Chronographs. Which one to choose.

[Nordeste]

Well, my birthday is near and I feel like giving some "suggestions" to those I share my life with. I'll suggest they all buy me ONE present instead of several, but the one I really want.

I want a chronograph. I want it bad. I need one to check my reloads and not depend on my shooting buddies. I've had a look at what is commercially available here in Spain, and choices are the CED Millennium 2, the CE Pro Chrono Digital and several flavors of the very well known "Chrony".

One of my shooting buddies has a CED M2. It's the one used at most matches and an IROA favourite. Some swear by it, some others say it's picky with the lighting conditions and that it measures less speed than it should. Cost is, in Euros, more or less what it costs in US dollars over there.

Then the "Chrony". I've heard the good and the bad about it. The bad being that it displays error messages more often than it would be desirable and it measures more speed than it should. In fact, some of my 9 mm reloads than chronoed at roughly 1000 ft/sec on the M2, measured 1048 on the Chrony. Weird, but which one was right? . Does more expensive mean better?. Not always, in my experience.

Then the one that looks like the more balanced option, to me. The CE Pro Chrono Digital is significantly cheaper than the pricey CED M2. It's apparently way easier to use, and what I've read so far about it is that it keeps up, accuracy wise, with the so much praised CED M2. I called a well known Gun Shop in Madrid, that sells both, and the manager told me the one they use is the Pro Chrono, since it measures equally well and is not as picky with the lighting conditions as the CED is.

I'm seeking your advice and experiences with all these chronographs . Those about to suggest an Oehler, be advised that they're not available in Spain.

Thanks in advance.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

my CED M2 is my first and only, so i don't have much to compare it to, but i've been very pleased with it. it's nice to have the readout that sits on the bench. calculates averages and spread on a string for you. stores a whole bunch of strings. i've never had an issue with lighting. i bought it used on THR classifieds and it came with infrared screens, but i haven't needed them.

 

[jr_roosa]

I have a chrony beta master. It is a little error prone, but I get those mainly from the shockwaves from nearby shooters.

I've recently put the lights on it for indoor shooting. The fluorescent lights need to be way down for it to work well, but they seem fine.

I don't know about it measuring things too fast or too slow. Mine seems pretty close to what I would expect with some standard 1911 loads. You can always fine somebody with a nice Ohler, put them one after the other and see what you get.

-J.

 

[readyeddy]

I have a Pro Chrono. Easy to use. No problems.

 

[Nordeste]

Have you compared it against a CED, readyeddy?.

 

[bluetopper]

My "Chrony" was inexpensive. It is no frills, has worked very well for several years and does exactly what I want it to do.

 

[cfullgraf]

All of the comparably priced chronographs will have their operating idiosyncrasies. Problems with the sun, shadows, distance from the barrel, bullet material and such. Once you learn these and the corrections, the chronographs will give reliable readings most of the time.

That said, I went through a couple of Chonys that expired from lead poisoning. I would recommend getting a chronograph where only the sensors are in harm's way. Less expensive to replace fewer components.

The third Chony that I bought, I got the printer. Works fine but data cannot be electronically transferred to other electronic equipment such as a computer.

I got a CED M2, which works well. You can down load the data to spreadsheet program for printing and massaging. I did buy the infared lights and reading errors have gone to near zero.

Recently, I got a Magnetospeed chronograph. Great but really only works with rifles. Also, there are some electronic adjustments that need to be made fore the chronograph to "see" cast bullets. I have not tried this so, no comment.

Easy to set up and no down range equipment to set up. Data can be down loaded to a computer via a micro SD card.

Currently, the Magnetospeed is my choice for rifle but I do like the M2.

I cannot comment on any other brands, at least at this time.

Hope this helps.

 

[carbine85]

I have the Chrony model with the remote display. I can't remember the model number. It seems to work pretty good. The only problem is the stupid bows fly apart every time I use it and it works better when they are used. I need to rig up something to stop that. It's been a lot of help with working up loads.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

I recommend getting an inexpensive one with few features because there are two kinds of chrony owners: Those that have shot their chrony and those that will shoot their chrony.

I think having the readout at your shooting station is a worthwhile feature but in my opinion don't go for the printer and built in calculator. I recommend writing down the results of each shot on pen and paper and then putting the numbers into a spreadsheet at home. The spreadsheets already have sum, standard deviation, average, and other functions built in so your calculations are pretty easy.

Good Luck no matter which direction you choose.

Dan

 

[Nordeste]

I had that in mind, Dan, and thought of purchasing some spare parts, just in case .

I asked this here because at Brian Eno's I had read that this Pro Chrono was as accurate as the CED, hence my question and my will to find out your experiences.

Thanks for your inputs so far

 

[Reloadron]

Many times what the choice comes down to is features. I like the CED Millennium 2 and if I were to replace my old Oehler 35P today I would look in that direction. One feature offered on today's units is the ability (software) to interface with a home PC or a laptop carried to the range. I also like the clock speed, a micro-controller that runs at 48 MHz. The accuracy of the clock is what determines how accurate the unit is, along with a few other features but the clock is the heart of things. Today's use of micro-controllers really make for a compact package with nice features.

Anyway, what it comes down to, in my way of thinking, is what you want for features. Also, how sensitive they are to light conditions.

Ron

 

[GBExpat]

I recommend getting an inexpensive one with few features because there are two kinds of chrony owners: Those that have shot their chrony and those that will shoot their chrony.

Not looking forward to that!

I have a Chrony Beta Master (with the remote unit). Bought it a dozen years ago when I actively got back into reloading and cannot imagine reloading without some type of chrony ever since.

I recently sent it back to Chrony for a memory upgrade ... 6 strings of 10 shots/each finally became too restrictive for my needs. Hopefully, it will be returned within a week or two.

 

[Reloadron]

Bought it a dozen years ago when I actively got back into reloading and cannot imagine reloading without some type of chrony ever since.

Funny thing about a chronograph. We survive for decades without one and once we get one it's like a new indispensable tool. We have countless threads on chronographs and the general consensus is always the same. While not required the chronograph is a nice to have. However, once we start using one then we get back to indispensable tool. Must be like having rear window defrosters.

Ron

 

[toiville2feathers]

The best chronograph on the market is the Ohler, but It is very expensive unit today. My best friend and shooting/hunting buddy has one with 3 screens. The 3rd one is what they call a proof screen.Its about 30 years old and works very well. I used that chronograph an awful lot and really liked it. Very trouble free device. He moved away so we don't get together and develop loads any more so I bought the CED melleniun II. This also is a good unit and the only issue with it is in the winter when there is snow on the ground it can't see the bullet unless I lay a dark colored canvas under it. Other wise I'm really pleased with the unit.
And Yes my friend and I are one of those shooters who are waiting to shoot their chronograph. But we have been waiting for quite some time now. Thats what I like about the sky screens being separated from the processor. If something does happen to the sky screens the price to replace them is fairly reasonable.

 

[Potatohead]

Speaking of, I think I've discovered a way one can avoid shooting their chrono...Mine is still boxed up in the corner of my room, waiting to be opened!

 

[readyeddy]

Sorry I can't compare the Pro Chrono with the CED as I have no experience with the CED.

 

[TooManyToys]

Speaking of "LEAD POISONING & CHRONOGRAPHS."

I just spoke with the owner of Competition Electronics today, (makers of the Pro Chrono digital.) about this very subject. He told me if you send in a damaged unit, they will repair or replace it for no more than 50% the cost a new one.

He went on to say any sort of damage is covered!
Not just shooting your latest hot load through it, but even if you drive over it because you forgot it on top of your truck while leaving the range. or if you live in Colo. and it was found in a creek bed a mile away because your house was flooded, he will cover that too for the same deal.

At current prices, a worst case maximum would still only cost $50-$60.
Pretty great deal & customer service I'd say!

For anyone interested, here is their contact info;
(815) 874-8001
competitionelectronics.com

 

[Nordeste]

^ That's very good news... for those who live in the US . For us in Europe, the shipping plus repair costs would pay for another chronograph.

Just FYI, the Pro Chrono is listed at 145€ over here. I considered ordering one from eBay or the USA as it is significantly cheaper, but the shipping costs plus the more than likely customs taxes have rendered the operation not worth it.

 

[Crashbox]

Love my Oehler 35P. Not inexpensive by any means but worth every penny in my opinion. Having the third 'proof' screen makes all the difference.

[SNIP]Thats what I like about the sky screens being separated from the processor. If something does happen to the sky screens the price to replace them is fairly reasonable.[/SNIP]

The Oehler is constructed this way, and you can adjust the spacing between the screens for even greater accuracy if you have the space and materials.

 

[clutch]

Love my Oehler 35P. Not inexpensive by any means but worth every penny in my opinion. Having the third 'proof' screen makes all the difference.



The Oehler is constructed this way, and you can adjust the spacing between the screens for even greater accuracy if you have the space and materials.

Is that still available? How much?

 

[Crashbox]

I bought mine for just under $600 and IIRC that included shipping. I'm sure if you Google 'Oehler Research' they would come up.

I've used mine only twice so far in the five or so months I've had it, but it was nonetheless most revealing. Just one example: I found that shooting RelodeR 15 in my Ruger No. 1 .405 Winchester was all over the map ES and SD-wise, but IMR 4320 was rock solid.

Again, worth every single penny IMO.

 

[Reloadron]

Is that still available? How much?

As Crashbox mentions they are still available but they are far from an inexpensive tool. My wife gave me one as a Christmas gift must be going on 20 years ago and then they were about $300. Mine has served well for all these years and a few years ago I called Oehler and got a new print head (I love the print feature) and a piece for a skyscreen I managed to clip with a shot. Matter of fact I bought several sky screen pieces so I would have extra parts.

They look like this less the display:



I can literallly set the display on my shooting table and print reports of the loads on narrow cash register plain paper and include the data in my ammo boxes.

Yeah, they are a sweet chronograph but far from inexpensive. One really needs to ask themselves if that is what they really need or want.

Ron