chronograph use

Infidel_319

Infidel_319

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Payson, UT
Stupid question, but what is the ideal lighting conditions to use a chronograph? Overcast, noon, morning, shooting in to the sun, sun light coming from the side, etc? Thanks in advance.
 
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Yep. "Ideal" here in NM would be overcast without the sky screens, at least in my experience (since '88). The arc lamp sun has a way of getting into the electric eyes, so I'm always taping up cardboard shields in addition to the sky screens.
 
I always use mine in the shadeon sunny days or anywhere on overcast days. My "range" is in a stand of 15 year old pine. It works perfectly on a sunny day to filter out just the right amount of direct sunlight.
 
Best is on a sunny or lightly overcast day with the chronograph in the
shade with unobstructed view of sky over the chronograph.
 
On a sunny day, early am or late afternoon. Most do not like high noon sun. All day on overcast days.
BTW guys, the skyscreens are what you shoot over, the thing above it is the shade.
 
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My PACT Model 1 only works if I set it up so the shadow of the shades falls directly on the sensor. It doesn't matter what color the sky is, how strong the sun is, or what angle the sun is at.

It's a good thing I belong to a small club because often I will have to pound shots into the ground in front of the line to accomplish this.
 
Wow, what different answers everyone has.... me too

The only time I have problems with my CED is right around sunset when the sun is low to the horizon and darkness is starting to be noticeable. I generally orient east-west and the sun is typically about 45-60 deg (estimated).

about the only time I have a problem with the PACT is when the battery is low or if the sun is getting into the sensor lens.

I was always under the impression you shot between the sensor and the sky screen (which by name, screens the sky). Am I wrong about that and have to go back and re-shoot all those years worth of loads???? shoulda read the instructions.
 
Not a stupid question.

The angle and intensity of sunlight can change where exactly your sky screens pick up the bullet and change your velocity readings by more than 100 f.p.s.

My SOP for chronoing is to use a 22 of known velocity and play with the light diffusers and taping up cardboard light blockers till I know the chrono’s reading right. Then I’ll try my test ammo. (It’s way easier to get it working right on overcast days.)

If you want the end all in accurate chronoing, build a “chrono coffin” with artificial lighting and two chronographs with at least 4 foot spacing on the sky screens. (That’s what we use for USPSA matches.) It’s a PITA to set up but there’s no doubt on the accuracy of the readings.

Jeff
 
Thanks for the replies, went out today, could not get a single accurate reading firing 30 rounds. Nice blue sky, tried different angles, shades, with and without sky screens, only thing I didn't try, which usually helps was black magic marker on the bullets (didn't have my marker, damn kids). Anyway, only using it on overcast days from now on. Almost always works great when the sun isn't shining.
 
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My tripod has a bottom mount, so I mount my Chrony upside down, looking at a sheet of butcher paper.
 
I read the instructions that came with my ProChrono, and it said overcast days are the best. The sticks with opaque white wings are actually there for use on bright clear days to make it appear overcast to the Chrono.
 
You might be able to build a removable shade using velcro on the screen holders and attaching a piece of white sheet or some other material like a Conestoga wagon. It should provide an 'overcast' condition.

What kind of a chrono do you have? Like I said, neither of mine have problems with no shades and I'm in sunny Arizona, usually shooting between 10am-5pm with sun to right side.
 
Make sure your chrony is set well out from the muzzle as well. Muzzle blast which can contain bits of unburned powder can at times raise havoc with your readings even to the point of catching no readings at all. Fresh batteries can make a difference as well. This I say after 12 years of my shooting chrony and learning its shenanigans . Possible more exspensive units are less prone to these issues. I havent tried the no sky screens yet and love the tip about blacking out the bullets with a sharpie. Always willing to try something to make it all work better.

10 Spot
 
Last outing I set it up from 10 to 15 feet. Just hates sunny blue sky. Nothing I did would give me a good reading, it always works properly when overcast
 
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