Things I (re)learned about chronographs

[rockquarry]

I don't intend to start an argument, but it appears the Garmin is more popular than the Athlon, even with the Athlon being a good bit cheaper. I can't say I know anything about either unit. A person who's had ample experience with both could provide some helpful comments for prospective buyers.

 

[Rick H.]

I think the Garmin is more popular because it was the first compact chrono to come out of the market that truly worked and was very easy to set up. I have used all the various chrono's on the market over time, but my Garmin is the only one I use now. It even works on a short 15 yard indoor range which surprised me.

Did I enjoy spending $600.00 on it? No, not after I spent the same amount earlier on an orange box chrono that never recorded .22 cal. ammunition speeds. I contacted the manufacturer of the orange box laser chrono numerous times and never managed to make it work properly using their suggestions. I finally asked them if I could send the orange box chrono to them just to test it for proper functioning and I never heard back from them.

I tried to sell the orange box for $100.00 and had no takers. I won't buy another product from them ever again. It now resides in a dusty corner of my basement never to see the light of day. Ironically the same company came out with their own version of a compact chrono similar to the Garmin for about the same price. They knew full well something was coming from Garmin and my feeling was they gave up on their first model customer support concentrating instead on the new model that was just on the horizon. My advise to myself is stay far away from anything with "LAB" on it. Your opinions may vary though.

Rick H.

 

[rockquarry]

I think the Garmin is more popular because it was the first compact chrono to come out of the market that truly worked and was very easy to set up. I have used all the various chrono's on the market over time, but my Garmin is the only one I use now. It even works on a short 15 yard indoor range which surprised me.

Did I enjoy spending $600.00 on it? No, not after I spent the same amount earlier on an orange box chrono that never recorded .22 cal. ammunition speeds. I contacted the manufacturer of the orange box laser chrono numerous times and never managed to make it work properly using their suggestions. I finally asked them if I could send the orange box chrono to them just to test it for proper functioning and I never heard back from them.

I tried to sell the orange box for $100.00 and had no takers. I won't buy another product from them ever again. It now resides in a dusty corner of my basement never to see the light of day. Ironically the same company came out with their own version of a compact chrono similar to the Garmin for about the same price. They knew full well something was coming from Garmin and my feeling was they gave up on their first model customer support concentrating instead on the new model that was just on the horizon. My advise to myself is stay far away from anything with "LAB" on it. Your opinions may vary though.

Rick H.

I've used a LabRadar for about ten years. It has quirks like all chronographs do, but it's generally worked well. However, I found the owner's manual poorly written and difficult to use with my lotech level of technology smartness, but I suppose that's my fault. I'm still considering a Garmin or Athlon. Either would easily fit into my ancient Kennedy tool box for guns and accessories that resides permanently in my car and always accompanies me to the range.

 

[WR Moore]

I'm gonna challenge the "every reloader/shooter needs one" school of thought. I reloaded for decades using just the data in load manuals. Brought home a lot of game and shot a lot, including matches. The Lyman data books included factory duplication loads and most accurate loads (in their test guns) as well as a list of real world velocities of factory ammo. Seeing the differences between factory claims and actual performance was really interesting.

Actual ammo performance only became a factor for a lot of folks when IPSC got started and we were using ballistic pendulums (power meters) at some matches to make sure everyone's ammo would actually match GI ball*. Then chronographs got relatively affordable. I think I actually broke down and bought a PACT when I got into long range matches where 100 f/s meant a 3 foot difference in bullet impact out yonder. (I might have picked it up a bit earlier when my employer quit buying custom loaded ammo and we no longer tested every shipment for contract compliance. I scrounged all the extra sky screens and other accessories. Someone else got the unit, and PACT was affordable.) I've still got the power meter, can't find the data card that let me translate to foot seconds with some math. It was surprisingly accurate when compared to the chrono.

*You had to watch the folks who'd chrono one ammo batch and shoot another for score. If we got suspicious in a big match, we'd grab their last loaded magazine after they finished and test that. There was at least one powder where the ammo needed to be kept cold to "make major" in hot weather. "His/her ammo's in a cooler? Let's test that again."

 

[The Norseman]

I bought the Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph
$400 at the great Scheels sports store.

It’s compact, easy to use, turn on, point
towards target, and get your velocities.
I like it.

A friend and I tried it out on Bow/Arrow
speeds. He said the Athlon Rangecraft
processed the velocities faster than the
competitions pocket chronograph.

To set up the App on your cell phone watch
the Athlon video.

I would say these new miniature chrono-
graphs annihilated old conventions.

Handier than a pocket on a T-shirt.

 

[fordson]

I have a Garmin; daughters got for me as a BD gift. I was thinking about it for a while but the prince point was just a little high. However, now that I’ve used it, I like it more. After using optical chronographs for years, their set up and consistent adjustments for line of fire and sun, became a chore. The Garmin, on the other hand, is just easy to use and set up. I’ll add that from my experience, that moving the chronograph out of the line of fire is also a good move.