Chrony Dilemma (Minor)

[otisrush]

I'm making the final decision on getting a chronograph. I've pretty much settled on the Shooting Chrony. I like the construction.

What do people think about the value of having the remote display so that it's right on the bench? On the one hand, pretty obviously, that would be pretty convenient. On the other hand I've learned over the years that, in general, stuff that is more complicated ultimately becomes more of a burden.

Is the F1 (display on the unit) easy enough to read from the bench? Or do people fall down on the side of "Trust me! Get the remote display!" (I don't have any serious vision issues - so that shouldn't be a factor.) I don't really care about saving strings and doing calculations on velocities. Any time I'm going to be using it I'll be writing down the speeds at the bench anyway.

Thanks.

OR

 

[noylj]

I prefer to have the expensive electronics out of the way of the bullet.

 

[RV4driver]

I had one with the remote display, much more convenient.

 

[OKFC05]

How much of your chronograph do you want to replace each time your "friend" shoots it?

Also, unless you have a private range, a remote display prevents having to "cease fire" when you want to read it. If you are too close to the screens when you shoot, you will get false readings from the blast shock wave shadow. Figure at least 10 feet, and more for "master blasters!"

 

[Rule3]

I would reconsider your choice. There are may many threads on chronographs. Scroll down to the bottom of this thread for similar posts.

I had 2 Chrony brands units and they were awful and unreliable,

Yes the "guts" are out of the way but my take is if you can not shoot through the uprights at 10 feet you do not need a chronograph

Get the Competition Electronics, a much better unit, It you kill it they will replace it at half price.

Look for it ON SALE

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Competition-Electronics-ProChrono-Digital-Chronograph/dp/B0028MTBJ4"]Amazon.com : Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph : Outdoors : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31RdZR80ZFL.@@AMEPARAM@@31RdZR80ZFL[/ame]

 

[Sclays]

Chrony?

Have shot over at least three different Shooting Chronys. None of them produced accurate numbers. The deviation or error renders the instrument nearly worthless.

 

[otisrush]

I'm glad I asked.

I really wasn't questioning the brand - just the features. But it sounds like I should get a different brand.

Thanks a lot!

OR

 

[Rule3]

I'm glad I asked.

I really wasn't questioning the brand - just the features. But it sounds like I should get a different brand.

Thanks a lot!

OR

The Chrony brand just didn't work in Sunlight.

Look at the review on Midway. Also if you can buy a cable and software to hook it up to to a laptop and then have a wireless set up also (if you want to spend more money)

I do not have the best eyes but can read the data on the unit from 10 feet away,

Competition Electronics - The Winning Difference!

 

[ameridaddy]

My Chrony can be twitchy in low angle bright light. I found after you get to know the instrument and where in the window to place your shots, it's pretty reliable.
On the remote:
Even if your eyes are really good, I find it nice to have the readout right next to me on the bench so I can read it without a scope or eye strain, don't have to leave the shed if it's raining, and I make notes about my impression of the shot in real time, not after the string. When shooting a large rifle, you'll find you want to put the screen unit ~15- 20' downrange to avoid blast disturbances. In the wrong light, even with good eyes, accurately reading a downrange display can be iffy, IMHO

 

[DWalt]

I have been using the simplest Chrony for 12 years, no problems whatsoever with it, and it seems very consistent. Maybe I'm just lucky. If I were using a chronograph a great deal, I might want one I could read the display at the bench, but for my purposes, I have no problem in walking up to look at the display and writing it down after each shot. When I'm working up a load, I usually fire five shots and take the average MV.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have the F1 and like having the "Controls" on my shooting table.

Any error is spotted on the shot.

If you have good eyes, this type is not needed...........

 

[alwslate]

I have to agree with Rule3 on this one. I had two junk Chronys with
the remote display and both are worthless for chronographing handgun
ammo. I tried every thing I could think of as far as light conditions and
shields to get reliable readings from them and finally gave up. Save
yourself time and grief and buy the Competition Electronics for $99.
If you get careless and put a bullet through it they will repair or
replace it for half price or less.

 

[Gamecock]

CED Millennium 2 for me. Remote electronics a must; shooting at your chrony makes no sense.

 

[scooter123]

I have a Shooting Chrony and was having issues with reliable readings until I stumbled on a video on Youtube. What I learned from that video is that the Shooting Chrony is EXTREMELY fussy about the distance above the sensor that the bullet passes. Basically you have to place every shot within a "window" set by the top and bottom of the brass sleeves joining the support rods for the skyscreens and the closer you are to the exact middle the more consistent your readings will be. Since then I've had very consistent results.

 

[jimbo728]

I bought my Chrony F1 in 1991. It still works. It does work best on cloudy days though.
If buying new today I might shop for something different but back then it was one of the only affordable units and can still be upgraded, even after all those years.
Jim

 

[otisrush]

Thanks all. The Competition Electronics has been ordered. Although it would be cool to have the Bluetooth add-on as well I know that I can add that down the road easily enough.

Thanks again!

 

[Nemo288]

Good choice.
With the digital version you can use a laptop for the remote display and control or with the adapter, a phone.
I have used Pro-Chrono's for decades and they work when set up properly.
I must be lucky as I have yet to shoot one and am careful about who else I let shoot over them.
For guns with barrels 6" or longer you may wish to get a Magnetospeed sometime in the future.

 

[H Richard]

With rifles and magnum pistols you will need to set it up 12-15 ft. away or the muzzle blast will disturb the Chrony and/or knock it over. Can you read a 1/2" screed from 15 ft? I've had both and I wouldn't trade my Beta model with remote for one without.

 

[ameridaddy]

...the Shooting Chrony is EXTREMELY fussy about the distance above the sensor that the bullet passes. Basically you have to place every shot within a "window" set by the top and bottom of the brass sleeves joining the support rods for the skyscreens ...

Bingo!! Me too. I wrapped a 2" wide bright blue tape around the rods with the top edge in the center of the brass sleeve, then align the line of sight from the gun to the downrange target aiming point along the top of the tape. I find it's important to have an aiming point well beyond the chrony, even if it's just a magic marker blob. With the chrony about 15' in front of the muzzle, this arrangement keeps the bullet in the sweet spot, ~3/4" to 2" below the top of the tape, and unless the light is really bright and low in the sky, I don't get any no read errors from BB's in an air gun up to 30 cal 150 gr bullets..

 

[otisrush]

Just a quick follow-up: I was able to take out today for the first time the ProChrono that was delivered weeks ago. Oh man this is going to be fun! For someone who likes data this will be a blast.

It seems to have worked flawlessly. I measured 20 rounds total and I had no errors in reads. I set it up about 10-15 ft from the bench and reading the display was quite easy. (Although even with that I just ordered the Bluetooth module so I can do stuff at the bench. I had to record every shot (I was testing multiple loads and multiple calibers) since I couldn't call a cold range to go push the String button on the unit.

Thanks again to all for the help on this!

OR