LabRadar inches closer to (very expensive) release

[Nemo288]

I got an email today allowing me the privilege of pre-ordering a LabRadar for $560.
Padded carrying case for $40.
Yikes!
LabRadar
This still looks like a nice piece of kit especially for difficult jobs like chronographing shotguns but so pricey as to be out of reach for many of us.
I hope it works and wish them well but I won't be getting one anytime soon.
I also hope this isn't just vaporware.
Caveat Emptor.

 

[Rule3]

I am friends with a Motorcycle Cop at my range, maybe I can use his?

To rich for my needs, I hardly use my Comp Electronics

 

[JBnTx]

I'm very interested in LabRadar.
I don't mind the cost, if it works.

Hopefully we'll soon have some good reviews?

 

[BC38]

I got an email today allowing me the privilege of pre-ordering a LabRadar for $560.
Padded carrying case for $40.
Yikes!
LabRadar
This still looks like a nice piece of kit especially for difficult jobs like chronographing shotguns but so pricey as to be out of reach for many of us.
I hope it works and wish them well but I won't be getting one anytime soon.
I also hope this isn't just vaporware.
Caveat Emptor.

I agree that $600 for the unit and carry case seems a bit steep - compared to the price on other chronographs.

On the other hand, it is only about the price of your average VG condition classic P&R S&W handgun too..

 

[venomballistics]

in the scope of things, 6 bills isn't bad for a new intro product like this.
Development and subsequent refinement are afforded by the seemingly heavy tag which leads to it becoming more competitive down the road.

 

[Twoboxer]

Optical chronos occupy the value price-point (and higher of course). In return, you carry the chrono along with its tripod, assemble and set it up when the range is cold, re-adjust it the next time the range is cold, shoot through a narrow window, miss the occasional shot when the lighting changes, and call the vendor for new parts when the inevitable drive-by shooting occurs. It's virtually impossible to use at most indoor ranges.

I have one, a CED M2, and it works very well . . . on the right days . . . outdoors . . . despite having been wounded in action twice.

Next up the price ladder is the MagnetoSpeed. Fits in your range bag, attaches in seconds, sets up when the range is hot, readout is right on the table, can be used in any or no lighting, can be used in any weather, doesn't miss a shot, and although it doesn't move much it is really really really hard to shoot it. The drawbacks are few but significant to *ME*. You must be able to attach it to your firearm, and when you attach it to your barrel you will change the POI. The V1 also consumes batteries surprisingly fast.

I have a MagnetoSpeed V1, and make extra ammo to chrono during load development. It pushed my CED M2 into virtual retirement.

At the highest price point (so far) comes the LabRadar. The promo for it says it has none of the above drawbacks. The design and method of speed measurement says that it *should* have none of the above drawbacks. If it works, I can chrono ALL shots fired during load development for any firearm, and I find that data quite useful. It also can provide some downrange data, though I'm not sure that data has any real value to me.

The reviews I'd be interested in would test battery life, try hard to determine what makes it miss shots (if any), determine how many extra shots are recorded at a crowded range (if any) and under what circumstances, etc. These will only come with some extensive use by a competent operator with no commercial bias.

While helpful, I'm not satisfied by a review that uses it once and talks mainly about whether the LabRadar is a better value than an optical or the MagnetoSpeed. Because that kind of judgement depends very much upon the individual, and how they value dollars versus doing the job . . . dollars vs relative drawbacks, etc..

So I've decided to "review" it myself Given the shipping "schedule", probably won't be until November. Can't wait . . . should be fun.

 

[Rule3]

I agree that $600 for the unit and carry case seems a bit steep - compared to the price on other chronographs.

On the other hand, it is only about the price of your average VG condition classic P&R S&W handgun too..

I would rather buy the gun or reloading stuff..

 

[Nemo288]

I'll be highly interested in the review.
I may be able to squeeze one in the budget some time next year.
Being able to use just the one inobtrusive chrono for every shot of every weapon certainly is an advantage.
The ProChrono and Magnetospeed are what I have now but neither is perfect for indoor use with the 3" revolvers which I dote on.
I may have to decide on the radar or developing the 44 Alaskan next.
I have already broken one connecting cable for the Magnetospeed mounted on heavy recoiling guns.

 

[oldman10mm]

Demo and some info
No More Chronograph? Labradar is Personal Doppler Radar That Does Much More - AllOutdoor.comAllOutdoor.com

I'll be getting one !

 

[Nemo288]

Interesting sub-story there that may explain why this has been vaporware for the last couple of years.
But if one guy getting sick held up production this is not exactly a large scale venture.
They may have taken away some of the smoke but I still see my reflection.
I truly do want this to be real but was most likely born a skeptic.
Maybe they should have crowdsourced this project.

Having said all that, several of our better companies started out in garages (not just shooting).
Most of the bullet companies, MagNaPort, Midway, and others have shown it can be done.
Unfortunately we forget the many who didn't survive the process
.

 

[ruggyh]

They may have used a sickness as a cover for issues with getting the device to pass emission laws for the radar technology used. My understanding is the US certification rules are stricter than those in Canada and lower the emissions was impacting performance.

As that looks to be resolved I look forward to getting mine soon.

 

[Nemo288]

I hope you are right and that we get to use the full power version here in the USA.
Kind of reminds me of the old GPS situation where everyone except the military had to make do with 1/10th the resolution they got.
Would not be too useful if a chrono only read 44 cal and up bullets out to 50 feet.

If this works as planned, one will be able to instantly calculate the actual BC of the bullets they are using and make much more accurate external ballistics predictions.

I can see why we would not want to share this with potentially unfriendly countries.
Or that our gummint, which views us with the same haughty disdain, might not want us to have it at all.
The 1000 yd. boys and girls are going to love it.

 

[MichiganScott]

Midway says they will sell them for $560 when they get them. To put things in perspective, a complete Oehler 35p can be had for about $570.

 

[Engineer1911]

I don't think knowing the bullet velocity 100 yards down range is going to shrink my group size at 50 yards. But it's just me, the glass is half empty, no the glass is too big.

 

[aurora40]

I don't think knowing the bullet velocity 100 yards down range is going to shrink my group size at 50 yards. But it's just me, the glass is half empty, no the glass is too big.

Knowing the velocity at any distance won't shrink group sizes. But it might help you get the group centered where you want it.

 

[Twoboxer]

LabRadar specs say it won't read velocities at more than 100 yds. While that data may reveal that the published BCs for that bullet are incorrect, it's not going to give data useful at ranges where knowing the BC is significant in the first place.

We're unlikely to ever know the real causes for delays, though key employee sickness was likely real if not the direct cause lol.

The radars are made in Canada - or at least by a Canadian company - so the US probably doesn't have direct control over the technology in any case. While they may have had difficulties meeting whatever US regulations are published for such devices, let's not forget federal government efficiency and their love for all things firearm related

At this price point I don't see the unit becoming popular on the strength of calculations it can make from velocity, mass, and statistics. While convenient, calcs can be done in any number of ways without spending a lot of money.

So, as far as I can see, the benefits of Labradar are pretty much restricted to being able to use it with little to no setup, anywhere at any time, without affecting the shots themselves, and while recording all shots with few or preferably no errors.

 

[BC38]

I would rather buy the gun or reloading stuff..

Me too...
But if you've invested twice that much in reloading gear & supplies, and many multiples of that amount in firearms, it kinda puts the price into perspective - at least for me...

...At this price point I don't see the unit becoming popular on the strength of calculations it can make from velocity, mass, and statistics. While convenient, calcs can be done in any number of ways without spending a lot of money.

So, as far as I can see, the benefits of Labradar are pretty much restricted to being able to use it with little to no setup, anywhere at any time, without affecting the shots themselves, and while recording all shots with few or preferably no errors.

Both very good observations. If it works as advertised, all those advantages you list PLUS the ease of not having to do all the calculations yourself makes the $400 difference between this unit and an optical - or the $200 price difference between this and the MagnetoSpeed - seem more reasonable.

But only IF it works as advertised....

 

[Nemo288]

I actually use the running Average and SD calculations the Magnetospeed offers.
It does save me some time and may prevent a few errors.
The Magneto is NOT error free and some shots either don't register or give numbers obviously wrong (like off by 1000 fps).
Cast lead is not it's strongest suit.
It is better in this regard than the opticals though which I never completely trust.
I will be getting one of LabRadars eventually as internal ballistics is a big part of my enjoyment in shooting and chrono's help keep me safe.
They also provide the necessary feedback to the QuickLOAD program to make it more and more accurate.
Out of the box QuickLOAD admits it is not that good at either straight walled cartridges or pressures below 50K.
I think some of their powder data is way old too.
Tweaking the model helps my confidence when I get a new idea to try in software first.
This process has lead me to quit having to dismantle rounds I was afraid to shoot and now unloading ones I know are too wimpy.

 

[chief38]

Had this product been on the market when I first started out in the hobby I might have been interested in owning one. At this point after Chronographing 95% of all the loads I'm interested in, I'll probably just use my conventional chronograph equipment.

I watched the video and it's an easy set up for sure and maybe even more accurate than a standard technology unit but will wait for the reviews. That said, who knows, after a while of being on the market the price may drop substantially lower and I may spring for one after-all. Each time I set up my Chronograph I do spew a few cuss words...........

 

[oldman10mm]

As I said in my post #9,I'll be getting one. My reason is to be able to use at indoor ranges where they(range operators) don't allow placement of my current chronograph downrange from the shooting stall. All my indoor range needs is for load development with various cartridges(9mm,38sp,357M,40S&W,10mm,41M,44sp,44M),various powders,and various bullet weights.