Rank Amateur
Gold $$ Contributor
There have been several threads relating to ShotMarker, and others have complimented Adam (@adamjmac) for his products and his customer service, but I'm piling on.
Contrary to what we all often experience as normal "Customer Service" today, Adam ALWAYS responds to queries about his products within a day or so, and the information he supplies actually answers questions. As an example, we've recently set up a ShotMarker system at our range and wanted to do a quick & dirty test of target function before a match. We routinely do the "tap test", but wanted to also confirm that each frame would detect an actual projectile. I understood that ShotMarker would pick up rounds as long as they are supersonic. We tried firing HV .22LR rounds and +p 9mm rounds from pistols held about 10 feet from the target faces, and the system didn't detect anything. 5.56 from an AR triggered the system (from the same distance) every time. I emailed Adam to ask whether this is normal, and he replied the next morning. I sent Adam a thank you message, not expecting any followup, but he responded the next morning anyway with MORE useful info. I have ShotMarkers and an AT v4, and will be a loyal customer for Adam for the foreseeable future.
Then, the info Adam supplied may be useful for other ShotMarker users. Projectiles need to pass the ShotMarker sensors at 1.03 Mach or better for detection. At our range's elevation, that would be roughly 1150 FPS. Both of the pistol rounds would be very close to that threshold, even when fired from only 10 feet, so wouldn't be reliable to test the system despite being supersonic. I had discussed pistol testing with other ShotMarker users prior to this and all of them believed that supersonic .22LR and 9mm rounds would be plenty adequate. Adam coached that "the shockwave is very flat at low velocity and it needs more distance to form." The size of the target is also relevant (smaller may pick up the shockwave from closer range, slower rounds). My personal frame is less than 3' square and the pistol rounds weren't detected on either it nor the larger frames from the range. Both reliably detected 55gr 5.56 rounds fired from 10 feet. Finally, Adam added advice that when testing targets, put the rounds through the target away from the target center. If the sensors are miswired, a round hitting in the center of the target will still be shown in the center. If aimed off-center, you will be able to confirm that the system shows the impact in the correct quadrant as well. Hope some of this info saves other users some time.
Again, primarily just piling on, but having manufacturers/innovators who are both producing good products for our sport(s) AND are highly customer focused is appreciated and should serve as a model to the industry. Kudos Adam!
Contrary to what we all often experience as normal "Customer Service" today, Adam ALWAYS responds to queries about his products within a day or so, and the information he supplies actually answers questions. As an example, we've recently set up a ShotMarker system at our range and wanted to do a quick & dirty test of target function before a match. We routinely do the "tap test", but wanted to also confirm that each frame would detect an actual projectile. I understood that ShotMarker would pick up rounds as long as they are supersonic. We tried firing HV .22LR rounds and +p 9mm rounds from pistols held about 10 feet from the target faces, and the system didn't detect anything. 5.56 from an AR triggered the system (from the same distance) every time. I emailed Adam to ask whether this is normal, and he replied the next morning. I sent Adam a thank you message, not expecting any followup, but he responded the next morning anyway with MORE useful info. I have ShotMarkers and an AT v4, and will be a loyal customer for Adam for the foreseeable future.
Then, the info Adam supplied may be useful for other ShotMarker users. Projectiles need to pass the ShotMarker sensors at 1.03 Mach or better for detection. At our range's elevation, that would be roughly 1150 FPS. Both of the pistol rounds would be very close to that threshold, even when fired from only 10 feet, so wouldn't be reliable to test the system despite being supersonic. I had discussed pistol testing with other ShotMarker users prior to this and all of them believed that supersonic .22LR and 9mm rounds would be plenty adequate. Adam coached that "the shockwave is very flat at low velocity and it needs more distance to form." The size of the target is also relevant (smaller may pick up the shockwave from closer range, slower rounds). My personal frame is less than 3' square and the pistol rounds weren't detected on either it nor the larger frames from the range. Both reliably detected 55gr 5.56 rounds fired from 10 feet. Finally, Adam added advice that when testing targets, put the rounds through the target away from the target center. If the sensors are miswired, a round hitting in the center of the target will still be shown in the center. If aimed off-center, you will be able to confirm that the system shows the impact in the correct quadrant as well. Hope some of this info saves other users some time.
Again, primarily just piling on, but having manufacturers/innovators who are both producing good products for our sport(s) AND are highly customer focused is appreciated and should serve as a model to the industry. Kudos Adam!
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