Electronic Scoring Function in Rain?

[Texas Solo]

Haven't seen it discussed, so here's the question....
Do electronic scoring systems work in the rain?
Will they pick up the shot?
Does the unit have to be protected from getting wet?
What if it starts to rain midway through a match?

 

[Big_Daddy]

Haven't seen it discussed, so here's the question....
Do electronic scoring systems work in the rain?
Will they pick up the shot?
Does the unit have to be protected from getting wet?
What if it starts to rain midway through a match?

We use our ShotMarker scoring system in all weather conditions with no issues.
2 weeks ago it was raining so hard that the target visibility was very limited.
ShotMArker picked up every shot and was consistent with numbers and groups shot the week before with the same set-up.

We have no "weather protection" installed.

Keep in mind that this is my experience only.
Other experiences may vary....

 

[F Class John]

I flip all my lower sensors so water can't collect on the microphone. I'm sure it's not exactly 'Adam' approved but here in Oregon we have a lot of misty rain that settles instead of hard rain that knocks other drops off so it covers the sensor which can cause issues. Here's how I do it and testing I did to ensure I wasn't losing anything in shot value.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I flip all my lower sensors so water can't collect on the microphone....

Our 500 yard chairman, Tod, did the same to some of the lower sensors.
We haven't seemed to notice any difference however it does make you feel netter for sure...

 

[clowdis]

WE left our sensors and cables outside overnight in a drizzly rain and during the match the next day the system gave us fits. Constant disconnects. Now we always take the sensors as well as the hubs in overnight.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

WE left our sensors and cables outside overnight in a drizzly rain and during the match the next day the system gave us fits. Constant disconnects. Now we always take the sensors as well as the hubs in overnight.

Would that require you to measure and set everything up again in the morning?

A few of us from my club are going to test a shotmarker system this weekend for the first time. The fellow who has the components and is setting up the app on his laptop mentioned there's some work involved in getting it measured down to the millimeter. I'm guessing it's not actually that bad to setup, hoping not anyways.

 

[jim1903a1]

No, because you're leaving the microphone bases attached to your target. If you're careful measuring and calibrating when you set up the system, and you set up your range the same way every time, your calibration should stay the same.

 

[Dimner]

wait.... you guys have to take in the ShotMarker every night? yikes...

 

[memilanuk]

wait.... you guys have to take in the ShotMarker every night? yikes...

Most people don't leave the frames sitting out in the weather to warp and twist... take them down and put them away, just like you do regular target frames for paper targets.

Bear in mind, I'm talking frames used for actual competition (HP Rifle, F-class, BR), not the scrap wood frames at public ranges designed to be shot up by the general membership during the run-up to deer season.

 

[JPB4BAMA]

From recent experience here on the gulf coast I can say what we have experienced.
Yes they do work in the rain, BUT if it is heavy that is rather questionable: Some have quit all together, others have had intermittent failure to register shots, some have bad shot quality and then some others seem totally unaffected. The same goes for after a good rain. We do now remove the sensors if rain is expected overnight, and at times have to stop and go wipe the sensors if it happens during a match.
That said i am interested in trying F-Class John's "fix"

 

[Dimner]

Most people don't leave the frames sitting out in the weather to warp and twist... take them down and put them away, just like you do regular target frames for paper targets.

Bear in mind, I'm talking frames used for actual competition (HP Rifle, F-class, BR), not the scrap wood frames at public ranges designed to be shot up by the general membership during the run-up to deer season.

But at places like camp perry, they have figured out a permanent setup for these?

I have not been since they had started using them. I ask because someday, I hope to have my own private range. And with that, a small sheltered (via roof) target area with electronic targets. Maybe this isnt possible? Not the end of the world. I can walk like a regular human if I must!

 

[F Class John]

I can tell you the Dead Zero where the V2 finale was held for a few years has something like 100 permanent frames on solar panels that they never pull down. They have 10 or more frames per distance from 100 to 1000 at various distances from the firing line. Their sensors are screwed into the boards (no magnets).
Here's a video showing the range and how they have them set up (go to 22:40)

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am a fan and have my own ShotMarker .
Over the last two years shooting Matches on them I have been troubled.
I have shot on a couple Ranges with 12-17 Targets.
For one reason or another I end up on the low end .
There is always a Target problem..
It has made the choice to shot become negative.

I have a thought it is after market cables being used .
My Venting

 

[Fire Dog]

I've shot on both Shot Marker and Hexta systems on two different ranges and can tell you that the Hexta works in a downpour...
Saying that, the targets are removed from the vertical frames and stored as are the Shot Marker frames.
I've never been on a ShotMarker system aside from blazing sun so I don't know how they go in a serious rain.

Here is an interesting comparison to two systems that are used at formal levels of competition.

https://www.readerange.org/annual/2017/Testreportaccuracy12Jul2017.pdf

One of them the Hexta system from Australia and the other one is SMT from Canada.
I personally like the Hexta system while shooting as it is giving me instant feed back on shots and I can review my targets over the months and years as well see accumulation of shots {sort of like they do on tennis matches when they show you a superimposed image of where the balls have landed on the court}
The Shot Marker has the advantage of being more affordable to the average individual and is very portable with only having to carry and attach the sensors to whatever frame you might be using rather than a dedicated target frame with the Hexta.
I would set up ShotMarker on a dedicated laptop if I owned the system and put it in an open faced cover box {as we do for the Hexta} so that you can see the screen in the sunlight while on the mound...
Trying to see the Shot Marker on a mobile phone is just about worthless, especially in the sun!
Here is a link to Hexta being used: