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ElectronicsDemo buildVideo published 18 June 2026

Nerf chronograph.

A home-built chronograph, demonstrated with foam darts.

HOW IT WORKS / TWO INFRARED GATESGATE 1GATE 2Distance ÷ elapsed time = speed

How it works · A diagram of the two-gate measurement principle.

Build notes

Two infrared gates detect the dart passing. A Pico 2 W measures the time between them and calculates its speed from the distance between the gates.

The sensor signal passes through an LM393 comparator and a 74HC14 Schmitt trigger to give the Pico a clean signal. The demo mounts the assembly on a Rhino blaster; the next idea is more beams per gate so the dart doesn't have to pass through one perfect line.

Parts

What went into this build.

  1. Two infrared gates
  2. Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W
  3. LM393 comparator
  4. 74HC14 Schmitt trigger
  5. Rhino blaster, used for the demo