Labradar users. Can you recommend this chronograph?

I don't know what you all are talking about-I think they are wonderful dogs---Oh, wait, that's an A not an O. My bad.
Seriously, every time I glance at the thread topic I can't help but think of the dog. I guess I'm just weird.

taliv said:

I've had my magnetospeed since 2014 and chrono'd nearly every time i go shoot, which some years is 4-5 days/week. adds up to literally thousands of rounds. i have replaced the battery twice.

cfull, i think you've had your magnetospeed longer than i have. how often have you changed batteries in it?

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The comparison of battery usage between the Magnetospeed to the LabRadar is the equivalent of fuel usage between a Toyota Prius to a F-22 Raptor. The Mgenetospeed is a electromagnetic sensor where the LabRadar is in fact a Doppler radar unit transmitting and receiving a dynamic signal.

This said, the battery usage isn't that bad. I have mine set for full power all the time and it will run 8 hours plus.

taliv said:

I've had my magnetospeed since 2014 and chrono'd nearly every time i go shoot, which some years is 4-5 days/week. adds up to literally thousands of rounds. i have replaced the battery twice.

cfull, i think you've had your magnetospeed longer than i have. how often have you changed batteries in it?

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I'm still using the original USB battery that I bought when I bought my LabRadar. But, I have several of the batteries that I have gotten for different pieces of equipment.

But, I have not used my unit as much as you. I chronograph stuff in spurts mostly when I'm working on something new. I do maybe eight to ten sessions per year although a session may spread over several days.

I also have a couple of external USB batteries that I keep in my small Labradar bag. They last 2-3 range trips or so, depending on how many loads I need to test. I keep two just in case one runs out in the middle of a session (has only happened once, and that was because I hadn't recharged them in a while.

I would say the battery usage is a non-issue if you use the external USB battery packs.

taliv said:

I
cfull, i think you've had your magnetospeed longer than i have.

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I got my LabRadar in August/September, 2016. I've only chronographed 122 strings with it so far.

I just got one last month. I guess I wasn’t paying attention, because I was not aware that this was on the market. I generally can’t chronograph with my Oehler 35 (no "P") from September to March because of weather conditions. Even during the “good” months, the wind can usually get high enough to vibrate or knock over the relatively light skyscreens, stands and/or sunshades. Then there are the sky conditions. It seems as though the stars and planets and my schedule would only align perfectly about 4 days a year, and I would have mega-chrono sessions. Well, reloading just got a lot simpler. I now can try different components without having backlogs in testing and utilization. That was a real problem during the scarcity in common components that existed between 2008 and 2016.

Before I received the LabRadar, I downloaded the manual and watched the “how to” videos. My first range session with it was indoors with semi-auto pistols at 50 feet. It was incredibly easy to set up compared to the procedures and gear intensive hassles involved in setting up the Oehler. I was really happy to see that the LabRadar worked. It did pick up a couple of shots from a guy shooting two bays over, but the readings were very low and it was easy to delete them from the strings. (I also can adjust the settings once I have a handle on sensitivity.) I also managed to go outside (in January!) and set it up on a day when the wind and, possibly, the sun conditions would have kept me from using my Oehler. I should add that some tests using rounds previously tested with the Oehler showed consistent readings with the LabRadar.

The setup is so simple and fast that I can bring the unit with me just about anytime I go to the indoor or outdoor range.

I am not sure that the software is as robust as I would like, but it is way better than the nothing that I had before. All I need to do is write down the gun, load and series number and worry about the data when I am home. I did put an SD card into the LabRadar.

The LabRadar will save me a lot of time and effort, and that translates into value that justifies the expense. At some point I may try to recover a part of the expense by selling my Oehler.

Hope this helps.

I have a magneto speed and Im not in love with it. Works more than it doesnt work but far from perfect. Also no way to log the data I have to write it down after each group shot (I have the sporter model) I have been eyeing up this: https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-720...01B7OYNJG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 anyone have this caldwell and have feedback on it? I like the fact that it synchs to an app where you can log your data.
Thanks,
Dom

I own the Magnetospeed v3 unit, it works perfectly every time. Yes it does take a bit of setup, but the equivalent of a simple dope sheet tells you what spacers to use with whatever muzzle/device is in use.

I don't mind writing things down, although I don't have to, MS will record information on a sd card.

The major advantage to LR is you can shoot without hanging something off the barrel, or standing in the rain setting up sensors. As much as I think it's a good idea and something I'd like to have, it comes with it's own idiosyncrasies, I'll wait until it's idiot-proof enough for this idiot.

bikemutt said:

The major advantage to LR is you can shoot without hanging something off the barrel, or standing in the rain setting up sensors. As much as I think it's a good idea and something I'd like to have, it comes with it's own idiosyncrasies, I'll wait until it's idiot-proof enough for this idiot.

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LOL! I think it is pretty idiot-proof honestly. Took me one or two range trips to really get comfortable with the menu setup on the Labradar, but I really love it. It is pretty much brainless and functions perfectly.

It's my first chronograph, but I like it. I shoot with other people, and it's nice to work everything from behind the line.

Hey all,

I may have a bit of extra money in my account this month, and I've wanted a Labradar for awhile. I don't own a chrono yet, and I like the features on the Labradar. They happen to be on sale at midway right now too.

My question is in regards to placement of the unit. I typically shoot standing out in the woods next to my truck. I usually flip the tailgate down and use it as a table. When sighting in a gun or testing reloads, I like to do so from a sandbag. I'm debating between the base plate and a tripod. The base plate looks safer in regards to not knocking the unit over. However, if I have it sitting on the tailgate of my truck, and I am standing next to it, the gun will be approximately 2 to 2.5 feet above the unit. does this present any problems? I would think not. If it does, I can just buy a tripod to use instead.

Just curious.

Go with the tripod. That's what I use. The muzzle needs to be about centerline of the unit and slightly behind. There is an offset setting from 6 to about 18 inches away from the unit. I would suggest downloading their quick start manual as it shows the detail of how to place this unit to the firearm.

LINK to manual

Load Master said:

Go with the tripod. That's what I use. The muzzle needs to be about centerline of the unit and slightly behind. There is an offset setting from 6 to about 18 inches away from the unit. I would suggest downloading their quick start manual as it shows the detail of how to place this unit to the firearm.

LINK to manual

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Perfect, thank you. That answers my question. A tripod that can stand on the ground does seem to be a better option. I can always pick up the bench plate later if need be.

460Shooter said:

Perfect, thank you. That answers my question. A tripod that can stand on the ground does seem to be a better option. I can always pick up the bench plate later if need be.

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Yep, a @Load Master states, get a decent tripod. The cheap ones are crap, don't waste your money.

This shows position of the firearm to the LabRadar.

I'm pretty excited. I placed my order. Wanted one for like 2 years.

460Shooter said:

I'm pretty excited. I placed my order. Wanted one for like 2 years.

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Oh, did I say "BUY one"??? I meant DON'T buy one!!! LOL!!!

Congratulations, you are going to wonder how you did without it. I delayed forever too because of the cost, and actually had it in the shopping cart a couple of times, then chickened out. Be patient, there is a bit of learning curve, and take my advice and use a rechargeable external battery pack. Trust me on this one. I also had issues when I cheaped out with a crappy USB cable to connect the external battery. It kept shutting down. Turns out the cheap cable was not making good contact. I bought a better cable, and have not had one single issue since.

Let us know what questions you have once you start using it. It is really an amazing device.

Doublehelix said:

Oh, did I say "BUY one"??? I meant DON'T buy one!!! LOL!!!

Congratulations, you are going to wonder how you did without it. I delayed forever too because of the cost, and actually had it in the shopping cart a couple of times, then chickened out. Be patient, there is a bit of learning curve, and take my advice and use a rechargeable external battery pack. Trust me on this one. I also had issues when I cheaped out with a crappy USB cable to connect the external battery. It kept shutting down. Turns out the cheap cable was not making good contact. I bought a better cable, and have not had one single issue since.

Let us know what questions you have once you start using it. It is really an amazing device.

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Yep, already have two different USB batteries and one is high capacity. So I should be good there. Gotta find a tripod.

This is actually my first chronograph. Figured buy once and cry once.

I follow load data pretty closely, but it'd be nice to actually have velocity data. I also want to experiment with 10mm and some homogeneous copper solids. A good chrony moves me a step closer.

Maybe I can afford bullets next month.

460Shooter said:

Yep, already have two different USB batteries and one is high capacity. So I should be good there. Gotta find a tripod.

This is actually my first chronograph. Figured buy once and cry once.

I follow load data pretty closely, but it'd be nice to actually have velocity data. I also want to experiment with 10mm and some homogeneous copper solids. A good chrony moves me a step closer.

Maybe I can afford bullets next month.

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In regards to a tripod, it's not cheap, but this is what I have. Carbon fiber construction. It is light yet very strong. It goes plenty high enough and it will go low too. LINK

Load Master said:

In regards to a tripod, it's not cheap, but this is what I have. Carbon fiber construction. It is light yet very strong. It goes plenty high enough and it will go low too. LINK

View attachment 793943

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That one looks pretty nice. Gonna shop a little. Thanks for that link. I know nothing about tripods and what makes a good one or bad one.

460Shooter said:

That one looks pretty nice. Gonna shop a little. Thanks for that link. I know nothing about tripods and what makes a good one or bad one.

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Go to a camera shop if there is one nearby. I like Manfrotto for my camera stuff. The carbon fiber ones are nice, but really pricey.

MeFoto makes some that are somewhat portable, but pretty sturdy and reliable.

Make sure you get the quick disconnect attachment for the top and a ball joint so you can rotate and get the right angle setup, which is important with the Labradar.

Good luck.

Doublehelix said:

Go to a camera shop if there is one nearby. I like Manfrotto for my camera stuff. The carbon fiber ones are nice, but really pricey.

MeFoto makes some that are somewhat portable, but pretty sturdy and reliable.

Make sure you get the quick disconnect attachment for the top and a ball joint so you can rotate and get the right angle setup, which is important with the Labradar.

Good luck.

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Any opinion on the one linked above?

I'm going through a midlife crisis. Decided to buy this instead of a sports car.

460Shooter said:

Any opinion on the one linked above?

I'm going through a midlife crisis. Decided to buy this instead of a sports car.

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That looks too good to be true, but then again in the days of Chinese manufacturing, all things are possible I guess.

That looks like a really solid choice and includes the ball head and the quick disconnect.

Carbon fiber is nice because it is light and strong, but for the Labradar you really don't *need* the carbon fiber since you won't be lugging the tripod all over the place like you do with some photoshoots.

I have *never* paid less than $200 for a tripod for my camera stuff, and sometimes have paid a lot more. That looks like a steal for what you are getting. From the pictures it look solid as heck. Some of the review talk about it breaking within a few days, and 10% of the reviews are only 1 star, but otherwise, the reviews look good as well.

At that price, I would say it is worth the chance. Looks good from what I can see in the ad.

460Shooter said:

Any opinion on the one linked above?

I'm going through a midlife crisis. Decided to buy this instead of a sports car.

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I have had my tripod for over two years now and use it regularly with my LabRadar. It is not the exact one linked above. This is the exact one I have, LINK, and I paid more than the one linked in the earlier post. They look to be the same except the color, but maybe there are other differences.

The only issue I have had to date, the Allan screws that secure the tripod legs came loose on one of the legs. I have tighten it an all is good once again. I also had to add a shim (washer) between the 1/4 attachment bolt that secures the LabRadar to the tripod. The screw was bottoming out before the unit was fully tight on the mounting plate. I like the ball mount a lot. It makes aiming the unit at the target easy.