Freedom Technologies Personal Turning Target Controller

I got an exciting email today from Fenton at Freedom Technologies. He has had a more full featured turning target system for some time but it was a bit more expensive than I was looking for to practice and sort of targeted to running a whole line.

His new system (Personal Turning Target Controller) is battery powered and uses your cell phone Wi-fi to communicate with the controller.

The new system does not have audible commands but has a preset delay, currently set at 6 seconds after you hit the button to select the desired cycle, check out his YouTube videos. I mentioned to him that the 6 seconds seemed a bit quick, he offered to have it set to something else, I'm leaning toward about 12 seconds which is approximately when "ready on the right" command is given then have it edge away from you at 3 seconds which is the approximate of the "the line is ready" command. I'm still waiting to hear from him to see how easily these times can be manipulated if at all by the end user. He seems very eager to get input from shooters. I may see if he will create an account so he can discuss the system openly with the forum.

I've asked to buy one of the first production units, he's currently waiting on the batteries.

Here is the product page including links to his videos showing the function.

http://freedomtech.duckdns.org/index_files/pttc.htm

There are currently Bullseye voice commands out there as an app. I wonder if he could interface those voice commands to the target ?

Yeah I use the Bullseye Timer app on an Android phone. I mentioned that to him. If they could mesh the 2 together this controller would be gold.

Our club purchased a target turning system for our range, 6 position, 5 years ago from Freedom Technologies.  Works great no issues what so ever.  While I have not used this new personal target turning system, I'm sure it is a solid system at a great price.
JH

I've emailed Fenton back and forth a few times now. Currently the total delay time (6 seconds in his video) and the edge delay time before the round (2-3 seconds in the video) is set by him when he makes them. Its not currently user adjustable, you would have to send it to him. I mentioned it might be nice if you could set those delays using the web based page you use to start the rounds but sounds like that won't be happening at this time. 

I've decided on a total delay of 12 seconds after you select a round and a 3 second edge delay right before the round starts. This mimics the timing of the "ready on the right" and "ready on the firing line" command in my bullseye app. If I regret the timing decisions I guess I can pay shipping both ways to have him adjust. 

He's currently trying to keep it simple to keep costs down. Maybe once this model gets proven he can work toward a slightly more full featured model that would interface with an app similar to the bullseye timer. I think it would be worth double its current price if it had this feature, then I could use my bluetooth worktunes headphones to get voice command, all wire free.

Hi,

I had plans to enhance my apps (for bullseye and international pistol) allowing them to control target turners and target lights for quite a while... I made some hardware prototypes that I play with, but did not have time to complete something that would be universally usable by everyone.

Thanks to Zane, in this thread I've learned about PTTC.

Fenton already reached out to me directly. Based on the info I received from Fenton so far, it should be possible to create an updated version that would be able to trigger his controller. I will need a bit more info, but that should not be a problem.

I'll keep you posted.

-Anatoly

Wow, that's exciting. I love your app Anatoly and having it being able to control an affordable & portable turning target would be huge.

Thank you Zane!

Just to set the expectations right... I work on my apps in my spare time (and have not changed them for a while) - please, don't expect a new version to be available in Google Play store right away  

-Anatoly

Anatoly, Only Android? No iPhone?

I'm a patient guy. Just knowing its coming is exciting. Android all the way!!

For what it's worth, I'm already using Anatoly's app (Bullseye Timer - Android only) as a pseudo turning target. Measuring the size of the on-screen bullseye on my phone (old Galaxy Note II), I came up with distance of about 23 feet that simulates a B-8 repair center size at 25 yards. Works great for dry-firing one-shot and two-shot drills!
Of course, having the app control the real turning target will be a huge improvement!

Many thanks to Anatoly for his great development work, which helps our community. One suggestion for the app development is an option to turn off the buzzer when operating Fenton's controller in the future.

Best Regards,
Oleg.

I just checked on Google play and no updated app yet!
(Snicker)

Lol

Just kidding

There is a iphone app called "Bullseye Range Commands" that would be another good place to start, unfortunately its last update was 3 years ago.  Hopefully the author of this app still is checking his email......

sjh

Check the Google Play Store 

What is new in version 1.5:
- Support interactions with physical target turners (PTTC by Freedom Technologies) - can control actual targets!!!
- Usability improvements
- New permission to use Internet needed only to interact with target turners.


For those of you who already got a PTTC:
- do the usual "connection magic" (as if you were going to control the target turner from your phone's web browser)
- start the Bullseye Timer app and go into app's "settings" menu and select "controller" option...
- enjoy

The "controller" mode is not persistent - each time you restart the app, you need to select it from the menu (only if you want to control physical target). Default mode is "local" (app does not try to talk to any external devices).

The "controller" mode does two things:
- each target turn on the screen results in corresponding turn of the physical target
- the target image acts as "face/edge" control button for physical target (works only when course of fire string is not running)


Do not try to use the app while PTTC is in the middle of its own string - as Fenton confirmed, in this mode the turner won't listen to the app.


-Anatoly

AWESOME, you guys are killing it.

Wow!

Amazing!!! I'l be ordering the controller

https://youtu.be/KdwTh8fwMfk
Here it is in action with the App

Nice, this is gonna be huge for bullseye shooters.

Let ya know!

Got it!
Works fine with the new app.
Going to use it for dry fire with a 21 ft target.

What is the weight capacity of the target holder?

In at outdoor setting with a cardboard Target backer swaying in the wind?

I would only use it indoors with an indoor size target.
Probably outdoors with repair center if your good.

I'm planning on using a repair center only.