Magnetospeed Sporter?

[berettaprofessor]

Just saw the Magnetospeed Sporter is going for $179 on several sites. I hadn't considered one before since the V3 is around $350 everywhere, but the Sporter looks interesting and might be tempting me to replace my Chrony; Sporter fits barrel diameters up to 1".

Anyone have any input that has a Sporter? Would I regret the smaller barrel fit compared to the V3? I primarily chrony AR's and standard hunting rifles and calibers, and I don't care about other functions such as multiple string recordings, etc. Comments?

 

[Mark_Mark]

Just saw the Magnetospeed Sporter is going for $179 on several sites. I hadn't considered one before since the V3 is around $350 everywhere, but the Sporter looks interesting and might be tempting me to replace my Chrony; Sporter fits barrel diameters up to 1".

Anyone have any input that has a Sporter? Would I regret the smaller barrel fit compared to the V3? I primarily chrony AR's and standard hunting rifles and calibers, and I don't care about other functions such as multiple string recordings, etc. Comments?

I have mounting issues with my Sporter on AR’s. If you have full length hand guards, you have to remove it to attach the bayonet to the barrel. I wish I would have bought a Labradar. V3 is very similar to the Sporter but give you a bunch of plastic mounting brackets, not worth $350 in my option.

If your OK with removing the hand guard on your AR to strap the unit on and no compatible with Pistols. Then it’s worth $175. Bedside, you will use it 1-8 times a year.

 

[Varminterror]

I used a Sporter for a year before trading in towards a V3 (not sure if they still do that?). It worked fine for most bolt gun applications, but the Sporter just doesn’t work for pistols, long handguard AR’s, or suppressors.

There IS the option to buy the Sporter computer and the V3 Bayonet, which ends up splitting the difference in cost. But honestly, the V3 isn’t so expensive if you’re actually using a chronograph. If you only need one once or twice every year or two, then you could probably borrow a chrony, use a lower cost model, or split cost and buy one with another low volume loading buddy. If you’re shooting frequently, then it doesn’t matter much. I shoot more cost of ammo across my V3 every year than the price of the unit, so the distributed cost of the whole thing is nil.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I used a Sporter for a year before trading in towards a V3 (not sure if they still do that?). It worked fine for most bolt gun applications, but the Sporter just doesn’t work for pistols, long handguard AR’s, or suppressors.

There IS the option to buy the Sporter computer and the V3 Bayonet, which ends up splitting the difference in cost. But honestly, the V3 isn’t so expensive if you’re actually using a chronograph. If you only need one once or twice every year or two, then you could probably borrow a chrony, use a lower cost model, or split cost and buy one with another low volume loading buddy. If you’re shooting frequently, then it doesn’t matter much. I shoot more cost of ammo across my V3 every year than the price of the unit, so the distributed cost of the whole thing is nil.

When I have more time to shoot and develop, I’ll get a Labradar but for now. My Sporter does the job. Annoying to mount to AR’s and I need to Jury rig for pistols… but hey, it gets me numbers

 

[berettaprofessor]

Thanks Mark_Mark, I'll have to see how many of my AR's that I couldn't fit the unit on due to handguard length. I understand the desire for a Labradar, but they're +three times the price of the Sporter right now. I'm working my way up from a Chrony and just can't see that much need right now. But I would miss the ability to do pistol too.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks Mark_Mark, I'll have to see how many of my AR's that I couldn't fit the unit on due to handguard length. I understand the desire for a Labradar, but they're +three times the price of the Sporter right now. I'm working my way up from a Chrony and just can't see that much need right now. But I would miss the ability to do pistol too.

Having used both, the Sporter for me is just a small package I can toss in the range bag. It’s not better than a Chony

the whole package is about a 2x1.5x12 in a self contained sleeve

 

[Varminterror]

When I have more time to shoot and develop, I’ll get a Labradar but for now. My Sporter does the job. Annoying to mount to AR’s and I need to Jury rig for pistols… but hey, it gets me numbers

I know a guy who cut his Sporter bayonet apart and adapted it to fit a stand or a rod - so he could suspend the bayo from a handguard, or index his muzzles/barrels of his pistols onto the stand and shoot over it.

Honestly, I don’t chrony my pistols so critically, even for long range, that I worry much there - and a ProChrono Digital is so ridiculously cheap, I don’t have excuse not to keep it around. But I have the V3, LabRadar, and ProChrono Digital, and end up using all 3 throughout the year (effectively only use the ProChrono for archery).

 

[Varminterror]

the Sporter for me is just a small package I can toss in the range bag. It’s not better than a Chony

It can be.

1) The reliability in varying light is grossly better than any optical chronograph.

2) Don’t have to be in front of the firing line to set up. Huge advantage of the Magnetospeed and LabRadar.

3) I can strap a Magnetospeed to my barrel and engage multiple targets at multiple distances without repositioning the chronograph - shooting multiple targets AND getting chrony data at the same time. Can’t do that with an optical chrony, or even with the LabRadar. An arca rail with an integral clamp turned sideways beneath my rifle lets me carry the computer along for the ride, and I can even chronograph from multiple barricade positions, engaging multiple targets if I want.

 

[Mark_Mark]

It can be.

1) The reliability in varying light is grossly better than any optical chronograph.

2) Don’t have to be in front of the firing line to set up. Huge advantage of the Magnetospeed and LabRadar.

3) I can strap a Magnetospeed to my barrel and engage multiple targets at multiple distances without repositioning the chronograph - shooting multiple targets AND getting chrony data at the same time. Can’t do that with an optical chrony, or even with the LabRadar. An arca rail with an integral clamp turned sideways beneath my rifle lets me carry the computer along for the ride, and I can even chronograph from multiple barricade positions, engaging multiple targets if I want.

I shot my Chony, so I guest the Sporter is better!

 

[Varminterror]

I shot my Chony, so I guest the Sporter is better!

Yeah, that was the 4th bullet point I typically include - 4) Can’t shoot a chrony that isn’t in front of your muzzle…

 

[Mark_Mark]

Yeah, that was the 4th bullet point I typically include - 4) Can’t shoot a chrony that isn’t in front of your muzzle…

Amazon gives a 90 day return policy, and “ I shot my Chony” is not an option for reason for reason for returning… So I picked Defective or Stopped Working. I didn’t lie???!!!

 

[redcon1]

When I have more time to shoot and develop, I’ll get a Labradar but for now. My Sporter does the job. Annoying to mount to AR’s and I need to Jury rig for pistols… but hey, it gets me numbers

I went with the V3. It does seem like I will have to mount it to a suppressor to use it with one of my ARs but it mounts up to the rest of them A-OK. I had planned to do that anyways. All of my semi-auto pistols that I might care about chronographing will accept a suppressor too so, if I decide to chrono those, that may be a solution. I'm not terribly worried about chronographing any pistols however (except for the 300 BO pistol). I don't know how useful the data would be to me and I wouldn't want to risk breaking my magnetospeed for unnecessary data. if I truly felt the need to chrono pistol rounds, I'd probably buy a second dedicated tripod mounted optical chronograph before I'd risk damaging my magnetospeed. I look at the magnetospeed as a fairly expensive, limited purpose specialty tool. It's only purpose is to me is to tell me how fast my rifle rounds are going so I can accurately calculate bullet drop. That's it. That's its only job. I should be out playing with it but it was supposed to rain today and then of course it didn't or hasn't. That thing is going to get a workout next week though. lots of data to collect.

 

[stringnut]

I was disappointed, with the sporter, that it cannot be used on lever rifles with a magazine tube. Went to chronograph the wife’s Marlin 357 and no reading. Nothing in the advertising mentions that. Midway said the would accept the return if it wasn’t removed from the box. Removing from the box is how I found out it wouldn’t work. Oh well. Still a darned nice chronograph for the money.

Does anyone know if the v 3 will work with lever guns?

 

[redcon1]

I was disappointed, with the sporter, that it cannot be used on lever rifles with a magazine tube. Went to chronograph the wife’s Marlin 357 and no reading. Nothing in the advertising mentions that. Midway said the would accept the return if it wasn’t removed from the box. Removing from the box is how I found out it wouldn’t work. Oh well. Still a darned nice chronograph for the money.

Does anyone know if the v 3 will work with lever guns?

You could put a suppressor on a lever gun and make it work. if you don't want to go through the paperwork, you could mount a fake suppressor just for the chronograph. You would still have to have a threaded barrel and/or a muzzle device that would facilitate attachment. You might be able to mount it sideways too. Now that I think about it, you could probably put a couple inches of PVC pipe around the barrel and magazine and attach the V3 to that but barrel heat might become a problem after a few rounds.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If I got something like that I'd probably just use the T/C Contender to check my pistol loads. The only barrels I'm missing are 9mmP, 9mmMak, .380ACP and .32ACP (which I no longer reload). I can get a .45ACP barrel since I no longer have a .45Colt barrel (sold it - like an idiot) but I have all of the revolver cartridge options in 10" barrels for the T/C. Maybe if the F1 dies or gets assassinated I'll think about it. It's small enough to get lost in my ditty bag so not a huge issue but I won't miss hauling the folding table and tripod around.

 

[Varminterror]

I was disappointed, with the sporter, that it cannot be used on lever rifles with a magazine tube.

I mounted mine to the side of my leverguns. One rifle I just took off the front sight and flipped the bayo upside down.

 

[bigpower491]

I shot my Chony, so I guest the Sporter is better!

Lol......been there, done that

Yeah, that was the 4th bullet point I typically include - 4) Can’t shoot a chrony that isn’t in front of your muzzle…

Yessir......that is a very distinct disadvantage

 

[barnfrog]

Yeah, that was the 4th bullet point I typically include - 4) Can’t shoot a chrony that isn’t in front of your muzzle…

From what I've read on the interwebs, it can be done if you're so inept you can't align the bayonet with your barrel correctly. Fortunately, I cannot attest to it from personal experience.

 

[Varminterror]

From what I've read on the interwebs, it can be done if you're so inept you can't align the bayonet with your barrel correctly. Fortunately, I cannot attest to it from personal experience.

I’ve skipped several bullets off of my bayonet - just left skid marks down the length and change my POI.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’ve skipped several bullets off of my bayonet - just left skid marks down the length and change my POI.

Skid Mark! lol!

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I mount my Sporter on top of the barrel, upside down, for lever actions. It works just the same. The offset will fit over top of front sight.
Just be careful how you aim.
I saw in print somewhere that the Sporter is for rifle only. I have used mine for pistol but I have to use jacketed bullets as the Sporter will not pick up lead.
If you actually get it to it won't be accurate.
There is also no support for them since Magneto Speed was sold.
I have called them, sent them emails, nobodies home.
I talked to one of the sales agents there once and he said all I can do is leave a message.
That's no way to run a business.
Forget about the app for the cell phone, it only works on the old cell phones the program was written for and has never been updated. They charge you $25.00 for a $.10 cable that you will just throw away.
Now, I do use mine on my S&W half lug revolvers, like my Model 28, and 57. It works on them pretty well with jacketed bullets and is repeatable. I check tightness on my barrel every shot.
If I had it to do over again I would buy a Lab Radar, or a regular chroney.
Won't say anything about the V3 because I don't have one.
I'm trying to get into an outdoor private range right now and if I am successful, I will buy a something different than this thing. Probably just be a Chroney.
Hopes this helps.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Thanks for the input, everyone!

 

[High Plains]

I bought a Sporter model sometime around 2015 or so. It is a vast improvement over the light and shadow type chronographs I used before and will probably never use again. A few of my rifles show POI changes with the “bayonet” but most don’t. It is a great piece of kit.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Well, thanks everyone, I purchased the Sporter and love it. It feels cheaply made, mostly plastic, but it works fine. Used it for testing primer loads in 2 different cartridges yesterday. Perfect first for 6.5 Grendel, didn't pick up the first couple 223 Remmy's, but I adjusted sensitivity to "H2" and it didn't miss a shot after that. All on a dark cloudy day when I wouldn't have bothered to get the Chrony out. No loosening of the strap or issues!

 

[Mark_Mark]

Well, thanks everyone, I purchased the Sporter and love it. It feels cheaply made, mostly plastic, but it works fine. Used it for testing primer loads in 2 different cartridges yesterday. Perfect first for 6.5 Grendel, didn't pick up the first couple 223 Remmy's, but I adjusted sensitivity to "H2" and it didn't miss a shot after that. All on a dark cloudy day when I wouldn't have bothered to get the Chrony out. No loosening of the strap or issues!

I love the size, comes with a plastic sleeves case and pops right into the range bag