Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph Premium Kit Review

[Hondo 60]

IDK, does this belong here?
Technically it's not reloading, but some reloaders wouldn't live without a chronograph.

My slush fund had a couple of bucks in it, so I went looking for a new chronograph.

My experience has been with a Competition Electronics Prochrono Digital.

Unlike the CE, the Caldwell unit has no way to recall data.
I was used to taking it home & manually entering data on my PC.
Including HI, LOW, AVG, ES (extreme spread) & SD (standard deviation).
Only the actual speed is available from the Caldwell.

But the Caldwell is able to connect to a cell phone & save the data as you shoot.
There's an ap that you have to download to the phone, (simple & free)
I had to call CS to get a different cable to do so.
I called them today, so IDK if it actually works, but does so in theory.

If you have an I Phone, the unit comes with a cable to connect, but I have a Samsung Galaxy S4.
So I'm waiting.

The box comes with the chronograph, a tripod, skyscreens & even lights to shoot at an indoor range. (I've never seen lights included. So that was unexpected). Including power cords & a converter to run the lights on 4 AA batteries
I guess I should've read the ad a little closer.

This link has GREAT shots of the "stuff" in the box & pics of the phone ap & what the ap can do.
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Bal...5466&sr=8-1&keywords=caldwell+chronograph+kit


Testing--------------------
It was about 70 degrees & cloudy, so sky screens weren't necessary.
Of 90 shots fired, 86 registered, 4 errored out. I didn't have any that I questioned the speed.
I "think" all 86 were accurate.

Analysis
----------------------------
If the promised cable works as advertised, I can highly recommend this unit.
But that's only IF the cable connects to my phone.
I will update this thread when I get the cable & try it.

 

[Hardtarget]

I have waffeled back and forth about a chrono. I still I want one...just haven't made the jump.

Good review. I always like the Pros and cons when reading a review. I think I'd like the chance to test/play with one. Then try to chose one. Lots of choices out there!

Mark

 

[Hondo 60]

If you were closer I'd invite you.
Might not be worth the drive tho... lol

 

[Starr1der]

Caldwell

Hondo, I have one and I love it. Couple of things- if you are using the InfraRed lights, shoot closer to the chrono. If you have Excel on your home computer (or Open Office/Libre Office), you can import the CSV files. the cable it takes is a standard audio cable, and mine came with it, probably 25' long. I have a Samsung tablet that works even better than my phone, (easier to type and read). I'll attach a PDF to give you an idea of what can be done with the output. 45 ACP shot with Rock Island Armory 1911 5"

 

[Hardtarget]

Hondo...talk about a drive ! even if we met in the middle...wow! But, thanks for the offer.

Mark

 

[2011redrider]

I have a Galaxy Note 4 and a Galaxy tab 3 and t he USB cable worked fine, they would not connect with the supplied cable, but did work on an older ipad. Th e app works fine to email results or save to use in excel. Also has feature to take picture of you r target and include it in the recrd. Can also edit out error reading so they dont aff e ct your avg, sd, and spread calculations. So, it should be fine once you get the new cable.

 

[bbqreloader]

Have it, used it and love it! Took a little use to navigating around the app, but once you get the hang of it, works like a charm. Since it was my first time out with it, took me a couple of rounds to find the sweet spot where it wouldn't error out. Once I was in the zone, picked up every round I put down range and I was able to transfer the data to my home computer. Have not tried the inside, my range is quite finicky about it.

 

[steve4102]

I had a Chrony F-1 for years, till my son put one right through the center last fall.

Haven't been looking to hard for a new one as fishing was taking up most of my summer.

A couple weeks ago I was on Midway's site looking for a new one.

This caught my eye, so I purchased it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/169483/caldwell-ballistic-precision-chronograph-g2

Upside down and totally unique.

Downloaded the Iphone app and I am ready to test.

I let ya know how it works in the next few days.

 

[PCFlorida]

IDK, does this belong here?
Technically it's not reloading, but some reloaders wouldn't live without a chronograph.

My slush fund had a couple of bucks in it, so I went looking for a new chronograph.

My experience has been with a Competition Electronics Prochrono Digital.

Unlike the CE, the Caldwell unit has no way to recall data.
I was used to taking it home & manually entering data on my PC.
Including HI, LOW, AVG, ES (extreme spread) & SD (standard deviation).
Only the actual speed is available from the Caldwell.

But the Caldwell is able to connect to a cell phone & save the data as you shoot.
There's an ap that you have to download to the phone, (simple & free)
I had to call CS to get a different cable to do so.
I called them today, so IDK if it actually works, but does so in theory.

If you have an I Phone, the unit comes with a cable to connect, but I have a Samsung Galaxy S4.
So I'm waiting.

The box comes with the chronograph, a tripod, skyscreens & even lights to shoot at an indoor range. (I've never seen lights included. So that was unexpected). Including power cords & a converter to run the lights on 4 AA batteries
I guess I should've read the ad a little closer.

This link has GREAT shots of the "stuff" in the box & pics of the phone ap & what the ap can do.
https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Bal...5466&sr=8-1&keywords=caldwell+chronograph+kit


Testing--------------------
It was about 70 degrees & cloudy, so sky screens weren't necessary.
Of 90 shots fired, 86 registered, 4 errored out. I didn't have any that I questioned the speed.
I "think" all 86 were accurate.

Analysis
----------------------------
If the promised cable works as advertised, I can highly recommend this unit.
But that's only IF the cable connects to my phone.
I will update this thread when I get the cable & try it.

Let me know how it goes. I too (and my wife) have a Samsung Note 4. No go with the original cable or the USB cable. There was a firmware update available but it has been taken down. I believe I have 2.24 currently. Which do you have?

 

[Hondo 60]

I found that the supplied cable does work!
Had to remove the rubber phone case cuz it wasn't allowing the cable to seat fully.

The ap is GREAT, does all the sums & ciphering for you.
Plus I think it looks neat.

I had an issue with the skyscreens.
With them in place, a 45 Colt was registering an avg of 1850fps.
I knew for sure that was wrong.

After removing said skyscreens, it worked perfectly
Not sure why, infact, that makes no sense.
But that's the way it was.

I said I'd like the unit if the phone ap works & it does, so I'm happy.
I feel it's definitely a keeper.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
PC Florida - sorry I have no idea what version I have & don't know to check it.
Might your issue have something to do with the sequence of connecting steps??????

With the chrono turned off, I connected the cable to the chrono.
Then connected to phone, opened ap & turned chrono on.
I hope this helps.

 

[PCFlorida]

It actually prints the version number on the screen during the startup. Mine is 2.24.

Thanks and I'm glad yours works.