Which Chronograph?

[John Patrick]

My ~15 year old Chrony (I think) brand chronograph has been in storage and now that I’ve taken up reloading again - first time for handguns - I’m missing it.

What do you all recommend for a reasonably priced, easy to transport and to set up option?

I’d be using it primarily for handgun cartridges, but also 30 Carbine and 300 Blackout.

Thanks for the help!

 

[rockquarry]

I don't know if they are still made, but I used a PACT chronograph for many years. It worked well and it seems they were very reasonably priced.

Though I think they are inexpensive, I'd avoid the one that has a piece that hangs off the end of a barrel.

I found a Chrony worked well for occasional use. It's not a heavy duty unit and you'll quickly outgrow one if you regularly chronograph a couple of hundred rounds or so at one session. The window is very small as well.

I've had two chronographs in the last forty years that had the main unit down range - a Chrony and another I can't recall the name of. I eventually shot both. Many say if you're careful this won't happen. I say if you chronograph a lot of rounds and do it often, it will happen even if you're careful.

I've had an Oehler 35P for over thirty years and a LabRadar for less than ten years. These are not in the price range you mention, but should you choose one of these, you won't one day wish you had bought something better. Good luck-

 

[Rodan]

I had a Chrony for years, and it was adequate for very occasional use. I've been doing a lot more precision rifle shooting lately and bought a Caldwell G2. Much better than the Chrony, though the included tripod is pretty spindly.

I looked at LabRadar, but there were many complaints about finicky setup and major hassles with suppressed rifles, so I didn't feel it was worth the investment.

The Magneto speed just wasn't going to work with the variety of guns I wanted to use it for, especially handguns.

 

[rosewood]

I have the Caldwell and like it better than the Chrony. It seems to work in lightning conditions when the Chrony would spit up. Also, it connects to my phone and an APP so I don't have to write down the strings.

I think the new one uses bluetooth connectivity instead of a wire. That would be nicer.

I do wish the APP was better at exporting the data. It will only done one string at a time, would be nice if it would export all in one file.

Rosewood

 

[rockquarry]

I had a Chrony for years, and it was adequate for very occasional use. I've been doing a lot more precision rifle shooting lately and bought a Caldwell G2. Much better than the Chrony, though the included tripod is pretty spindly.

I looked at LabRadar, but there were many complaints about finicky setup and major hassles with suppressed rifles, so I didn't feel it was worth the investment.

The Magneto speed just wasn't going to work with the variety of guns I wanted to use it for, especially handguns.

I use my LabRadar regularly and haven't dealt with "finicky setup", whatever that may be, perhaps nothing more than baseless comments by Internet/ YouTube experts.

I have no suppressed rifles and don't know anything about them. That may be a legitimate complaint against the LabRadar. The only negative point I could make regarding the LabRadar would be that their manual is written for persons with a greater technical knowledge than I possess.

 

[Skeet 028]

I have had a bunch...even an old Herter's. The best I've had was as state elsewhere was an Oehler 35. ..expensive but good. Right now I use a Chrony Beta...mainly with 22's and other smaller caliber rifles and A Pact. I personally have never shot a chrono. I bought a couple of bullet traps at the auction this week and I'm going to set one up for shooting 22s with the beta mounted in front protected by a steel plate to prevent accidents...LOL. Hopefully the traps will work for handguns too. Heavy buggers. In fact I have to go pick them up this morning

 

[Raddoc]

CED Millenium is my current chronograph. Has IR screens upgrade which are great indoors or out. both CED and MyChrony were sketchy at best with regular sun screens a lot of times unless the sunlight was perfect. Frustrating to use. The CED also comes with a battery pack for use on the range. Love it. Collects data strings, and if you dont like to crunch numbers will do various other functions. Better data options than with the little mychrony.

Blessings

Jack

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

OLD SCHOOL HERE.........My Oehler 35P has and still does great after over 30 years of service.......Personally I wouldn't own one of those table top models that you shoot at.

 

[WR Moore]

After watching a bunch of Chrony's get destroyed by errant shots during ammo power level verification, I wanted something with the sensors separate from the instrument.

I went with the PACT long ago and haven't regretted it. I've only trashed one sensor in over 20 years, but they're cheap and easy to replace.

PACT's still in business see pactdotcom. Do spend the extra couple of bucks for the company made sensor bracket.

 

[DWalt]

I think Chrony is now out of business. I started with a Chrony Alpha, which was OK for limited use and it did all I needed done. I put a bullet through it five or six years ago. I then bought a Chrony Beta off eBay for a very good price. When I got it, it didn’t seem like it had been used much and it worked fine, and still does. It does all the statistical calculations for you, which the Alpha does not provide. I highly recommend it, but you would have to buy a used one today.

 

[smithra_66]

Labradar. I love it (for most things).

Oehler 35P for all else.

Can't go wrong.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have used a Pact Championship timer/chronograph for the last 30 years. Recently bought a Labradar, but have yet to set it up.

 

[rosewood]

Very 1st time I borrowed a chronograph, I hit one of the sky shade frames. Had to replace it. I then bought my own. I learned then to always shoot off a rest when using a chronograph. I haven't hit one since in 18+ years.

Rosewood

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One of "The Guys" I shot with, shot 3 Crony's in 8 days. I don't think he ever understood why. All three were hit dead center of the little crosshair in their logo.

Ivan

 

[9mmPatriot]

I use a ProChrono DLX.
ProChrono DLX – Competition Electronics

Very happy with it and I especially like the bluetooth connection to my phone.

 

[Krogen]

I have run the gamut. My first was an early Pact and it was a piece of junk. Unreliable, locked up and a real pain. By most accounts, they are significantly better now. I went to a Chrony and it worked fine although very basic in function. The thing with both of these is the downrange setup you need to fiddle with. Good thing is that they don't affect group size or point of impact. That is, unless you shoot them!

I bought a Magnetospeed to 1) play with something new and 2) avoid the down range fiddling. I learned that the Magetospeed "bayonet" affects point of aim AND group size. It worked well except for that. Then the buckle on the bayonet broke. Magnetospeed said "sorry, no parts available. You have to buy a new bayonet." Heck with that! I put the money on a Labradar.

The Labradar is great, although it can take some setup fiddling. Run it with your phone from your shooting position. No effect on point of aim/group size, can't shoot it. If you do shoot it, you shouldn't be handling guns! Quiet guns like 22LR or suppressed guns can use a recoil trigger or the archery microphone. IMNHO, Labradar is the pinnacle of crhonographs. Nothing else compares.

 

[stansdds]

Shooting Chrony made their name by making very affordable and generally reliable chronographs. I still have mine, an old F1 model, the original type, painted red. It still works. Sadly, they went out of business several years ago. Lab Radar looks pretty good. Nice that you don't have to set up the chrony or it's screen unit down range. Seems like a great idea to me.

 

[loc n load]

I use my Labradar every week, have used it going on six years.
ZERO issues. Used Oehlers for decades, but the Labradar is so much easier to set up. Have clocked everything from 22’s to 50BMG with mine.
I shoot with a group of retired guy’s every week, and most of them have bought Labradars after they have seen mine in action.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As in Post #2 a PACT chrono is a good basic tool that works. I am still using mine for well over 10 years now. The works sit on the bench next to you while only the sensors and sunscreen are out in harms way. I have a Model 1 XP in which I paid $99 for at the time. They will run you $129.99 unless you find a sale.

 

[John Patrick]

Thanks for your suggestions guys!

A follow up Q: Are there any chronographs mentioned that require 110v AC power (which would seem to be a huge problem at most ranges, formal or informal?)