What brand/model chronograph do you use?

[MrPhil]

Mine is a PACT Mark IV. I chose it because it works as both a shot timer and chronograph. It's about 5 years old. I used it mostly as a timer at first. Now I'm using it mostly as a chrono.

The timer function has a lot of versatility. If you can think up a scenario for a timer, the Mark IV will do it.

Chrono function is pretty straight forward. Gives individual shot velocities, means, SD, MAD. Also has a rudimentary ballistics calculator; plug in a velocity and bullet weight and it generates some numbers. Not great because it assumes a generic BC. I have not used that function.

Two things I don't like about it are:
1. No auto shut off. Not a big deal, I only drained one battery early on. Now I carry a spare battery, but have not needed it. Guess I learned my lesson.
2. There is no printer currently available. I bought this after the printer had gone out of production. Haven't looked too hard for one and writing down the data in a notebook helps keep me organized. What I'd really like is a chrono that hooks up to my lap top.

I showed you mine. You show me yours.

[MrPhil]

Mine is a PACT Mark IV. I chose it because it works as both a shot timer and chronograph. It's about 5 years old. I used it mostly as a timer at first. Now I'm using it mostly as a chrono.

The timer function has a lot of versatility. If you can think up a scenario for a timer, the Mark IV will do it.

Chrono function is pretty straight forward. Gives individual shot velocities, means, SD, MAD. Also has a rudimentary ballistics calculator; plug in a velocity and bullet weight and it generates some numbers. Not great because it assumes a generic BC. I have not used that function.

Two things I don't like about it are:
1. No auto shut off. Not a big deal, I only drained one battery early on. Now I carry a spare battery, but have not needed it. Guess I learned my lesson.
2. There is no printer currently available. I bought this after the printer had gone out of production. Haven't looked too hard for one and writing down the data in a notebook helps keep me organized. What I'd really like is a chrono that hooks up to my lap top.

I showed you mine. You show me yours.

[Skip Sackett]

Shooting Chrony, Beta model. (?)

I got this one after son #2 shot mine with a 30/06. Just to let you know, they ain't that tough!

Another thing that needs said; he immediately said: "I'll get you a new one!"

Before



After

[FlyFish]

I've been using the basic PACT Model 1 for many years. I calculate my own stats, so all I really want are the individual raw data points, and it does that just fine for me.

[Ignatz]

I have 2 dead chrony's like the above red one.(I killed um) Never had good luck with that brand. My new one is a Pro Chrono"plus" and it works really great. A chrony is a great tool for seeing what really goes on with different powders and cartridge lenghts.

[38-44HD45]

I have an older PACT Professional. My only beefs are that the skyscreens are persnickety about light conditions, the ballistic library is outdated, and the thermal printer paper is short-lived. I do like it better than I liked my old Chrony. I'm not sure what I will replace it with, when it becomes necessary to do so.

[nitesite]

A Chrony Beta Master like Skip's. My wife got me the printer and carrying case for it a couple years ago. I use the Ballistic Charts from the Hornady website, so having that feature in a chronograph isn't necessary for me, especially when I can plug in the B.C. for a particular bullet.

[greenmachine]

After reloading for many years seemingly without the need for a chronograph I bought a Competition Electronics Pro-Chrono last month. Mainly because I recently picked a couple of 53's and a 48-2, not to mention shooting air rifles a little more seriously. IMHO velocity for these seem to take on a bigger part of the equation. Of course I will use it for lots of other guns also.

[Ron H.]

Sir, like others here, I also use a Chrony Beta.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

[Cary]

Two things I don't like about it are:
1. No auto shut off. Not a big deal, I only drained one battery early on. Now I carry a spare battery, but have not needed it. Guess I learned my lesson.
2. There is no printer currently available. I bought this after the printer had gone out of production. Haven't looked too hard for one and writing down the data in a notebook helps keep me organized. What I'd really like is a chrono that hooks up to my lap top.

I went with the Chrony Gamma Master Chronograph about six years ago and like it. It is there deluxe model and has the printer, remote read out, timer, and many other features. It does have the auto shut off feature to save your battery. It can also be connected to a computer. My unit came with their computer software as well. You can download the data from the Chronograph into the software and do all kinds of things with it. I am impressed with the software. They say that it comes with a demo of the software but the download I got looks to be fully functional. I have never downloaded from the chronograph to it and maybe that is where the demo part comes in. The add on Midway USA says that it is not compatible with Windows XP but that is what my computer has and so far the software runs fine. Here is a link to the Midway site with the unit I have.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewP...productNumber=331656
It looks like they have it on sale now as well. If you have any questions on it you may want to contact the people at Shooting Chrony to make sure you get what you want. My unit also was damaged by some idiot who shot it. The damage was repairable and the company treated me fine.
Cary

[Gun 4 Fun]

I've been using my Oehler 35P ever since I bought it right after they were announced in the late '80's. It is as reliable as any techno wonder made and has never let me down. I had a Competition Electronics chrono before that, and while it did get me started recording velocities, it was too easy to hit the face of it. My dad shot it once with my .45 ACP, and my next door neighbor shot it once with his. Both men paid for repair shipping charges ( repairs were covered under a lifetime warranty), but having to go through all that monkey motion quickly got old, and as soon as Oehler announced the 35P, I ordered one.

In my opinion it is the best chrono made. Too bad they don't sell them to the public anymore.

[GC]

Competitive Edge Dynamics... I have no issues with my CED, works great.

[bmcgilvray]

I'm still using the Oehler Model 12 I purchased in 1979.

[Dale53]

I was responsible for our club getting the Oehler 35P. We had a range house fire that destroyed ours. I call Doc Oehler and learned it was no longer available. Fortunately, a club member stepped up to the plate with one for a "friendly price" that had hardly been used. We are back in business. Love the Oehler!

Dale53

[lafayne]

I have the Oehler 35P. I think I bought it in the early 90's. It serves me well. I like the auto printing feature. I don't remember the price, but I have certainly enjoyed it.

[zeke]

Another Chrony Beta Master fan. The only special feature is having a read out right next to me, that can easily be seen. If memory hiolds, am on my second or third one. Large sheets of freezer paper and duct tape fix the sun position problems.

[bmcgilvray]

Who is marketing chronographs these days?

[Hook686]

Shooting Chrony Alpha Master

and

Shooting Chrony F master

I mostly use the F Master. I decided I really do not need all that statistical data ... just the fps per shot does for me. If I want 10 shot statistics I set up the Alpha Master.

[RedHawk357Mag]

Originally posted by FlyFish:
I've been using the basic PACT Model 1 for many years. I calculate my own stats, so all I really want are the individual raw data points, and it does that just fine for me.

Mr. FlyFish just bought one of these and currently waiting for delivery. Got any hints/tips/that you figured out over the years while using your chronograph?

[acl864]

Shooting Chrony Alpha- just got it a month or so back. Still learning to use it, but it works well for my purposes. I wish I had bought the Master version. I didn't think I'd need a remote- but now I'd like to have one. Will probably end up ordering one or rigging one up somehow.

[MrPhil]

Wow! Glad to see so many reloaders using chronographs. Really takes it to a new level. Thanks for all the replies.

My Pact Mk IV has the sky screens separate from the electronics. That is a feature I knew I wanted from the start. I mounted the screens on an old camera tripod. Makes for very easy adjustment.

I have not shot the photo sensors, but have winged one of the diffuser supports. So far have had no problems with lighting. The range I use shadows the sensors and is open to the sky directly overhead. An ideal situation I think.

[Howard B]

I also have an Oehler 35P I got around 1990 or so and it still works fine. My question is - why are they no longer available? Too many cheaper options? thanks, Howard

[Dale53]

I talked to Dr. Ken Oehler over the phone and at the NRA Convention in Louisville, Ky last May. He told me that they lost their printer supplier and could not find a new one at a price point they could remain competitive.

I was responsible for my club getting a chronograph many years ago. The first one was am Oehler 33 and then we upgraded to the Oehler 35. After many years of satisfactory service we lost our 35P in a fire. Oehler had stopped making them. However, a club member had a nearly new one (used twice) that he offered to the club at a friendly price. We jumped on it as the members had already been checked out on it. Of course, they are still very much active in the Professional field, just not the consumer area.

Dale53

[Noah Zark]

I bought an Oehler 33 in the early 80s with the proceeds from an article I wrote for Handloader magazine. It is still going stong, and I see no need to replace it.

Noah