What Competition Electronics does

Competition Electronics Inc. is a Rockford, Illinois-based manufacturer of precision timing and ballistic measurement instruments for the shooting sports market, founded in 1982 by an electrical engineer. The company designs and assembles shot timers (ProTimer BT, ProTimer, Pocket Pro) and ballistic chronographs (ProChrono DLX, ProChrono LTD) that measure projectile velocity and shooting proficiency for competitive shooters, reloading enthusiasts, and broader firearms, archery, airgun, and paintball users. Core products integrate proprietary sensor systems, Bluetooth connectivity, and mobile/desktop applications (PT Link, Digital Link) with stated accuracy of +/-0.5% for velocity and +/-0.01 seconds for shot timing; a patented infra-red LED indoor lighting system supports indoor chronograph use. The company previously manufactured battery chargers for the R/C racing market but formally exited that segment in 2024 after more than 40 years, focusing exclusively on shooting products going forward.

The business model centers on direct-to-consumer e-commerce through competitionelectronics.com supplemented by a national authorized dealer network that includes Midway USA, Optics Planet, Primary Arms, and specialty distributors such as Pyramyd Air and Lancaster Archery Supply, plus limited international sales to Canada and other non-EU markets via phone quote. Hardware is sold at one-time prices ranging from $119.95 (ProChrono LTD) to $167.95 (ProTimer BT), with accessory revenue from lighting systems, carrying cases, debris shields, diffusers, and branded apparel; a 2-year warranty and a half-of-retail-price repair guarantee support a lifetime-serviceability positioning. Primary customer segments are competitive shooters in IPSC, USPSA, IDPA, and Steel Challenge disciplines, handloaders evaluating ammunition performance, and general firearms/outdoor sports users. The company has no outside funding, no parent, and operates as an independent privately held corporation from a single Rockford, IL facility.

Name

Competition Electronics

Legal name

Competition Electronics Inc.

Website

https://competitionelectronics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Competition Electronics Inc., founded in 1982 and based in Rockford, Illinois, designs and manufactures shot timers and ballistic chronographs for competitive shooters, reloading enthusiasts, and broader firearms and outdoor sports users in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Primary revenue from sale of ballistic chronographs (ProChrono DLX, ProChrono LTD, ProChrono Digital) and shot timers (ProTimer BT, ProTimer, Pocket Pro). One-time hardware purchases with 2-year warranty. Replacement parts and accessories sold separately.
2. Accessories and Add-ons: Supplementary revenue from accessories including indoor lighting systems, carrying cases, debris shields, diffuser packs, silicone skins, belt clips, and other replacement parts. Combo packs bundle products with accessories at discounted prices.
3. Apparel: Branded merchandise including embroidered hats ($22), t-shirts ($28), and other apparel items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Competition Electronics manufactures ballistic chronographs (ProChrono DLX, ProChrono LTD) that measure projectile velocities of firearms, airguns, archery, and paintball, and competitive shot timers (ProTimer BT, ProTimer, Pocket Pro) that measure shooting proficiency and hit factor scoring. The company also offers accessories (indoor lighting systems, carrying cases, diffusers, debris shields, silicone skins) and branded apparel, all assembled in Rockford, IL.

Product overview

Competition Electronics is a manufacturer of precision timing and measurement devices for shooting sports, with over 40 years of experience. The company produces two core product lines: shot timers (ProTimer BT, ProTimer, and Pocket Pro) for measuring shooting proficiency and hit factor scoring; and ballistic chronographs (ProChrono DLX, ProChrono LTD, and ProChrono Digital) for measuring projectile velocities. The product ecosystem includes proprietary mobile apps (PT Link for ProTimer BT; Digital Link for ProChrono DLX), combo packs combining chronographs with accessories, and branded apparel. All products are proudly made in Rockford, IL with a 2-year warranty and half-price repair guarantee. The company previously produced R/C racing electronics (battery chargers, matchers, dynamometers) but has retired from that market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ProTimer BT Advanced shot timer with built-in Bluetooth (BLE) connectivity for wireless connection to mobile devices. Features 50-string memory, hit factor scoring, up to 5 par time settings, adjustable sensitivity, LED start signal, and 3.5mm headset jack. Supports firmware updates via PT Link app. SKU CEI-4720, priced at $167.95. Targeted at competitive shooters (IPSC, USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge).
• ProTimer Shot timer with built-in 50-string memory and on-screen review. Features hit factor (points per second) scoring, increased sensitivity, bright blue backlit LCD, LED start signal. Requires 9V battery. SKU CEI-4730, priced at $137.95.
• Pocket Pro Compact shot timer designed for portability. Features sensitivity capable of picking up finger snap, LED start signal, and memory functions.
• ProChrono DLX Ballistic chronograph with built-in Bluetooth connectivity for iOS and Android. Measures velocity 20-9,999 feet per second with +/-0.5% accuracy. Features multiple shot string memory, statistics (high/low/average/extreme spread/standard deviation), and weather data. Works with firearms, shotguns, archery, airguns, and paintball. SKU CEI-3820, priced at $139.95.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shot timing accuracy of +/- .01 seconds
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PractiScorecoreTechnology or IntegrationPractiScore is a scoring application integrated with Competition Electronics shot timers and chronographs. The ProTimer BT and ProChrono DLX feature Bluetooth integration with PractiScore apps for competitive shooting match scoring and data management.
• DAA (Double Alpha Academy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDAA CE ProTimer Silicone Skin is sold through Competition Electronics as an official accessory. Double Alpha Academy is an authorized distributor of Competition Electronics products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Garmin: Garmin's Xero shot-timer and chrono products serve competitive shooters and hunters as part of a much broader consumer-electronics and outdoor product portfolio. While not a niche specialist, Garmin competes for the same end-customer wallet with branded, integrated timing solutions.

Direct peers

• Magnetospeed: Magnetospeed makes barrel-mounted magnetic-sensor chronographs (e.g., V3, Spong) that measure velocity at the muzzle. While the technology differs from CEI's optical approach, the target customer — reloaders and precision shooters — overlaps directly with the ProChrono buyer.
• Shooting Chrony (Competitive Edge Dynamics): Shooting Chrony, owned by Competitive Edge Dynamics, is a long-established direct competitor offering optical-sensor ballistic chronographs (Chrony F1, etc.) at price points overlapping with the ProChrono LTD and DLX. It is a primary alternative for reloaders and competitive shooters.
• Caldwell Shooting Supplies: Caldwell's Ballistic Precision Chronograph competes directly with the ProChrono product family in the same price band. Caldwell is a broader shooting-accessories brand whose chronograph offering targets the same reloading and recreational shooter customer base as Competition Electronics.
• Lyman Products: Lyman, a long-established shooting-accessories brand, offers chronographs (e.g., Alpha Chrony) that compete with the ProChrono LTD at accessible price points. Lyman also serves reloaders and recreational shooters, making it a comparable channel and customer competitor.
• PACT (Professional Analytical & Consulting Technologies): PACT has historically manufactured ballistic chronographs (PACT Professional chronograph series) used by reloaders to measure velocity. It serves the same reloader and competitive-shooter audience as Competition Electronics, although with a smaller current footprint in the market.
• Oehler Research: Oehler Research manufactures high-end ballistic chronographs (e.g., Oehler 35P, 43) favored by serious handloaders and ballistic researchers. It competes with the ProChrono line at the upper end of accuracy and feature set, sharing the same reloader and precision-shooter segment.
• LabRadar (Infinition): LabRadar is the most direct competitor to Competition Electronics' ProChrono line, offering Doppler-radar-based ballistic chronographs that measure projectile velocity without the shooter needing to walk downrange. Like Competition Electronics, it serves reloaders, hunters, and competitive shooters seeking accurate velocity data.

Others

• Kestrel Ballistics (Nielsen-Kellerman): Kestrel is not a chronograph competitor, but its handheld weather meters and ballistic calculators are frequently used alongside chronographs by reloaders and long-range shooters. As a complementary tool brand sold in similar channels, it represents an adjacent player in the shooter ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Sports Sensors: Sports Sensors produces ultrasonic and alternative-technology shot timers and sensors for firearms and archery. It targets a similar niche — competitive shooters and reloaders — but with a differentiated technology approach and smaller scale, making it an emerging alternative to Competition Electronics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCicszFtKJuev6zwKlaWzZjQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Competition-Electronics-111535648910187
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/competition-electronics-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Competition Electronics