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Old 05-14-2016, 02:04 PM
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Unlike many of you lucky people, I don t have access to ranges which allow traditional chronographs. I'm an hour outside of a ("the") major metropolitan city, which has many other things available, but access to shooting ranges and space are not examples of them! Consider yourselves very lucky.

However, the range nearby will allow "Labrange" chronographs. It mounts on a base which you can set on your bench, shoot over, and collect the data...expensive, but may be worth it in the long run

Anyone out there recommend this chrono?'
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Old 05-14-2016, 02:12 PM
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If you mean the LabRadar Chronograph. I can recommend it. Mine works as advertised.
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Old 05-14-2016, 02:21 PM
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Yes, the Labradar chronograph, thank you!
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Old 05-14-2016, 02:22 PM
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It seems good.

LabRadar Review - 12/5/15 Update to OP
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Old 05-14-2016, 05:19 PM
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Quite expensive but does things no other chrono will.
I am finding it's not quite as foolproof as they make it seem.
Getting it to trigger reliably takes a bit of trial and error.
The unit seems to be quite sensitive to the overpressure from muzzle blast.
I am still experimenting with the distance between the chrono and the muzzle of big bore rifles (with big blast).
Handguns are much easier to get consistent readings from.

The other chrono that works well indoors, but only for guns with barrels longer than about 6" is the Magnetospeed.
Since these attach the sensor to the barrel, shooting for group and velocity at the same time is fairly futile.
They are, however, very reliable and consistent.
The velocity is measured only inches from the muzzle.
Muzzle brakes are also no problem.
$400 for the complete V3 kit as opposed to $600 or more for the LabRadar and accessories.
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Old 05-14-2016, 06:02 PM
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Oehler 35P is the standard by which all other chronographics are judged. I've never seen a chronograph that measures accurately and consistently with the screens inches from the muzzle.
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Old 05-14-2016, 06:33 PM
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No argument there.
But the big problem with all optical chrono's I know of is that you need equipment down range.
This is either a giant hassle or impossible at certain indoor ranges which is what the OP was getting at.
It is the main reason I got a Magnetospeed and now the LabRadar.
Cool thing about the LabRadar is it continuously measures the velocity till it loses the signal.
This allows you to see how fast your bullet is actually going at the target.
Thus you can calculate the real BC which may be different than the factory figure.
Much easier than setting up multiple screens down range and avoiding shooting them.
I also anticipate it being the easiest way to measure double rifle performance.
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Old 05-14-2016, 07:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firearmsunlimited View Post
Oehler 35P is the standard by which all other chronographics are judged. I've never seen a chronograph that measures accurately and consistently with the screens inches from the muzzle.
Actually, its fairly simple . . . use a chrono that doesn't use screens

The MagnetoSpeed uses 2 magnetic sensors on a bayonet that are not sensitive to muzzle detritus.

The LabRadar uses Doppler radar and is not affected by muzzle blast detritus. Whether this is facilitated by the unit's tracking the projectile far down range (up to ~100 yards) or not, I don't know - but it works fine.

Either one gives useful data without carting 6' of chrono to a daylight-only, outdoor shoot and waiting for a cold range to set it up.

The MagnetoSpeed's "only" drawbacks are it needs something to attach to (most often a barrel) and when attached to a barrel it will most likely change your POI.

The LabRadar's "only" drawback depends on it being able to distinguish between your firearm's report and those of other shooters. While shooting suppressed in a war zone might be problematic, other situations I've encountered (including indoor use) have not posed any issues.

Those two units carry at less than 2 pounds and occupy less than 1/3 of a cubic foot of space. They set up in seconds while the range is hot and operate in any lighting or weather. They are also extraordinarily difficult to shoot

Are they as accurate as an Oehler 2-by-chrono? Only time will tell. Most people who don't have an Oehler don't seem to care.
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Old 05-14-2016, 10:07 PM
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The only problem I have had with my Labradar is with my AR15 not triggering the unit but believe it was from over pressure from the flash suppressor and I need to move the muzzle farther forward. All my handguns read every time.

Other shooters in the lanes beside me had no effect on it.

I was using a Prochrono on a roll out cart at my local range I have posted pictures before. I push it out to 10 feet using a 3 piece pvc pole as the range is hot all the time. I have had trouble attaching the MagnetoSpeed to some of my barrels as it has to be petty lined up just right with the bore.
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Old 05-14-2016, 11:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Magload View Post
I have had trouble attaching the MagnetoSpeed to some of my barrels as it has to be petty lined up just right with the bore.
I use the 1/4" square tube they supply for that purpose.
Guess I have lucked out as one combination or another of the spacers has always ended up being right on
when I put the calibration rod on the sensors and watch it line up with the bottom of the bore.
I'll admit having the bullet fly 1/4" away from the sensors seems fraught with peril but it works.
I am slow and careful when I mount the bayo with the sensors mostly so I don't mess up the gun.
Spare bayos are actually quite affordable.
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Old 05-16-2016, 07:08 AM
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Mine didn't come with the calibration tube but I made a gauge to check it. It is just barrels with comps or breaks or a lot of pistols can make mounting tough to impossible. It does work great when mounted right.
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Old 05-16-2016, 10:14 AM
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True enough!
I though I was a real smart guy when I was able to mount the sensors on 4" and 3" revolvers until I realized that prevents one from opening the cylinders. :|
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Old 05-16-2016, 02:06 PM
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I have Brian Litz's book "Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting" and found it a fantastic, useful, and surprisingly easy read. So when I stumbled across this excerpt from his book "Modern Advancements in Long Range Shooting" published on his web site: . . . Chapter 15: Measuring Muzzle Velocity . . . I read it.

It's very informative and contains an accuracy and precision comparison of several chronos (though it pre-dates LabRadar). Litz is also quite up-front about the limitations of his test, and if you google "Litz chronograph test" you will also get at least one rebuttal from one of the manufacturers lol.

But folks who want/have a chrono and like data will find it interesting and helpful. One of the conclusions he makes very clear is the importance of having at least 24" between (optical) sensors. And how important setup is especially when the distance between two sensors is short.

OTOH, he also tells you how and why an inaccurate but fairly precise (or accurate and somewhat imprecise) chrono can still be useful.
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