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Which speed gun for hockey players?

Postby wdesign1 on Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:05 pm

I'd like to buy a speed radar gun for use in a youth hockey league.
I'd like to measure puck speed but, more importantly, I'd like to measure the kids speed (about 12 years old) as they skate.
I was told by another speed gun distributor that they have no gun that would work. The reason was due to the movement of the skater's arms and legs.
I think it would be great incentive to show the kids how fast they're skating in practices throughout the season.
It's a non-paying position so I'd like to keep to the low-priced end of the spectrum... but I've read reviews of the inaccuracy of the Speed Trac X and Bushnell so I might consider the JUGS if it would work for little hockey players.
Can you provide any suggestions?
Thanks!
wdesign1
 

Re: Which speed gun for hockey players?

Postby Ryan_W on Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:49 pm

Hockey has always been a touchy area for radar guns. There are several low cost radar guns that would work for street hockey, but ice hockey introduces some new factors.

Many of the inexpensive models do not work well in cold weather. Hockey arenas must be kept cold for obvious reasons.

The puck is lower profile than a ball. Most inexpensive radar guns do not read fast objects smaller than a baseball very well.

All sports radar guns have an issue with speed. Very few will read below 10 mph. If the player gets up to speed they can be clocked, but if they do not hit 10 mph this will be a job for a high end radar. Reading the arms swinging could cause a problem if clocking from head-on, but will not really be much of an issue if you clock them going away from you. If they are holding the stick in front of them while they skate, there will be less chance of interference (the arms are not swinging as wildly).

If the players are exceeding 10 mph, the Bushnell Speedster II should work okay, especially if you use NiMH rechargeable batteries. These seem to power the units with more efficiency and will provide a more reliable reading.

If you want a unit that will work better in colder weather, the Stalker Solo 2 would be ideal. Unlike the Jugs model, the Solo 2 will show acceleration and deceleration.
Best regards,

Ryan W.


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