Chrono choices?

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I have an old CED Millenium that does great some days and misses a lot on others. I assume it's a lighting issue. Cons: Bulky, tripod needed, if the wind's blowing it's useless.

I picked up a magnetospeed the other day and used it for the first time yesterday. I was able to get velocities in 12 mph winds / 23 mph gusts. Seems good so far.
 
Thanks for the temp education Ron! I'll be reading up on that. Also fixed a late-night typo (titegroup not titewad powder).

MtnCreek - thanks! I've seen the magnetospeed chronos, but those are only for rifles right? I'm solely pistol currently, but will eventually load some rifle stuff down the road.

Appreciate everyone's help and suggestions!
 
After years of f-ing around with others, I finally bought the Magnetospeed "sporter" .. I didn't want to invest any more money than I had to, but I am VERY impressed.. Just seconds to set up on most rifle's, it gives me just what I need, but nothing else.. It records the speed accurately.. With a rebate card, and free shipping, I got it to my door for $150..
 
From back in the dark ages

I've gotten wonderful service from my Shooting Chrony over the last twenty years. It pre-dates the internet, smartphones and bluetooth, so I still have to write down the numbers, but that hasn't been a problem. If mine quit working or if I put a bullet through mine, I would go get the current model.
 
Well I've been thinking a chrony would help in figuring loads for awhile so I read along as you all posted. I liked what Dave said regarding the Caldwell and the phone app so I have the Caldwell kit with the IR sensors and the flimsy tripod on its way. I have a good sturdy one so I figure I can repurpose the tripod for some other use.
 
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In the caldwell app it has a "bluetooth" radio button - anything in the manual on what's that for? (Fingers crossed it's wireless communication!)

For pistol use, wireless preferred, i'm still stuck between the Caldwell and CED ProChrono. I have my friend's Caldwell currently and after the second chrono day at the range, i am even more frustrated by the too frequent errors. This is wired/ with the Caldwell IR's indoors @64*F.
 
Well I have a whoop-dee-doo smart phone so when it comes I'll be checking to see what I can get going with it.
 
Just arrived, putting it together and stoked to be able to try it.

Batteries not included so trip to the store pretty quick. :mad:

There is a usb connection on the side as well as the port for the supplied cable to the phone. I'm going to try an email to Caldwells and see what info I can get out of them.

The app definitely works with a Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
 
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sl33py said:
I have my friend's Caldwell currently and after the second chrono day at the range, i am even more frustrated by the too frequent errors. This is wired/ with the Caldwell IR's indoors @64*F.
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Have you tried moving the chrono further away?
 
Thanks Toprudder. Yes - first thing i did was move the chrono further away - thinking it was muzzle blast causing the error. Fresh batteries, wired to my phone - chrono showing error, so wasn't a comm issue w/ my phone, but an error with the chrono. IR w/ full batteries indoors...

Some of these were with my 1911 4" .45 testing with some lower powder charge weights - so clocking 600'ish to 750 fps. Not a magnum or high power round by any stretch.

Not sure how old his Caldwell is, but likely a max of 2 years old.

AnselHazen - how's your new one going?
 
sl33py said:
AnselHazen - how's your new one going?
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I will post a report as soon as I can. I had to run out and get batteries for it. Got it powered up and verified it talks to the app on my phone. Looking at a stretch of bad weather in front of me but Sat is supposed to be good.
 
Duvell do the infrared lights help in direct sun light? That is when I have the most issues but probably do good to get 80-90% on an overcast day (which works the best for me) with my Competition Electronics ProChrono.
 
AnselHazen said:
I will post a report as soon as I can. I had to run out and get batteries for it. Got it powered up and verified it talks to the app on my phone. Looking at a stretch of bad weather in front of me but Sat is supposed to be good.
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Ansel, hows the tripod? Looking at the same set up to purchase, sorta waiting on your response, was wondering if I need to get a different tripod. Thanks and look forward to see what you have to say about the Caldwell and the APP feature.
 
bbqloader - i've used the tripod a few times now and it works fine. Not super sturdy, but plenty for the small lightweight chrono. It's a bit flimsy if you are used to a nicer photography tripod. If you were shooting frequently in higher wind, i'd simiply add a hook and hanging weight to make the tripod more sturdy. If you need something more "heavy duty" you can add just about any photo/video tripod that will be more sturdy. But the lightweight one that it comes with folds super small and works.

It's nice that it all fits into the carry bag too.
 
I bought an Oehler back during the Pleistocene and it's still going strong.
 
BBQ, I agree with sl33py, the tripod is not something you will find in a pro photographers bag but when I took it out I thought to myself, jeez everyone dissing the thing sure are harsh. I think it will do pretty well. I mean right off the top of my head a few bungee cords and some tent stakes ought to be able to lock the thing down if there is an issue with a bit of wind.

Rain, sleet, snow till Fri it looks like for me. :(
 
Added a new thread about using Harbor Freight Flashlights, worked for me., didn't work for others.
 
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DudeDog - Almost all of the LED kits i've seen for chronos are IR/Infrared LEDs. I know you can find IR LEDs online, but they are not inexpensive like those SMD rolls of LEDs you linked. (i'm a huge fan of SMD LEDs - so flexible and so many uses you can find for them!)

Curious if the non-IR LEDs would work? Might have to wire something up on my buddies Caldwell and test. I firsthand saw what it did when i forgot to power on the IR LEDs on his - giving me a reading of 30,000fps or something silly. Took me a couple shots before i figured it out. (I'm slow sometimes)
 
The Caldwell Chronograph Light Kit can be had for about $40 on Amazon which would be my choice. I would not try and roll my own for the following reasons. IR Emitter LEDs can be had relatively inexpensive but the Caldwell unit has the detector in addition to the emitter. The detectors are generally a photo diode or photo transistor having a light wavelength sensitivity range. Some IR sources (emitters) are in the 940 nm range and some in the 850 nm range. I have no idea what Caldwell uses? They chose a detector sensitive to the broad visible light range of about 400 nm (violet) to 750 nm (Red) and beyond into the Infra Red spectrum.

Rather than screw around trying to fabricate an IR LED emitter source compatible with their detector I would just give them their $40 and save myself the headaches. However, if you are up for the challenge then go for it.


Just My Take
Ron
 
A barrel mounted chrono might be a little less risky when breaking in a new competition trigger, I found that out.
 
I have had a flat out non stop day getting stuff done, but I did get to swing by a gun show as part of it. :D

Got home and had 30 min to spare so I pulled out the Caldwell. Winds gusting 10-15 mph I hooked little bungee cords to my shooting bags to hold it down. Threw 5 rounds in a magazine and fired the rig up. Have to hit start in the app on the smart phone so I burned the 1st round but the next 4 were flawless. No errors and I assume accurate readings.
 

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