Your Buying Guide to Paceman Bowling Machines

Highmark Cricket now stocks the Paceman range: eight bowling machines from Dimension Sport, the company behind Paceman, running from a $140 ball launcher for young kids to a dual-wheel machine that bowls at express pace for $2,400. This guide puts them side by side, sums up Dimension Sport's own videos of every machine, and shows which balls and add-ons fit which machine.

Three things decide the right machine. Who is batting sets the pace you need. The ball you want to face (soft, light or hard) rules machines in or out. And where it will live, from a backyard power point to club nets with no power at all, decides the power and the build. Answer those four quick questions above, or read on.

Key takeaways

• Pitch Attack (BlastR, ATK70, ATK90) is the entry range: fixed speeds and light balls, built for juniors and the backyard.
• From the 176XT up, the speed adjusts and the feeder holds 12 balls.
• Only the 195XT, 195 Shift, 245 Edge and 525 Express take hard balls.
• Every machine from the ATK90 up runs off a 12V battery as well as mains. The BlastR runs on D batteries; the ATK70 needs mains.
• The 245 Edge and 525 Express are built for club use, and the 195 Shift suits light club use.
• Use Paceman balls. Light balls fit every machine except the BlastR, which takes Pitch Attack balls only.

Watch the two videos, in short

Dimension Sport filmed the whole range in two short videos. Tap play to watch here, or jump straight to the machine you are weighing up.

Dimension Sport · 1:48 · covers the BlastR, ATK70 and ATK90

Pitch Attack machines by Paceman

• 0:38 BlastR A soft-ball launcher that gets young kids hitting safely, on mains or D batteries.
• 0:59 ATK70 The simplest full bowling machine in the range: set the length, load six balls and bat.
• 1:13 ATK90 Fixed 90 km/h pace with swing and spin, and it runs off a 12V battery away from a power point.

Dimension Sport · 2:28 · covers the 176XT, 195XT, 195 Shift, 245 Edge and 525 Express

The Paceman bowling machine range

• 0:28 176XT Adjustable pace up to 100 km/h with a 12-ball feeder, for a batter still training with light balls.
• 0:49 195XT The most affordable machine that bowls hard balls, from a higher release point on an extended tripod.
• 1:03 195 Shift Hard and light balls, with EZ line and 360° rotation so you can change the delivery between batters in seconds.
• 1:25 245 Edge Club-grade build with a concave moulded wheel and hard balls at up to 90 km/h.
• 1:54 525 Express The fastest machine in the range: two wheels, up to 150 km/h with light balls and 120 km/h with hard balls.

The machines at a glance

How fast each machine bowls

See Dimension Sport's comparison chart

Machine by machine

Pitch Attack

A first machine for young kids

• Top speed Up to 40 km/h
• Launch Up to 10 m, 3 angle settings
• Feeder Auto, 9 ultra-light balls included
• Power Mains or 4 x D batteries

The BlastR is the entry point to the Paceman family: a ball launcher rather than a full bowling machine. It sends Pitch Attack ultra-light balls up to 10 metres at around 40 km/h, with three angle settings to vary the trajectory, and a light above the chute turns green just before each ball comes out so a young batter knows when to be ready.

It runs off mains power or four D batteries (not included), so it can go anywhere in the backyard, and it comes with nine ultra-light balls. It takes Pitch Attack balls only, and Paceman recommends adult supervision.

Shop the BlastR · $140 Watch it in the video (0:38)

Balls and add-ons that fit the BlastR

BallsPitch Attack Light Balls (6)$37.50 SurfaceBatting Mat, 3 m$105 NetBack Stop Net, 2.1 m$142.50

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Pitch Attack

Swing and spin for backyard batting

• Top speed 70 km/h, fixed
• Feeder 6 balls
• Balls Paceman light balls
• Power Mains

The ATK70 is Paceman's most affordable full bowling machine. It delivers Paceman light balls at a fixed speed of around 70 km/h from a six-ball auto feeder, so a batter can practise alone, and it adjusts for length as well as swing and spin.

A fixed speed keeps it simple: set the length, load the feeder and bat. It is built for the backyard and packs down for storage. For the same idea with more pace and the option of a 12V battery, look at the ATK90.

Shop the ATK70 · $280 Watch it in the video (0:59)

Balls and add-ons that fit the ATK70

BallsPitch Attack Light Balls (6)$37.50 BallsOriginal Light Ball, yellow (12)$65 BallsUltra-V Light Ball, green (12)$65 SurfaceBatting Mat, 6 m$190

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Pitch Attack

More pace, and it runs off a battery

• Top speed 90 km/h, fixed
• Feeder 6 balls
• Balls Paceman light balls
• Power Mains or 12V battery

For a more serious challenge, the ATK90 delivers Paceman light balls at around 90 km/h. It keeps the six-ball feeder and the swing and spin settings of the ATK70, and stands on a larger folding tripod that is easy to put away when the session is over.

The other difference is power. As well as mains, the ATK90 connects straight to a 12V battery, so it works at the park, the club or anywhere without a power point.

Shop the ATK90 · $380 Watch it in the video (1:13)

Balls and add-ons that fit the ATK90

BallsOriginal Light Ball, yellow (12)$65 BallsLightning Light Ball, pink (12)$65 Power12V Battery Pack$185 SurfaceBatting Mat, 6 m$190

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Paceman Performance

Speed you can set, up to 100 km/h

• Top speed Up to 100 km/h, variable
• Feeder 12 balls
• Balls Paceman light balls
• Power Mains or 12V battery

The 176XT is where the Paceman Performance range starts, and it is the first machine in the line-up with adjustable speed. It bowls any Paceman light ball at up to 100 km/h, with swing, spin and full or short lengths, from a 12-ball auto feeder.

It runs on mains or straight off a 12V battery, and the folding tripod makes it easy to store. It is the natural step for a developing batter who has outgrown a fixed-speed machine but still trains with light balls.

Shop the 176XT · $475 Watch it in the video (0:28)

Balls and add-ons that fit the 176XT

BallsOriginal Light Ball, yellow (12)$65 BallsLTD Performance Light Ball, white (12)$65 Power12V Battery Pack$185 FeederBall Feeder Remote$45

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Paceman Performance

Hard balls for more feel off the bat

• Top speed 100 km/h light, 75 km/h hard
• Feeder 12 balls
• Balls Light and hard
• Tripod Extended, higher release

The 195XT does everything the 176XT does and adds hard balls. Paceman's Reg and KPH+ hard balls give more feel off the bat and a session closer to the real thing, at up to 75 km/h, while light balls still come through at up to 100 km/h.

It also sits on an extended folding tripod, which raises the release point for more realistic deliveries. For a family with a cricketer who plays hard-ball cricket, this is the machine to look at first.

Shop the 195XT · $600 Watch it in the video (0:49)

Balls and add-ons that fit the 195XT

Hard ballsReg Hard Ball, yellow (12)$90 BallsOriginal Light Ball, yellow (12)$65 Power12V Battery Pack$185 SurfaceBatting Pitch, 9 m$495

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Paceman Performance

Change the line and the spin in seconds

• Top speed 100 km/h light, 75 km/h hard
• Adjust EZ line, 360° rotation
• Feeder 12 balls
• Club use Light club use

The 195 Shift is a 195XT with faster, finer control. EZ line adjustment moves the delivery line without shifting the whole machine, and 360° rotational adjustment lets you set any spin you want (leg spin, off spin, top, side and back spin) in seconds.

That makes it the pick for a coach or parent running sessions for more than one batter, and Dimension Sport rates it for light club use. It takes light and hard balls, runs on mains or a 12V battery, and has the 12-ball feeder.

Shop the 195 Shift · $750 Watch it in the video (1:03)

Balls and add-ons that fit the 195 Shift

Hard ballsReg Hard Ball, yellow (12)$90 Hard ballsKPH+ Hard Ball, red (12)$90 Power12V Battery Pack$185 FeederBall Feeder Remote$45

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Paceman Advanced Performance

Built for the club nets

• Top speed 100 km/h light, 90 km/h hard
• Wheel Concave moulded TPR
• Build Heavier-grade steel chassis and tripod
• Club use Yes

The 245 Edge is the first of Paceman's Advanced Performance machines. A high-output motor, a concave moulded drive wheel and a heavier-grade steel chassis and tripod make it more suitable for clubs and high-use environments, and hard balls come through faster than on the 195 machines, at up to 90 km/h.

It keeps EZ line adjustment, the full swing, spin and length settings and the 12-ball feeder, and runs on mains or a 12V battery. Paceman pitches it as a great value option for players or clubs who want a quality machine without the top-end price.

Shop the 245 Edge · $1,225 Watch it in the video (1:25)

Balls and add-ons that fit the 245 Edge

Hard ballsKPH+ Hard Ball, red (12)$90 Hard ballsReg Hard Ball, yellow (12)$90 Power12V Battery Pack$185 SurfaceBatting Pitch, 9 m$495

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Paceman Advanced Performance

Express pace from two wheels

• Top speed 150 km/h light, 120 km/h hard
• Drive Dual DC motors, dual concave wheels
• Feeder 12 balls
• Club use Yes

The 525 Express is the top of the range. Two DC motors drive two concave moulded wheels, which is how it reaches up to 150 km/h with Paceman light balls and 120 km/h with hard balls, with the full range of swing, spin and length settings.

It is built for serious batters, rep players and clubs who want to face genuine pace, yet it still packs down, assembles easily and runs off a 12V battery when there is no power at the nets.

Shop the 525 Express · $2,400 Watch it in the video (1:54)

Balls and add-ons that fit the 525 Express

Hard ballsKPH+ Hard Ball, red (12)$90 Hard ballsReg Hard Ball, yellow (12)$90 BallsLTD Performance Light Ball, white (12)$65 Power12V Battery Pack$185

In stock at Highmark now. Tap any item to see it in the store.

Which balls fit which machine

Paceman makes its balls for its machines, and the ball has to suit the machine. Light balls are the safe, forgiving choice for home and fit every machine except the BlastR. The BlastR takes Pitch Attack balls only. Hard balls give the feel of the real thing and suit the four hard-ball machines.

Two of the light balls change the pace: the Lightning (pink) and LTD Performance (white) compounds come off the machine faster than the Original. The Ultra-V (green) glows in the dark for evening sessions. Among the hard balls, KPH+ (red) is made to deliver up to 20% more velocity than the Reg ball.

Power, feeders, mats and nets

A machine is only half the setup. These are the add-ons that matter most.

• Battery. The Paceman Portable 12V Battery Pack (18Ah sealed lead-acid, charger and carry bag included) runs the ATK90, 176XT, 195XT, 195 Shift, 245 Edge and 525 Express. Charge it fully before first use and after every session.
• Feeder. Top trays hold six balls each and stack on the Paceman ball feeder base, up to four trays including the base. The remote lets you run the feeder without walking back to the machine.
• Surface. On concrete or a driveway, a Paceman batting mat (3 m or 6 m, 1 m wide) or the 9 m pitch (1.5 m wide) gives a truer bounce and saves your balls from wear.
• Nets. A back stop net catches the balls you miss, and the GS5 and folding SP6 nets enclose the whole session.

Power

Power12V Battery Pack$185

Feeder

FeederFeeder Top Tray (6 balls)$22.50 FeederBall Feeder Remote$45

Surface

SurfaceBatting Mat, 3 m$105 SurfaceBatting Mat, 6 m$190 SurfaceBatting Pitch, 9 m$495

Nets

NetBack Stop Net, 2.1 m$142.50 NetGS5 Batting Net, 5 m$380 NetSP6 Folding Net, 6 m$540

From choice to first session: three steps

Still torn between two machines? The Highmark team has this conversation every week of the season, and we would rather you ask twice than buy the wrong machine once.