How fast is your pitch? For accurate reading, you need to choose a truly great baseball radar gun, one of the best baseball radar guns on the market. Sub-par radar guns can be tricky to use, and their readings aren’t always accurate.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks:
| Brand | Name | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bushnell | Velocity Speed Gun | 3.8/5 Stars | Check |
| Pocket Radar | Ball Coach / Pro-Level Radar Gun | 4.4/5 Stars | Check |
| Pocket Radar | Pro Radar System with Smart Display | 5/5 Stars | Check |
| Sports Sensors | Swing Speed Radar | 3.8/5 Stars | Check |
| Stalker | Sport 2 Radar | 4.2/5 Stars | Check |
In this quick guide, we’ll help you choose the best radar gun for your baseball team.
- Tripod Mount: Can you mount the radar gun on a tripod so that no one has to stand in one place to track speeds? You are likely to pay a bit more for a tripod-mounted radar gun but your hands will be free for other tasks.
- Cost: Clearly, you want to get the best baseball radar gun your team’s budget can handle. Thanks to advances in technology, it’s far easier to find good-quality sports radar guns at affordable prices than it once was.
- Companion Apps:Some newer radar guns come with apps that take quite a bit of work out of the speed tracking process. These cost a little bit more but they can make your job a whole lot easier, particularly if you’re a fan of technology.
We’ve taken most of the guesswork out of the task of choosing the best baseball radar gun, saving you time so you can get out onto the field faster, start tracking your team’s performance, and get to work on improving their pitches, hits, and throws. Here are five of the best-rated baseball radar guns on the market right now.
5 Best Rated Baseball Radar Guns Reviewed
Bushnell Velocity Speed Gun
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The Bushnell Velocity Speed Gun offers simple point and shoot functionality. It is capable of tracking ball speeds up to 110 miles per hour, within 1 mile per hour accuracy. A large LCD display shows the fastest speed after the trigger has been released. This baseball radar gun comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros:
- Inexpensive option; great for recreational use
- Simple point and shoot operation
Cons:
- No hands-free option
- Some users find it difficult to get consistently accurate readings
If you’re looking for an entry-level baseball speed gun under $100, then you’re likely to have fun with this one. It’s a good tool for little league coaches and others who want to get a good idea of ball speed but aren’t terribly worried about 100 percent accuracy.
Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun
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The Pocket Radar Ball Coach / Pro-Level Speed Training Tool and Radar Gun features a constant-on mode, automatic triggering, and a built-in memory with space for 25 speeds. It automatically finds the fastest speed of a moving object, measuring speeds between 25 and 130 miles per hour. This unit is accurate to within 1 mile per hour of the actual speed, and ha a 120 foot range on a baseball.
Pros:
- Built-in memory for at-a-glance review
- Works with the Pocket Radar app
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Readings aren’t always accurate when battery power is decreasing or when user is too close to the batter/pitcher
Coaches who want a combination of value pricing and quality are likely to appreciate the Pocket Radar Ball Coach radar gun, which offers many useful features via the Pocket Radar app interface. You can attach this radar gun to a tripod and use it hands-free if preferred. This unit comes with a handy belt holster case for easy access, and it gets great ratings for accuracy.
Pocket Radar / Pro Radar System with Smart Display
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The Pocket Radar Pro Radar System with Smart Display features long-range accuracy within 1 mile per hour and offers a 25-unit recall memory. This unit offers multiple mounting configurations and is compatible with most camera tripods. It is ultra-portable, offering on-field battery powered operation that lasts an entire day. It will also work with an external USB power supply or a USB battery pack. The radar module has a 200-foot range when tracking baseballs, and will track larger objects more than 300 feet away. The display features automatic brightness adjustment for easy visibility in bright light as well as low light. Two USB cables, an AC power supply, and carabiners are included. Constant on measurement mode makes for hands-free operation.
Pros:
- Display is visible from a distance of about 100 feet
- Tracks ball velocity when batting, shooting, serving, pitching, and throwing
- Works all day, great for clinics, camps, extended practice sessions, and more
Cons:
- Not compatible with the Pocket Radar app
Coaches, camps, and leagues looking for an affordable pro radar system are likely to appreciate this one from Pocket Radar, which features everything needed for instant speed tracking while offering an interactive spectator experience and providing players with automatic feedback. Reviewers report excellent interactions with customer service as well as the system itself.
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar
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The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar is a small microwave doppler radar unit that’s designed specifically for tracking swing speeds between 20 and 200 miles per hour. It is suitable for positioning near a tee or suspending inside a batting cage. The unit is compatible with tripods and is simply powered by three AA batteries. It comes with a user manual and a storage bag.
Pros:
- User-friendly design for coaches and players alike
- Easy-to-read display, provides instant feedback
Cons:
- Some dark colors may develop discoloration with repeated exposure to sweat
Coaches and players who are interested in improving batting speed will appreciate this unit for its ability to track speed and improve consistency by providing instant feedback with every swing. Those who play golf as well as baseball or softball will find this unit is helpful for improving golf swings as well.
Stalker Sport 2 Radar
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Stalker Sport 2 Radar offers a 300 foot range. This unit is capable of measuring ball speeds between five and 150 miles per hour. It is accurate to +/- 1 mile per hour. This baseball radar gun is able to capture release speed and plate speed simultaneously. It features two speed windows. Certified for accuracy, this radar gun tracks runners as well as baseballs, tennis balls, and other moving objects. It comes with a hard case, a wall charger, and six NiMH rechargeable batteries. A comprehensive user manual is included.
Pros:
- Reliable; same brand used by major league baseball teams
- Consistent
- Compatible with most tripods
Cons:
- Battery life is approximately 1 hour; need to use a second set of batteries or recharge
If you are looking for a high-quality baseball radar gun that will measure release point and arrival speed accurately, this one is certain to be an asset to your team. Reviewers mention using it for measuring pitching speeds, throwing speeds, runners, and more.
Tips for Using a Baseball Radar Gun
Once you’ve chosen the best baseball radar gun, it’s important to familiarize yourself with its features and learn how to use it properly. While there are quite a few differences between different models, you’ll find that these tips will help you get accurate readings.
- Stand Far Enough Away from the Pitcher or Hitter: Believe it or not, you need to be a certain distance from the player to get an accurate reading. Most guides that describe how to use a baseball radar gun recommend standing at least 25 feet away. Double-check the instructions that come with your radar gun so that you’re the correct distance from the pitcher or hitter .
- Try Continuous Mode:If your radar gun is equipped with continuous mode or a similar mode that doesn’t require you to keep pulling the trigger, give it a try! This way, the radar gun will automatically detect how fast the baseball is moving. You’ll be able to track its speed from the moment it leaves the pitcher’s hand until it reaches its final destination. Once the batter hits the ball, you’ll be able to see how much momentum it achieves
- Don’t Stand to One Side:Most baseball coaches prefer to stand directly behind or in front of the player so that they’re tracking the ball in a straight line. If you decide to stand in front of the pitcher or hitter, be sure that there’s a protective barrier between the two of you. A net or a chain-link fence is ideal. If you don’t have access to a barrier, consider positioning a catcher between yourself and the player whose ball speed is being recorded.
- Notice How Adjustments Affect Speed: Since slight changes in body position, grip,and pressure can affect the speed of your pitcher’s throws, have them make adjustments as you track speed. See which method seems to work best for them and you’ll notice a marked improvement in pitching ability over time. The same wisdom applies to hitters. Grip, stance, and other variables can really make a difference and as you track speed with a baseball radar gun, you’ll be able to determine what works best for each player.
- Test Multiple Pitches and Hits: Even the most consistent pitcher isn’t always going to throw balls at the exact same speed and batters aren’t always consistent with the strength of their hits. Test several pitches and hits to come up with an average speed. Be sure to record the speed of all the throws and hits you test with the radar gun. Over time, you’ll be able to compare speeds and see how much progress each player is making.
- Test Other Throws: You’re not limited to testing batters and pitchers. You can also use a baseball radar gun to test throws as catchers, infielders, outfielders, and other members of your team throw the ball to one another. The data you collect can help every player on your team improve performance over time.
Armed with these tips, you’ll find it’s easier to find the best baseball radar gun and use it to your team’s advantage. Here’s to your success and that of your team!
Sources:
https://www.sportsrec.com/properly-use-radar-gun-4810105.html
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