Kestrel KST1000

Kestrel KST1000 Shot Timer –

Durable, Dependable, and Still Not Perfect

Most shot timers feel like they were designed during the dial-up internet era. Crappy screens, laggy buttons, and the kind of plastic that cracks if you look at it wrong. But the Kestrel KST1000? This thing came to work. Built for war zones and worn-out range bags, it’s got MIL‑STD‑810G drop certification, water and dust resistance, and dual displays that actually make sense.

It’s the only shot timer that doesn’t cry when it gets rained on or dropped—and it might be the last one you’ll ever need.

💀 MIL-SPEC Build. Real-World Toughness.

The KST1000 isn’t “range toy” tough—it’s range tool tough. Like the kind of gear you can throw across the bay, hose off, and keep using.

You can drop it, cover it in carbon, sweat on it in 100-degree Florida humidity, and it still lights up like a Christmas tree. Try that with your old CED and see what explodes first.

📺 Dual Screens = Less Neck Craning

Top screen for belt use. Front screen for handheld work. Simple. You can actually read your splits without doing a spine twist mid-stage or flipping through menus like you’re hacking a satellite.

Also shows your full string history, par times, and lets you scroll back through strings without resetting everything. Welcome to the 21st century.

🎯 Stacked With Real Features

Five programmable presets (and yeah, you can name them)
Shot detection sensitivity modes: Pistol, Rifle, Suppressed, .22, Dry Fire, etc.
Adjustable par times, buzzer settings, and volume control
Bluetooth for firmware updates (PractiScore 2 compatibility just rolled out)

It’s not just “smart for a timer”—it’s smart, period. Like a range coach with a memory.

🚫 What Ain’t Great

Look, for all the good, this timer still has a couple issues:

Dry Fire Tracking Sucks.
Can it pick up hammer clicks? Sometimes. But not reliably. You’ve got to hold it close, and even then, it’s hit-or-miss. Want a dry fire beast? Grab the Shooter Global instead. That one gets the job done way better for non-live fire work.
Start Button Placement = Meh.
Why is the start button on the front face? It’s fine if you’re holding it in your hand—but if it’s on your belt or you’re trying to run a solo stage one-handed? Awkward. A side-mounted start button would’ve been way more functional. Not a dealbreaker, but for $300, it’s a miss.

🎤 On the Range: It Performs

Live fire is where the KST1000 shines. Picks up suppressed .22LR, full-auto, and everything in between without drama. You get accurate splits, total times, clean readouts, and a buzzer that cuts through wind, gunfire, and that one loud dude at the range who never stops talking.

Also has pause/unpause during strings if you’re running classes or running drills—no reset rage required.

Battery life? Solid. Two CR123s get you about 90 hours. Long enough to train hard and still forget where you put your charger.

💸 Cost, But Worth It

Yeah, it’s $299. Not chump change. But you’re not buying some Amazon knockoff that dies after three range trips. You’re getting gear that’s built to last, backed by actual firmware updates, and used by serious shooters.

And here's the bonus:
Buy it at Brownells and use code BOP10 to knock off 10%.
That’s thirty bucks off—and you’re not stuck waiting three months for a sale or a sketchy eBay deal.

✅ Final Verdict

Kestrel KST1000 is the shot timer for shooters who actually train. Tough enough to throw in a go-bag. Smart enough to adapt to your style. Reliable enough to trust during comps, classes, or serious drills.

The Good:

Rugged as hell
Dual display makes sense
Suppressor and .22-friendly
Customizable and firmware-upgradeable
Loud buzzer and solid battery life

The Not-Great:

Not the best for dry fire—Shooter Global wins that fight
Front-facing start button is awkward AF

Still worth it? 100%. Especially if you’re running drills regularly or teaching others.

Run that BOP10 code at Brownells and save some coin while you level up your training.

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