I picked up an inexpensive table-top tripod on Amazon. Sitting on the bench it puts the Garmin high enough to be within 15” of my handguns when I’m standing. It also makes it easier to see the display from my shooting position.
Garmin Xero Review
- Thread starter cmj8591
- Start date
I picked up an inexpensive table-top tripod on Amazon. Sitting on the bench it puts the Garmin high enough to be within 15” of my handguns when I’m standing. It also makes it easier to see the display from my shooting position.
Borderboss
Well-known member
I've used mine at the indoor range I use. It's a 25 yard range and I didn't set up a target as I was just wanting to chrono my ammo. It had no problem picking up the shots. There were others in other bays and there were no issues of picking up their shots.
mckenney99
Well-known member
For those who have purchased and put the new Garmin Xero into use, I have a question.
Upon initially starting the unit for the first time, I presume it is recommended to "check for and update any software". Do you have to install a Garmin "APP" to your phone, computer or other device and then connect the Xero to check/update the Xero's software? Has anyone used a Chromebook for this purpose? (I am quickly becoming a neanderthal where electronic technology is concerned.)
Upon initially starting the unit for the first time, I presume it is recommended to "check for and update any software". Do you have to install a Garmin "APP" to your phone, computer or other device and then connect the Xero to check/update the Xero's software? Has anyone used a Chromebook for this purpose? (I am quickly becoming a neanderthal where electronic technology is concerned.)
cmj8591
Well-known member
You don't need the app to do updates. Plug it into your computer and go to the Garmin web site. You make an account and it will update automatically when you plug it in. Other than that, it really doesn't play with Windows too well. You will need the app if you want to move the data off of the unit. Otherwise, it will store the sessions and you will be able to look at them on the Xero.
Borderboss
Well-known member
I didn't have to do anything. The unit connected wirelessly to Garmin and downloaded the updates itself.
mckenney99
Well-known member
cmj8591 and Borderboss, Thank You.
mike campbell
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I don't mean to pee on your parade, but....
I've loaded 200HP with 28 grains & 240HP with 24 grains of H110 and WW296 for over 40 years. Which is to say, I've seen your load vetted in a dozen guns owned by several people and with several photosensor chronographs.
It strikes me as very odd that your standard deviations are quite large. SD's in the single digits would have been less surprising. You must have had extreme spreads in the vicinity of 100-150 fps. Between the Marlin, two S&W's and the Garmin, I'm inclined to be suspicious of the Garmin. Maybe you'll get a chance to chrono the same load with your Garmin and a buddy's PACT/Oehler/Caldwell in the same session?
I've loaded 200HP with 28 grains & 240HP with 24 grains of H110 and WW296 for over 40 years. Which is to say, I've seen your load vetted in a dozen guns owned by several people and with several photosensor chronographs.
It strikes me as very odd that your standard deviations are quite large. SD's in the single digits would have been less surprising. You must have had extreme spreads in the vicinity of 100-150 fps. Between the Marlin, two S&W's and the Garmin, I'm inclined to be suspicious of the Garmin. Maybe you'll get a chance to chrono the same load with your Garmin and a buddy's PACT/Oehler/Caldwell in the same session?
My last Garmin firmware upgrade first downloaded to the phone. When that was finished, the chronograph asked if I wanted to upgrade. I had the option of saying no. Presumably that would have occurred on the firing line too. With the phone containing the upgrade, the chronograph could have upgraded even without the phone connected to cell or WiFi.
It seem they figured people don't necessarily want a forced upgrade in the middle of shooting. For the folks that think the chronograph upgrades itself without a phone or USB cable, it doesn't. There's no WiFi or cell communication in the device itself. It needs a Bluetooth or USB data connection to get out to the 'net through a connected device - your phone or your computer.
Borderboss
Well-known member
Perhaps mine was communicating through my phone in my pocket and I didn't know it.
cmj8591
Well-known member
That's a good question. The Marlin gave me the smallest SD and the smallest spread at 87fps. The spread on the S&W's was 80fps with the 6.5" and 147fps with the 3". That makes sense to me. That's about how I would have figured it would go. I haven't choreographed that load or those guns so I don't have anything to compare it to. I'm not sure if those numbers are on the mark. I have rifles and loads that have been clocked but the weather has been so foul that I haven't gotten to them yet. My air pistol has been giving me single number SD's but the 625 that I shot indoors had a big spread. I really don't trust those numbers because of the short range. It makes me wonder what role the temperature may have played with that 44 load? The guns and ammo came from a warm house into 17 degree weather so it's possible that it may have something to do with it. When (if) it warms up, I might try that test again. My samples are small at this point so we'll see how it goes from here.
Don't see many of those bullseye gun boxes around much these days!!
Borderboss
Well-known member
Low temps play a lot more havoc with gunpowder than people think, or appreciate. Few are stable when you're dealing with very low temps. When it's cold out and I'm going to the range after work, I bring the ammo into work so it's not sitting in the car freezing.
cmj8591
Well-known member
You don't see many people shooting bullseye these days!
Its a shame too, because its great training on the fundamentals!
DWalt
Well-known member
For over 20 years I used a Chrony, first an Alpha then a Beta, which was a big step up. I used the hell out of them during that time, and they did all I needed as I was doing some serious heavy duty ammunition evaluation. Were the Garmin around then, I certainly would have bought one, but my days of needing a chronograph are now in the past. I would still love to have a Garmin, even though my Chrony Beta will still do anything I might need in the future.
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I picked one up recently and it is every bit as good as the hype.. coming from a 20 year old CED, this thing is stupid. The Garmin fits in a pocket, takes 10 seconds to set up and does exactly the same thing as my CED... I think my CED was 50-75% the cost of this Garmin when I bought it... 20 years ago..
rockquarry
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Yes, it's the very best there is for learning shooting skills.
If I read the specs correctly, the internal rechargable battery is not replaceable. Is this correct? I would hate to spend that much and a battery failure turns it into junk.
Nemo288
Well-known member
A properly taken care of rechargeable battery should last at least 10 years and I have a few
that are going on 20 and working fine like my shaver, camera, and bat-drill.
If it fails before 10 years I would send it back to Garmin and demand they fix it.
Apple recently relented on their expensive "you can't fix it" policy after enough stink was raised over the years.
Let's hope Garmin is listening as well.
that are going on 20 and working fine like my shaver, camera, and bat-drill.
If it fails before 10 years I would send it back to Garmin and demand they fix it.
Apple recently relented on their expensive "you can't fix it" policy after enough stink was raised over the years.
Let's hope Garmin is listening as well.
Garmin prefers that we return the unit for a battery replacement if necessary. However, on another forum it was shown how easily the unit comes apart and that the battery is readily replaceable by the user.
