Chronograph
- Thread starter wc beagle
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Over the years I have used several Chronys and now have a CED M2. Two of the Chronys expired from lead poisoning.
All four have worked fine. Depending on the features you want will dictate the price.
Sensing the bullet seems to be the biggest variable. Sun position and the surrounding area can affect the ability of the chronograph to sense the bullet. Larger bullets are easier to see than smaller bullets. It takes a while and a little experimentation at times to get the chronograph to give good data. This sounds worse than it really is, but at times you will pull out your hair trying to get good data.
After shooting out two chronographs, I prefer chronographs where most of the electronics are not in harms way. This is one reason I moved away from the Chronys. Folks have devised all sorts of ways to protect the electronics from accidental shooting. That is fine but it does extend set up time. I made an armor plate from my last Chrony but I know that it would not stand up to rifle fire at 10 feet.
So, to answer your question, about any of them will serve you well.
All four have worked fine. Depending on the features you want will dictate the price.
Sensing the bullet seems to be the biggest variable. Sun position and the surrounding area can affect the ability of the chronograph to sense the bullet. Larger bullets are easier to see than smaller bullets. It takes a while and a little experimentation at times to get the chronograph to give good data. This sounds worse than it really is, but at times you will pull out your hair trying to get good data.
After shooting out two chronographs, I prefer chronographs where most of the electronics are not in harms way. This is one reason I moved away from the Chronys. Folks have devised all sorts of ways to protect the electronics from accidental shooting. That is fine but it does extend set up time. I made an armor plate from my last Chrony but I know that it would not stand up to rifle fire at 10 feet.
So, to answer your question, about any of them will serve you well.
Otto
Member
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- May 14, 2007
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- 2,355
Get the ProChrono Digital. I've owned two Chronys in the past...shot one (on purpose) sold the other on eBay.
https://www.competitionelectronics....id=7&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
https://www.competitionelectronics....id=7&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
Oehler here.
jr_watkins
Member
I have the Competition Electronics model. Works really well with rifle (308 and 30-06) as well as pistol (22LR, .38, 9mm, 40S&W, and 44Mag). I have used it over a dozen times and never experienced any trouble. The unit works good in cloudy weather even without the diffusers, but needs the diffusers in direct sunlight. Never tried it indoors.
I also have the Remote Control unit that goes with it, this allows me to download the shooting data and results to my laptop via a serial port. This is a nice feature, being able to print out the results and the computations like extreme spread, avg velocity, high and low velocity and keep the hard copy in my reloading book.
Also, at a range, the remote lets me change the string and other functions from the bench while the range is hot.
Just checked MidwayUSA and the unit is more expensive than the $89 I paid 3 years ago, but still reasonable. If you watch, they tend to have sales.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
I also have the Remote Control unit that goes with it, this allows me to download the shooting data and results to my laptop via a serial port. This is a nice feature, being able to print out the results and the computations like extreme spread, avg velocity, high and low velocity and keep the hard copy in my reloading book.
Also, at a range, the remote lets me change the string and other functions from the bench while the range is hot.
Just checked MidwayUSA and the unit is more expensive than the $89 I paid 3 years ago, but still reasonable. If you watch, they tend to have sales.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
mokin
Member
F1 Chrony. That way when it gets shot beyond repair, I'm not out that much money....
halogrinder
Member
i had an original F1 chrony you can get for like 80 bucks or so on special.... and it went bad (my FPS were 1/2 of what they should be)..... so i went and had it sent in.
while it was in, i decided to upgrade it to an Alpha master.
what a mistake.
i dont use it for ANYTHING except FPS. if someone shoots near me, it records it, there goes my string. forget walking out to it and to "forget" a shot.
forget buying a printer. blech.
shoulda just stayed with the original and been happy not spending 200 bucks lol
while it was in, i decided to upgrade it to an Alpha master.
what a mistake.
i dont use it for ANYTHING except FPS. if someone shoots near me, it records it, there goes my string. forget walking out to it and to "forget" a shot.
forget buying a printer. blech.
shoulda just stayed with the original and been happy not spending 200 bucks lol
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The ones with the sky screens you shoot at out in front of the gun, and the black box reading, reset, etc setting on the shooting bench makes a lot more sense.
First, you don't wear yourself out running back and forth to read it.
Second, its hard to shoot the chronograph if its setting on the bench beside you.
rc
First, you don't wear yourself out running back and forth to read it.
Second, its hard to shoot the chronograph if its setting on the bench beside you.
rc
Chuck R.
Member
Oehler 35P here too.
I just had the printer replaced and the system gone through after 21 years of service.
Chuck
I just had the printer replaced and the system gone through after 21 years of service.
Chuck
halogrinder
Member
Normally the powder or the bullet will make one of them go off. It's REALLY annoying
Dthunter
Member
The chrony line up gets my vote. Cheap and reliable.
Any manufactuered product will have issues of some sort. Some units more than others.
The only thing I dislike about the chrony line up is thier sunscreens. They harden and crack/break even when they are stored away! I had an extra set, and they cracked sitting on a shelf! Lame! This is the third set!
If I hit it with a bullet, I could see them breaking, but not otherwise!
The chronys are normally accurate. I have used the info gathered by them to shoot out to 1900 yards so far. If they were in accurate, it would really show up there! And it doesnt.
Any manufactuered product will have issues of some sort. Some units more than others.
The only thing I dislike about the chrony line up is thier sunscreens. They harden and crack/break even when they are stored away! I had an extra set, and they cracked sitting on a shelf! Lame! This is the third set!
If I hit it with a bullet, I could see them breaking, but not otherwise!
The chronys are normally accurate. I have used the info gathered by them to shoot out to 1900 yards so far. If they were in accurate, it would really show up there! And it doesnt.
mgmorden
Member
I personally am using a Prochrono Digital. For the most part its ok, however they do make the front of the display out of some really thin plastic. I left mine in the trunk for a few days after a trip to the range and the plastic warped/buckled to where you can't read it from a distance anymore. Still works, but you have to read the display a bit closer, which is how I've been doing with it (just take all my shots and then retrieve it and read through the log).
If I had it to do over (and I just might buy one anyways) I'd probably try out the Shooting Chrony. Still debating between getting that or just getting the datacable for this one or replacing it.
If I had it to do over (and I just might buy one anyways) I'd probably try out the Shooting Chrony. Still debating between getting that or just getting the datacable for this one or replacing it.
sugarmaker
Member
CED M-2, very happy. Readable from 25 feet, quite a bit of cord from the brains to the screens so it can sit 15 feet from the muzzle and display on the bench. If I don't have a bench I put the electronics on the tripod braces. If i shoot from a bench I can read the display from 100 yards with a 20x spotting scope.
rayatphonix
Member
It's over your budget but I can highly recommend the "magnetospeed" chronograph (magnetospeed.com). A month or two ago I decided to purchase a chronograph after talking with someone at the range that was using one. He told me about the benefits and why it helped when working up loads. I was looking for something in the same price range when I found out about this.
I have been very, very happy with this product. My only complaint is the plastic buckle used to tighten the system on the end of the barrel, but some epoxy fixed that problem. With other chronometers you need a stand of some sort which cost some amount of money that you need to figure in your total cost. This unit mounts on the barrel. Check out the website. The fellow I mentioned above saw me using mine and was very impressed.
I have been very, very happy with this product. My only complaint is the plastic buckle used to tighten the system on the end of the barrel, but some epoxy fixed that problem. With other chronometers you need a stand of some sort which cost some amount of money that you need to figure in your total cost. This unit mounts on the barrel. Check out the website. The fellow I mentioned above saw me using mine and was very impressed.
Hondo 60
Member
I have a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
(look around, you can probably find it cheaper)
I've shot it twice.
The first time it cost me $72 including shipping (they charged 1/2 the MSRP)
Second time it cost me $42 with shipping.
I like it, but realized that scoped rifles & chronographs don't mix well for me.
With my handguns, it works perfectly.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
(look around, you can probably find it cheaper)
I've shot it twice.
The first time it cost me $72 including shipping (they charged 1/2 the MSRP)
Second time it cost me $42 with shipping.
I like it, but realized that scoped rifles & chronographs don't mix well for me.
With my handguns, it works perfectly.
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