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Clubs with coin/card operated traps

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sharptailhunter

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My club is discussing the option of switching to coin or card operated practice traps. Our current system utilizes purchasing practice tickets from the clubhouse and paying trap kids to load targets and score. Some of the problems we have with our current system is that our trap help is variable so there are times when we don’t have enough help to run the voice calls and to score, so we sometimes send a squad out to shoot without a scorekeeper. Without a trap kid out there we run into the situation of naive shooters moving voice calls around or talking between shots so all the while the machine is throwing targets. Obviously the cost of the coin or card operated systems isn’t cheap and it would take a fair bit of targets to eventually recoup the cost of said system.

For those clubs who have switched to a coin or card operated system, which one did you end up going with and are you happy with it? Are there any systems to avoid because of unreliability or servicing issues? Any other thoughts?

Thank you for any input!
 
#3 ·
I belong to two clubs, one that uses the coins and one uses the card. I think the card is better, no coins to inventory etc.
The goal is to get paid for every target you throw. If shooters can't figure that out that's their problem. Both clubs use the traditional puller/voice calls for registered targets.
Also, you will be surprised to see how many targets your club is throwing that you aren't getting paid for.
 
#4 ·
SanRemo32 said:
Your scenario is a common and very expensive problem for all clubs.

I think the coin system is the most accurate as you only get 27 birds.

As for the card system people behind the counter will just put more on the card than they need to.

Either way will pay for itself in the long run.
Click to expand...
My club uses the card and the cashier loads however many rounds ( 27 targets each) that you want. One round is deducted each time you insert the card and the system tells you how many rounds you have left on the card.
 
#5 ·
We have the card system at Amarillo Gun Club. They are worth it. It does take some time to pay for them.
 
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#8 ·
So we do ours for the sporting course but it works well. You get a 10% add to the card for broken birds or messed up traps. As a member I buy 550 targets (500 + 50 for the mess ups): if you have a problem with a trap you can just let the club know and they’ll fix it and add a few more birds to your card if it’s above the 10% added. The course for non-members is the cost of 50 targets and the card comes with 55. I think if you guys did 27 or 28 on the card it would work well. It also allows us members to shoot on days that the club is closed so you get a lot more days to shoot.
 
#9 ·
You can run a number of traps with just one worker to reload the machines and trouble shoot any card issues. The shooters keep track of their own scores. It is quite common to offer a discount for buying larger numbers of targets on the card. Also, you need cards that you exchange for a drivers license for shooters who don't buy in bulk or aren't members. A desk person and trap line worker can keep 4 - 6 traps running easy. Each round of trap deducts 26 targets from the card at Ben Avery, it is common for the shooters to shoot the extra targets if they are not used for broken birds. If a machine has a problem, the trap line worker has a card to add some targets back onto the reader to reimburse the shooters.

it sucks to lose your card after you put on a few hundred dollars so you have enough to finish the season.
 
#10 ·
You will find having a card system will pay for itself. We have the ProMatic system and it works well. Most members are honest, but some will take a few extra targets and spread over a year it costs the club money. Also you know how many targets have been shot and also members will soon let you know if there are problems with a trap and not waste a whole pile of targets trying to get good targets.
Guests pay a refundable deposit of $10 for use of a card. Members buy their own card.
Devonian.
 
#12 ·
Here in Northern Nevada they use coins for Trap and Skeet .... A card for Sporting Clays.

Works out nice as I can shoot alone if needed. Saves the club money as well, I think they use Briley machines.
 
#13 ·
We use the Briley Token system at WSRC. 30-40% reduction in target usage. A little less than $900 a field for the boxes, plus tokens. Briley has stood behind their product for us with any issues we have had, which were only minor and mech related. No attendant necessarily needed as the have a dispenser they sell as well. (we don't have one.. yet) some of my heavier used fields in theory have already paid themselves off in a year an a half. 100% target accountability, once again 100% accountability for public/school shooting. The boxes don't lie. We give 29 targets for the first coin and 27 for each after. The good or bad thing about tokens is that people can loose them or misplace them, good for the club, bad for the shooter. The only complainers I have were the ones I knew, but couldn't prove were shooting extra rounds. We have skeet overlay fields as well so they are serving dual purpose. By far one of the best investments to cut waste and theft.
 
#15 ·
sharptailhunter said:
My club is discussing the option of switching to coin or card operated practice traps. Our current system utilizes purchasing practice tickets from the clubhouse and paying trap kids to load targets and score. Some of the problems we have with our current system is that our trap help is variable so there are times when we don’t have enough help to run the voice calls and to score, so we sometimes send a squad out to shoot without a scorekeeper. Without a trap kid out there we run into the situation of naive shooters moving voice calls around or talking between shots so all the while the machine is throwing targets. Obviously the cost of the coin or card operated systems isn’t cheap and it would take a fair bit of targets to eventually recoup the cost of said system.

For those clubs who have switched to a coin or card operated system, which one did you end up going with and are you happy with it? Are there any systems to avoid because of unreliability or servicing issues? Any other thoughts?

Thank you for any input!
Click to expand...
I shoot at LA Clays in El Monte and they use a card system. Seems to work fine. $20 refundable deposit on card
Mike
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Thank you to everyone who has responded! It sounds like a good thing to look into. I know we probably lose more targets than we know about with our current system. I’m going to contact the different companies to see about getting a system, or two, at our club. Thanks again!
 
#17 ·
I have use both card and coins at places I shoot. I prefer card system. Easier to manage.
 
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#19 ·
This probably will sound like a Stupid question to many of you, but I have been out of commission for a spell, and wonder how these readers work?

Do you insert your card into a receiver at each station ?

OR, do you just do it once at the trapper's stand ?

If the latter, once inserted, how does the reader know which shooter you are.

I have never seen these, so really naive with the workings.

Thanks for the anticipated replies.
 
#20 ·
shotgunpeople said:
This probably will sound like a Stupid question to many of you, but I have been out of commission for a spell, and wonder how these readers work?

Do you insert your card into a receiver at each station ?

OR, do you just do it once at the trapper's stand ?

If the latter, once inserted, how does the reader know which shooter you are.

I have never seen these, so really naive with the workings.

Thanks for the anticipated replies.
Click to expand...
If using the card, you can punch in as many targets as your want. Using the Promatic, Insert your card into a card reader, usually mounted behind the 27 yard line. You will see a display that tells you how many targets are on the card. Push the center button that reads ”Credit“ and hold it for a second or two. You will see the target count drop by 25. Remove the card from the reader and you will see 26 targets as credit. Reader does not know which shooter you are. You can dump as many targets from your card as you want at one time, but most shooters do just one round at a time.
 
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