Finally bought a chronograph

[mikey98e]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

 

[Blue68f100]

You will like that unit. I have the older model where I had to add the BT. Their phone app is very nice, if you have not downloaded it yet, I suggest you do.

Always carry a spare battery, there is room in the battery compartment for 2 on the older unit. I have not seen a new unit so I do not know if this is still the case.

 

[kcofohio]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

As @Blue68f100 has, I have the older Pro Digital with the add-on bluetooth. It's handy that one the unit is set up, you don't have to go downrange to change strings. Mine has been reliable. And Competition Electronics people are easy to work with.
Two things I recommend, from experience, is to verify each guns POI, and replacing the aluminum defuser rods with wooden dowel rods. I use 1/4" rods and shave the ends down to 3/16".

 

[Thomasss]

Can't wait to see you blow the thing up. LOL Follow the rules wisely in the manual. 10 feet away, shoot nearest the sky screen(top) and take into consideration the scope to bore distance when figuring where you bullet will travel. And finally remember
"there are only two people in this world, ones that have new chronies and ones that shot their chronies!" LoL. I'm on number 4 and am a lot more careful now.

 

[dannyd]

If you afford it get the case and plastic cover they are well worth the money.

Also mark each rod half way up, I just use blue masking tape.

 

[Mark_Mark]

i convinced my brother to get a chrono after 25 years of reloading. Dude was afraid of tech, even used a paper map until recent years. Now, he’s taking about charts and such.

 

[dannyd]

You will like that unit. I have the older model where I had to add the BT. Their phone app is very nice, if you have not downloaded it yet, I suggest you do.

Always carry a spare battery, there is room in the battery compartment for 2 on the older unit. I have not seen a new unit so I do not know if this is still the case.

There is room in there and remember to unplug the battery with done.

 

[dannyd]

The App is easy to use and questions I will be glad to try and answer.

 

[.308 Norma]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

Tape a spare battery in the bottom of your chronograph. That way you'll never forget to turn your chronograph off (like I did once) when you finish a shooting session.
Once when I got to the "range" (the county gravel pit) I discovered I'd left my chronograph on from the last time I'd used it - whenever that was. Luckily, the gravel pit is only about 2 miles south of the house, and I had my cell phone with me. So, I just called my wife and had her bring me a new battery.
I taped a spare battery in the bottom of my chronograph when I got home, and I've never forgotten and left my chronograph on since.

 

[n2omike]

Chronos are GREAT.... until you accidentally shoot them. lol
Been there, got the t-shirt! Actually on my 3rd one!

 

[dannyd]

Chronos are GREAT.... until you accidentally shoot them. lol
Been there, got the t-shirt! Actually on my 3rd one!

Just exactly what are you trying to imply.

 

[illinoisburt]

... can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.

As the old adage goes, you're going to get what you wished for Hot days, cold days, clean cold barrels then warm dirty ones, and all the other fun variables.

Honestly these days the basic chronograph tech has been sorted out fairly well and even the no name Amazon specials for $60 can be a decent tool for providing data. For longer range rifle shooting it can be quite helpful however like any other rabbit hole sometimes the chronograph can be too much of a good thing, especially for general paper punching and plinking.

 

[jmorris]

You don’t have to shoot your chronograph, you just have to remember that the sight you are aiming with is above where the bullets come out.

If you can’t remember that, just set up your target/aim point, the firearm and chrono and take a step back to ensure you are clear.



If it’s an overcast day, you can leave the screens and rods in the box, they are not needed.



You also don’t need to shoot “right” over the top. If I have a rifle that’s sighted in and shoots good enough to care how fast a given load is going, I have even taken them down range and just set them in from of the target at the height to give me the largest margin of error from my aim point.

That high left shot was #1 and corrected POA/POI, confirmed with another, then after I knew where the bullets were going for sure, I set it out.

 

[.45Coltguy]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

As long as you get your desired accuracy and intended velocity, I don't see the big deal in SD[standard deviation]. It could be small, could be a bit large; just never played into my results that I looked for. Sure some here will say different, just my findings. But, your new chronograph will be helpful.

 

[gunmechanic]

I have wanted a chronograph but there are so many choices and pros and cons i got so confused i have been on the fence .Some day i will just pull the trigger !

 

[KYregular]

I have the older not bluetooth version of this and have been happy. They can be very fickle around twilight time though

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

Dad and I tried a Caldwell G2 chronograph and got a Labradar a few weeks ago to replace it. It seems like if it's not exactly perfectly lined up it will give weird results. With the radar it just has to be aimed at the target and it generally works great.

 

[lordpaxman]

After more than 40 years handloading, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph. I can't wait to see what velocity my loads really are at and how much deviation there is between shots.
-mike

Nice! Just don’t expect perfect strings and statistics.
I had that unit with the Bluetooth wart on the side, and it works well. I would:
1)Ditch the metal rods that hold the sky screens and get 1/8” wooden dowels to replace them. If you hit that metal the energy can dissipate in the lightweight plastic and electronics.
2)Build a boo boo plate to protect the lightweight plastic and electronics.
3)Best results for me under sunny skies is using the sky screens and the sensors of the unit in the shade.
4)Have fun!

 

[n2omike]

1)Ditch the metal rods that hold the sky screens and get 1/8” wooden dowels to replace them. If you hit that metal the energy can dissipate in the lightweight plastic and electronics.

That's a great idea! It's what killed one of mine... lol

 

[dannyd]

Plastic straws work good too.

 

[.45Coltguy]

That's a great idea! It's what killed one of mine... lol

It's the first thing I did with my chronograph; wood dowels for the screens.

 

[rfwobbly]

1) Ditch the metal rods that hold the sky screens and get 1/8” wooden dowels to replace them. If you hit that metal the energy can dissipate in the lightweight plastic and electronics.

I use chopsticks.

 

[drband]

I use chopsticks.

Long bamboo skewers work well.

 

[Frulk]

I would just add this bit of advice. To ensure maximum longevity of your purchase don’t let your buddies shoot through it.

Chronos to me are fun, crank out very useful info and provide a small increase in safety if you’re a reloader.

 

[drband]

^^^Agree^^^
Shot my buddy’s chronograph. Bought him one and then bought my own.