Shooters: What have you learned?

[Jeffy]

Originally Posted by CalTran

Really? We did about the same thing with our original shooter, and we found DRASTIC variation between shots because of its explosive exit as it uncompressed...

Conveniently knowing both systems well allow me to answer.

Our shooter does not shoot the ball with a very high velocity (compared to most). The ball is compressed between a roller and a flat piece of poly carbonate. This allows the ball to be decompressed over a fairly large distance (~5 inches). So, it's not exactly an "explosive" exit like it is from a shooter with dual wheels spinning much faster than ours.

Morale of the story:
Allow the ball to compress and decompress over a distance rather than "instantly".