Best Shot Timers in 2026: Pocket Pro II, CED7000, AMG Commander Compared

You can't improve what you can't measure. A shot timer is the single most important training tool after ammo and targets. It tells you exactly how fast your draw is, how long your splits are, and whether that new grip technique actually made you faster or just felt faster. Every serious shooter owns one.

Here's every option from free phone apps to dedicated hardware timers, with real prices and the honest pros and cons of each.

Quick Comparison Table

Do You Really Need a Dedicated Timer?

For live fire: yes. Phone apps struggle to accurately detect gunshots in noisy range environments, especially with other shooters firing nearby. A dedicated timer has a calibrated microphone designed to pick up your shots specifically. The sensitivity adjustment lets you tune it to ignore the guy in the next lane.

For dry fire at home: a phone app works fine. In a quiet environment, apps like Dry Fire Par Timer (iOS) and Shot Timer (Android) can pick up the click of a dry fire trigger press reliably enough for practice.

1. Competition Electronics Pocket Pro II — Best Overall

The Pocket Pro II is the most widely used shot timer in competitive shooting. It's been the default recommendation for years, and for good reason: it's reliable, intuitive to use, has good sensitivity, and the review mode lets you scroll through each shot time after a string.

Key features:

• Adjustable par time (beeps at your target time)
• Adjustable start delay (instant, fixed, or random)
• Review mode to see individual split times
• Adjustable sensitivity to filter background noise
• Runs on a 9V battery (long life)

Pocket Pro II vs Pocket Pro CEI-4700: The CEI-4700 is the older model, sometimes found cheaper on the used market. It works but has a smaller display and slightly less refined interface. If you find one under $80, it's a solid budget buy.

2. CED7000 — Best Compact Timer

The CED7000 (Competition Electronics Digital 7000) is the smallest dedicated shot timer available. It's roughly the size of a pager and clips to your belt easily. Don't let the size fool you — it has the same core features as the Pocket Pro II: par time, review mode, adjustable sensitivity, and random start delay.

The CED7000 is popular in USPSA/IDPA competition because of its compact size and the optional CED7000RF upgrade that adds radio frequency connectivity for remote display. Range officers love it.

3. AMG Commander — Best Tech Integration

The AMG Lab Commander is the newest entrant in the timer market and brings modern features: Bluetooth connectivity, a companion smartphone app for tracking your training data over time, and a rechargeable battery (no more buying 9Vs).

The app integration is the real differentiator. You can log your drills, track improvement over weeks and months, and export your data. For data-driven shooters who want to quantify their training progress, the Commander is the best choice.

The sensitivity and accuracy are on par with the Pocket Pro II. Build quality is solid. The main downsides are that it's newer (less field-proven) and the app is still maturing.

4. PACT Club Timer III — Loudest Buzzer

The PACT Club Timer III has the loudest buzzer of any shot timer — which matters more than you'd think on a busy outdoor range with ear protection on. If you can't hear the start signal, you can't train effectively. The PACT is the choice for loud environments.

It's also a solid general-purpose timer with all the standard features. The interface is slightly less intuitive than the Pocket Pro II, but you'll figure it out in 10 minutes. PACT has been making timers for decades and the build quality reflects that experience.

Free Phone App Alternatives

If you're not ready to spend $100+ on a dedicated timer, these phone apps will get you started:

Limitations of phone apps: Phone microphones aren't calibrated for gunshot detection. On a busy range, they'll pick up other shooters' shots. In a quiet environment (dry fire, empty range), they work surprisingly well. Use them to get started, then upgrade to a dedicated timer when you're training regularly.

Key Features Explained

Par Time

A par time beep sounds at a preset interval after the start signal. Example: set a 2-second par time, and the timer beeps at GO, then beeps again at 2 seconds. You're trying to complete your drill before the second beep. This is the primary way to push your speed in training. Start slow, reduce the par time as you improve.

Split Times

The time between consecutive shots. If your first shot is at 1.2 seconds and your second at 1.5 seconds, your split is 0.3 seconds. Splits tell you how fast you're driving the gun between shots. Competitive shooters track splits obsessively.

Sensitivity Adjustment

Controls how loud a sound needs to be for the timer to register it as a shot. Turn it down (less sensitive) on busy ranges so it doesn't pick up your neighbor's shots. Turn it up (more sensitive) for suppressed shooting or dry fire.

Essential Drills to Run With a Timer

1. Draw to first shot: From concealment, draw and fire one shot at a 7-yard target. Good benchmark: under 2.0 seconds. Expert: under 1.5 seconds.
2. Bill Drill: 6 shots on a single target at 7 yards, from the draw. Measures draw speed + recoil management. Good: under 3.5 seconds. Expert: under 2.5 seconds.
3. Reload drill: Fire 1 shot, slide lock reload, fire 1 shot. Measures reload speed under pressure.
4. Failure drill (Mozambique): 2 shots to body, 1 to head at 7 yards. Good: under 3.0 seconds.

Track your times in a notebook or the AMG Commander app. You should see measurable improvement within a few sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a shot timer for dry fire?

Yes. Turn the sensitivity up and point the timer's microphone toward your gun. It will pick up the click of the trigger on most striker-fired pistols. Phone apps actually work best here since you're in a quiet environment.

Which timer do competition shooters use?

Most USPSA/IDPA matches use the Pocket Pro II or CED7000. Either is accepted at any match. If you plan to RO (Range Officer) at matches, the CED7000 is preferred for its small size when you're carrying it all day.

Is the AMG Commander reliable enough yet?

Yes. Early production had some firmware issues that have been resolved through updates. The current version is reliable for training. For official match timing, most clubs still use the Pocket Pro II or CED7000, but the AMG is fine for personal training.

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