discussed often. When its's your turn to set up a match, ever wonder whats the best and easist way to ensure your KZs are clearly visible to all shooters "from any position?" Setting up matches can be a challenging yet fun experience for those who love the sport. However, quite commonly, there are times when lanes are not cleared appropriately, for example when weeds are missed and obscure the target. Less frequently, we also see there are times when targets and KZs can be completely obscured by terrain and not visible to the shooter, making for a bad situation even worse once the match gets going. Errors like this could happen even to the most experienced course setters. Yet still, typically, you'll find it happening when someone who sets up is not used to, or is unable to, get very close to the ground. Or, someone who shoots from an elevated sitting position, such as a bucket might also have these challenges.
Recently, I discussed this with some fellow shooters over a beer, and we talked about the many ways we could find a solution. So, I'm sharing this little gadget that I made for our club, and someone asked me to share and post it. So, I've taken a laser pointer, wedged it inside a PVC T-connector, and cut the pipe so that the laser is 15" inches off the ground. Although the AAFTA rules have changed from the measurable distance of 15", to "from any position", 15 inches is the posted standard we use to ensure a clear path to the KZ. This tool lets us clearly see any weeds or ground features that may obscure the KZ by highlighting it with the beam. Simple, yet highly effective, without the need to get down on your knees for every lane.
We use a 200 ma green laser.
Of course, another simple, low-tech method is to use the target string, held taught, at the lane markers with a 15" tool/pipe/ruler. With this method, nothing else needs to be purchased. Sometimes a dip in the string can be an issue, but that wouldn't work against you as long as you're careful cutting.
When talking about visibility, quite often this can be alleviated by a simple stack of bricks at the target or a tree mount, rather than a weed whacker.
I have found that a little effort on this end of the prep can save a massive headache and grumbling once the match starts. Like someone once said, "Ya can't have a match, if you can't see the target."
Recently, I discussed this with some fellow shooters over a beer, and we talked about the many ways we could find a solution. So, I'm sharing this little gadget that I made for our club, and someone asked me to share and post it. So, I've taken a laser pointer, wedged it inside a PVC T-connector, and cut the pipe so that the laser is 15" inches off the ground. Although the AAFTA rules have changed from the measurable distance of 15", to "from any position", 15 inches is the posted standard we use to ensure a clear path to the KZ. This tool lets us clearly see any weeds or ground features that may obscure the KZ by highlighting it with the beam. Simple, yet highly effective, without the need to get down on your knees for every lane.
We use a 200 ma green laser.
Of course, another simple, low-tech method is to use the target string, held taught, at the lane markers with a 15" tool/pipe/ruler. With this method, nothing else needs to be purchased. Sometimes a dip in the string can be an issue, but that wouldn't work against you as long as you're careful cutting.
When talking about visibility, quite often this can be alleviated by a simple stack of bricks at the target or a tree mount, rather than a weed whacker.
I have found that a little effort on this end of the prep can save a massive headache and grumbling once the match starts. Like someone once said, "Ya can't have a match, if you can't see the target."
