I never liked playing darts, but I did a complete 180 with this auto-scoring system. This gadget has ignited my newfound love of the old pub favorite. It’s a light ring with four hi-def cameras that slots onto your board. Connect with the DartCounter app via Wi-Fi and you get effortless automatic scoring with an announcer calling your points and telling you what you need to check out.

I’ve been testing the Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System for the last few weeks, playing locally on my own and with family, and playing the odd match online. It’s a pricey system, but for darts fans and players looking to improve their game, it could be worth the investment. As a casual fan, I’ve found that a wee game of darts is a great way to unwind at the end of your day.

Stepping Up to the Oche

The Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System pairs with the DartCounter app (Android or iOS). It’s quick and easy to put together, attaching to your board via magnetic legs, but you will need to run the power cable to an outlet. Connect to Wi-Fi, run a short calibration, and it’s time to play. I tested with Target’s Star Wars Millennium Falcon Surround and Dartboard ($200 or £150) and a set of Darth Vader Darts ($340 or £250)—both amazing Star Wars gifts for the fan in your life—but it should work with most boards and any darts.

The LED ring lights up the dartboard beautifully. The four HD cameras accurately record the score for each dart thrown. The DartCounter app compiles comprehensive statistics on your play. You can configure all the match parameters in the app for a tailor-made session, and there are also multiple practice modes and games, such as Around the Clock, where you have to hit each number in sequence and then the bull’s-eye, and Bob’s 27, where you start with 27 points and have to hit the doubles shown.

Online multiplayer is perhaps the biggest selling point, and you can find matches or create your own lobby in the DartCounter app. I never had any trouble finding a match, and there were well over 100 live matches in progress every time I checked. You get three free online matches every week. To unlock all the features, including tournaments, unlimited online games, more detailed stats, and the Master Caller using your name, you must subscribe for $6 a month or $40 a year (£6 and £40 in the UK). You get a three-month free trial with the system. Local play is free, with the exception of a couple of games (121 Checkout and Halve It), so you don’t need to subscribe.

I’ve played loads of games over the past few weeks, but I had the most fun playing a tournament with my brother. We had a dartboard in the garage when I was a teen and spent hours throwing darts, but neither of us had played in years. After much hilarity at how inept we had become and plenty of reminiscing, we both got our eye in, and things became competitive. I won the best-of-five classic 501 matches, but then my brother beat me at Around the Clock (I got stuck on the bull’s-eye).

The online mode means you can get a match whenever you want, even if there’s no one at home with you. It’s also potentially great for playing with distant friends and family, because you can add friends in the app, and, provided you both have the system, play matches together. Target even offers an add-on front-facing camera called Virt ($350 or £250), if you want to see each other, though I haven’t tried it.

The Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System is very accurate and swift, and it’s lovely not to have to do any mental arithmetic as you play. It can also save you from those arguments over disputed counts when people are scoring themselves. The Master Caller also really elevates the experience and makes you feel like a real darts player.

Missing the Mark

As good as it is, the Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring System is not perfect. It is expensive and gets even pricier if you want the extras and subscription. Connectivity can be flaky. I had an issue with a firmware update that required a reset. It has been plain sailing since then, but a glance at the online reviews shows that some folks have had recurring issues. You need fast Wi-Fi to ensure smooth performance (Target suggests a minimum of 30 Mbps). If you’re playing a match online, both players need a strong internet connection.

I also got the occasional miscount or phantom dart. If you take too long retrieving darts or wave a hand in front of the board, it can sometimes erroneously register a score, but it’s pretty easy to avoid once you understand how the cameras work. The miscounts have been mercifully rare for me, but they seem to be fairly random. It doesn’t always pick up bounce outs. These are pretty minor complaints for me, but I’m playing for fun. Serious players might be more vexed by the odd issue.

It’s not the only game in town for darts fans. Autodarts Vantage is cheaper, and there’s also the Scolia range, but I haven’t tested either of them. You can also use an app like Dartsmind (Android or iOS), which uses AI and your phone’s camera to record your score ($15 a year or £13 in the UK). But the convenience and speed of the Omni system are tough to beat.

You can add the Target Darts Omni Auto Scoring Ring to your existing board, or you can go for a complete bundle, which also gets you a dartboard, surround, and a couple of sets of darts with various extras. Either way, you get a three-month trial of the DartCounter Ultimate subscription. Overall, it’s good enough to justify the price if you enjoy darts.

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