Let's talk timers!

[Garrettkq]

Oh my, at the Worlds, I was introduced to this funny little talking timer. So, in the spirit of blissful airgun spending, I jumped on one from Amazon. Dude, I gotta tell you, this device is absolutely fantastic. You don't even have to look at it. Just start it, and it will tell you how much time you have left while counting down. I was joking with my squadmate Joe H., who's an Australian transplant in California, and in pure Aussie fashion, he has nick-named it a "Talkie Timer (Tauulkee Timah)" (now gotta say that in your head with that great Aussie accent).
Here's a link : https://a.co/d/4nUT7bC or just a quick search of talking-timer on Amazon.

Best new gadget!

 

[Scotchmo]

I’ve been using talking countdown timers in competition since 2015 when another competitor gave me one at an IHMSA match. Great for timed FT matches.

 

[thane]

Scott turned me on to it a couple years ago, lets you focus on shots, never have to look away for remaining time.

Bonus is pulling a shot on 1 during the 10 second countdown, suspense.

 

[cavedweller]

Oh my, at the Worlds, I was introduced to this funny little talking timer. So, in the spirit of blissful airgun spending, I jumped on one from Amazon. Dude, I gotta tell you, this device is absolutely fantastic. You don't even have to look at it. Just start it, and it will tell you how much time you have left while counting down. I was joking with my squadmate Joe H., who's an Australian transplant in California, and in pure Aussie fashion, he has nick-named it a "Talkie Timer (Tauulkee Timah)" (now gotta say that in your head with that great Aussie accent).
Here's a link : https://a.co/d/4nUT7bC or just a quick search of talking-timer on Amazon.

Best new gadget!

View attachment 555585

cha-ching

 

[Garrettkq]

cha-ching

lol ... I'd bet you'd pay $25 not to miss a timed out shot... even only once

 

[Scotchmo]

I 3D printed a snug fitting holder for my talking timer and pellet box. They just happened to be the same dimensions. I look at the timer every time I grab a pellet. Gives me a good feel for time progress.

 

[JW.]

Scott Hull turned me on to the Oregon Scientific talking timers years ago and I happened to (luckily) buy two at the time. Crazy that there are fewer choices to select from these days...

The first time you hit ten seconds and it starts counting down by the second you'll get ultra flustered.

 

[scotton]

The battery cover on the Sper one likes to auto-eject. I recommend putting some tape on it before use.

 

[Garrettkq]

Scott Hull turned me on to the Oregon Scientific talking timers years ago and I happened to (luckily) buy two at the time. Crazy that there are fewer choices to select from these days...

The first time you hit ten seconds and it starts counting down by the second you'll get ultra flustered.

Initially I certainly felt that… but then I've learned to get used to it. But yea for sure.

 

[Garrettkq]

The battery cover on the Sper one likes to auto-eject. I recommend putting some tape on it before use.

Agreed!

 

[AirNGasman]

I 3D printed a snug fitting holder for my talking timer and pellet box. They just happened to be the same dimensions. I look at the timer every time I grab a pellet. Gives me a good feel for time progress.
View attachment 555677

That's SO cool, Scott!

On a related note, let me know if you need any field testing help with your What Makes Women Tick gadget. If/when you get that thing perfected, it could be a (literal) life-saver for Mankind.

.

 

[Frank in Fairfield]

On Amazon, they have other suggestions.
Better colors.

 

[Garrettkq]

On Amazon, they have other suggestions.
Better colors.

“Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement."

careful... they may not be the same ...

 

[SacramentoSam]

Not sure you can use a phone app in a match, but Iphone has a completely free app called Talking Timer by clyve bryant, that works well for practice.

 

[BrazosbyNemo]

I just ordered one with the hopes of having it in time for the Republic of Texas match this weekend. Sure seems like it would answer my issues with timers even though I am a fairly fast shooter. At Worlds back in November I found 4 minutes for forced position shots seemed a little tight and it messed my mind up. Something like this would have been nice.

 

[Motorhead]

In a GP match, which is most State matches etc ... The only legal timer IMO is one started by your squad mate/s soon as seated with possession of your gun. Then placed near you to watch time tick down. Verbal notification is novel but in no way required if viewing said timer is easy to see. Self setting and starting of shot timers is commonly abused & especially in less than ideal conditions.

JMO ... nuttin else.

 

[humbled.ag]

In a GP match, which is most State matches etc ... The only legal timer IMO is one started by your squad mate/s soon as seated with possession of your gun. Then placed near you to watch time tick down. Verbal notification is novel but in no way required if viewing said timer is easy to see. Self setting and starting of shot timers is commonly abused & especially in less than ideal conditions.

JMO ... nuttin else.

I don't trust anyone else to start my timer, or to call out times based on one thing. Distractions. Too often I hear, not only from others, but my self that I forgot to start your timer because so and so walked by and started chatting, or I was doing something not related to paying attention. Same for countdowns. I'm also averse to anyone entering the shooters box while the clock is ticking, regardless of why. Same reason, distractions.

 

[Motorhead]

I don't trust anyone else to start my timer, or to call out times based on one thing. Distractions. Too often I hear, not only from others, but my self that I forgot to start your timer because so and so walked by and started chatting, or I was doing something not related to paying attention. Same for countdowns. I'm also averse to anyone entering the shooters box while the clock is ticking, regardless of why. Same reason, distractions.

Which for sake of conversation I'll Not agree with ....
Having witnessed many times of a shooter in his "Box" sitting with there gun fiddling around with there gear, pellets, position etc ... only to start timer once all situated, THIS IS NOT RIGHT !!!
All that is required of a shooter to do their 4 shots is allotted to 5 minuets period.

 

[humbled.ag]

If a shooter is chronically taking advantage of the timer in this manner during a GP or Nationals, it's up to their squad mates to gently nudge them to follow the rules. If they continue to act in the manner described, involve a marshal. It's the shooters responsibility to follow the rules as they are explained during the shooters meeting. If the squad they are shooting with isn't interested in enforcing those rules, so be it. This is what typically leads to slow downs and backups during a match for those who've wondered.

As a side, I think timers should start when the shooter enters the shooters box, even if it's to check strings before setting up your gear. Either that, or remove the 1min for set up.

 

[Franklink]

Which for sake of conversation I'll Not agree with ....
Having witnessed many times of a shooter in his "Box" sitting with there gun fiddling around with there gear, pellets, position etc ... only to start timer once all situated, THIS IS NOT RIGHT !!!
All that is required of a shooter to do their 4 shots is allotted to 5 minuets period.

Lots of abusing the time limit during matches.

I'm usually wrangling one of my sons and their equipment as well as my own, and sometimes both sons, and my shooting squad still typically finishes the course 45 minutes before some of the worst of the wind-waiters. Everyone knows who those folks are. They'll sit there and wait and wait and wait for the wind to be what they want before they pull the trigger. It's cheating, plain and simple.