Shooting Chrony vs Caldwell

Armory » Reloading

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Shooting Chrony vs Caldwell

Posted: 4/6/2017 12:39:00 PM EDT

I've been looking for a chrono and not really sure which way to go. Looking at the basic ones in the $100 range or so.

The Caldwell stuff just seems cheap. However, they have a nice phone app and for me that's a plus. Also seem to get a lot of positive reviews.

The Shooting Chrony seems like a better item, but no app that I can find and no bluetooth. I think it will store the data though for later download so maybe good enough. Wonder if the Competition Electronics bluetooth adapter would work with it.

The Competition Electronics ProChrono also seems a good option. Similar to the Caldwell in price and construction but have to buy the bluetooth adapter to use with an app.

If you have either, thoughts? Is there something else I should consider? Thanks.

Posted: 4/6/2017 12:55:04 PM EDT

[#1]

I like my caldwell but have never looked at the other.

Posted: 4/6/2017 4:48:28 PM EDT

[#2]

I did not try caldwell.

My shooting crony was a POS. Lots of errors. VERY inconsistent. I literally threw it in the trash.

I bought a prochrono. Almost no errors. And speeds are much more consistent.

Posted: 4/6/2017 5:14:03 PM EDT

[#3]

Buy once, cry once. Magneto Speed is about the most accurate chrono I've ever played with.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JZR1C10?tag=vglnk-c102-20

Posted: 4/6/2017 5:25:27 PM EDT

[#4]

Another satisfied Caldwell user here. The chrono app is pretty handy to save your data rather than writing everything down. Be advised that you need to have an audio input on your phone (newer Iphones don't) to use the app.

Posted: 4/6/2017 5:31:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Caldwell owner here, pretty satisfied. The app is nice. Never used a nicer system so I'm unsure how good or bad the numbers are.

I can tell you I've used the MV provided in my Shooter app and was able to dial out to 850 successfully so it seems accurate enough for a new guy.

Posted: 4/6/2017 5:47:39 PM EDT

[#6]

Caldwell guy as here too. I wanted something that was cheaper and the app is just a straight up plus. I have used it a little bit and I really enjoy it. Get a few errors every now and again, but otherwise it has been pretty reliable. I did bounce a 9mm off it, and it survived!!! I don't have the light kit, might get that in the future if I feel the need. If I do actually end up shooting it, I think that I would replace it with another. Hope this helps.

Sac

Posted: 4/6/2017 6:15:14 PM EDT

[#7]

Another happy Caldwell owner here, i think i paid $59 for the base model with no tripod on a Midway sale. Still going strong about a 1 1/2 years later.

The app is great and has tons of potential for long term data collection. On my home pc, windows 10, the files open in microsoft excel. That in and of itself has huge potential depending how much time you want to put into it. Or u can just save your different rifle caliber files into different folders for comparing data or looking back thru the years.

If i happen to clip it with a stray bullet and she dies, i'll buy another one of the same model.

Posted: 4/6/2017 6:56:44 PM EDT

[#8]

Got a base model Caldwell from midway for $52 on clearance a couple years back. For that price figured if hated it could just shoot at it instead of over it.

Works really well. Used my nerf gun to figure out the app in my living room. After that have used it several times without any problems.

Its cheap and works well. If it does take a round going to get another one just like it.

Posted: 4/6/2017 11:28:28 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the caldwell is a decent option.

Worth it to pony up for the bluetooth version or cable works well enough?

Posted: 4/7/2017 12:00:50 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the caldwell is a decent option.

Worth it to pony up for the bluetooth version or cable works well enough?

View Quote

Cable has been flawless for me.

Posted: 4/7/2017 12:03:39 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the replies. Sounds like the caldwell is a decent option.

Worth it to pony up for the bluetooth version or cable works well enough?

View Quote

I have cable because bluetooth wasnt available. Cable works fine. Bluetooth is cool just so u can say it has bluetooth. No difference in performance. I never tripped on the cable or anything.

Posted: 4/8/2017 12:34:41 AM EDT

[#12]

One last question. Is the Caldwell app compatible with other chronographs? For example, if I got the Competition Electronics Pro chrono would it work with the caldwell app? I've been searching Google but can't find a definitive answer yet.

Posted: 4/8/2017 7:24:20 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
One last question. Is the Caldwell app compatible with other chronographs? For example, if I got the Competition Electronics Pro chrono would it work with the caldwell app? I've been searching Google but can't find a definitive answer yet.

View Quote

Sincerely doubt it. All the chrono configuration is done via the app. The only thing you can change on the chrono itself is the velocity reading in FPS or MPS

Posted: 4/9/2017 3:50:41 PM EDT

[#14]

Another happy Caldwell owner...

Posted: 4/9/2017 7:19:14 PM EDT

[#15]

My Chrony has been going strong for over a decade.

Posted: 4/12/2017 12:31:54 PM EDT

[#16]

i have had all three.

the chrony i had was garbage. would not read unless the bullet was less than a inch from the sensor. be so close you can imagine what happened to it.
Comp electronics was awesome. read 99.9 % of the time. the accesories are kinda expensive though.
Caldwell. just as good as the comp. love the cable to phone/tablet and it works great.

did a test with the comp and caldwell front to back to see how much the variance between the two. round in the 900 - 1200 range showed less 15 fps between the two chronos. good enough for me.

if i had to buy again i would get the caldwell. wireless is nice, but the wired works just as well. both of them have huge screens anyways so most of the time it can be seen form 10- 12 feet without issues

Posted: 4/12/2017 12:48:30 PM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:

I bought a prochrono. Almost no errors. And speeds are much more consistent.

View Quote

This.
It feels cheaply made, but it works 100% of the time. Arrows, pellets, pistols, rifles...
I would recommend it and I would buy again.

Posted: 4/15/2017 3:59:31 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Another satisfied Caldwell user here. The chrono app is pretty handy to save your data rather than writing everything down. Be advised that you need to have an audio input on your phone (newer Iphones don't) to use the app.

View Quote

It works with the iphone 7 using the adapter that comes with the phone. Tried it yesterday and works just fine.

Posted: 4/17/2017 8:25:05 PM EDT

[#19]

Tried the Caldwell, not the basic model but the fancier upside down one, had nothing but problems with it and sent it back.

Have used the Pro Chrono with BT module and have had no issues - it's all anyone needs unless they are doing really specific load development, and a lot of it. I tried the LabRadar as well, but came back to the PC combo. For the price I don't think it can be beat. The Magneto would be nice if you were doing rifle only or all your pistols have rails, but its not really usable on non-railed handguns as I understand it.

Posted: 4/21/2017 10:12:57 AM EDT

[#20]

I've been using a Shooting Chrony for many years, works great, very consistent. The company even helps out if your put a bullet through the unit (ask me how I know). However, I recently saw a shooter at my local rifle range who had one of the new Bluetooth enabled models (don't recall the brand) that transfers data for each shot to a paired smartphone. Mean velocity, SD, etc. for each string is automatically calculated and stored on the phone. No more writing down each shot's velocity with pencil and paper. I must have one, its on my mental wish list. - CW

Posted: 4/22/2017 12:30:21 AM EDT

[#21]

Bought the basic Caldwell and tested at home with the app. Seems to work fine. Excited to try it at the range.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Shooting Chrony vs Caldwell

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