Introduction to target groups

A target group is a set of multiple targets assigned to a specific shooting distance, each identified by a unique lane number, such as Lane 1. A shooting lane can include targets positioned at various distances— for instance 200 yards, 300 yards, and 600 yards—under the same lane number. This arrangement allows shooters to engage targets at different distances sequentially within the same lane, enhancing the versatility and dynamic nature of the shooting experience.

It’s important to note that this setup is specific to certain shooting ranges and not universally adopted by most of the traditional shooting clubs. 

This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to configure, monitor, and manage target groups effectively and how to use the system with this groups.

Managing target groups

To manage target groups, navigate to the “Settings” menu and select the Range setup tab. This section allows you to add new target groups, rename existing ones, or delete them as needed.

Adding a new target group

1. Go to Settings and click on the Range setup tab.
2. In the Target groups section, click the Add button. This will create a new target group entry.
3. The new target group will appear with a default name (e.g., “Group 1"). You can customize this name according to your preference.

Renaming a target group

1. Find the target group you want to rename under the Target groups section.
2. Click directly on the group name. This will make the name editable.
3. Enter the desired new name for the group and press Enter or click outside the text box to save the changes.

Deleting a target group

1. Locate the target group you wish to delete in the Target groups section.
2. Click the trash can icon next to the group name.
3. The target group will be removed from the list.

Delete group in use

If you attempt to delete a target group that currently has assigned targets, these targets will automatically be below a header labeled “Without existing group” in the Configure connected units tab.

To avoid any disruption or confusion, please reassign these targets to an appropriate group or create a new group to accommodate them. This ensures all targets remain properly organized and assigned to the correct groups.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively manage target groups, ensuring that they are correctly configured and named according to your range’s requirements.

Register and assigning targets to target groups

In the unit registry, all known units (targets, monitors, antennas, etc.) are registered to the system. This registration ensures that the system knows which units are expected to be active and helps the eStatus application provide accurate status updates. If any registered targets are not powered up or connected, the system will identify them as missing and report an alert, ensuring that all units are accounted for.

To assign targets to different groups, follow these steps from the “Configure connected units” tab. This section displays all the targets detected by the system, whether registered or unregistered.

Registering unregistered targets

1. Navigate to the Configure Connected Units tab.
2. In the Targets section, locate any unregistered targets listed under Unregistered or Without Existing Group.
3. To register a target, click the + button next to the target’s name. This will open the Register Target dialog box.
4. In the dialog box, select the appropriate Group (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards) and the Lane Number for the target.
5. Click Register to assign the target to the selected group and lane.

Reassigning targets to a different group

If targets were previously registered prior to assigning a group. and assigned to a group, but you need to move them to a different group, follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Configure connected units” tab and locate the registered target you want to reassign.
2. Click on the target to access its settings.
3. Click on the "Unregister target" button to remove the target from the list of registred units and any assigned group. The target will then appear under “without existing group” or “Unregistered”.
4. To assign the target to a new group, click the + button again to open the Register Target dialog.
5. Choose the new Group and Lane Number from the dropdown menus.
6. Click Register to complete the reassignment.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage target assignments within different groups, ensuring that all targets are correctly organized according to your range setup.

Status of the target groups

Once targets are configured into groups, they will appear as individual sections in the eStatus application. In this application, you can monitor the status of each target group, along with other connected units such as monitors, antennas, and more.

The eStatus application provides real-time updates on the operational status of each group, allowing you to quickly identify and address any issues, such as disconnected targets or equipment malfunctions. This feature ensures that all units are functioning correctly and helps maintain a smooth and efficient operation of your range.

Using the targets

This chapter explains how to use the configured target groups in both training and competition settings.

Monitors

When target groups are configured on the range, shooters can connect to their assigned targets using the monitor. 

Connecting to a Target

1. On the monitor screen, available target groups (distances like 200 yards, 300 yards, 600 yards) will be shown as tabs at the top of the screen.
2. Select the desired tab that corresponds to the target group or distance you will be training at.
3. Once the target group is selected, choose your target number (typically the same as your lane number) by clicking on the target number circle.
4. After both the target group and target number are selected, click Connect to proceed. The monitor will log you into the selected target.

Auto-Connect

When the monitors are powered on, the progress bar will begin to count down automatically. If the monitor is not operated within 2 minutes, it will automatically connect to the previously used target number within the first available target group.

Turning off Auto-Connect: If you prefer to manually select the target group and number each time, auto-connect can be disabled. This will keep the monitor on the connection screen, waiting for the operator or shooter to manually select the target number and distance before proceeding.

Training

Central control from eControl (eHub)

During training sessions, targets can be centrally controlled through the eControl application. This provides seamless access to all target groups, allowing you to manage and monitor the targets efficiently.

To control and view targets during training:

1. Open the eControl application.
2. In the Training Targets section, targets are organized by distance (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards, 600 yards).
3. Click the eye icon to view all available targets and groups. This will open a detailed view where you can monitor each shooter’s performance, including the current stage, number of shots, and time remaining.
4. You can switch between different distances (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards, 600 yards) using the tabs to view the targets across various distances during the session.

This centralized control allows trainers to oversee multiple shooters and targets simultaneously, ensuring that the training runs smoothly and efficiently.

Competition

In the eControl dashboard, you’ll first see a list of all existing competitions. To create a new competition, click the + icon in the top-right corner.

Creating a Competition

1. After clicking the + icon, the Create Competition dialog will open. Here, you can input details such as the competition name, target groups (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards, 600 yards), and the shooting program.
2. Once the competition is created, it will appear in the Competition Overview on the dashboard, showing key information like the number of entries, relays, and selected target groups.

Starting the Competition

1. To start the competition, click the Play icon next to the competition in the overview.
   
2. This will bring up the Start Competition dialog, where you can review or modify the settings initially configured. You can adjust details such as:
   1. Control group: Define which targets to control.
   2. Target groups: Select or modify the distances being used.
   3. Relay: Choose the relay group, which contains the list of participants assigned to firing lanes.
   4. Monitor mode: Choose between AUTO or OPEN modes for automatic or manual control.
   5. Once all the details are confirmed, click Start to begin the competition.

By following these steps, you can quickly create, adjust, and start your competition with ease, ensuring all participants are properly assigned and the competition proceeds smoothly.

Running a competition

During a competition, the competition (session card) card in the overview page will show which target groups/distances have been selected. Each target group is displayed as a rectangle labeled with the respective name (e.g., 200 yards, 300 yards, 600 yards).

The status of each lane is displayed in real-time. The system shows the current stage of the shooting program and the progress percentage for each participant, helping organizers track the completion of each stage. If any warnings arise during the competition, such as too many shots fired, shots fired outside the designated time, or other violations, these are immediately flagged. The system will also display warnings related to technical issues, such as connection problems, sensor malfunctions, or any other target-related concerns.

The target card is the visual representation of the targets, showing the status of all targets within the lane.
To get more detailed information about a target issue, you can switch to the eStatus application. This will give you an individual view of each target within its group or distance, allowing you to troubleshoot the specific problem.