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Posted: 9/8/2014 10:09:01 PM EDT
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I'm shopping for my first chronograph after over 35 years of reloading! I'ts about time! I need velocity data for when I'm working up new loads. Can you recommend your favorite Chrony?! Easy to set up and use is a plus. Heck, maybe they are all built that way these days! Thanks in advance! Garland in VA |
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I use a MagnetoSpeed V1 and it is easy to set up, but it seems that it is geared towards rifles, so...
The V1 & V2 are both discontinued and they are going with the MagnetoSpeed V3. Danny 
Quoted:
I'm shopping for my first chronograph after over 35 years of reloading! I'ts about time! I need velocity data for when I'm working up new loads. Can you recommend your favorite Chrony?! Easy to set up and use is a plus. Heck, maybe they are all built that way these days! Thanks in advance! Garland in VA |
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I never found a really good answer for your exact answer.... so I went by the reviews on Midway USA....
http://ads.midwayusa.com/find?newcategorydimensionid=4024 I ended up with the Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital because I could upgrade it with various other add-ons. |
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I like this one.
It has never failed to give good results in any light I've used it in. A little pricy and a bit more setup needed, but it is a very good chronograph. |
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If you want the best in the consumer class, then the Oehler 35P is the one to get. (pricey $575) and there is a link in the above post.
I bought one many years ago and have been very happy with it. It is a pain to set up because of all the parts; two tripods, three sky screens with readers (4 parts each), 1/2 inch tube, one wire for each screen w/plugs, and the main reader with printer. But when other chronographs are evaluated, they are compared to the Oehler to see if they are accurate. |
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I have owned two chromos and used a third.
I would not recommend the PACT Pro. Mine was glitchy. In a chrono, glitchy is BAD! I have a CED M2. After several years, I am happy to say, it has worked flawlessly for me. The Oehler chrono I used was also flawless. If I were in the market, I'd say this: 1. Oehler 2. CED M2 If I buy another chronograph, it might be the radar-based unit being brought to market (soon). Link to LabRadar I will not buy a Magnetospeed. I do not trust the configuration and they are of limited use on pistols. |
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Magnetospeed wont work on semiauto pistols where the slide covers the barrel. I have a ShootingChrony Beta Master and Magnetospeed both work great. I have the Magnetospeed and like it a lot. I put it my TiRant 45 on a 1911 and it did work. The gun even cycled with it hanging off the end of the can. But I do wish they had away for it to work on regular semiauto pistols. I have been working on a way to mount it on the pistols light rail and so far I can not get it close enough to the bullets path to work. At least with the stuff I have around here to work with so far. |
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I have two, only used one. Both are basic models - cheap.
The beta chrono I have in a box, never used. I'm sure it is not that complicated, but every time I look at the directions I'm turned off by the various symbols/codes. It just doesn't seem user friendly to me, but maybe it is and I haven't given it enough thought. I use the Caldwell kit and really like the iphone/pad interface. It records everything so its retrievable and can be forwarded to email. It's easy to set up and the program is very user friendly. I use it a t a public range so ease of set up while the line is cold is important to me. I painted the support arms orange about five inches up so it makes it easy to see the shooting height. I also marked the bi pod legs with black marker so the overall height is pretty much established behind the line and I just have to place it in line with the shooting positing and target during the cold range time. The iphone allows for manipulating it from the back so it can be done behind the shooting line. I have not had any problems with registering shots as lon as it is lined up straight - bullet traveling parallel with the machine. |
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Quoted:
I never found a really good answer for your exact answer.... so I went by the reviews on Midway USA.... http://ads.midwayusa.com/find?newcategorydimensionid=4024 I ended up with the Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital because I could upgrade it with various other add-ons. ^^^THIS^^^ I had one of the "upper end" Chrony's, it's now under my loading bench because it was junk. Pact PC2, glitchy. CED Millenium, glitchy. Picked up the CED Pro Chrono and it works perfect, every time. Used it just tonight after work. |
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Magnetospeed is cool because you don't have to go past the firing line to set up, but it does change POI. Groups have been different with it on or off.
Took an inexpensive chance on a Prochrono Pal and I like it. Put it on a camera tri-pod and 5 minutes later you're shooting. Finally know what my pistol ammo is doing. |
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Quoted:
I have had a PACT Model 1 for a long time and an ALPHA CHRONY for a few years. Both have worked well but I prefer the PACT. I got a PACT Model 1xp earlier this year, and it works well. It comes with IR sensors, which are supposed to take the sky condition out of the equation. But you need a power source when you use the ir sensors, which may be a problem. |
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Quoted: I use a MagnetoSpeed V1 and it is easy to set up, but it seems that it is geared towards rifles, so... The V1 & V2 are both discontinued and they are going with the MagnetoSpeed V3. Danny Quoted: I use a MagnetoSpeed V1 and it is easy to set up, but it seems that it is geared towards rifles, so... The V1 & V2 are both discontinued and they are going with the MagnetoSpeed V3. Danny Quoted: I'm shopping for my first chronograph after over 35 years of reloading! I'ts about time! I need velocity data for when I'm working up new loads. Can you recommend your favorite Chrony?! Easy to set up and use is a plus. Heck, maybe they are all built that way these days! Thanks in advance! Garland in VA Mine arrived last week.
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