Friday, May 10, 2013

Moving Target, controlled remotely

Shooting Wire:
The Target Is Moving (T.I.M.™) line of electronic target systems features a compact, portable target base which features an interlocking cardboard target. The T.I.M. system offers several operating modes with adjustable speeds and can operate in a 360 degree fashion. With the optional remote control users can control a single target or multitude of targets wirelessly. The system runs for hours on rechargeable AA batteries for ease of use and maximum uptime. Because the target surfaces are cardboard the system is safe to operate at indoor ranges as well as outdoor. T.I.M. can also be deployed in the classroom as a dry fire training or instruction tool.

The T.I.M. target looks good for an indoor training aid.  The target system comes with light-weight cardboard targets on a LOOOOOOOONG arm.  I noticed that in their demonstration video  they have an IPSC "Metric" target propped up in the background.  This suggests that the system WILL handle the bulk and weight of the large cardboard target ... but even though it looks like a fun addition to the variety of shooting challenges presented in IPSC matches, I'm unconvinced that such a small unit can be useful in a competitive environment.

Picture sixty or more competitors running through the stage in a few hours in a hot Summer day.  Worse, during rainy weather (and we have enough of them here) will it function even when wet?

I'm ... not sure.  So I answered their "Contact Us" website page and asked for more information on these and other questions.

At $500 per unit (including remote controller), they're going to have to prove that they're reliable AND durable before any club is going to risk the expense ... even though they do have a free "loaner' program for certified instructors.

My best guess?

The mechanism looks pretty good for indoor training ... but who (other than, perhaps, LEO trainers) is going to put up that kind of money for a pretty toy?

Despite my pessimism, it may be that the manufacturers could use this question to advance development of something that IS applicable to competition.

The first thing is .. we build a very strong shield so I can't hit the motor!

Here's the video:



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

For people that can afford $2500 for a single game gun, a $500 target is nothing.