Which Chronograph?
- Thread starter John Patrick
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nksmfamjp
Member
Two real good points. I have a Labradar also. It has revolutionized chrono work for me.
My setup is a cheap leofoto tripod, ARCA plate, 90 deg usb cord, and a cheap rechargeable battery pack….all kept in an old pistol case. I charge the battery about once per every 5 range trips. Easy enough.
I just aim through the v in the top. I trigger it with gun noise. It works fine. The key is to learn & use most menu options!
It is expensive, but it is accurate, fast and easy.
What things does the Oehler 35P do better?
I load for multiple pistol/revolver cartridges and a few rifle cartridges. No suppressor. Bullet weights 55gr to 405 gr. Velocity 800-3,000 fps.
With all the wired chronos I just set it up and shoot through the sticks. Being old I don't need any "APPs" or anything to work the printer. Heck I don't even really know what an App is. Heck my first chrono I had you shot through REAL screens. I even had a Chrony that had a printer. It worked fine for a lot less money than a Labradar. I shoot on my own range out on the dry ground here on the ranch. I even sold the Oehler because it took too much setup time with the extra skyscreen. To be honest I learned many years ago that we really don't need ALL the data these tools can supply. Some folks are very anal. In the past I wore out bbls rifles ammo Powder money time etc etc trying to achieved ever better shooting loads etc. Not being a benchrester or any other thing I decided to get groups velocities/loads that shot good and quit nitpicking. Not dissing those that are driven to nitpick...just seemed like an awful lot of waste. Most all the ammo I made and worked with was more accurate than factory anyway unless I flinched
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I've had far more experience with the Oehler 35P, having used one a lot for many years while I've had a LabRadar for fewer than ten years. Other than a quicker and more convenient setup with the LabRadar, I'd consider the two equally useful.
I don't really know much about Oehler's "proof channel" but, as I understand it, it's a kind of "double check" on figures and I'd call that a benefit.
Both chronographs offer a lot of features, certainly more than I would ever use. I don't use a cell phone in conjunction with a chronograph, but others have a use for this feature.
Reportedly the LabRadar doesn't record velocities above 3900 (?) fps while the Oehler does; a small point that matters only to a very few handloaders.
venomballistics
Member
This always struck me as being the most convenient solution for indoor range situations where time is money...
Do you think I. Our current world of 3D printing, that this issue might be mitigated?
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Good observations and you're right on all counts, but...many of today's shooters have grown up in a world with a staggering number of choices and options. With regard to chronographs (and a lot of other products) few really have a use for all or even most of the data provided, but it's offered by the seller who has to be an expert at marketing to succed in a very competitive field. As a result, the gimcrack-oriented consumer expects much that really has little practical value - sort of like a big dose of heated steering wheels.
ES and SD numbers have become a fad Internet topic since the arrival of affordable chronographs and some prefer these numbers to the more reliable and meaningful "group size" in determining accuracy. Apps? Some of us don't have a use for them but they are actually a convenience for others.
LabRadar. Precise, easy to set up, works in any light environment, has a mobile application with blue tooth (save your data to cell phone or tablet and control the LabRadar). I’ve had one for 3 years. Seems to work best with an external battery. With rifle muzzle brakes have to find the right position for LabRadar in relation to muzzle blast. Have to read and follow the instruction manual.�� Many think it expensive!
Cdog
Member
I still have one of the upper tier (for the period) Shooting Chrony units. It was lost for a few months after our last move. I gave up on finding it and ordered on of the CED units like 9mmPatriot linked to.
Boy does it feel cheap compared to the old metal Chrony, but it works great. No wires and can usually be found on sale closer too $125.
My old Chrony still works as good as ever. I make a habit of removing the battery(s) from electronic devices I may not use for a bit. I still use a refurbished rangefinder that I bought close to 20 years ago.
Boy does it feel cheap compared to the old metal Chrony, but it works great. No wires and can usually be found on sale closer too $125.
My old Chrony still works as good as ever. I make a habit of removing the battery(s) from electronic devices I may not use for a bit. I still use a refurbished rangefinder that I bought close to 20 years ago.
Head-hog
Member
A little late to this thread, but I'll add my 2 cents. I've got a 30 year old Pact timer/chronograph that has served me very well. Pact is still in business and makes a good product. I've used mine to chrono all my loads and the only issue is understanding how different lighting conditions impacts results.
I have had my results checked against other chrono's and they all agree within reason. So even after 30 years of use as a shot timer and chrono I can still trust the results I get.
HH
I have had my results checked against other chrono's and they all agree within reason. So even after 30 years of use as a shot timer and chrono I can still trust the results I get.
HH
Nemo288
Member
Optical: ProChrono with Caldwell light bars. The light bars vastly improve reliability.
Magnetic: Magnetospeed
Microwave: LabRadar
I own all 3 having acquired each as they came out.
The above comments are accurate about the virtues and gripes of each type.
The most cost efficient is the ProChrono which has always been a good optical solution IMHO especially with the light bars.
It even registered 95 fps when I shot a rubber band across it with my fingers in my study/library.
It's the biggest PITA of the lot to set up especially at an indoor range with others present.
The Magnetospeed works fine for rifles and some revolvers but won't even mount on short revolvers, pistols, or doubles.
Very simple and easy to use when you can though.
The LabRadar is the ultimate $olution. If you can afford it you will never look back.
Getting it to trigger reliably going from one firearm to a different one is the main challenge.
Once you get the settings for each down pat it's all smooth.
I took the batteries out of the other 2 so they would not rot and ruin the equipment.
I had an early digital camera destroyed that way (leaking batteries).
Magnetic: Magnetospeed
Microwave: LabRadar
I own all 3 having acquired each as they came out.
The above comments are accurate about the virtues and gripes of each type.
The most cost efficient is the ProChrono which has always been a good optical solution IMHO especially with the light bars.
It even registered 95 fps when I shot a rubber band across it with my fingers in my study/library.
It's the biggest PITA of the lot to set up especially at an indoor range with others present.
The Magnetospeed works fine for rifles and some revolvers but won't even mount on short revolvers, pistols, or doubles.
Very simple and easy to use when you can though.
The LabRadar is the ultimate $olution. If you can afford it you will never look back.
Getting it to trigger reliably going from one firearm to a different one is the main challenge.
Once you get the settings for each down pat it's all smooth.
I took the batteries out of the other 2 so they would not rot and ruin the equipment.
I had an early digital camera destroyed that way (leaking batteries).
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38SPL HV
Member
I highly recommend ProChronoLTD…nice folks to deal with as well. I purchased mine from MidwayUSA when they had free shipping special.
