Improving a CED M2 chronograph.

[MCMXI]

I've had a CED M2 chronograph for five years or so and would replace it with exactly the same model one if this one ever breaks. I recently added the infrared screen option to prevent the annoying ERR messages that happen from time to time due to poor lighting. That addition was well worth it. The only other complaint I've had with the CED M2 is the 9V battery life so I decided to solder in a wiring harness (still able to use a 9V battery) and run the control unit off a rechargeable RC battery pack with considerably more mAh. I've used the chronograph many times since this upgrade and have yet to need to charge the battery. I bought two battery packs but it's starting to look like I didn't need a spare.

 

[Walkalong]

Cool!

There's nothing worse than ending up at the range with a dead battery in the chrono, and despite our best intentions, we forgot to replenish the one we took out of our range bag the last time. Yep, I have done that. Really aggravating.

 

[cfullgraf]

I got the infrared screens for my M2 and it certainly does improve the reliability of the unit.

The internal 9v battery has worked well for me. I do remove it at the end of a session as i do not use the chronograph very often and the battery tends to discharge when installed in the unit. I do most of my shooting on my farm so a dead battery is a minor inconvenience and a replacement is a utility vehicle trip away.

But the external battery pack is a good idea and nicely done.

 

[MCMXI]

Walkalong, thanks. I used to have two or three spare 9V batteries in my range bag whenever I went to the range but the short battery life is what bothered me most. Rechargeable 9V batteries have relatively low mAh ratings so that's why I chose the RC battery.

The internal 9v battery has worked well for me. I do remove it at the end of a session as i do not use the chronograph very often and the battery tends to discharge when installed in the unit. I do most of my shooting on my farm so a dead battery is a minor inconvenience and a replacement is a utility vehicle trip away.

I noticed the same thing about the battery discharging while in the unit, even though it wasn't being used. However, even with removing the battery, I'd still go through batteries within two or three range sessions. Like you I do most of my shooting on my property but it's still a plus not to have to worry about battery life and those annoying ERR messages that ruin a nice string.

 

[cfullgraf]

[Rechargeable 9V batteries have relatively low mAh ratings so that's why I chose the RC battery.

Ah.

The rechargeable standard batteries (AA, AAA, 9V, etc) just do not seem to hold their charge very well for me. i tried a number of them for amateur radios and the batteries spent more time in the charger than in the devices. Of late, I have stayed away from them.

Standard 9v alkaline batteries work well for me but I agree that a battery going dead during a chronograph session is a pain.

Your RC battery pack is a nice solution.

 

[GW Staar]

OK, dum-dum here! Honestly, I never had the pleasure of using a chronograph. Yeah in more than 40 years. In spite of the fact that Santa got me an M2 last Christmas, I've not even tried it out yet. (I think she is miffed) I think I'm just sceered of new-to-me technology.

I have been eyeballing the infrared add on, and I expect I'll buy that this summer. But right now I'm trying to find someone at the range to walk me through this.......getting old is a pain. I use to build my own computers with a soldering Iron, and now a simple thing like this unnerves me. Disgusting.

But thanks for the RC battery pack Idea! I was not liking what I saw with CED's battery pack.....that looks like a pain in the ass waiting to happen.

Any teething suggestions for a newbie on this tool? Without the IR when what's the best time to try one out and test it? Brite sunny day at noon, maybe? That's not the fun time to go to the range here in Hot New Mexico. Nuthing about it.

 

[MCMXI]

The infrared add on is definitely worth the investment. I haven't had a single ERR message since using it, not that the CED M2 was problematic, but after moving to NW MT and shooting all year round in all kinds of lighting, I realized that I need a more consistent contrast between the bullet and the screens. I shoot a lot of Barnes bullets and they seem to increase the number of ERR messages on dull days. However, you'll probably have no issues in NM with bright sun, even if it's low in the sky. The CED is really good in that regard. I've been reloading for many years, since '92 in fact, but only started using a chronograph about seven years ago. I simply won't do load development (rifle) without one now. Bullet velocity is a huge part of the performance equation so a chronograph is essential to me. GW Staar, bust out that chrony and see what you've been missing all these years.

 

[GW Staar]

Thanks for that encouragement, MCMXI, I need this thread......threads on the M2 are rare, compared to all the shouting about the chronys, Prochronos, and the new things you stick on your gun.

Now if I can just figure out how to not shoot the damn thing with my pistols. I'm going to love it, I'm going to love it, I'm going to love it.............100 times.

 

[Rule3]

Nice job of conversion. I guess I do not us my Comp Electronics enough to worry about battery life. I unplug it when done.

It also has a slot for a extra battery.

What about Lithium batteries?? They are supposed to last longer?

 

[cfullgraf]

But thanks for the RC battery pack Idea! I was not liking what I saw with CED's battery pack.....that looks like a pain in the ass waiting to happen.

The CED battery pack that comes with the infrared screens powers just the infrared screens. I put mine in a small cloth sack (a Crowne Royal bag re-purposed) and hang it from the bottom of the center column on the tripod. Mine has a hook there. If I remember correctly, it is 12v and not suitable without a voltage reducer to power the chronograph.

The chronograph has a compartment that holds two 9v batteries. One powers the unit, the other is a spare. MXMXI just soldered some leads to the 9v battery contacts and wired the connector on the outside of the chronograph. 9.6v is a fairly common voltage for rechargeable battery packs. It is comprised of 8 1.25v cells.

Any teething suggestions for a newbie on this tool? Without the IR when what's the best time to try one out and test it? Brite sunny day at noon, maybe? That's not the fun time to go to the range here in Hot New Mexico. Nuthing about it.

With the sun directly overhead, the chronograph will work great. With the sun lower in the sky, the position of the sensors relative to the sun becomes more important. You do not want direct sunlight shining on the sensors. Shade created by cardboard can accomplish the same thing. This is important even with the IR screens. Sometimes tilting the sensors to get them out of direct sunlight a little also helps.

While the position of the sun can cause troubles even when using the IR screens, the IR screens make about any other lighting condition a non issue.

I keep a Sharpie(r) in my chronograph bag. Sometimes or some bullets benefit from a black band drawn around the bullet. Gives a little more contrast. I have probably marked 17 and 20 caliber bullets more than anything else. Little itty bitty bullets are hard to see even when they are not moving.

Go give the chronograph a try and make the first session or two a learning experience. Remember to shoot high in the triangle. The offset between the sight's line of vision and bore of the firearm has caused many a blasted chronograph sensors.

The sensors don't take too kindly to being pierced by a 204 Ruger bullet.

 

[GW Staar]

Ah....thanks for the explanation. Yes I did get the wrong idea from the first few posts. Two separate power supplies. 12 volt for the I.R. unit, 9 volt for the Chronometer. Got it.

I saved an article written by a fellow who built his own I.R. unit with internet-bought parts including a 3' strip of I.R. LEDs. It worked really fine, but I don't think it saved him a dime, the parts were pretty expensive.

Do it yourselfer that I am, I'm convinced such is not a project worth the DIY trouble. Which is good.....I still haven't built my saw blade annealer yet.....or a bullet-flipping collator jmorris has been bugging me to build. I've been hammered for time the last year. Reloading and shooting even, has gone way down too. I'm hoping for a break this summer.

Really looking forward to learn this new skill.