Back in February I wrote about the need in the shooting sports to move towards realtime scoring where shooters can actually see how they compare against their fellow competitors at any point during the match. [Between The Berms: Olympic Lessons] Of course, this kind of system means investing in the technology that allows clubs to make the leap off of paper and into the pixels of the digital world. This past weekend I got to witness first-hand the difference between a club scoring on paper and one scoring electronically - and the differences are rather stark. On Saturday morning the IDPA club at the San Luis Obispo Sportsman Association (SLOSA) held its regular monthly match while that same evening the USPSA club held a night match.

Shooters gather for the briefing prior to the monthly IDPA match at the San Luis Obispo Sportsman Association's Hogue Range. Photo by P. Erhardt

The difference between the two, besides gear and course design, is that one used paper to score while the other used Nook tablets. The result for competitors was a match that is taking three to four days before finals scores are posted, and one where the final scores were available within minutes of entering the last shooter's scores. The bigger difference between the two clubs, however, is in philosophy and willingness to change with the availability of new technology. The USPSA club at SLOSA made the decision a month ago to use PractiScore, a free match management and scoring system for USPSA, ICORE, IDPA, 3-Gun and Steel Challenge matches, and invest in tablets and WiFi equipment to run more efficient matches. The time savings alone make it hard to argue with transitioning to a digital scoring system, especially when it means eliminating several hours (or even days) in the usual post-match workload.

The Hogue Range spans 14 bays and is in constant use by a variety of shooting disciplines. Photo by P. Erhardt

The IDPA club at SLOSA has chosen to forgo the new system and stick with one based in pen and paper with a time-consuming data input computer process following the match. Mark Salazar, match director for the USPSA night match, swears by PractiScore. He spearheaded the effort to move the SLOSA USPSA club over to the program, including sourcing the tablets used for scoring. The transition cost the club $1,365 for 24 Nook tablets (purchased on Amazon). Ranges can likely implement the system with a smaller investment of around $800, but Salazar planned ahead so that the club could easily accommodate scoring major matches in the future. Another $290 went towards a WiFi wireless repeater with two directional antennas to boost the signal up and down the range. The Hogue Range at SLOSA has 14 bays and getting a clear signal from one end to the other required the additional equipment.

Installation of directional antennas on the central scoring shack allows the wireless signal to be boosted to both ends of the range. Photo by P. Erhardt

Unfortunately the range is not set up for internet access so this is a closed system setup. However, the PractiScore app for smartphones allowed for a simple and fast workaround to post the scores at the end of the match. Once PractiScore was in place at SLOSA, Salazar offered it to the other disciplines for use at their regular monthly matches, asking just $500 to help underwrite the USPSA club's initial investment. The Steel Challenge and Central Coast Rimfire clubs jumped on the opportunity and have gladly bought into the digital age. Randy Ellis, who runs SLOSA's monthly Steel Challenge events, raved about being able to post scores immediately following the last shots. Previously he had to go home after the match where he spent hours pouring over paper score sheets and compiling information into spreadsheets in order to determine the final order of finish. Now with a couple quick taps on the tablet's touchscreen, the match is done and Ellis can sit back and relax along with the other competitors.

Despite a round count half that of the evening USPSA match, scoring the monthly IDPA match took significantly longer using paper. But, the move to pixels may come sooner rather than later. Photo by P. Erhardt

An additional benefit to the PractiScore system is its ease of use. Salazar says the learning curve takes all of 30 seconds and even the most novice of shooters can now assist with the scoring his matches. And the handful of times he's contacted PractiScore for help, Salazar has received a quick response, making the transition even more painless. Offer a match director an administrative and scoring system that saves two days worth of work on the front end of a match and two days of work after the match, cuts down scoring complaints to nearly zero, and makes registration and squadding a breeze, well, you almost have a guaranteed sale. Why the IDPA club at SLOSA has chosen to stay the course with their multi-day paper system is unclear but as competitors get accustomed to instant results, and match directors get used to a significantly lightened workload, it's probably just a matter of time before those reluctant to change come around.

At night the backlit screens of the Nook tablets made scoring easy and accurate. And the instantaneous posting of results made for both a happy match director and happy shooters. Photo by P. Erhardt

The most refreshing aspect of the digital scoring integration at SLOSA is the willingness of Salazar and the USPSA contingent to forge ahead on behalf of the entire range and clear a path that makes it easier for the other disciplines to follow. - Paul Erhardt, Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network Got shooting sports news? Send us an email at info@shootingwire.com.