Armory Sponsor
Posted: 4/4/2015 12:19:13 AM EDT
I bought a Caldwell Chronograph and decided I'd try it out on my kids bow first. I turn it on and it reads a code of some sort then 2.24 than counts down from 5 (I assume this is the startup sequence). Then I shoot several arrows through it. No reading. So I try throwing various and assorted items through the chronograph.  .
Absolutely nothing happens aside from the "ready screen". Turned it off/on. Changed batteries. Took shades off and tried it and then reinstalled them and tried again. Replaced battery. I did a google search looking for some answers and found several other folks having issues with connecting to their android devices and some complaints about the unit not always getting a good read but that's about it. I haven't tried connecting to my iPhone yet. I'm just using the display on the unit. Am I doing it wrong or did I get a lemon? |
|
I don't believe that's the sequence mine goes through when I start it up. I've never tried arrows though or throwing things by hand. It'll read the pellet from a .22 air rifle though.
There are issues with the android app and some models of android phones. It didn't work with the as of then current android I had when I bought the chrony. I contacted Caldwell about it and they worked with me for awhile, sent me a new cable, we tried a couple of special versions of the app they had me download directly from them. but it just didn't work. I had an older android phone I dug up and that worked as did the wife's iPhone. I've since swapped out my android with another android and that one works so 2 for 3 success rate for me. |
|
Thanks. I finally got it to do something yesterday. It appeared to be reading my arrows and my kids airsoft pistol BB's but would only read sporadically in the lower 1/2 of the "window". I believe the instructions showed it would read as low as 1 FPS which is why I expected a reading with the various items I was tossing through it. In any case it was doing some strange things on start up and I wasn't going to trust it to function correctly for working up loads for my Blackout so I took it back to Sportsmans Whorehouse.
Maybe I should have given it a try with the blackout but my shooting area is an hour away and I wanted to know that it was going to work. Also I only had a few days before the return policy was up anyway and didn't want to get stuck with it. Besides I paid $99.00 for just the basic kit and Midway has the "premium" kit with lights, tripod etc. for $14.00 more so when felt I overpaid to begin with. Likely just going to get a Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph. I have yet to read a bad review on it. They seem to be less finicky about light conditions also. |
| Just an fyi. Caldwell said they were supposed to be shipping a revised chrono shortly because of issues. I would contact them and ask about it. This was from a month ago when i contacted them. Its also likely why these are now "back ordered" at almost every site. |
|
Quoted:
Just an fyi. Caldwell said they were supposed to be shipping a revised chrono shortly because of issues. I would contact them and ask about it. This was from a month ago when i contacted them. Its also likely why these are now "back ordered" at almost every site. Well that would make sense. I would have maybe considered one of the new units (because of the iPhone connection) but already ordered a Prochrono digital. |
| I JUST got off the phone with the Caldwell guys (Battenfeld Technologies). They informed me (I'm having the same issues as you) that their sensor boards are picking up too much ambient light, and that I could shade the whole chrono from light and then use the IR bars that came in my kit and it would work as it's supposed to. He said that they're sending out new chronos with new chips that will eliminate this issue to anybody who has the current model, by the end of the month. He also said that all cost is on them and they wont be asking for the old chrono back. It works great indoors, just not in the sun. So here I wait for my new chrono... |
|
Quoted: I JUST got off the phone with the Caldwell guys (Battenfeld Technologies). They informed me (I'm having the same issues as you) that their sensor boards are picking up too much ambient light, and that I could shade the whole chrono from light and then use the IR bars that came in my kit and it would work as it's supposed to. He said that they're sending out new chronos with new chips that will eliminate this issue to anybody who has the current model, by the end of the month. He also said that all cost is on them and they wont be asking for the old chrono back. It works great indoors, just not in the sun. So here I wait for my new chrono... Apparently I need to call them. Mine gets hundreds of false readings. |
|
Any online link to this? I didn't see anything on their site.
Quoted:
I JUST got off the phone with the Caldwell guys (Battenfeld Technologies). They informed me (I'm having the same issues as you) that their sensor boards are picking up too much ambient light, and that I could shade the whole chrono from light and then use the IR bars that came in my kit and it would work as it's supposed to. He said that they're sending out new chronos with new chips that will eliminate this issue to anybody who has the current model, by the end of the month. He also said that all cost is on them and they wont be asking for the old chrono back. It works great indoors, just not in the sun. So here I wait for my new chrono... |
|
Yeah there is no way this is true. No company is every going to replace every single piece of merchandise they have ever made with brand new equipment and with no returns required. This will be a firmware update at best.
Quoted:
Any online link to this? I didn't see anything on their site. Quoted:
Any online link to this? I didn't see anything on their site. Quoted:
I JUST got off the phone with the Caldwell guys (Battenfeld Technologies). They informed me (I'm having the same issues as you) that their sensor boards are picking up too much ambient light, and that I could shade the whole chrono from light and then use the IR bars that came in my kit and it would work as it's supposed to. He said that they're sending out new chronos with new chips that will eliminate this issue to anybody who has the current model, by the end of the month. He also said that all cost is on them and they wont be asking for the old chrono back. It works great indoors, just not in the sun. So here I wait for my new chrono... |
|
Here is the response I received from Battenfeld Sales: Jaqufrost Thank you for contacting us. It sounds like you have a faulty chronograph. I have placed an order for you to be sent a replacement. We are currently resolving a QA issue and repairing a lot of quarantined chronographs. This means that I will not be able to send you a replacement until around the middle of May. I apologize for the delay, and thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this issue. Thank you, Hopefully I will get a new chronograph in May. |
|
Quoted: Here is the response I received from Battenfeld Sales: I apologize for the delay, and thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this issue. Thank you, Quoted: Here is the response I received from Battenfeld Sales: Jaqufrost Thank you for contacting us. It sounds like you have a faulty chronograph. I have placed an order for you to be sent a replacement. We are currently resolving a QA issue and repairing a lot of quarantined chronographs. This means that I will not be able to send you a replacement until around the middle of May. I apologize for the delay, and thank you for your patience and understanding while we resolve this issue. Thank you, Hopefully I will get a new chronograph in May. Yep. There ya go. Glad I called! |
|
Here's the link to Battenfeld's website about the problem.....
http://www.btibrands.com/product/ballistic-precision-chronograph/ click on FAQ/Tips [i] Question: My Chronograph is displaying ERR2 and/or ERR3 errors after the chronograph has been turned on and in the standby mode, how can i fix this? Answer: We found that the supplier used an inferior quality electronic components and the light sensitivity of the chronograph has been altered on certian models. This will cause the chronograph to display the ERR2 and/or ERR3 errors after the chronograph has been turned on and in the standby mode. Depending on light conditions the error will become more and less prevalent. If your Chronograph is displaying this code when in standby mode please contact [email protected] for a replacement or call 877-509-9160. |
|
Just went through this.
I previously had one that worked fine...until a buddy shot it. The replacement unit came, I turned it on quickly at the range, and seemed OK. Went to use it today for some .308 load workup, and it got a 'string' of 300+ shots in a few minutes, sometimes an obviously random/fake # (no shots were fired), mostly ERR3 and ERR2s. I tried to cover the sunscreens with a target, no good. I'm guessing the first day was overcast (almost positive it was), while today was quite sunny. A call to Caldwell, and I have a replacement in the queue, expected ETA mid-May. As long as the unit comes in May and has no issues, I'm happy - was a good, painless CS experience. |
|
Quoted: Just went through this. I previously had one that worked fine...until a buddy shot it. The replacement unit came, I turned it on quickly at the range, and seemed OK. Went to use it today for some .308 load workup, and it got a 'string' of 300+ shots in a few minutes, sometimes an obviously random/fake # (no shots were fired), mostly ERR3 and ERR2s. I tried to cover the sunscreens with a target, no good. I'm guessing the first day was overcast (almost positive it was), while today was quite sunny. A call to Caldwell, and I have a replacement in the queue, expected ETA mid-May. As long as the unit comes in May and has no issues, I'm happy - was a good, painless CS experience. |
|
Quoted: Same here, actually showed up yesterday. No shipping notice, but showed up more or less when they said - good CS in my book. Going to hopefully test it out today. Yeah, I was surprised it actually came in when they said it would. I'm glad they came through. Hopefully this one will work much better than my last one. |
|
UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS POST (BELOW):
Yesterday I got an Email from Midway saying they shipped ny chronograph. So, the guy at Battenfeld was NOT blowing smoke up my butt. It's nice to talk to a real human, especially when they tell you the truth. That's quite refreshing these days. They are indeed shipping the new improved units. Mine is scheduled to be here next week. PREVIOUS POST: About a week ago I called Midway to check on my chronograph, which has been on back order for many months. They referred me to Battenfeld. A nice guy there said they recently got several thousand improved boards and were furiously repairing some returned units which had been sent back. They also got many thousand complete units and were sending them out to some customers. He didn't mention the ratio of repaired vs replacement. Anyhow, he said that they had thousands of new units with the improved circuitry and they which would be shipped to their major suppliers and he said Midway was one of their biggest outlets. The fact that you-all are getting your units delivered is a good sign for those of us who are waiting for a back order. So, I have my fingers crossed that I'll get my back order filled, but I have no idea where I am on the Midway wait list. |
Armory Sponsor