1) Set the lane and angle
- Align with the flight path: Place the gun behind the catcher or just off to the side (within 10°) so the Doppler beam points straight at the ball.
- Match distance: 60 ft 6 in for mound-to-plate. Move up for youth distances (46–54 ft) and recalculate your spot.
- Height matters: Keep the sensor near ball release height to reduce cosine error.
2) Run a known-speed check
Use a pitching machine or a flat-ground throw you can repeat. If you have two guns (e.g., Pocket Radar + Stalker), take 5 readings on each and confirm they are within the published ± accuracy spec (often ±1 mph).
If readings sag, replace batteries or fully charge. Low voltage is a common cause of drift.
3) Control the environment
- Limit obstructions: Netting is fine; chain link can scatter readings. Shoot through a large square if possible.
- Wind: Point with the wind at your back for the most repeatable reads.
- Warm-up: Let the gun acclimate for a few minutes if you move from AC to heat or cold.
4) Log and compare
Take 8–10 throws, drop the top and bottom outliers, and average the middle. A stable gun should show a tight cluster. If not, recheck angle and fresh batteries.
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