I need to buy a chronograph after all these years of reloading. Does anyone have opinions on the Shooting Crony Alpha One? MidSouth has them for $89. I don't need too many bells and whistles, just high, low, average string etc. Is there a better product out there for around $100?

Thanks much.

I like the PACT Model 1.
For a few more bucks, you get an American made product that has the computer box separate from the skyscreens.
When you shoot a skyscreen, you don't destroy the whole system.
PACT Inc. - Model 1 XP Chronograph

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Science plus Art

I've had an Alpha Chrony for a few years now, it works great. For not much more though, you can get a better model that has a remote screen, and even a printer if you desire. I wouldn't mind having those features.

I had two Alpha Master Cronys. Both returned as they would give bizarre readings. Most likely due to the intense Sun and angle of the Sun at my range. I tried cardboard shields, different times of day. Sometimes it worked, most of the time not so good.

I liked having the remote data center at the bench but decided to get the Competition Electronics which works like a champ. It gets a good rating and I am pretty confident I will not shoot it dead. If you like it, wait for it to go on sale for $100.

The Pact and the CED are also good especially if you want the remote data box.

ProChrono Digital Chronograph

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Still Running Against the Wind

If possible, get the Master version. Here's some info you might find helpful.
Chrony Alpha-Master Information

Another vote for that one. Having the display right at the bench is a GREAT convenience.

Mine works great; everything I need and nothing I don't.

Ditto for the Master version. At a range, you can't delete a string/shot or maybe even read it if the lighting's bad. With the Master version, the readout and controls are right there for you. Plus when you accidentally shoot the unit, the master version is cheaper to replace because you are not replacing the entire "smarts", just the sensor.

I have the Beta Master which can store six strings of 10 shots. When on sale, it costs just about the same as an Alpha Master (mine was about $110). I write down all my velocities as they are shot, then enter them into a spreadsheet which calculates everything. That way I can eliminate throw outs. In this sense, I could do just as well with the Alpha Master.

Wow, Thanks for all the great info. The advice about having the screen etc at the bench is important. I never thought of that. I will do some research on the models you guys suggested.

Here's another vote for the Comp. Electronics Prochrono Digital.

Had mine for over a year, used at outdoor ranges in all kinds of weather, sunny, cloudy, overcast, using the skyscreens that came with it and it has never let me down.

Records every shot fired. Shooting hardcast lead as well as jacketed stuff. Sets up in no time. I put mine on top of the wifes' Slik camera tripod that has bubble levels.

You do have to walk up to the chrono to retrieve the data after shooting, but for the price and everything being in one small unit, I'm glad I got this one.

No complaints.

Ss

My experience is similar to Rule3. Two useless Alpha Master Chronys
and one ProChrono Digital that works.

I've had the Chrony Beta for several years, and liked it, but recently had it upgraded ($40 shipped, IIRC) to the Master version, now I have everything at my fingertips and love it. I hated the stock skyscreens so I made my own, with clear plexiglas (spray-painted white), empty 40 brass to hold the legs in place, and it works in any light. The only downside is that it turns into a sail in high winds, but they ALL do that!

My results were and are the same....great product for the money!!
Randy

Papajohn has an excellent approach to the problem with most chronographs. It's all in how the sunlight hits the sensors. No matter what unit you have if the light hits the sensors at different angles you will get error readings.

The problem I had was my range faces direct East and West so the Sun was always at a angle. At noon direct overhead there was so much light bounce from the white sand ground that messed it up.

The only time my Chrony would work was on overcast days or just at sundown. Even with taping cardboard all over the thing.

The Sun diffusers need to cast a shadow over the sensor to work.

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Still Running Against the Wind

The entire Chrony line has always been a marginal bit of gear. The screesn are tiny & cheap, requiring near perfect shot placement not more than 8" above the screens iME. It's why so many get shot, guys keep creeping lower to get readings. If you only want the occasional check of vel, it works. If you want to ues your chronograph to emasur evel while shooting groups, get a CED instead. It's not a lot more money in the long run & much better screens. Me, I use an Oehler, best screens on the market, but alas, no longer affordable if yo ucan get one at all.

I made the mistake of purchasing a Pact Professional XP chronograph. The poor and erratic operation was only enhanced by the lack of tech support from Pact.

Had a Chrony (Red) hard to use and ended up giving it away. Bought simple PACT model 1 in 1992. Does the job and easy to use Pact products work well for me

I have the Alpha Master and the F-1 Master. The F-1 is about $20 cheaper and only gives single shot speed it does not do the statisical analysis. I can do that ... one shot, write it down ... one shot, write it down .... No biggie. I use the F-1 Master all the time. The Alpha Master sit in the garage waiting the day I put a bullet in the F-1 sensor unit.

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Hook686

I also use a PACT Model 1 XP and it works very well for me. It has never failed to get readings in all kinds of sky conditions. I've been using one for over 5 years now and it's a great tool for load development.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Actually, I believe the diffusers act as a source of IR light. The sky is very dark in the infrared region and that's what the sensors pick up. The least expensive light sensors are IR photo diodes. The Chrony looks for a dip in the sensor output as the bullet passes over it. That's why they sell a light kit that replaces the "sunscreen" when you use it indoors. Overcast days provide a nice source of IR light so you don't need the "sunscreens". Putting the sunscreens on in the shade with a clear blue sky overhead and the sun at a low angle is usually a recipe for poor/no readings.

If the readings are marginal, painting the bullet with a magic marker often works wonders.

The best solution is to make a "tunnel" with black walls that blocks off the light coming in from the sides and keep the sunscreens or like papajohn, make replacement "light sources".

As the sun slowly moves across the sky, the shadow will move. Once one of the sensors is exposed and the other isn't, errors occur.

With the unit on a camera tripod you can adjust the angle of the unit several degrees left, right, forward backward to cover both sensors. In other words the unit does not need to be perfectly flat or level.

True, on a totally overcast day or late in the day with the sun down but still light, no diffusers or (screens) are needed. That was the only time my Chrony would work correctly as the Sun was to my back and the shooting bay cast a big shadow over the unit.

The tube idea is a great idea. I made small square boxes with the bottom removed that I can tape over the sensors to prevent side angle light.

"More power to the shields Scotty!"

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Still Running Against the Wind