OK, 'bout time for a chronograph

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RussellC

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Was getting ready to buy a Glock19, I need another 9mm like a hole in the head.....but I don't have is the best excuse to go forward....

Then I thought of non gun, yet shooting related items I could use. Larger safe, Dillon 650, chronograph...yes it is about time to get a chronograph.

I think I have boiled it down to two:

The Ohler p35 that is again available,
Or the Labrador unit.

Same money, just North of 5 bills, as is the Glock 19.

Leaning towards Labrador. I'm sure it would be short time before I shot the Ohler, plus even if I manage to miss there is still the setting up of the sensors. The Labrador unit sits to the side, measures speed out to 100 yards, little less for small bullets. It will also calculate power factors and so forth.

What say everybody?

Russellc
 
Never seen any need for a chronograph in 40 years of reloading. Mind you, a need isn't the same as "I want one."
"I want one." is a reason. Big kids don't need an excuse. snicker.
 
I wonder what you're buying for the extra $370 that an Alpha Master won't give you. I understand paying extra for the remote display and memory, but I can't figure out what the extra $370 gets you.

Unless you're going into the chronography business, buy the Alpha Master and a Glock.
 
Just from my reading the labradar seems to have some distinct advantages over an eyeball chrono. If i had the money to drop id probably go for it.
 
It's my opinion there us no need to use such a precise chronograph as the Ohler P35. There us always a chance if shooting if which will be expensive.

Several years ago I bought a PACT Model 1 XP and I like it. The chronograph works sit safely on the bench next to you while only the sensors are out in harms way. When you shoot the sensor it's only a $29 repair in parts.

If you want to spend more than $109 you can buy the PACT Pro XP and the printer for a paper readout at the range.
 
I got a LabRadar a couple months ago. It was a succession of five previous chronographs, starting with a low priced unit progressing through chronographs with more features and higher costs. Four were optical sensor chronographs and two of those expired from lead poisoning. I still have the last two, a CED M2 and a Magnetospeed.

I'm pleased with the LabRadar for what I use it for which is near and short range measuring. I understand that it does not measure the bullets much past 100 yards depending upon the caliber.

Like any chronograph, the LabRadar has its idiosyncrasies and complexities, but, I have found them quite manageable if you have read the instructions. There are several parameters that have to be set for the unit to trigger, measure the bullet, and calculate the results. Many are remembered from session to session, but changing from rifle or pistol, or the other way requires resetting some parameters to account for the difference in performance of the bullets.

Aiming the LabRadar seems to cause some folks some difficulty. The sighting system on the unit is rudimentary, to put it kindly, and to get good results, the unit does have to be aimed at the target. I have not had an issue with aiming the unit in 5 or 6 sessions but I make the extra effort. Search the internet and you will find all sorts of solutions folks have come with.

The only miss read I have had to date was when I forgot to arm the system. Operator error not a fault of the unit.

The unit saves data on an SD card in a .csv file. The delimiter in the file is a semi-colon which I understand Microsoft programs accept. Apple's Numbers does not but I rinse the file through Text Edit using the "Search and Change function" changing the semi-colons to commas and then the file loads correctly in Numbers. Fortunately, in this instance, the data does not use semi-colons or commas for anything.

Bottom line, I like the unit and it has been easier to operate and get good results than any of my other chronographs.
 
Reloading without a chronograph is like trying to drive without a speedometer. You either drive like grandma, or sooner or later you get into trouble. There are lots of choices in $100 chronographs that are accurate enough, no reason not to own one anymore. The speeds you get on the $100 units are less than 1% off what you'd get on a more expensive model..Or you get numbers so far off that you know they can't be right. The difference is that you may find rare situations where the cheap ones don't work at all and the better ones will.

I don't need to know within 10fps how fast my loads are. I just need to know when I'm starting to get close to a max load. Without a chronograph you could already be over pressure even though your load is 4-5 gr below max. Or you could find that with certain combo's you're right at a book max, and still be 200 fps slower than the book says you should be.
 
I bought an RCBS "Bullet" on a close out for $100 dollars. It works but it is not something I would recommend. I will find a better one reading these post to decide. A chronograph reminds me of the old timing lights for tuning an engine. The old V8 is running but how good? o_O
 
You are not stealing Loonwulf. I am humbled that you approved of the post. I am just a lowly scribe you have honored me by your "Thanks".. Thx. :)
 
About 25 years ago my wife gave me an Oehler 35P as a gift. I am still using it and it works fine after all the years. I did manage to shoot one of the sky screen supports and Oehler sent me a few as well as a new print head assembly a few years back. Today, if I were looking, I would look for something which allows a computer interface but for now as long as that old Oehler still works I won't be shopping. Been happy with it for over 25 years now as well as the wife who bought it for me. :)

Oh yeah, I also view the chronograph as a nice to have, certainly not a necessity for reloading.

Ron
 
The Labradar is likely going to get the vote. I am one that when it comes to any kind of tool, I learned many years ago to just cry once and fork up for the best, and have never regretted it.

What does the extra here get me? Like the Ohler, neither has accuracy shenanigans and error problems from lighting and so forth. No muzzle blast related errors either, with the Labradar.

Big plus for the Labradar is, it is Doppler radar and tracks the bullet speed and energy all the way to the target, and no setting up of those sensor things. Or jacking with them when wind blows them over. It also calculates power factors for competitive shooting.

As far as getting a cheaper one and the Glock, that violates my "cry once" rule.
Plus, I had rather buy the Labradar and the Glock....500 for something I will truly appreciated beats spending less and constantly wishing I had spent the extra money, which eventually I know I would anyway! Then I will have both the lesser priced one AND the Labradar. Again, cry once...

Russellc
 
I have the RCBS "bullet", it does okay, its better than nothing, I got it for free. I am still saving for the LabRadar, but it went down the priority list due to the RCBS being adequate.

Being a diesel tech, I also learned the value of quality tools many years ago and from what I see and read of the LabRader, its a good one with a few distinct advantages.
 
Leaning towards Labrador. I'm sure it would be short time before I shot the Ohler, plus even if I manage to miss there is still the setting up of the sensors. The Labrador unit sits to the side, measures speed out to 100 yards, little less for small bullets. It will also calculate power factors and so forth.

What say everybody?

Russellc
Hi Russell,

I have had my LabRadar for almost a year now. I have a back ground as a test engineer, and though I am mostly happy with the LabRadar, it does have some issues at times. With these issues, it is still my favorite out of the offerings on the market. My single biggest complaint is triggering system. It takes so playing with to set. Also aiming down range can take some trail and error to maximize signal. Also tracking distance depends on the size of the bullet. For example, .223 Rem on average tracks to 50 to 60 yards. .308 or 30/06 will track out to a full 100 yards. I have a use an external battery pack to power the unit. The internal (4 AA) are used up in a couple of sessions.

Here is an example of a plot made with data from the LabRadar:
29912735512_59fd10a807_b.jpg

Here is another one I did on my buddies Japanese Arisaka:
29127748283_feb26c32bb_c.jpg
 
I feel sorta out of touch. I expect because I really am. I have never heard of the Labraider? I am interested in what you fellows are reporting. Any other chronograph in put? :)
 
I have both the Oehler and Labradar. I used the Labradar a lot when I first got it but now I tend to use the Oehler 35 more often as it is constant and reliable. All considered, the Oehler is still the gold standard of amateur grade chronos.
 
For anyone who really want to dig into the details of the Labradar, this is one of the best reviews I've seen and it covers the details very well.

LINK
 
I have both the Oehler and Labradar. I used the Labradar a lot when I first got it but now I tend to use the Oehler 35 more often as it is constant and reliable. All considered, the Oehler is still the gold standard of amateur grade chronos.
It's a dandy, the only thing I prefer about Labradar is it does not use those sensor things...unfortunately Ohler uses 3 of them.
 
It's not one your currently looking at, but for rifle use I really like my magnetospeed. No more having to stop the line to set up our take down my chrony, no worries about it raining as long as I'm under the shelter and any cloud conditions will work just fine. I still use my F1 Chrony for pistol and crossbow work, but that's about it. I'd like to try a lab radar, but..... Well that's another Glock sized pile of cash.....
 
It's not one your currently looking at, but for rifle use I really like my magnetospeed. No more having to stop the line to set up our take down my chrony, no worries about it raining as long as I'm under the shelter and any cloud conditions will work just fine. I still use my F1 Chrony for pistol and crossbow work, but that's about it. I'd like to try a lab radar, but..... Well that's another Glock sized pile of cash.....
Sounds interesting, I will check it out before final decision!

Thanks for the suggestion!

Russellc
 
Looked it up, read reviews and so forth. Less expensive AND it gets rid of the sensors.....one of my primary "wants" in these gizmos.

Russellc
 
I guess if you have the money you can spend it as you wish.
The $100 models are more than accurate enough for me.
I can't justify spending that much for a chronograph.
(which to me, is nice to have, but not absolutely neccessary)

YMMV
 
Looked it up, read reviews and so forth. Less expensive AND it gets rid of the sensors.....one of my primary "wants" in these gizmos.

Russellc

One nice thing about Sporter version, besides being a good bit cheaper than the V3 is that you can buy the XFR adapter, download the free XFR app and download shot strings straight to your phone. I email mine to myself and the data comes in an excel file with SD, ES and any notes I added.
 
I have a Magnetospeed V3 that has been flawless on my rifles and a couple of my pistols using the rail adapter. For my pistols that don't work with it because of a lack of rails, the rails being too short (compact glocks), or the bayonet being too far from the muzzle to reliably pickup the shots, I use a cheap Caldwell chrono. I am pleased with my setup and I don't know if I would trade it for a Labradar, although the thought has crossed my mind a few times.
 
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