Electronic Target Systems — Seeing is Believing
We live in a digital, electronic era. The very story you’re reading right now consists of digital data packets transmitted electronically around the globe. Because of cost factors, 99+% of shooting matches in the USA still rely on old-fashioned manual scoring methods. However, target scoring can be done faster and more precisely with electronic scoring systems. Olympic and international CISM shooting competitions now employ electronic target systems. And electronic scoring is widely used in Europe already.
Below is a video showing an electronic scoring system developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Mikroelektronikk AS. Watch as a prone shooter puts five rounds on a 300m target. You can see the group form on the video screen at his shooting station. He’s a good shooter (with an accurate rifle). The first three shots are touching.
As you can see from the video, viewing shots on the monitor is easier than using a spotting scope and waiting for targets to be marked. The electronic target eliminates the need for a crew of target pullers in the pits. Click on the image to go to our VIDEO VAULT page. The electronic scoring video is the first item in the menu.
The Kongsberg system, like the electronic systems produced by Sius Ascor of Switzerland, do more than just display shot locations to the shooter. The target units automatically calculate scores, which are transmitted to a central computer. This can provide updated competitor rankings, and can even display the results to event spectators on large view screens.
CLICK HERE for a longer streaming Flash VIDEO showing how electronic target systems work.
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Tags: Electronic, Olympics, Target
1) Spotting scopes are still required to read the wind and mirage, especially when ranges exceed 300 metres.
2) Cost of electronic target system acquisition and installation increases considerably for long range applications.
3) Electronic infrastructure for targets may need to be hardened to prevent electronic and electrical interference when ranges are located close to communication transmission towers, radar stations etc.,
4) Electronic targets that rely exclusively on accoustic target scoring may suffer from accoustic interference when shots are fired in quick succession in multiple shooting lanes resulting in false scores being recorded.
I’ve had the pleasure of using these targets. The Kongsberg is of my experience vastly more user friendly than Sius ascor.
Comment to the comments;
2)I believe you cold just have moved yourself or the target to about 1000 meter without any kind of adjustments with this system. The one they use here comes as wireless..
People have been shooting these to 1200 meters, the range being limited by the rifles. You can virtually place the target where you’d like.
3) The Kongsberg company could probably answer how sensitive the system is to interference.
However I have rarely seen any shooting ranges even remotely close to radars.. Normal high voltage cabling in sensible distances does not seem to be a problem.
4) I have seen print outs from MG-3’s fired in bursts at this target type, as well as 50 bmg.
That’s pretty quick succession.
And when fixed shooting lanes are used, as in the “landsskytterstevne” (national shooting competition) I’m pretty certain the results are correctly measured. Otherwise this system would not have been used.
From my own experience however I can tell you that is usual to place a hardened steel plate in front of the lower part of the target to protect it from poor shot placement when using it for long range shooting.
I for one find this system fantastic for long range shooting. No need for people in the pit, you don’t even need a pit. No need to move back and forth to the targets more than once every shooting day.
Instant shot placement on screen.
I have no connection to the company, other than nationality.
– And I forgot to say that if you have a sufficiently rugged PC you can cut costs by using that instead of using the monitor pictured. (by use of plug in card with antennae and software).
Comments on comments etc.,
1) Not all electronic targeting systems are born the same. Not all non-goverment long range rifle ranges around the world have $100,000+ to invest in electronic targeting systems and the associated infrastructure until costs drop dramatically and reliability improves.
2) You cannot place the target(s) where you like due to safety zone templates mandated by range design regulations. This applies especially to ranges near urban areas where land use patterns may compromise the aspect of the safety zone(s) requirements.
3) Military rifle ranges (MG 3, MAG 58 etc.,), around the world generally do not allow civilian competitons to take place on their land due to safety considerations, generally from UXOs, public liability implications and politics. There might be exceptions in Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and some US ranges. ie Camp Perry.
4) Government (military) ranges have the capitol infrastructure and technical support to address the concerns raised as they are part of the national defence of a country.
5) The advance in electronics and associated software will address the issues raised without a doubt. However, the current issues raised are real and occured during trials conducted over several years at various locations in varying climate conditions with a variety of electronic targeting systems.
I think the price/infrastructure bit is a bit off. Just about every club over here (even small ones/ little money) use electronic targets these days.
Tom, how many approved thousand meter ranges are there where you live?
Was it 1000 meters range that was in question? Didn’t catch that one, but as luck will have it’s 3 I think (as well as various 1200/800/600/500 ranges) that I have access to as a civilian. But the majority of the ranges are 100-300 meters. In Norway shooting is a very big sport.
Tom, yes, it was a 600 – 1000 meters. Three hundred meter ranges are not a problem with current electronic targets. I have been very fortunate to shoot on various 600 – 1000 meter target ranges in the past twenty years and test various trials electronic target systems. The results at longer ranges were less than satisfactory for various technical and environmental factors. The prices for potential permanent installation increased exponentially with range. The number of 1000 meter ranges in the Western world avaialable to civilian shooters number probably no more than fifty. The majority are in the Commonwealth countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, England and South Africa. The others are in the USA. I know of one in France, one in Germany (used almost exclusively by the military) and about four in Scandinavia. The electronic target market for long ranges is correspondingly small. Unless one is prepared to pay big dollars, no company is enthusiastic to seriously consider non-military electronic targets for long ranges for multiple shooting lanes due to the very small market. I do believe that electronic targets are the way of the future as technology improves. F-Class, Palma and Fullbore shooting disciplines are gradually heading in that direction.
Tom, a civilian club at Swanbourne Rifle Range in Western Australia installed Kongsberg electronic target for ranges of 300-1000 yards. Two different sized targets are used the 1800 x 1800 mm is used for 300 to 600 yards and a 1800 x 3000 mm is used on the long-ranges 700 – 1000 yards. The system is wireless and has proved to be extremely reliable and accurate. The whole system cost around $26,000.
Hi, I looking for an electronic shooting system for indoor air pistol range 10 meter.
Swanbourne WA, Have you more details on this system please.
A number of full bore rifle clubs in Australia have installed the Konsber system. If interested people wish to find out details i suggest that you contact the Western Australian Rifle Association for the Swanborne installation and the Victorian Rifle Association for contact personell at the Bendigo Rifle Club who also have installed this system. Both Associations can be contacted through ther websites.
Hi could you let me know how much one kongsberg electronic target system is worth. Are they the best system. We only have 4 targets at our range and to purchase one of these targets would be cheaper then digging the pit wider and stop butt.
Kind Regards
Greg Klopp
Secretary Maitland Rifle Club, South Australia
Hi, anyone knows who manufacture the Best indoor electronic shooting range for army use? Singapore army has one system, anyone know what brand + manufacturer? pls email me at nik_22t@hoitmail.com
Best regards
Nick
Ah Swanbourne Rifle Range – I used to pull targets there in my early teens
Hello: Anyone can tell me where I can get an electronic scoring system for a 25 m outdoor range for 9 mm and 5.56?
Thank you
Regards
Marice
Hi,
Could you send me the price of an Electronic Target Systems together to complete the shooting at 400 meters and cost targets. thank you
Hi,
Could you send me the price of an Electronic Target Systems together to complete the shooting at 10 &50 meters and cost targets. thank you
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