Looking to buy a chronograph so I know how fast my reloads are moving. I do not need the cadillac model but do not want the low end either. What is a good middle of the road model that WORKS and is reliable? Again, not the top of the line as money is a wee bit tight these days. Thanks for your responses. Please excuse my spelling in the heading lol.
Whichi chronograph should I be looking at?
- Thread starter ldlfh7
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I have used the cheapest Chrony Chronograph that I paid $100 for for 5 years. Some of the comparisons I've read show that it is within 25-30 fps when compared to the high end stuff. For my uses that is close enough. I'm primarily wanting to know if my handloads are approaching dangerous levels. Even if I'm off by 25 fps or so it still tells me where I am and what I need to know. If you are trying to calculate bullet drop at extreme ranges more accuracy could help.
Mine has only given trouble once. On one range trip I kept getting readings that made no sense. I changed batteries and it worked OK for 3-4 shots then started acting up again.
Next range trip, and all before and since have been fine.
Mine has only given trouble once. On one range trip I kept getting readings that made no sense. I changed batteries and it worked OK for 3-4 shots then started acting up again.
Next range trip, and all before and since have been fine.
springer99
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AFAIC, any one of the models that Chrony makes should fill the bill. You can work your way up the food chain, depending on how many features you want/need. Of course, you might find minor differences in the fps readout between manufacturers, even between models from the same manufacturer.
Until someone actually works with a known "calibrated" model to use as a benchmark, no-one really knows which one reads more accurately than another. My guess is since they all probably use the same micro-processors to determine the time between screens, any difference will be small.
Until someone actually works with a known "calibrated" model to use as a benchmark, no-one really knows which one reads more accurately than another. My guess is since they all probably use the same micro-processors to determine the time between screens, any difference will be small.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I prefer the cabled ones with the brain & read-out on the shooting bench, and the sky-screens downrange.
It will save a lot of walking back & forth to read & reset it, and shot chronographs.
rc
It will save a lot of walking back & forth to read & reset it, and shot chronographs.
rc
Yes, the Magnetospeed is a good one but mostly limited to rifle. I like mine. I also have a CED M2, which I use for hand gun and I like it as well.
Most of the optical sensor chronographs have a learning curve to get it to read reliably. Position of the sun, amount of clouds, use or not use of the diffusers and so forth. Not really difficult but can be aggrevating at times.
Fresh batteries help. Putting a black band with a magic marker also helps at times.
The Chronys are good basic units. The difference is prices of the different manufacturers is mostly fof the various extra features.
Maybe get the basic Chrony and then figure what features you want to buy after shooting out the first one.
Most of the optical sensor chronographs have a learning curve to get it to read reliably. Position of the sun, amount of clouds, use or not use of the diffusers and so forth. Not really difficult but can be aggrevating at times.
Fresh batteries help. Putting a black band with a magic marker also helps at times.
The Chronys are good basic units. The difference is prices of the different manufacturers is mostly fof the various extra features.
Maybe get the basic Chrony and then figure what features you want to buy after shooting out the first one.
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I gave up on folding Chonys. Had two of them and they just would not work for me in the blazing Florida Sun. Nothing but errors and adjusting. I tried all kinds of shades, no shades tilting etc.
Got the Competition Electronics and never been happier. Never has a false reading or error. Pleasure to use. I have enough confidence I am not going to shoot it at 10 feet. I do not use a target when testing just concentrate on through the uprights. I have a extending painters pole to 10 ft to reset the strings so I do not need to call a cold range if anyone else is there at the time.
It goes on sale for $100.
4.6 out of 5 133 reviews.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
https://www.competitionelectronics....id=7&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
Got the Competition Electronics and never been happier. Never has a false reading or error. Pleasure to use. I have enough confidence I am not going to shoot it at 10 feet. I do not use a target when testing just concentrate on through the uprights. I have a extending painters pole to 10 ft to reset the strings so I do not need to call a cold range if anyone else is there at the time.
It goes on sale for $100.
4.6 out of 5 133 reviews.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph
https://www.competitionelectronics....id=7&vmcchk=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79
chris in va
Member
I got a ProChrono for Christmas and have had pretty good luck with it. Works best on a cloudy day, doesn't work at all about two hours before sunset.
stubbicatt
Member
I have had good luck with my CED.
Mel1776
Member
I like my Pact Mark I and my Pact Mark IV XP.
i have not shot any cast bullets over mine, yet.
There are electronic adjustments to the sensors that improve its ability to read cast bullets. Magnetospeed says their chronograph works fine with cast bullets.
Remember, the Magnetospeed is very limited when trying to chronograph handguns. I chronograph mostly rifle so not an issue for me. When I do handguns, i will drag out my CED M2.
jr_roosa
Member
I have the chrony beta master. I also have the lighted skyscreens because I do load development indoors.
They are finicky. Don't let the rain hit them or they will be more finicky...ask me how I know.
I set up my laptop on the bench when I'm doing load development and I enter each velocity into a spreadsheet, because sometimes you get an error or a bad reading that is hard to delete from the machine. Very frustrating. The last three trips to the range, I had no false readings, but I'm sure the day I stop recording each shot separately, it will act up again.
If I'm just checking the velocity on a new batch of an established load, I just let it run through the chrony computer.
It really doesn't like it when you are set up next to somebody shooting a rifle, especially a magnum with a brake...the shock waves give you errors. It works best on a quiet day with a solid tripod.
The sun never gave me too much trouble in AZ or CO. I've never had a cloudy enough day to leave the skyscreens off.
My favorite is to set up and shoot pistol one handed through it with my bullseye loads. My bullseye gun can easily hold the 6" bull at 25 yards, there's no way I am going to hit the chrony at 10 ft. I get an audience waiting to see me put a hole in the thing. Suckers.
-J.
They are finicky. Don't let the rain hit them or they will be more finicky...ask me how I know.
I set up my laptop on the bench when I'm doing load development and I enter each velocity into a spreadsheet, because sometimes you get an error or a bad reading that is hard to delete from the machine. Very frustrating. The last three trips to the range, I had no false readings, but I'm sure the day I stop recording each shot separately, it will act up again.
If I'm just checking the velocity on a new batch of an established load, I just let it run through the chrony computer.
It really doesn't like it when you are set up next to somebody shooting a rifle, especially a magnum with a brake...the shock waves give you errors. It works best on a quiet day with a solid tripod.
The sun never gave me too much trouble in AZ or CO. I've never had a cloudy enough day to leave the skyscreens off.
My favorite is to set up and shoot pistol one handed through it with my bullseye loads. My bullseye gun can easily hold the 6" bull at 25 yards, there's no way I am going to hit the chrony at 10 ft. I get an audience waiting to see me put a hole in the thing. Suckers.
-J.
Crashbox
Member
I agree 100% with this.
Does anyone other than Oehler make such a unit? IMO it would be worth saving up for one, just tried my 35P today and it was an eye-opener.
2ndtimer
Member
I got a wired remote control for my ProChrono Digital for about $80 that allows me to review shot strings, change strings, etc. I have had good luck with mine, less than $200 for chrono and remote. Each run on a single 9V battery.
Matt Dillon
Member
+1, rcmodel, for the chronograph that keep the sensors separate from the "brain". It is waaaay to easy to miss and hit the chronograph, as witnessed by many here on THR.
I will admit it, I have two chronographs that expired from lead poising.
Haste makes waste.
Clark
Member
I have shot (3) chronographs.
If I shot my 4th, I would buy another Pro Chrono.
If I shot my 4th, I would buy another Pro Chrono.
jfh
Member.
Another vote for the CED M2--and for the obvious reasons of the remote head.
However, I have also had two other brands--the usual ones--and I have found the M2 to be far and away the most reliable under varying types of overhead sun/haze.
I also really like its downloadable data feature when I return home.
Jim H.
However, I have also had two other brands--the usual ones--and I have found the M2 to be far and away the most reliable under varying types of overhead sun/haze.
I also really like its downloadable data feature when I return home.
Jim H.
Lloyd Smale
Member
I had two chronys and think they were junk. Bought a pact thinking it would be much better. It worked for the first couple session real well then slowly got worse and worse. Its in to pact right now to be looked at. If money isnt an object id look seriously at a ohler. My buddys is over 20 years old and still works EVERY time.
Hondo 60
Member
Plus if you DO shoot it, they'll repair/replace for $60 or less, which ever is cheaper.
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