Anyone Tried This?

[gamename]

This looks like a really cool gizmo for indoor practice. Anyone played with it?

http://www.jarheadtop.com/beamhit.html

TIA,
-T

[chiefcrash]

i will say it's an interesting idea. However, it has limited uses: the people i can see taking advantage of it are people in a location where it's too difficult to get to a range with any frequency and people who have a problem anticipating recoil.

It's expensive: $337 minimum. If you have different calibers (9mm, .40, and .45 for example) you have to buy more equipment. Rifle equipment is even more expensive.

It robs you of recoil, which is important. Being able to fire an accurate shot, then get back on target for a follow up shot is pretty essential.

honestly, this thing offers little more benefit over regular dry-fire practice...

[m1371]

Looks like a dinky, portable, scaled-down version of the ISMT trainer the Corps used to have.

I'd have to disagree with chiefcrash on the point about it offering little more benefit over regular dry-fire practice.

For either a beginning shooter or a remedial shooter it would give immediate feedback after pressing the trigger and also allow the instructor to evaluate exactly what the shooter is doing right up until they press the trigger.

The lack of recoil would let the shooter focus on the core skills rather than having the anticipation of the recoil in the back of their mind.

Lot more benefit than just dry-fire drills, IMO.

Something like this would probably be suited for someone doing full-time firearms instruction, especially one-on-one type teaching.

[ocabj]

The primary use of this is to analyze your point of aim and the time you pull the trigger. Dry firing is a good method of practice, but this is better because it gives you feedback so you know if you were actually on target when you pulled the trigger.

Depending on how good the system is, it should also give you data on where your muzzle was pointing in the time after you pulled the trigger to ensure proper follow through.

There are better systems out there that cost a few thousand that provide even more feedback, like actually recording the pattern in which your muzzle moves. This is a great way to analyze how you are controlling your wobble and if you are properly pulling the trigger with your wobble.

I've only heard of the more advanced (and expensive) systems being used by NRA highpower, smallbore, and Olympic class air rifle shooters.

[ts]

No recoil, no practice on follow up shots, over priced, waste of money - there is a similar product out there they actually has recoil... it was on this forum.

[ocabj]

Here's the one I would get if I had the money:

http://www.scatt.com/

http://www.centershot.com/scattinfo.htm

I don't know why you guys make a big deal about recoil simulation. I guess you want this for action pistol shooting? It's more suited for position style shooting (ie: NRA/CMP highpower and smallbore/air rifle; CMP EIC Pistol), not for action pistol. When you're shooting a string of 10 rounds in 10 minutes, or 22 in 22 minutes, fast follow up shots aren't a concern.

Plus, I think you guys are failing to see that these devices help you to practice calling your shot, which simple dry firing cannot do.

Anyway, I'd love to have the SCATT system to practice my offhand more effectively at home. But for the $1300 the SCATT goes for, it looks like I'll be sticking to my standard dry firing and hold drills.

[DV8]

I'd just spend the money on ammo and range time.

[chiefcrash]

Looks like a dinky, portable, scaled-down version of the ISMT trainer the Corps used to have.

I'd have to disagree with chiefcrash on the point about it offering little more benefit over regular dry-fire practice.

For either a beginning shooter or a remedial shooter it would give immediate feedback after pressing the trigger and also allow the instructor to evaluate exactly what the shooter is doing right up until they press the trigger.

The lack of recoil would let the shooter focus on the core skills rather than having the anticipation of the recoil in the back of their mind.

Lot more benefit than just dry-fire drills, IMO.

Something like this would probably be suited for someone doing full-time firearms instruction, especially one-on-one type teaching.

In a full-time firearms instruction, I'd agree with you. I was looking at this as more of a personal home use kind of way (hey, it's early, give me a break).

[zyl8tr]

Wow, i'd take that over a PS3 anyday.

[m1371]

In a full-time firearms instruction, I'd agree with you. I was looking at this as more of a personal home use kind of way (hey, it's early, give me a break).

That's really where I can see this being marketed, can't really see just any Joe off the street buying it. At least that's my angle.

Probably previous exposure to the military kits that have me thinking that. I never really thought too much of the ISMT (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer) kits until I actually tried it.

Usually the only Marines who got sent to the ISMT were the guys who were shooting like crap and need remedial time with the range coaches. But put a good shooter on the computer, where the coach can see every minute detail of what's going on AND be able to replay it for eval..... Now that really opened my eyes to the potential of it.

Quick seastory from way back in the day to illustrate my point:

We used to do a week of dry-firing ("Grass Week") prior to heading out to the rifle range. Damn near everybody tried to get out of snapping in, regardless of who they were. Dry firing is all fine and dandy for getting you re-acquainted with the various firing positions, but there's zilch in regards to feedback on what you're doing. You wouldn't find out if your technique sucked until you actually hit the range, and for some guys that would be too late.

Had one guy in my squad who truly sucked @$$ with the rifle, so off to the ISMT he went. There was no way I was going to have one of MY guys go "unq" (unqualified) on the range. As a way to support him, the whole squad went and got some ISMT time.

There was a crusty old Marine warrant officer (a grunt "Gunner") at the ISMT section who started ripping on me, saying I was a crappy shot.

Now I was a multiple award Expert, mind you. No WAY is this old geezer going to talk smack about my shooting.

Whoops.....

About thirty minutes on the computer with him and he proved to me that in reality I WAS a crappy shot.

After that bit of reality, me and the boys spent every single day at the trainer for at least an hour (if not more). The morale was higher than when they were all sitting outside in a semi-circle sighting in on a barrel with a target painted on it.

My range score the following week jumped about 10 points and the rest of my squad qualified Expert 100% across the board. Including my PFC who the previous week was having trouble hitting the broad side of a barn.

From that point on, every chance I had my guys were at the ISMT trainer. Rifle, pistol, machine guns, grenade launchers, whatever was available.

A lot of folks thought I was nuts, but I saw the potential the system had for fine-tuning the little stuff.

[NwG]

I have a problem with this..

A untrained shooter who uses this thing is going to focus on the little dot on the screen... Not his front sight. Same thing I see with novice shooters and lasers. You get some kind of sight input down range and your ability to use irons flys out the window.. Always looking for the down range input first.. Wasteing time when you should be on the irons.

IMO...