Digital Gun Range vs. Real Gun Range: Which Delivers Better ROI for Range Owners?

In the early days of running Vandalia Range & Armory, I can’t count how many weekends were interrupted by a broken carrier or cable. One minute, every lane was full — the next, we had to shut one down because a target line snapped.

Anyone who’s managed a range knows what that feels like. You can’t predict it, you can’t schedule it, and you can’t make up for the revenue lost that day.

That cycle — the constant maintenance, the downtime, the “we’ll fix it again next week” mindset — was what led us to ask a simple question: What if the target system wasn’t the weak spot anymore?

That experience led us to design EV-R — a digital target system built by range owners, for range owners, to make modernization practical and profitable.

Why Real Gun Ranges Still Matter

Let’s be crystal clear: there’s still a place for real gun ranges and traditional target systems. They’re reliable, durable, and familiar to shooters who value the fundamentals of marksmanship. Many of us, myself included, learned on paper targets.

But as the industry evolves, range owners are realizing that digital gun range technology can strengthen, not replace, real-range training. Traditional systems deliver consistency — EV-R adds engagement, data, and long-term cost efficiency.

EV-R vs. Target System: How EV-R Changes the Range Experience

EV-R brings interactive technology to the real gun range experience without sacrificing authenticity. Each lane projects crisp digital targets onto a rollable paper surface, offering hundreds of training and entertainment scenarios — with live ammunition, not simulation.

Here’s how it stands apart:

1. Fewer Repairs, Lower Costs

Every component is positioned out of the line of fire, meaning there’s nothing to hit or break. Instead of replacing carriers and cables every few months, you might replace a projector bulb once in a while. Less maintenance equals lower overhead and less downtime.

I tell range owners all the time — this system came from frustration. We were tired of throwing money and time at repairs that didn’t move the business forward. EV-R solved that for us first, then for others.

2. Built for Both Fun and Training

Shooters can switch from qualification silhouettes to bowling-pin games with a tap on the screen. For law enforcement and military clients, EV-R integrates live-video decision-making drills that sharpen judgment and reaction time. For civilians, it turns a standard range session into a memorable experience — perfect for date nights, corporate outings, or skill-building.

When we first started testing prototypes, things looked very different. We were literally hanging paper from a wood frame just to figure out how projection would work. It took time — figuring out the right materials, the roller system, and how to make it reliable. Once we nailed that, we realized we had something that could be installed or retrofitted in almost any range. That’s when I knew we were moving in the right direction.

3. Real Data, Real Progress

Traditional lanes can’t measure improvement. EV-R tracks scores, speed, and accuracy, syncing with our mobile app so shooters can follow their progress over time. It’s performance tracking made practical.

4. Always Up to Date

Because EV-R is cloud-based, range owners receive automatic updates, new targets, and fresh content. You don’t have to buy new equipment every few years to stay modern — your system evolves with you.

Subscription Pricing: A Smarter Way to Modernize

Most digital-range technology used to mean huge upfront costs. EV-R changes that with a lane-by-lane subscription model.

• One shooter per day can cover the subscription cost of a lane.
  

• Range owners get ongoing content, software updates, and warranty support — no surprise fees.
  

• For larger facilities, traditional purchase options are still available, but smaller ranges or retrofit projects gain flexibility and quicker ROI.

It goes beyond saving money. It’s about keeping cash flow healthy and technology current.

Real-World Results

At Vandalia Range & Armory, where we run both digital and real gun range lanes, roughly 80 percent of shooters choose digital. Those shooters burn through 40 percent more ammo per session simply because they’re more engaged.

That engagement means better margins, repeat visits, and happier customers.

Other ranges, like our install in Long Island, NY, are seeing the same thing. Owners tell us customers love the interactive targets, leaderboards, and fresh challenges that keep them coming back.

Overcoming the Fear of Tech

The biggest barrier we see? Hesitation. Some range owners worry digital means complicated. But if you can use a tablet or smartphone, you can run EV-R. Our team can log in remotely to assist, train new employees, or troubleshoot in minutes.

Once people try it, the response is almost always the same, “This is easier than I thought — and it still feels like a real gun range.”

The Bottom Line

There will always be a place for real gun ranges and traditional target systems — they’ve helped build the foundation of safe, reliable firearm training. But as range owners look for ways to grow, re-engage customers, and bring new energy into their facilities, EV-R offers a modern complement that combines technology, data, and the same live-fire experience shooters expect.

After two decades in this industry, I’ve learned that innovation doesn’t have to erase what came before. We didn’t build EV-R to replace tradition — we built it to evolve it.

About Alex Hague

Alex Hague is the Founder and CEO of Evolve Range Solutions, a company dedicated to helping range owners bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. With decades of hands-on experience operating one of the most successful indoor ranges in Ohio, Alex created the EV-R Digital Target System to help facilities increase engagement, safety, and profitability through smarter technology. He’s passionate about helping range owners modernize without losing the values that built the industry — safety, skill, and community. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

About Evolve Range Solutions

Evolve Range Solutions, based in Vandalia, Ohio, develops digital target systems that modernize firearm training and entertainment for ranges across the country. From custom installs to scalable retrofits, our EV-R technology combines data, engagement, and reliability to help ranges operate smarter.

Learn more at evolverangesolutions.com