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Contents
- The short version
- Which Radar Gun Fits You
- Players and parents
- Coaches running team bullpens
- Exit velocity and spin rate
- Use the number, don't chase it
- Radar Gun FAQ
- Can a radar gun measure exit velocity?
- What's the difference between release speed and plate speed?
- Do I need an expensive radar gun for my kid?
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For most families, the Pocket Radar Smart Coach is the radar gun to get: it fits in a bat bag, reads within 1 mph and pairs with an app that puts the speed on your video. If you just want a number on a screen for less money, the Bushnell Velocity Speed Gun does that. The two Stalker models are built for coaches and programs that need longer range, release and plate speed, or spin and exit velocity.
The short version
The Pocket Radar Smart Coach is a compact, phone-sized radar gun that pairs with an app to overlay pitch speeds onto videos. This feature is perfect for sharing clips on social media and other platforms. Weighing just 4.5 ounces, it’s lightweight and user-friendly, with an impressive margin of error within 1 mph.
Pros:
- Phone-sized and weighs 4.5 ounces
- Pairs with an app that overlays the speed on your video clips
- Accurate within 1 mph
Cons:
- Costs a lot more than the Bushnell if all you need is a reading
The Bushnell Velocity Speed Gun has a clear LCD screen that displays pitch speeds in large, easy-to-read digits. Known for its affordability, this device provides accurate readings with a margin of error within 1 mph. It has a traditional radar "gun" shape and weighs 19 ounces. Comes with a 2 year warranty.
Pros:
- Large, easy-to-read LCD display
- Accurate within 1 mph
- 2-year warranty
Cons:
- No app or video features
- Traditional gun shape at 19 ounces, so it's bulkier than a pocket radar
The Stalker Sport 2 radar gun boasts a range of 300 feet, far surpassing most competitors. It measures ball speeds from 5 to 150 mph with an accuracy of +/- 1 mph and captures both release speed and plate speed simultaneously. This model outperforms other low-power, short-range radars, making it a top choice for college and pro coaches.
Pros:
- Range of 300 feet
- Measures release speed and plate speed at the same time
- Reads 5 to 150 mph within 1 mph
Cons:
- More radar than most individual players need
The Stalker Sport Pro 3s is the top-of-the-line radar on the market. It provides comprehensive data, including peak velocity, spin rate, rolldown, and exit velocity. It measures velocity from up to 500 feet and spin rate from up to 150 feet. The device pairs with the Stalker Sport Radar App on iOS devices, allowing for data capture, tracking, and sharing with up to 10 connected devices.
Pros:
- Measures peak velocity, spin rate, rolldown and exit velocity
- Velocity from up to 500 feet and spin rate from up to 150 feet
- Stalker Sport Radar App shares data with up to 10 connected devices
Cons:
- Priced for programs, not families
- App pairing is listed for iOS devices
Which Radar Gun Fits You
Players and parents
Pocket Radar Smart Coach. It's small enough to live in the bat bag and simple enough to use in the backyard. The video overlay is the part kids like: film a bullpen, and the speed shows up on the clip so you can see the delivery and the number together. If your player only wants to know how hard he threw today, the Bushnell gets you the reading for less.
Coaches running team bullpens
Stalker Sport 2. The 300-foot range and the release and plate speed readings make it a good fit for a coach standing behind the mound or the plate with a full staff to get through. The gap between release and plate speed also shows how much a pitch is losing on the way in.
Exit velocity and spin rate
Stalker Sport Pro 3s. It's the only one of the four whose listed features include exit velocity and spin rate, and it shares data across up to 10 devices. That makes sense for a high school or college program, or a facility that tracks hitters and pitchers over a season. A travel team parent doesn't need it.
Use the number, don't chase it
A radar gun is a good way to see progress over a season. For a young pitcher, the number should sit next to pitch counts, rest and command, not replace them. Our pitching charts guide covers tracking workload alongside velocity.
Radar Gun FAQ
Can a radar gun measure exit velocity?
Some can. Of the four here, the Stalker Sport Pro 3s is the one that lists exit velocity among its measurements.
What's the difference between release speed and plate speed?
Release speed is how fast the ball leaves the hand and plate speed is how fast it's moving when it gets to the plate, so plate speed reads lower. The Stalker Sport 2 captures both on the same pitch.
Do I need an expensive radar gun for my kid?
No. For a player tracking his own progress, the Pocket Radar Smart Coach or the Bushnell is enough. The Stalker models make more sense for coaches and programs.
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Zach Kerr
Zach is a former college pitcher & Founder of Baseball Near You.
