Rotten markers, what's to be done?

[Maggot]

So how easy is it to change targets and calibration on an electronic target?

There are a whole plethora of targets being used, TR, F, Classic tin hat, Fig 12, 11, 14 etc and different courses of fire.

Suppose that, for instance, you fit 100 electronic targets that can only deal with Tr and F class targets, what about the CSR guys, etc etc?

Some of these (Mcqueens etc) will still require markers.

I see all the advantages, but how flexible are they? (electronic targets not markers...most markers bend easilly when sat on!!)

Mind you, given its been a 50/50 challenge as to whether we get the correct target hoisted anyway these days.... tesnews

[DanTheMan]

So how easy is it to change targets and calibration on an electronic target?

Very easy to change the scoring zones, just press a button. We used electronic targets extensively at Bisley and they were superb, they may be no use for CSR Fig11's but they have never had marking problems due to self marking. You could easily squad 12 shooters per lane which is double what I book on a manual target. The (very) occasional shot would not be scored so we amended club comp rules to take 10 scores as opposed to 10 shots.

The red dot shows the last shot and the white square surrounding the green dot is your average center, this was .223 on a windy day at 600.

[Dougan]

Not so bad today...

In the morning the marking was very slow, and we just managed to get everyone through the comp with a few minutes to spare*. However it was accurate and I think only one message 4 - One of our guys had a look down the butts (discreetly) and our marked was quite young and not the tallest...so I would say that if the target was easier to operate the marking would have been fine.

In the afternoon the marking was much quicker (the marker was obviously watching the sand most of the time), but was clearly struggling to get the target back up - The comms were good, but quite a few massage 4s... to be fair though it was bloody hot; and again, an easier target to operate would help...

*We didn't get going in the morning until after 9:30, and it did occur that it might be a good thing to let the range office know if you're going to start late; to save the marker sitting twiddling their thumbs and making the shift longer...

[knewmans]

Electronic targets would make Bisley so much more useful. I don't live far away. It would make it possible to go down for a couple of hours for eg load development on my own and actually be prepared for a group shoot. Its only currently worthwhile going to Bisley en masse but I can't always match up with other people but can have odd times free during the week. Century is empty but not usable without a lot of expense and organisation. Very frustrating.

Ken

[kennyc]

Well I now like the markers, in today's club McQueens shoot I was given 17 hits all 5's and 6's from 10 rounds fired onto what was claimed to be a fresh target. :shakeshout:

[ovenpaa]

Impressive shooting there Kenny! clapclap

[Mr_Logic]

Must add that our marker yesterday was very good indeed.

[pnuk]

Few thoughts from me.

I like the idea of performance related pay and/or tipping but wonder if it may encourage 'creative' scoring (ie even if not desired by the shooter the marker may well think 'well if I make their scores better they'll tip me more')

Given the general demographic of the shooting community and clubs often being made up of many if parent and grandparent age I would have thought that many clubs between them could find teenage relatives to come and do it on the day for an hourly wage (I know some have said that they do this)

Regarding electronic targets if memory serves Bisley had a few that got nicked that put them off rolling them out more widely.

Having said that if they had even a few lanes at Bisley with secured electronic targets charged by the hour I for one would use them a lot for load development etc. basically it would be an actual Zero Range rather than the current one which seems very much about getting on the paper in a few shots then buggering off again.
I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one and it seems that it would be a real money spinner.

[Maggot]

Hi all,

Well I handed the lot in yesterday, Steve went through it and said there were some intersting points, but some may not be implementable.

The one recurring theme seems to be that all the mature markers legged it when the pay system changed, so they will take their time getting new ones in.

I did feel for our marker yesterday, a nipper called James who worked ruddy hard, had to be re-educated regarding scoring F class targets (not a huge issue until you are near the line), and looked suitably worked when I met him.

He got an extra £20 for his efforts, I hope thats enough....

We got one double mark up which I questioned. Turned out that it is SOP when you see 2 holes, they simply mark the highest and show both, assuming it is a cross shot.

So I apologised for questioning it.

There was a man playing with an idleback chair at 1000...."I have'nt got a clue where any of these are going" he quipped....with the rifle being loaded well over the 4 minutes.... :cool2:

As Tom said, worked well throughout the day.

My advice is this, note what goes on and ask your marker for their name, have a laugh with them (if they get it, I swear ours thought I was on something)

IF they are really lousy (and I dont mean the odd message 4, and we all slow down a bit, particularly in the heat) then complain, in writing.

I disagree that they cannot get rid of markers or they would run out of "warm bodies".

Its a consumer rights job at its most basic, the marker has a job to do at a minimum standard. We pay for this minimum standard, so when the warm body is as much use as a cold one, bury it!

As regards improving them, tipping seems like a popular way, but that wont get rid of the assholes.

PS....Tom, IMR does work well does'nt it? Mine were doing better at 1100 that 1000 whan I used the fireformed stuff...