Favorite Chronograph? Why?

[21H40]

I'm just getting started with reloading, and I've read here on THR that reloaders will want/need a chronograph to know more of what the rounds are actually doing past the muzzle.

I stopped by a local Scheels and was overwhelmed. Not by the number of options - there were only two. One for $499.99 and another for $149. The cheaper one advertised being able to communicate with a smart phone through an audio jack cable... ... my phone doesn't HAVE that hole.

What bells and whistles should I actually look for? Right now I'm only reloading 45 ACP for rifle and pistol, but I understand that 45 ACP is a gateway cartridge for reloaders (second only to 38 special) so I'm sure there will be more in my future.

What makes a chronograph "good"?

 

[dgod]

I have 2, a Caldwell and a Chrony (With printer), I like them both but the Chrony has been on hand the longest and is my first choice…

Yes, having one, coupled with known bullet info will allow you to use on-line tools and know EXACTLY what your bullets are doing after leaving the barrel.

Good Luck
Dgod

 

[RMH]

If you are considering the $500 price range, look into the Lab Radar. I chose it because I may drop and break it but I will not shoot It

 

[Frulk]

I have a couple of Chrony’s. I don’t need much more than an LED/LCD screen that shows the FPS of the round shot. I copy that to a small spiral notebook I keep in my range box.

Chronys last I heard are no longer in production but should be relatively easy to find in the secondary market.

Why I like them:

1: COMPACT/light

2: Easy to set up and use.

3: Economical. Most models were under $100

4: Multiple menu features if you needed them.

5: Remote read out with long phone style cable to main unit.

6: 9 volt battery powered.

7: Relatively unfussy when set up under various climatic conditions.

8: Aftermarket replacement screens are available in case you damage the OEM ones.

 

[cfullgraf]

After having a few chronographs with down range sensors die from “lead poisoning” I bought a Labradar.

There are no electronics down range and a I get the info I want. Also, it does not rely on the ambient light conditions.

The Labradar has some idiosyncrasies that have to be learned and it is pricey.

I’ve had Chrony chronographs (out of business), CED M2, and a Magnetospeed. All give velocity information and all have issues that need to be learned.

I bought the aux lights for the CED M2 and it worked much better than relying on ambient light.

The Magnetospeed gave good results but setting up the bayonet sensor for the barrel was a pain. Mine is an early version that does not work well with handguns but newer versions have addressed that issue.

I guess I’d buy an economy chronograph to learn the ropes. Chrony were good for that but they are out of business. There are some other economy chronographs out there.

This may serve you well. But it will also teach you alot about chronographs and what info you want. Then, you will have more knowledge to choose a higher end chronograph that will fit your needs.

Selling a good, used, working chronograph should not be a problem.

 

[kcofohio]

I just got my two up and running again. Both are out of production. For the money, Competition Electronics Pro Digital w/bluetooth add-on (their new model is the Prochrono DLX with built in bluetooth) has been good and reliable. Just have to keep the lead/copper over the screens and not into it.
https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/77576

If I have to buy another, I plan it to be the Labradar.

 

[reddog81]

Depends on your individual setup for shooting. I like my LabRadar because I can setup, shoot and take it down without going down range. If I had my own personal range I’d probably would have grabbed a cheaper version and been fine with that.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I own a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX, which is Blue Tooth compatible that I won at a club raffle...$130 from Amazon. However...

I use a buddy's LabRadar whenever I get a chance...it is just easier to set up and use without worrying about shooting it or getting false readings

 

[gudaki]

LabRadar because it's accurate and easy to use.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

MagnetoSpeed because I’m tired of lab radar. Don’t worry. It’s the expensive one, in case you feel undergunned.

 

[desmobob]

I bought a Chrony when they first came out and had poor results with it; it was hard to get it to read consistently. Then, I bought a Pact Model 1. It's wonderful, but dealing with the cords is a slight pain.

 

[lordpaxman]

I just got my two up and running again. Both are out of production. For the money, Competition Electronics Pro Digital w/bluetooth add-on (their new model is the Prochrono DLX with built in bluetooth) has been good and reliable. Just have to keep the lead/copper over the screens and not into it.
https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/77576

If I have to buy another, I plan it to be the Labradar.

+1, but I did buy a Labradar and love it.
I’d recommend that no matter what chrono you get, if you want to get the data into another computing device, investigate the data path and make sure you know it works. The Pro Digital and Labradar make it relatively easy to do this.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have a Caldwell. It does what i need.

 

[Targa]

If you have the available cash I would get a LabRadar. I have an older Competition Electronics Pro Chrono (No Bluetooth) and it works very well. I have a couple of outdoor areas where I am the only one shooting so setting up down range is not an issue.

 

[jmorris]

My favorite is my $20 Shooting Chrony but it’s not the most feature filled chronograph I have, just the most handy.

This last weekend I played with my shotmarker a bit and setup my pro chrono down range to see how close it was.



With 10 shots averaged, there was a 3 fps disparity. It not only tells you where the bullet went on target but how fast it was going when it got there.



If someone figures out how to get these to work with subs, my chronographs will collect more dust than ever before. It costs even more than a Labradar but it also does a lot more than just tell you velocity.

 

[mcb]

I have an old Shooting Chrony Alpha Master with the remote screen. It has been a good chronograph for me for a long time. I have used a Lab Radar and really want one but can't justify the cost at the moment but if the Chrony dies it will be replaced by a Lab Radar if I can swing the money.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Another vote for LabRadar. Like with most things, buy once cry once.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

Caldwell. Why? Because it's the only one I've ever owned and it has served me well for about 6 years.

 

[.38 Special]

My first was a fancy PACT with all the bells and whistles. It's never let me down, but it's a pain to set up, tear down, and transport. I've "replaced" it, on a couple of occasions, with something cheap and convenient. Those were fine, but both got shot, so I'm back to the PACT.

Were I starting over, I'd probably get the LabRadar, but I have no personal experience with it.

 

[dannyd]

You need to figure out how much your going to use it.

I would love to have a LabRadar, but that's a lot of money for something I would use once or twice a year.

So, I use a ProChrono DLX with the app on my phone.

 

[Thomasss]

Most people like myself don't need all the extras outputs on a chronie. Basically I want to see speeds from half dozen shots and maybe ave, of all and that's its. Don't need to spend a lot for that service.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

+1, but I did buy a Labradar and love it.
I’d recommend that no matter what chrono you get, if you want to get the data into another computing device, investigate the data path and make sure you know it works. The Pro Digital and Labradar make it relatively easy to do this.

There’s this thing called, “Typing”...

 

[kcofohio]

+1, but I did buy a Labradar and love it.
I’d recommend that no matter what chrono you get, if you want to get the data into another computing device, investigate the data path and make sure you know it works. The Pro Digital and Labradar make it relatively easy to do this.

At the gun range I usually can set up in solitude, go down range without interrupting or being interrupted, but only for pistol cartridges. I think the Labradar would be mostly used for rifle. From what I have read, you can get readings far down range.

 

[W.E.G.]

That Lab Radar is an expensive date.

I'm kind of a cheapskate, so I like the Chrony "Master Beta."

I keep mine stored in the original box. I get a huge laugh out of it every time I look at it.
Who names these things?

Seems to work pretty good if I give it a fresh 9v battery each time. It malfunctions if the battery isn't really fresh.

Also make sure the hinged contraption is FULLY OPENED. It only needs to be a tiny bit still in the folded positionn to give you much faster velocities than you expect.

I haven't shot it (as in actually put a bullethole in it). Yet.

Its a big mistake to try to shoot at an actual target when shooting though that narrow opening. Everybody I know who shot their Chrony, did it while trying to simultaneously shoot at a target. You gotta just aim through the rods and the skyshield, and let the bullet go into the dirt downrange. I promise you will shoot the device if you do otherwise.

Buy a Lab Radar, or Magneto Speed, or some other such that doesn't require threading the bullet through the device if you absolutely have to shoot a target at the same time you're measuring a batch of ammo for speed.

Advance to 1:22 for yuks



LOL... that name...

 

[W.E.G.]

Hmmm... link embed doesn't seem to be working for YouTube.

So here's a screenshot of the link where the guy shoots his buddy's chronograph.
Yeah, and always refuse to let your buddies shoot over your chronograph. Shoot their rifle for them. Yourself.