Best inexpensive Chronograph

[Dudedog]

I am looking to buy and inexpensive chrono. I see Midway USA has a Competition Electronics ProChrono PAL and ShootChrony models (F1, Alpha)for $100 to $120. They also have a PACT model for around $140. I was wondering if any owners of one of these could provide feedback about thiers, positive and negative. Or if someone has a different model that they like in that price range.
Thanks

PS
I understand I may have to buy two because they seem to somehow attract lead.
Would it be better to order two and just take one out and shoot it to get that part of the process of using one out of the way?

 

[stavman11]

So far... (knock on wood) Mine has escaped lead poisoning for a year....

that said

This is what I have http://www.midwayusa.com/product/338425/shooting-chrony-m1-chronograph-metric and for $88 thats a DEAL... think I spent $115 on Mine

It works well, I can see the readout easy from 15' away....

It really depends on How much you use it i guess.... having the readout next to ya is Nice... Print outs are Nice too... but thats xtra $$$$

Sometimes (like last 3 range trips) I use it alot... then it will sit for 5mo.... so i cant really see me needing a $150 one

Upto you..... I like this one... works well for me

 

[Rule3]

This one goes on sale all the time for $100. It is 10 times better than the Pro Chrony brand.

I returned two of those. It does not do well in bright Sun.

This topic comes up all the time, Ford or Chevy.

All I can say is read the reviews, 4.6 stars 168 reviews

If you worry about shooting it, don't buy any chronograph. They even have a flat rate for refurbishing destroyed units. Can not recall the fee but it is cheap.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

 

[mtrmn]

I was told the Competition Electronics Prochrono digital was a very good one and you can get the brainbox pretty cheap if you shoot it. I ordered one but have not had the opportunity to try it out.

ETA: had a Chrony for years but never really liked it. Always had to get out the instructions again because the buttons are labeled in a way that is not conducive to jogging my memory. Simple stuff like changing shot strings and deleting single shots etc took 30 minutes of reading a poorly translated manual.

The new Prochrono digital at least has the functions labeled simply enough a knuckledragger like myself can figure it out without having to read the book again.

 

[Foto Joe]

I've got the Shooting Chrony (F1 I think) with the wired remote. I started out using it for Black Powder pistols (note: A Dragoon with 40gr of 3f powder WILL blow the sky shields off the unit at 15' just from the muzzle blast).

I've had no problems with the unit but as with all chronographs it's best to understand how they work. I've been around numerous chrono's and they all can get finicky especially in bright sunlight. Facing one direction versus the other can make all the difference sometimes.

As far as avoiding the dreaded lead poisoned chronograph, that's just a matter of practice, care and luck. So far the worst I've done was blow the sky shields off with the Dragoon but when it happened I was pretty sure that I'd killed it outright.

 

[quartermaster]

+1 for the Competition Electronics. I have had mine for years and it works very well. I would strongly recommend getting the remote if it doesn't come with it. It plugs into the side and has a very long cord to save steps in recording info and resetting.

 

[Dudedog]

Thanks everybody for your input. A friend of mine had a more expensive one but he moved out of town. Bummer. I know there are older threads on this but it is possible that maybe they have improved the same model over time. I am sure any of them would work but I was looking for any tibits of info about them that I could get, like the buttons are labeled poorly, manaul is poor, I really am happy with it, it works but is a pain in the @!! etc.

I am not really worried about shooting it but I understand they contain small rotating black holes that tend to suck things in.....
Otherwise how would so many get lead poisioning!

(Note: Here in the shooters paradise of California if you shoot one with a lead bullet that might be considered hunting with lead bullets, which is now verboten)

 

[jmorris]

I use the base model shooting chrony more than the others I have. It cost $40 with a coupon from Sportsmans warehouse about 10 years ago.

At the other end my Pact XP will do it all and print it out with trajectory charts but it can't be put behind the seat in the truck and flipped out to measure a few quick shots from time to time.

 

[Coltdriver]

I got an F1 via wal mart (believe it or not!!) delivered to a wal mart store for me to pick up for $70 about a year ago.

They have gone up a bit but check this link out:

http://www.walmart.com/search/searc...ery=chronograph&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

Mine works great. Just follow the instructions on placing it a good 10 or 12 feet from your muzzle!

 

[loose noose]

I've got both, the Chrony F1, and the Pro Chrono Digital Model. I definitely prefer the Chrono Digital Model. The other one works ok however you have to shoot a round thru it before you get an accurate reading from that time forward. For example shooting a .223, on the first round I'll get 790 fps, but there after I'll get an average of 2900 FPS, which proves to be accurate according to the Pro Chrono Digital Model. Go figure!

 

[gamestalker]

I bought an El Cheap "O" F1 years ago and it has proved to be a pretty darn good unit. I've even tested next to a more expensive chrony and it was reading very consistent. But the advantages of a higher end chrony is certainly worth the money, for those who can afford them however. But if all you need is an accurate chronograph minus the bells and whistles, the F1 will suffice. As long as you don't shoot it, it should serve you well.

GS

 

[cfullgraf]

I

PS
I understand I may have to buy two because they seem to somehow attract lead.
Would it be better to order two and just take one out and shoot it to get that part of the process of using one out of the way?

I have proven twice with chronographs the old saying that haste makes waste. So, i would not just shoot out a chronograph expecting it to satisfy the curse.

So, when using a chronograph, just take your time and be careful. If you need to hurry, put the chronograph away until you have time.

I have had three Chronys of different flavors, two shot out and I still ahve the third. The difference between them is the special features each one had. The first was the basic model, the second had the remote display and the third was the top of the line. I believe the timing engine is the same between them.

I also have a CED M2. I have found the Chronys and the M2 can be a pain to use with ambient light depending on a number of factors. Position of the sun, the reflectivity of the ground, shade over top of the chronograph, clouds, distance of the sensors from the gun, the power of the gun, the diameter of the bullet, and I guess you get the picture. Nothing insurmountable, just frustrating at times. I found with the last Chrony that I got, it had some good trouble shooting aids in the instructions.

With the M2, I finally bought the infrared lights and virtually all the sensing issues have gone away.

My main recommendation would be to get a chronograph with a remote read out. It puts less in harms way and usually would be less to repair.

Otherwise, all comparably priced chronographs have similar performance and similar features.

 

[mtrmn]

I will add here that Competition Electronics is NOT the same as CED. CED is Competitive Edge Dynamics. It is easy to get confused with this, at least it was for me.

 

[Kuyong_Chuin]

I am looking to buy and inexpensive chrono. I see Midway USA has a Competition Electronics ProChrono PAL and ShootChrony models (F1, Alpha)for $100 to $120. They also have a PACT model for around $140. I was wondering if any owners of one of these could provide feedback about thiers, positive and negative. Or if someone has a different model that they like in that price range.
Thanks

PS
I understand I may have to buy two because they seem to somehow attract lead.
Would it be better to order two and just take one out and shoot it to get that part of the process of using one out of the way?

Walmart has both the F1 and the Alpha online from $90 to $98 and some change.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

shooting Chrony at Wal Mart $75/$85. Works like a champ.

 

[Jim Watson]

My present chronograph is a CE Pro Digital with remote control; bought separately on sale at Midway. The working area and sensitivity are superior to Chrony, PACT, and CED Millennium. The sale price is not much higher than a Chrony, you don't HAVE to get the remote.
Oehlers are nice but expensive.
The Magnetospeed is a novel approach, very useful if you shoot rifles on a public range and they sneer at you wanting to set up a conventional photo eye unit out on the range.

 

[Dudedog]

Went ahead and ordered the Competition Electronics ProChrono Pal for $89.99. (On sale at Midway, ordering other stuff also)
Will let everyone know how I like it.

Thanks everybody for your input.

 

[Taterhead]

Congrats on the order. Another favorable opinion here of the ProChrono.

If you do shoot it or break it, give them a call. They are very reasonable about fixing or replacing the parts. I shot mine, and they basically replaced everything for about $43 with shipping.

 

[Walkalong]

I have had one for some time now. Unfortunately I got careless with the first one a few months ago, so I am on my second one. They work really well. I don't need laboratory grade results.

I have proven twice with chronographs the old saying that haste makes waste.

Just once for me, knock on wood. This is not how to press the delete string button.

 

[jmorris]

I think I need to start selling chrono armor here. You know they will trigger even if the bullet is 10" or more above the chrono, right?

 

[jmorris]

One feature that the pro chrono has is the angled enclosure, it allows you to have one flat and one on each side at an angle so every shot is clocked by all 3 chronos.

They had that setup at Nationals one year, made me wonder how they calibrate them because they they all gave different readings.

 

[Walkalong]

You know they will trigger even if the bullet is 10" or more above the chrono, right?

Yep, pure carelessness, not ignorance.

 

[cfullgraf]

I think I need to start selling chrono armor here.

I considered armoring a chronograph and actually built something. Then i realized how heavy it would be for rifle. Not to mention the hazard potential to the shooter, me, with the armor a scant 10 feet away.

I decided new chronographs were cheaper than medical bills.

 

[GW Staar]

Yep, pure carelessness, not ignorance.

Humor me.....even after 42 years, I'm still a total chronograph neophyte, but thinking about asking for one for Christmas to see what all the hullabaloo is all about.....trigger 10" over?....explain?

Now what about the RCBS bullet-shaped thingee that's always available at Sportsman's Warehouse. Nobody ever mentions it.....crap or another victim of unfounded anti RCBS prejudice??? It looks like the computer sits away from the sensors like the Pact does.

 

[cfullgraf]

Humor me.....even after 42 years, I'm still a total chronograph neophyte, but thinking about asking for one for Christmas to see what all the hullabaloo is all about.....trigger 10" over?....explain?

Now what about the RCBS bullet-shaped thingee that's always available at Sportsman's Warehouse. Nobody ever mentions it.....crap or another victim of unfounded anti RCBS prejudice??? It looks like the computer sits away from the sensors like the Pact does.

The 10" is the height of the bullet path over the chronograph. The chronographs can "see" the bullet at a ways above the sensors.

That said, environmental conditions can make that difficult at times. Where the sun is, clouds in the sky, shade of over the sensors, reflectivity off the ground, muzzle blast of the fire arm and a number more things that can affect the ability of the sensors to "see" the bullet.

It seems the comparable cost units have similar issues to some extent or another. Nothing insurmountable but frustrating at times. There are a variety of things to do to minimize the problems. Extra shades, black marker rings on bullets, tilting the sensors for better shading, etc.

On my CED M2, I bought the in fared lights and it has solved a lot of the issues. But the lights are an expense that many would not want to spend and really they can do fine without them.

In my opinion, it is best to have a chronograph where the computer is out of harms way. It would cost less to repair when it gets shot.

But, in my case, one chronograph got sot when I was in an extreme hurry to beat some rain. 45 ACP does a job on the chronograph. The second shot was a gain a rush thing but I forgot about the scope to barrel offset on the AR. 204 Ruger just whistles right through the sheet metal.

I cannot comment about the RCBS unit but most of their gear is pretty good. i remember the gun rags liked it, but they like most things.

Hope this helps.