How To Use Ball Coach Pocket Radar

The Pocket Radar Smart Passenger vehicle

To improve something, measure it.

This uncomplicated rule guides our metric-driven arroyo, whether measuring strength, bar-speed, macronutrients, body limerick, or velocity. So much and then, that radar gun access is actually a requirement for athletes that train remotely with usa.

The gold standard for baseball radar guns are still considered the Stalker Pro 2 ($1,199+) and the Stalker Sport 2 ($499+). Nosotros generally recommend the Sport 2 for coaches and athletes because it has no discernible difference in accuracy under normal training conditions.

We were excited to put the Smart Motorbus (listed at $399) through rigorous testing of our ain, hopeful to be able to recommend a less expensive option to our athletes.

The Pocket Radar is as compact as the name suggests. Measuring in at around the size of most cell phones, information technology's much easier to carry effectually than the briefcase-sized Stalker Sport 2 carry case we besides own. Information technology comes with a prune-case, which I've plant to exist useful both for protection and for clipping to your belt or waistband.

Even without the instance, though, the Smart Motorcoach appears near indestructible. I've dropped it on turf, grass and fifty-fifty one time on concrete without whatever issues also a minor scuff (although I wouldn't recommend testing this). Contrast this to the time I dropped my Stalker Sport 2 on concrete and spent 3 weeks waiting to accept it recalibrated and repaired by Stalker after it began reading erratically.

The tradeoff here is that the Smart Coach lacks the typical butt seen on other radar guns, affecting both the effective distance (rated to 120′ rather than the 300-500 anxiety for Stalker models*) and aiming of the device (imagine aiming a pistol that didn't have a butt – you'd have to be fairly close to ensure the correct angle). However, these drawbacks are negligible. For scouts, information technology still makes sense to stick to the clunky—albeit longer range—Stalker models.

*While I can really pick up readings at 100-120 anxiety from a Pocket Radar, in my experience information technology's near impossible to get readings with even a Stalker Pro Two past well-nigh 200-250 feet, then these listed ranges are a chip exaggerated for practical purposes. With either gun, though, staying between xv and xc feet from ball release is a proficient guideline for authentic readings.

Design rating: 8/ten

This is past far the nigh important aspect of whatever radar gun. I hesitate to put the Smart Coach in the "budget" radar gun category, as information technology's more of a mid-range pick. Still, it's past far the least expensive choice that can reliably concur its own against higher stop models similar the Stalker Pro Ii.

The Smart Coach does not display velocities to the nearest tenth similar higher-terminate radar guns, but this is expert enough for just nigh any trainee or passenger vehicle, especially considering that even two Stalker guns will only read inside about 0.v-1.0 mph of each other when placed side-past-side. The Smart Coach was consistently with +/- 1 mph of both the Stalker Pro Two and Stalker Sport 2, which held for:

- v oz baseballs
- 3 to 32 oz Plyocare balls (both Driveline and Tap)
- 3 to ix oz weighted balls (Driveline, Markwort, Prime number and other brands)
- two to eight lb medicine brawl throws (note, the Ball Coach reads velocities from 25 to 130 mph, so medball throws below the threshold won't read. Stalker guns can be set to pick up every bit low as 15 mph throws).

Beneath is some footage of the Ball Coach (a previous iteration of the Smart Coach) in action, compared to both a Stalker Pro II and a Sport 2:

Kyle, 14 oz TAP Plyocare – Pocket Radar vs. Stalker Pro II

Kyle pitcher – Pocket Radar vs. Stalker Sport 2

As you can run across, it's pretty authentic. A couple things to remember in order to get such consequent readings:

- Hold it very steady (nosotros recommend using a tripod) and aim directly at release betoken.
- For manual readings, push the gray button a 2d or two prior to the pitch. If you button the push button too late information technology may not pick up the pitch until information technology'southward already half manner to home plate, which will event in a slower reading.
- Stand between fifteen and 90 feet from release signal.
- Make sure the batteries are relatively fresh (I haven't seen this screw up readings, but just do information technology to be safety).

For what it is (a mid-range training device), the Pocket Radar is as accurate as they come, and it'south thesimply mid-range or upkeep radar device I recommend to my athletes. While the disability to display tenths makes the Smart Coach more user friendly for lower-level athletes, it is the just reason I can't give it a perfect rating on this section.

Accurateness rating: eight/10

The Smart Passenger vehicle offered a major upgrade from the Brawl Motorbus (which was already a tool we reviewed quite favorably), adding compatibility with the Pocket Radar app. In addition to app (which we'll get into later), it also has a lot of the essentials:

- Tripod uniform (must take a modest attachment which can exist purchased hither or on amazon for a few bucks.
- Hold & Aim or Continuous Mode (the former conserves bombardment, while the latter is adept for training solo).
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries (NiMH rechargeables volition go up to 2 hours on automated mode, and a couple thousand holds on regular way).
- Range up to 120 feet.
- Measures from 25 to 130 mph speed to within +/- i mph.
- Can store and retrieve the most contempo 25 readings (important when training solo and/or without the app).
- Can switch displayed units between MPH and KPH.
- Pocket Radar Smart Display LED board connectivity (Pocket Radar'south board is listed at $499, and so using the Pocket Radar app on an iPad might be a more cost-constructive manner of mimicking a velo board, although this will likely foreclose you from integrating the video feature during the session depending on your set-up).

Again, the most notable feature itdoesn't have is the ability to display to the nearest tenth of a mile per hour.

For more information, you tin bank check out the total specifications at Pocket Radar's website.

Features rating: 8/ten

The Pocket Radar app takes the Smart Omnibus to the next level. The app can be used to only brandish velocities on your phone or iPad screen or to record video and postage stamp the velocity on each clip. Even when using the video function, the app offers the choice to read out each velocity on your device, fugitive the need to constantly check each reading. Getting instant feedback—especially while grooming alone—is both helpful for loftier-output velocity days and as an automobile-regulatory tool on depression- or medium-intensity sessions.

Car Edit Mode is an incredibly useful feature that automatically clips the video around each velocity reading. Each video is trimmed to 8 seconds, and includes 6 seconds pre- and 2 seconds mail service-reading to ensure the full delivery is captured.

Pocket Radar Auto Edit Clip

In addition to taking velocity readings and integrating the video feature, the Pocket Radar app as well offers a "History" tab that houses each reading the gun takes, and organizes them all by twenty-four hours. On superlative of that, every reading's video prune (assuming you utilize the Auto Edit Mode) is directly attainable next to its velocity. This is a huge tool that makes comparing footage incredibly easy, as yous tin can immediately pull up the videos yous want to investigate.

Overall, the Pocket Radar app has been a game changer for a lot of our guys. In addition to its features, information technology is incredibly like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize, and I've never had whatever issues connecting the Smart Motorbus to my phone inside seconds.

App rating: ten/10

Radar guns aren't cheap, but theSmart Bus ($399) is the least expensive reliable radar gun on the marketplace by over $100. For private athletes or budget-conscious coaches, this is an splendid option. There really isn't much else to say – it does exactly what it advertises, and comes in at a competitive price betoken. Especially with the addition of the Pocket Radar app, this Smart Jitney is an incredible tool.

*The Pocket Radar Ball Bus is substantially the Smart Coach without app connectivity capability. Depending on your state of affairs (whether you lot train solo, want integrated video, etc.), information technology might be some other solid option, and is $200+ cheaper than the next reliable radar gun. In my opinion, though, the benefits of the Pocket Radar app justify the extra $100 price tag on the Smart Coach.

Value Rating: 10/ten

Nosotros received our unit in 3 business days, and our email questions were all answered promptly (many of our athletes have reported similar experiences). We were also able to speak on the phone with their reps on a couple occasions to ask questions about the technology. Add to that a two-year warranty and Pocket Radar's customer service has earned a thumbs up. Could it be better? I'chiliad certain, merely I can't think of annihilation I would have inverse.

Back up rating: 9/ten

How sure are we of the Pocket Radar's accuracy? Let'south put it this way – we've been accepting velocity submissions to our record lath that were measured with both the Ball Jitney and Smart Coach (not to mention the fact that a number of our athletes have been recruited off of their Pocket Radar app footage).

As a metric-driven company, devices similar the Pocket Radar Smart Coach are critical to the sustained success of our athletes from a velo-building perspective. Instant feedback is vital to developing and engraining more efficient movement patterns to ultimately fissure into the next tier of performance.

Is the Smart Coach perfect? No, butit does exactly what information technology advertises – and does it well. Higher-end users with the upkeep should still go Stalker (as brutal as their customer service and prices are), merely only near everyone else volition practise perfectly fine with a Smart Coach.

To save 10% on a Pocket Radar Smart Coach, electronic mail united states for a Coupon Code at contact@treadathletics.com

The Pocket Radar is available for purchase on Pocket Radar's website.