Quick Take
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach is a lightweight, accurate, and user-friendly radar gun, ideal for coaches, players, and parents. While it lacks long-distance functionality and angle adjustments, its portability and precision make it a practical and affordable choice for tracking speeds within 100 feet.
Radar Gun Recommendations
Let’s put this simply. Since buying baseball and softball gadgetry during the last 10 years, nothing has been more useful, fun, and worth it than our Pocket Radar Ball Radar. There, we said it.
And after 2 years of use…
The Pocket Radar Ball Coach on our hip and the Stalker Sports 2 gun has filled nearly every need we had. We even sold our Stalker Gun. For the majority of coaches, parents and players, this little gadget will serve their need for a radar gun. It consistently makes our baseball gift guide for a reason.
Here’s a video where we say the word “UM” over 300 times!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmLMWCVCgAo
Where to Buy the Pocket Radar
We got ours on Amazon. Of course you can check the Pocket Radar website too. But, for the most part, prices were the same. Our Prime shipping and familiarity with Amazon made it easy.
You might also like to see where we got our favorite pitching machine.
3 Pocket Radar Ball Coach Pros
There are at least three features we appreciate from the Ball Coach Pocket Radar Gun:
Weight & Size Is Ideal
If you’ve lugged around something like the Stalker Sports radar gun, the size of the Pocket Radar is fantastic. It fits easily into the included belt holster. It weighs only a few ounces, making it easy to carry without hassle.
Accuracy is Spot On
When you stand directly in line with the ball flight it works just like the Stalker 2. If you have access directly behind the net or backstop, you’ll get accurate readings. Standing behind the thrower, up to 100 feet, also gives accurate readings.
Long Lasting Batteries
We have used the same set of AA batteries in our Pocket Radar for over a year. It’s impressively efficient.
Stalker Sports Gun Comparison
We’ve owned a Stalker Sports 2 gun for nearly three years. It’s bulky and less convenient to carry compared to the Pocket Radar, which fits easily in a pocket or clips on your pants.
Pocket Radar Ball Coach Cons
We found four main drawbacks:
It Does Not Work at Angles
If you’re not lined up directly behind the ball flight, readings will be lower than the actual speed. More expensive radar guns can adjust for angles; the Pocket Radar cannot.
Long Distances Don’t Work
The Pocket Radar doesn’t work at considerable distances. It’s effective up to about 100 feet. If you need more range, consider a higher-end gun like the Stalker Sports 2.
Very Short Distances It Struggles Too
Measuring batted ball speeds off a tee into a nearby net is inconsistent. The Stalker Sports 2 can do better in extremely short ranges.
No Display Output
The Pocket Radar cannot output data to an external display. Stalker-type guns often have ports for displays.
Pocket Radar Recommendations
If you are a scout or need to track speeds at various angles or long distances, the Pocket Radar is not for you. Robust guns like Stalker or Juggs are better in those scenarios.
If you have direct access to the ball path within about 100 feet, the Pocket Radar is a no-brainer. It’s less expensive, less bulky, and you’ll actually use it rather than leaving it behind. For the right person, it’s the best toy they’ll ever buy.
