I did the same thing at a 12u tourney.... wanted to check out the 60mph kid everyone was talking about.... my PR was steadily cruising at 54-55... maybe mine is broken too???I believe they are very consistent/accurate. I pulled mine out during a stroll at a 16U tournament last weekend and out of 8 pitchers, 53 was the highest I saw (from a 14U team.) Most cruised around 51.
So that brings up a good point, where is the PR measuring speed, off of the hand, halfway there, at the batter? I don't know how much speed you lose over 40' but it must be quite a bit. PC used PR on DD and got 52-54 (2nd year 12u) during lesson but what does that really mean?
We have a pitcher who is legit mid-50s in games. Dad was very excited to show me a 63 the PR. I would bet money that it was an exit velocity.
Or a car on an adjacent road. Was gunning Jake back int he day in an HS game. Folks got excited when my Stalker II read 69 mph. Pointed out the expressway just past the outfield.
No cars around. I'm still betting on exit velocity going the other way.