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EnglishWhat is Competition Electronics Inc.?
Updated
Competition Electronics Inc. is a Rockford, Illinois manufacturer that has been building shot timers and ballistic chronographs since 1982. Its products are aimed at competitive shooters and reloaders who need to measure draw times, split times, and bullet velocity. Every unit is assembled by hand in Illinois, and the company positions its gear as affordable, serviceable, and built to last.
What the company makes
Competition Electronics focuses on two product categories:
- Shot timers — used in training and competition to record the time between the start signal and each shot, plus split times between shots.
- Ballistic chronographs — used by reloaders and shooters to measure projectile velocity.
Both lines share a design philosophy stated on the company's site: hand assembly in Illinois, repairability, and long service life rather than disposable electronics.
Current product lineup
The site lists four popular products, all sold by phone order ("Call to order") rather than through an online cart:
| Product | Category | Key features | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProTimer BT | Shot timer | Bluetooth, 50-string time-stamped memory | $167.95 |
| ProTimer | Shot timer | Hit factor scoring, 50-string memory, no Bluetooth | $137.95 |
| ProChrono DLX | Chronograph | Built-in Bluetooth, ±0.5% accuracy | $139.95 |
| ProChrono LTD | Chronograph | Same features and accuracy as DLX, no Bluetooth | $119.95 |
The pattern is straightforward: the BT/DLX versions add Bluetooth connectivity, while the base ProTimer and ProChrono LTD keep the same core measurement capability at a lower price. If you don't need to sync data to a phone or app, the non-Bluetooth models cover the same measurement tasks.
Firmware and app support
Competition Electronics supports its Bluetooth-equipped timers through the PTLink app. A recent firmware update adds a countdown mode: pressing start runs the display backwards from your selected par time in real time. The update is free and is applied through the app.
This matters if you train with par times — the countdown gives you a visual pacing cue instead of only a start and stop beep.
Accessories and add-ons
- DAA CE ProTimer silicone skin — $14.95, or free with any ProTimer or ProTimer BT. The site notes it is available only when purchased from Competition Electronics.
- Dealers & Distributors, Repairs & Returns, and a Video Library are linked from the site's quick links, which suggests the company supports both direct customers and a dealer network.
Who it's for
The company's own framing is explicit: its customers are competitive shooters and reloaders. Sponsored shooters quoted on the site — Todd Jarrett, Randi Rogers, and Evil Roy — are national and world champions across action shooting and cowboy action disciplines. The common thread in their statements is using a shot timer as a training feedback tool to improve scores.
If you fall into one of these groups, the lineup maps cleanly:
- Competitive shooters who train with a timer and want string-by-string data → ProTimer BT or ProTimer.
- Reloaders working up loads and checking velocity → ProChrono DLX or ProChrono LTD.
- Buyers who want US-made, repairable electronics rather than the cheapest import → the whole catalog fits, with the caveat that ordering is by phone.
Practical notes before buying
- Ordering is by phone. Every product listing says "Call to order," so plan for a phone call rather than a checkout page.
- Bluetooth is the main price differentiator. Decide whether app sync and firmware updates (like the countdown mode) are worth the roughly $20–$28 premium.
- The free skin offer is conditional. It applies with any ProTimer or ProTimer BT purchase, but only when bought directly from Competition Electronics — not through a dealer.
- Serviceability is part of the pitch. For a device you'll use for years at the range, repairability and a US service path may matter more than the sticker price.