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Comparison of clay shooting simulator systems
We are aware of three PC-based and two non-PC based clay shooting simulation systems.
Note: simulation systems are not the same as those simple laser inserts that you place in your muzzle to help with gun fit etc.
Information, comments, additions and corrections please
We have tried to be scrupulously fair in the comparison below.
However, we have not had a chance to use all the systems so we have been unable to answer some questions and we may have made errors.
Please contact us if you have corrections, or further information, and we will update the table.
Web site addresses and background
We have provided brief details of the systems, and links to their web sites, after the table below.
The comparison
Key: DF=DryFire, LC=Laser Clays, MM=Marksman, LS=LaserShot, AL=Arrow Laserfire, NA= Not Applicable
Prices are in GBP (UK pounds - shown in black) and approximate US dollar equivalents (shown in red @ 1.00 GBP = 2.00 USD).
Price include everything you need except the computer in the case of PC-based systems.
| Description |
DF |
LC |
MM |
LS |
AL |
| Is it PC-based? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Is it designed to be used with your own shotgun (12g, 20g, 28g)? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
? |
Yes |
| Does it allow you to select any type of cartridge? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
? |
No |
| Does it allow you to select any type of chokes in each barrel? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
? |
No |
| Does it allow you to define Point Of Impact (POI) settings for each barrel? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it provide a pattern/test plate option to calibrate and check your shotgun? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it support rifle and pistol practice? |
No (6) |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Is the gun hard-wired to the computer systems thus reducing freedom of movement? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it support all shooting disciplines: trap, skeet, sporting, FITASC? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Does it support Olympic trap singles with all 9 ISSF setting tables? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it support Olympic trap doubles and Olympic skeet based on ISSF rules? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it support ATA 16 yard singles, handicap singles and doubles based on ATA rules? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
? |
| Does it support ABT, DTL, English Skeet and American Skeet based on national rules? |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Does it support Universal Trench with all 10 setting tables? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Does it support "fun" layouts such as starshoot, duck shoot and target practice? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Does it support a full swing for wide crossers: -60 degrees to +60 degrees? |
Yes |
No |
Yes (1) |
No |
? |
| Does it require the same swing angle, the same swing speed and the same amount of lead as a real clay target? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
? |
? |
| Does it support high or overhead shots - like towers? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
| Does it support very low shots - like rabbits? |
Yes |
No |
Yes (1) |
Yes (1) |
? |
| Does it provide a full range of sporting targets: crossers, walk-up, driven, quartering, teal, tower, rabbit etc.? |
Yes |
No |
Yes (1) |
Yes (1) |
? |
| Does it provide detailed feedback on every shot - how much above, below, ahead or behind? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Does it provide a 3D representation of your shot string in relation to the clay? |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Does it operate in both metric and imperial measurements? |
Yes |
No |
No |
? |
No |
| Does it support singles, simultaneous doubles and on-report doubles? |
Yes |
No |
Yes (7) |
? |
No |
| Does it allow you to create your own sporting and FITASC layouts? |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes (2) |
No |
| Does it work in any room with a wall of 10 feet or more in width? |
Yes |
Yes (3) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Was if originally designed as an entertainment system? |
No |
Yes (4) |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Was if specifically designed to provide accurate practice in the shooter's home? |
Yes |
No |
Yes (5) |
Yes |
? |
| Does it require an expensive PC data projector? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Can it provide a background display using a PC data projector if you have one? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Does it provide detailed scenic backgrounds projected in front of you? |
No (5) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Could you use it with a slide projector and a slide of your own shooting ground as background? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Does it work with any version of Windows (98SE, ME, 2000, NT, XP)? |
Yes |
? |
NA |
? |
NA |
| Does it work with desktop and notebook PCs? |
Yes |
NA |
NA |
? |
NA |
| Will it work with a very low cost, older, pre-used (second-hand) PC? |
Yes |
? |
NA |
? |
NA |
How much does it cost (hardware and software) ready to use - excluding the cost of a PC?
(Excluding taxes. Currency conversions are approximate.) |
490
980 |
20,000
40,000+ |
15,000
30,000+ |
1,000
2,000+ |
300
600+ |
Notes:
- Targets are restricted to those which can be projected by a PC data projector onto a screen. Wide, low and high targets are not possible.
- We are not yet sure how detailed this is.
- Laser Clays is primarily for group use outdoors or indoors using a very large screen.
- It is therefore not really fair to compare Laser Clays with a serious clay shooting training system - it was designed for fun and it is fun!
- DryFire could be used with a PC data projector, a slide projector or a painted layout such as that sold by our US distributor.
However, we do not recommend any background since we prefer to focus on the three most important things in clay shooting (according to George Digweed) - "the target, the target and the target!"
- DryFire is dedicated to clay shooting practice - but there is a "target practice" option for some friendly competition!
- Skeet and double trap include simultaneous doubles.
Web site addresses and background
Laser Clays (Non-PC system)
www.matthews-leisure.co.uk/shooting.htm
Laser Clays is available in outdoor and indoor versions, it is fantastic fun and well worth having a go.
We are not sure who manufactures this system so the web site address is an operator.
Laser Clays was designed as an entertainment system for outdoor and indoor fun during corporate events etc. It does not really pretend to be a serious clay shooting training aid since it does not use your own gun and requires you to shoot directly at the target. It is an expensive system (we have not been able to find the price) and is primarily purchased by companies who rent it out on a daily basis.
Marksman ST2 (PC system)
www.marksman.se
This is a "Rolls Royce" of a system designed by a company in the aero space industry. It is fantastically engineered and can provide a wide range of targets though its primary purpose was to provide hunting simulation.
The system is very expensive (we have been unable to get an exact price) and is the sort of thing that might be purchased by major national shooting organisations
Like all screen-based systems, Marksman is restricted to those targets that will fit on a screen but in its largest implementation several screens can be used - including ones to the side of the shooter!
Laser Shot (PC system)
www.lasershot.com
Laser Shot is primarily software based using a PC data projector to project a software generated image onto a screen and a webcam to detect fall of shot.
Laser Shot is restricted to those targets that fit on a screen - hunting, trap and some sporting. Wide crossers and high shots cannot be taken.
Arrow Laser Shot (Non-PC system)
www.arrowlasershot.com
This should not be confused with Laser Shot above.
The ALS Laserfire and ALS Laserfire Lead project a moving laser on the wall to simulate the clay and, in the case of the ALS Laserfire Lead, a second laser to show the required point of aim allowing for lead.
You require an the Arrow Laser Shot muzzle insert and an ALS Laserfire to shoot at moving targets.
DryFire (PC system)
www.dryfire.com
Obviously this site contains everything you could possibly want to know about DryFire but the key factors are:
- Designed, and priced, for use in your home.
- All software, firmware and hardware designed and developed by DryFire.
- Designed for use with your gun, your cartridges and your chokes.
- Designed to support all clay targets - including wide crossers and overhead shots.
- Dedicated to clay shooting training/practice rather than entertainment.
- A unique, and patented, system where the specially designed camera tracks the laser target generator in flight - allowing unrestricted target trajectories and speeds followed by detailed feedback on fall of shot with due allowance for lead required etc.
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