Chronographs

[muddocktor]

I was wondering what everyone else is using for their chronographs.

I had bought a Caldwell Ballistic Chronograph a little over 2 years ago and I had found it to be extremely glitchy most of the time, giving constant errors. And last time out with it, it was almost totally unusable and was giving constant numerous errors. I was so mad at it that if the range hadn't been full of people that day I would have killed the sucker. Instead I decided to get another brand chronograph.

So last week while at the rig I started looking at various models on Midway and ended up buying the Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital, along with their Bluetooth module so that it interfaces with my smartphone. It came in today and I set up the chrono and the Bluetooth module and made sure that it interfaced with my phone ok. I think it is ready for a trip to try it out now.

As for the old Caldwell, I had decided to look on Caldwell's website today and looked my model up and under the FAQ I found reference to some manufactured and sold around the date I bought mine that were defective and were giving the error problems I was experiencing, along with a number to call. I called them and when I started explaining my problem, the CSR just asked me for my name and shipping info and told me they were shipping me a replacement! I wasn't expecting that, since I had purchased it a little over 2 years ago and figured it was out of warranty. Needless to say, I am really pleased with Caldwell's customer service! Now, hopefully the new one will work better than the old one.

So it looks like I might end up with 2 chronographs.

 

[rockquarry]

I'd stay away from anything Caldwell.

I've had five chronographs over the last thirty-five years. I've used an Oehler 35P for about twenty-five years. You won't find a better chronograph and it's one you won't outgrow. The Oehler will stand up to frequent use better than anything on the market.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I am a cheap skate! I have two models of Crony. And love them both. One is an old beta and I forget what model the better one is. The Beta is one of the fold in half jobs and has held up to much abuse, but I never shot one. (There is one guy in the gang that shot one twice, killing it on the second shot. His next shot was over a different Crony, He killed it in one shot! He killed a third, a week later when a new replacement arrived!) My worst abuse occurred while shooting sabot projectiles in a 45-70 (BAD MOVE), the light projectile didn't cause enough pressure to ignite the powder (Just scorched by the primer) The bullet went across the screens at about 350 fps, the sabot slammed into the read out display, cracking it. That was in 1987 or 88 and it still works just a little difficult to read.

I STRONGLY RECCOMMEND, that you pay the $10 and buy Lithium 9V batteries. They work to 20 below 0 F, they last about 2 times longer, They won't leak and ruin your electronics.

And watch out who you let use you coronagraph!

Ivan

 

[Owly]

OP, I use the same crumby Caldwell. Mine too glitches quite often and creates plenty of aggravation. If I want to shoot a ten shot string to establish SD and spread, I need to assemble at least 15 rounds of a given load to hopefully get a reading on 10 of them. Maybe one day I'll get lucky and shoot the darn thing.

 

[LittleCooner]

LabRadar Ballistic Velocity Doppler Radar Chronograph will put all the other manufactures of chronographs out of business in the next 5 to 10 years. New technology, super impressive and for rifle work, you can calculate true ballistic coefficients. Even though I have two working ones that a trouble free that are a few years old, one of these new technology guys is going to follow me home one day in the future.

 

[fordson]

I use a Chrony Gamma Master. It's my second one. My first one didn't survive being shot with a 38 Super. That one is now mounted on a plaque on my reloading room wall as a reminder - the 125 grain JHP really destoryed it. The Chrony is good unit but finicky and the instructions are a challenge to follow. I do like the remote readout and printer. I just run off the printer tape and staple it to the target for later analysts.

 

[DWalt]

I have used a bottom-of-the-line Chrony without problems since 2003. Still works fine, I really don't need anything with more bells and whistles, mainly used just for checking MVs of reloads. I do all of the statistical calculations using Excel.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I'd stay away from anything Caldwell.

I've had five chronographs over the last thirty-five years. I've used an Oehler 35P for about twenty-five years. You won't find a better chronograph and it's one you won't outgrow. The Oehler will stand up to frequent use better than anything on the market.

x2.......My 35P is over 25 yrs old and still going strong!!!

 

[muddocktor]

I would love to have either a 35P or the LabRadar unit, but they are both way out of my price range. $500 plus is just too much for me to justify, but both of those did have me drooling at them when looking on the websites.

The reason I went with the ProChrono Digital was from reading other posts here about it and also I read some of the reviews on Midway. Plus, I really like the fact that I could use the Bluetooth adapter and have it send all the velocity info to my phone. The Caldwell did that with a cord that plugs into the headphone jack but the darn thing is just too unreliable. Maybe the replacement they are sending me will be better and I will end up having 2 usable chonos.

I was hoping to be able to go to the range tomorrow and try it out, but I have to see what's up with the starter on my wife's truck instead. Darn thing just clicks instead of turning over when the key is turned about half the time. And it's not the battery as that is brand new. If it's the starter, that's going to run 2 bills to replace just for the starter, looking online at various auto parts stores.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Have the same Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital. Purchased it from Midway too. Had a ton of positive reviews and was only a few bucks more than the Caldwell so I figured I'd click the buy button. Never used a chronograph before so I read the manual about recommended distances and how lighting/Sun affects use. Works great.

Since you live in Louisiana it won't be an issue in the winter... but these things aren't rated for use in cold temps. Operating range 32-100F

Some of you guys might want to revisit the operating manual for your chronographs to double-check if the bullet actually needs to strike the unit for a velocity reading.

 

[Gaffer]

I have an Oehler 35P, my second Oehler. The first one was OK but no where as good as the current one. A bit pricey but well worth the extra bucks. All I do is feed it a new battery occasionally and some new printer paper and away she goes.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

LabRadar Ballistic Velocity Doppler Radar Chronograph will put all the other manufactures of chronographs out of business in the next 5 to 10 years.

Certainly would make things easy for setup. No fooling with tripods on uneven, muddy or rocky ground. Cold range not required. Heck, I could use one of those at the plinking range using steel as the target or a rock in the dirt backstop and I'd never never step beyond the shooting pad from arrival to departure. Such convenience isn't quite worth $500 to me, but get it under $200 and it'd be tough to resist clicking the buy button.

 

[muddocktor]

Yeah Phil, if they ever get it under the $200 price point, I'll be sure to have an "accident" with my present chronys so I can get it.

 

[Grayfox]

I've been using a plain old Pact Model 1 for over 20 years now. It can be a little finicky in real bright sun light, but that's pretty rare. It gives me all the information I need and I've never had a problem with it.