How about recommend a Chronograph?

[HKGuns]

I've decided to finally make the jump to buying a chronograph. I have zeroed in on two models.

1. PACT Professional XP Infrared
2. CED M2

I plan to use it for Rifle and Pistol although it will primarily be for Rifle loads. I am VERY leery of the CED M2 because of all the negative reviews I've read on various retailer sites. At present the PACT is my #1 choice.

The primary requirement is that the brains not be in the line of fire. I'm open to other suggestions if you have positive experiences as long as it will work for both rifle and pistol and the brains are not in the line of fire.

What would you recommend?

 

[119er]

I have a CED Millenium (before M2) that I bought used at an estate sale and I love it. It has worked in any fair amount of light. Once the sun nears the horizon it starts to get finicky. The display is large and all the info is at the tip of your fingers at the bench. The Difference with the M2 is I think more memory and features but looks the same as mine with different color plastic. I have been using this one for about a year and so far the Chrony guys using binos to see their data have drooled over it. I really wanted the Oehler 35P but I took the gamble on this thing and really can't complain. Kinda glad I didn't drop the coin on the Oehler though I still want one. You didn't say if you are new to chronographs or not but whatever your choice make sure to pack a spare battery if you shoot away from home or rural!

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a CED M2 and am pleased with it. I did get the infrared lights for it. It replaced a couple of Chronys that expired from lead poisoning.

The infrared lights have made sensing the bullet more reliable. But, the M2 was never any worse than the Chronys were. The location of the sun and the surroundings will always cause problems with a chronograph seeing the bullet.

I like being able to download the data directly to my computer otherwise, it and the Chronys worked just fine.

The only trouble that I have had was a connection on one of sensor connectors broke and required resoldering. It took a little while to trouble shoot the problem, but once I opened up the case, the problem was quickly found.

I guess I was lucky, looks like poor quality control based on the reviews.

I do not any experience with the Pact unit but comments on forums concerning their repair service have been less than stellar.

 

[Reloadron]

My Chronograph is an old Oehler 35P my wife got me for Christmas almost 20 years ago and I love it.

Given today's choices and a willingness to part with money I would go out of my way to find a chronograph that offered a computer interface. While my old Oehler delivers nice print outs and sits on my shooting table many of today's units, with a price can easily interface to a laptop right on the range. All the data easily collected and stored for later reviews and comparisons. I see that as nice feature today. The addition of IR lighting to eliminate the dusk / dawn and other daylight problems is another nice feature.

Given the PACT / CED choices I would lean towards the CED. A good chronograph cost good money so I guess the trick becomes to get the most for the buck.

Ron

 

[Lost Sheep]

My chronograph sensor unit is armored. Two pieces of channel iron sit atop the unit (one between the sensors and one angled in front of the unit). The readout/control unit, connected to the sensor unit by a cable, sits on the shooting bench.

The chronograph is manufactured by Chrony and has been satisfactory to me. I don't need fancy readouts or high math statistical analysis (yet). If the Oehler and Pact and RCBS chronographs are superior, I don't want to know, lest I be tempted to spend lots of money.

I am holding out for a chronograph that uses microwaves (aka radar gun) to clock the bullets and therefore has no sensor unit in front of the firing line.

I hope I am still alive (and can afford it) when someone invents it.

Lost Sheep

 

[rduckwor]

Get the least e pensive one you can find. You or a friend will eventually shoot it.

RMD

 

[thump_rrr]

I have a Chrony Gamma Master which is their top model.
For around $180 you get a remote display which can hold somewhere in the area of 600 rounds in memory.
It also has a printer which allows you to print out your strings at home at your leisure.
If shooting indoors with fluorescent lighting they sell a set of red LED lamps which work really well.
It's compact and carries well.

If I were to be buying today my first choice would be the Oehler 35P which costs somewhere north of $550 and comes in a rifle case.
Second would be my Chrony Gamma Master since replacement parts are very cheap.
I know someone who owns a CED M2 with the IR Screens who says that replacement parts are not cheap.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

I'm with rduckwor because...

there are two kinds of people that use chronographs, those that HAVE shot their chronograph and those that are GOING to shoot their chronograph!

I'm not saying which group I belong to.

Good luck. I find them to be a great help in load development.

Dan

 

[readyeddy]

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

This one. And I'm not letting anyone shoot it.

 

[wild willy]

I have A CED works fine.Had a PACT turned out the lifetime warranty isn't lifetime so I bought the CED.

 

[Clark]

I was shooting a chronograph in the first 10 shots.
I went through 3 chronographs real quick.

Then I learned to shoot some groups with a handgun, and figure out how close I can get the line of fire to the chronograph.

I have never had a problem with rifles and chronographs.

What does it all mean?
Buy cheap ones, until you have established a destruction rate.

 

[chris in va]

I don't see what the problem is with shooting your chrono. Simply sight down the side of your rifle or pistol, making sure it is a few inches above the sensors.

Everyone told me I'd get Garand thumb too. Right.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've been using a PACT for a bunch of years and it's serving me well...

 

[HKGuns]

Well to close this one out my wife bought me a Shooting Chrony Gamma for Christmas. Surprised to say the least.

I'm hoping it will work well, it appears to be well constructed and fits nicely in my range bag when folded.

 

[cfullgraf]

Good, I think you will be pleased. My Chronys had a good trouble shooting guide in the instructions when the chronograph has trouble "seeing" the bullet. They are some good tips. I hope they have not changed.

Keep a Sharpie handy to put a black band around the bullet. It can help at times particularly with small diameter bullets (17 through 22 caliber)

 

[35 Whelen]

I've decided to finally make the jump to buying a chronograph. I have zeroed in on two models.

1. PACT Professional XP Infrared
2. CED M2

I plan to use it for Rifle and Pistol although it will primarily be for Rifle loads. I am VERY leery of the CED M2 because of all the negative reviews I've read on various retailer sites. At present the PACT is my #1 choice.

The primary requirement is that the brains not be in the line of fire. I'm open to other suggestions if you have positive experiences as long as it will work for both rifle and pistol and the brains are not in the line of fire.

What would you recommend?

I've had a CED for a few years and it works great. They also have available infrared screens which work in ANY light including total darkness. I plan to get some soon.

35W

 

[joed]

Put me down for the CED, had it for about 8 years now. I have no complaints at all. You can also add infrared sensors to it, though I've never had a reason.

 

[Patocazador]

I have A CED works fine.Had a PACT turned out the lifetime warranty isn't lifetime so I bought the CED.

That's odd. I have had a PACT scale and dispenser for ages and they updated my scale to one with the infrared port for free. I bought the original scale in the late 80s and just called them because of an issue with it freezing up. They said they would fix it "free" but I needed to pay $14.95 for shipping & handling.

It seems like a lifetime warranty on their scale. I wonder why the difference with the chrono.