Dropshot – Smart Electronic Scoreboard for Pickleball

Pickeball is a fun and exciting racket sport that pretty much anyone can play. Not only is pickleball a great way to exercise and burn calories, but it’s also an awesome way to socialize with others. Pickleball matches typically involve two or four players using smooth-faced paddles to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high net until one side can no longer return the ball or breaks a rule. While pickeball is a fairly simple sport that’s easy to learn, it can sometimes be hard to keep track of scoring, especially if that’s done manually and without the help of a third-party. Nevertheless, there’s a simple solution on the market that makes it easy for pickeball players to keep track of score during their matches. Meet the Dropshot.

The Dropshot is a smart electronic scoreboard for pickleball that keeps track of every point, serve, and rally digitally without requiring manual scorekeeping. It has a shockproof construction with an IP54 Weatherproof Rating and can be set up anywhere, whether that’s by the courtside or hung on a fence. The scoreboard features an auto-flip display with custom, ultra-bright green LEDs and 4.5-inch-tall digits for easy visibility and maximum clarity from across the court, while also integrating an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts its brightness. It also features customizable game modes including Singles, Doubles, Rally Scoring, and Side-Out Scoring, plus custom game lengths for 9, 11, 15, and 21 points. It boasts Bluetooth connectivity for instantly updating its score tracking with its clip-on remote control or through your Apple Watch, and offers up to 8 hours battery life. Via the Dropshot App you can access your match history and analyze post-game stats such as serve accuracy and point distribution.

Designed to automatically tracks everything for you and update scores instantly, this smart electronic scoreboard for pickleball makes playing time fun while helping players to easily keep track of scoring.

Below is our review of the Dropshot, where we talk more about all the cool features this smart electronic scoreboard has to offer pickleball players.

DESIGN

Starting with the device’s size, this smart electronic scoreboard has a compact footprint, measuring just 18 inches long by 8 inches wide by 1.5 inches thick (450 x 200 x 40mm), so you can easily fit it inside a backpack or bag.

The Dropshot also has a sleek and modern design, with its body coming entirely in a solid Black color with a powder coating finish.

Moreover, this smart electronic scoreboard is also built to handle any environment.

It packs a shockproof construction and is also rated to have a IP54 Weatherproof Rating, meaning it can withstand dust, intense sunlight, and rain, making it tough enough for tournament play (i.e. can withstand the occasion shot from a pickleball ball) as well as for outdoors courts.

SET UP / INSTALLATION

When it comes to its set up process, know that this smart electronic pickleball scoreboard can be set up anywhere, as it comes equipped with folding arms with hooks that serve as its dedicated stand while also allowing the device to be hung.

As such, you can set it up standing by the courtside or ultimately hang it on a fence.

INTERFACE & CONTROLS

We’ll now have a closer look at the Dropshot’s interface, meaning its display screen and button controls.

For helping players keep track of their scores and displaying the scoring from a match, the Dropshot features a bright, auto-flip display has custom, ultra-bright green LEDs that provide easy visibility in all lighting conditions, for which its LEDs display scoring in the form of 4.5-inch-tall digits to ensure players are offered maximum clarity, even from across the court.

In short, the scoreboard’s bright display helps players keep track of every point, serve, and rally digitally without requiring them to track their scoring manually or by memorizing it, thus allowing players to focus solely on the game.

In addition, the Dropshot’s display also integrates a built-in ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts its brightness level, ensuring it’s visible under any lighting conditions, while also helping to save battery at times that full brightness isn’t needed.

As for its score-tracking functionalities, know that this smart electronic scoreboard for pickleball features four (x4) customizable game modes including Singles, Doubles, Rally Scoring, and Side-Out Scoring, along with four (x4) custom game lengths for 9, 11, 15, and 21 points, enabling players to choose and set their preferred target score depending on the type of match.

Integrated at the backside of the device, you’ll find its Power On/Off button, along with a Mode button for cycling between its different game modes.

CONNECTIVITY

For controlling its operation wirelessly, the Dropshot boasts Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to instantly update its score tracking either by using its clip-on remote control (can be clipped to a , or alternatively through your Apple Watch (if you do own one) with just a simple tap.

The scoreboards’ included clip-on remote control can be clipped onto your shirt or waistband, or ultimately given to someone that’s just watching the match to keep track of score more easily.

BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE

For its power, this smart electronic scoreboard for pickleball comes equipped with an 18,000mAh rechargeable battery that offers players up to 8 hours of battery life (there’s also a higher-end model with a 34,000mAh battery that further extends its battery life, making it ideal for tournaments or long sessions).

In regard to recharging its battery, you simply have to connect its included USB-C charging cable to its USB-C charging port (located at the base of the device).

THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Dropshot App

Players can also install the Dropshot App on their iPhones to get access to post-game stats.

Via the Dropshot App, players can access their match history and analyze post-game stats such as serve accuracy and point distribution.

Furthermore, the app also features a leaderboard that showcases Local scores, Regional scores, and National scores, giving competitive pickleball players some extra motivation to play at their best level and keep improving their game.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

Inside their package, users will find: their Dropshot Pickleball Scoreboard, along with its clip-on remote control, a USB-C charging cable, and a user manual.

FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all, this smart electronic pickeball scoreboard makes it easy to keep track of score during pickleball matches. It’s the perfect gift for avid pickeball players.

If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that the Dropshot is currently available for pre-order either via Dropshot’s Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, through which you’re offered an early bird special at $249 per unit for a limited time, or alternatively from Dropshot’s official website, where each unit is priced at $279.99. Each purchase also comes accompanied by a 1-Year Warranty.