It doesn't hurt as much...
...when you shoot a cheap one.
...when you shoot a cheap one.
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Is Lab Radar a buy @ $200?
- Thread starter Jeff423
- Start date
The Norseman
Member
Deal or No Deal
The only chronographs I would consider is:
Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph
or
Athlon Rangecraft Velocity PRO Radar Chronograph
The reason I’m only considering buying one
of these is; Compact size, quickly sets up,
and I don’t need to calculate everything about
the bullet flight.
A good deal isn’t always a good deal.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
The only chronographs I would consider is:
Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph
or
Athlon Rangecraft Velocity PRO Radar Chronograph
The reason I’m only considering buying one
of these is; Compact size, quickly sets up,
and I don’t need to calculate everything about
the bullet flight.
A good deal isn’t always a good deal.
The Best to you and your Endeavors.
rockquarry
Member
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- Aug 9, 2005
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There's a brief write-up in the new AMERICAN RIFLEMAN on the Garmin.
I think the days of the Labradar probably have run their course. I’d save the money and buy something more modern and better thought out. I have no experience with the newer units, but they are interesting to me. Having said that, I’m not anxious to sell my Labradar until I see firsthand how the new ones perform.
The Garmin is so much smaller and easier to use than the Labradar it's no contest.
The Labradar is pretty touchy when it comes to aiming it at the target, and muzzle position to activate it. I also had to refer to the manual every time I used it, not at all intuitive. And it's huge and heavy by comparison.
The Garmin weighs nothing, takes up no room and sets up instantly. I guess I must have read the instructions for how to use once, but I don't remember and I certainly haven't since.
If I had to replace my Garmin for some reason, I wouldn't get a Labradar even if it were free.
The Labradar is pretty touchy when it comes to aiming it at the target, and muzzle position to activate it. I also had to refer to the manual every time I used it, not at all intuitive. And it's huge and heavy by comparison.
The Garmin weighs nothing, takes up no room and sets up instantly. I guess I must have read the instructions for how to use once, but I don't remember and I certainly haven't since.
If I had to replace my Garmin for some reason, I wouldn't get a Labradar even if it were free.
It will likely devalue the Garmin too! Competition within the marketplace is a good thing for consumers.
At my gun club, LabRadars have been going for firesale prices. The lowest price so far has been $180 for the full kit. Garmins are proliferating like flies. Easy to see why; they just work. I've "sold" a number of Garmins. I should get a commission! People fooling with LabRadars are the easiest mark. Just turn on your Garmin, set it by their gun and say "try this . . . ." Heh heh heh. Then many of them go out and buy a Garmin.
A key Garmin benefit is they'll negotiate transmit channels with other Garmins. I've seen 5 or 6 of them on the line simultaneously and there's no interference between them. They don't pick up adjacent shots either.
That can't be said for the LabRadar. They argue with each other. You have to manually set it's transmit channel so it's not on the same one as another one in proximity. Otherwise, they confuse each other. I've experienced this firsthand.
It's a real hassle to convince your line buddies to change the channel on their LabRadars. First, they don't believe you, then they can't find the setting in the cumbersome setup menu. And THEN you have to get everybody to pick a different channel. The more LabRadars on the line, the tougher this gets. Exponentially tougher! I am SO done with that!
With the Garmin, you just set it up and shoot!
A key Garmin benefit is they'll negotiate transmit channels with other Garmins. I've seen 5 or 6 of them on the line simultaneously and there's no interference between them. They don't pick up adjacent shots either.
That can't be said for the LabRadar. They argue with each other. You have to manually set it's transmit channel so it's not on the same one as another one in proximity. Otherwise, they confuse each other. I've experienced this firsthand.
It's a real hassle to convince your line buddies to change the channel on their LabRadars. First, they don't believe you, then they can't find the setting in the cumbersome setup menu. And THEN you have to get everybody to pick a different channel. The more LabRadars on the line, the tougher this gets. Exponentially tougher! I am SO done with that!
With the Garmin, you just set it up and shoot!
rockquarry
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I haven't had the problems with a LabRadar you've described in this and other posts which makes me wonder how widespread the alleged problems are. I've used one a lot for about eight years or so. I'd have to go to the manual to see what "channels" are, but I'm pretty sure they don't cause trouble for me. Mine aims easily without gadgets. Never picked up any shots but my own while on the range. I did buy an aftermarket base since I didn't get one from the manufacturer.
I use mine as a chronograph and record the velocities and pertinent notes in my range notebook. I'm not looking for criticism as a pen and paper work very well for me and probably for many others. Not familiar with the need for "apps" and cell phones for chronographing.
I wish you well in working with the Garmin unit, but after you've used it extensively for several years, please do give us a review on its many shortcomings.
This is the first mention I've seen of this chronograph, so I googled it. Looks like a Garmin Xero clone, more or less. At $350 it's just one more argument not to buy a Labradar now at any price.
I've owned a Labradar for several years and a Garmin for about one year. Once I got the Garmin I never looked back.
About the only drawback to the Garmin is that it records its data in .FITS files, rather than .CSV like the Labradar. CSV files are compatible with Excel, but the Garmin FITS are not and I haven't been able to find an easy way to convert them.
Some will say that that's no problem, because you can use the Garmin ShotView app to send the files to your email in CSV format. While that's true, I would much rather download CSV files directly from the Garmin to my computer with a USB cord. An app is all well and good until it is no longer supported (which happens all the time), and then what does one do?
I also take down pertinent notes with pen and notebook while I'm chronographing at the range, but I still want the electronic files in easily searchable and editable format. I'm hoping that the Athlon will allow direct transfer of usable files. I wouldn't buy one just for that feature (since I already have the Garmin) but it's a definite bonus if it has it.
*UPDATE*
I emailed Athlon and asked:
What file format does the Rangecraft use to store its shot data? Is it compatible with Excel and can it be downloaded to a computer without using an app?
Their reply:
Hello,
Yes it sure can! It will start shipping in April so we're really close.
The reply seems a little ambiguous to me as they don't specify the file format, but it does sound like it's Excel compatible and downloadable without using the app.
Last edited:
Rick H.
Member
I can't speak to the Athlon chrono, but I can speak to Labradar and Garmin. The Garmin is great in all aspects. Buy one if you want ease of setup and use and you will be happy with it. I have a Labradar that sits in it box on a shelf and it has NEVER worked right. Forget ever using it for .22 rimfire. It became questionable with my Labradar using .22 C/F rounds and I contacted Labradar to see if they would take a look at it. Now mind you I bought my Labradar when the only price on them was full retail and all I wanted them to do was inspect it for proper operation. When I heard back from Labradar they gave me a bunch of double-speak and try this and try that and then they wanted pictures of my range set-up. I sent them pictures as they requested and heard nothing back from them so I called them. I was put on hold twice and my call was never answered after that. From that point on I will never buy a Labradar product again even if it were the best product on the market. Their customer service is non-existent.
Rick H.
Rick H.
CactusCapt
Member
Garmin, hands down. I've been using chronographs since the 35P in the '80s and have also used the Labradar and Caldwell (friends) and Magnetospeed (mine) units. The Garmin puts the rest to shame. I can take it to my indoor range and set it up without a second thought with shooters in the other lanes and it has yet to fail me other than a *very* occasional dropped handgun shot. The convenience is just incredible as opposed to a laborious setup involving trips across the firing line.
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