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Posted: 4/18/2016 6:34:54 PM EDT
Hi guys...
I've got a Chrony. Its a piece of shit. Readings are highly inconsistent (as in 2660 this shot, 2815 next, than 2490 the shot after) and error readings compromise about 20% of shots fired. Unless you are a meteorologist, and can shoot under exactly the same cloud cover, and at the same time of day every time, the readings are so inconsistent they are meaningless. So, I'm looking for something that actually works. Has anyone tried a ProChrono? I'm not expecting NASA level precision from a $125 unit, but it would be nice to get some reasonably consistent unit of measure. Feedback appreciated. |
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Just out of curiosity, what distance are you setting your chrono from your muzzle? Odds are that you are right and it is a piece of shit, but muzzle blast can be a frequent cause of false or improper readings. Although that often gives ridiculous numbers, not plausible but highly unlikely numbers like you mention.
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How close to the muzzle is the chronograph? Muzzle blast can throw readings off. I use 15 feet when testing and even that is too close for large magnum handguns. I place a sheet of cardboard between the muzzle and chronograph with a small window to shoot through. This deflects most of the muzzle blast and insures good performance.
Try making a plastic tent, a couple of sheets thick over the top of the sky screens. This will diffuse bright sunlight allowing the chronograph to more easily see the bullets. Bright sunlight causes more trouble than any other weather factor when it comes to getting consistent readings. |
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The ProChrono Digital has been my first and only chronograph, and have zero complaints.
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The muzzle blast including the actual shock waves can really screw up optical sensors.
Really weird readings or (for lower velocity rounds) reading the speed of sound on shot after shot are indicators. Using a built in IR light source can help a lot. |
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Spend the money on a labradar. Worth every penny. No more waiting for range to go cold to make changes. No more accidentally shooting your chrono. No more waiting on the perfect weather. It sits next to you. Works in all weather environments.
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Magnetospeed has been dead on for me. Using to use and very accurate.
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If adjusting the distance to your chrono and ensuring you shoot at the same angle and distance over both sensors don't fix the issue . . .
If your budget permits . . . if you have firearms that will allow attachment of a bayonet . . . if you don't mind your POI changing when the bayonet is attached to a barrel . . . look into MagnetoSpeed. Positives: small, light, sets up while the range is hot, works in any weather and in any light or even no light, doesn't miss a shot. While with great effort it can be done, MagnetoSpeeds are hard to shoot :) If your budget REALLY permits, LabRadar has all the positives of the MagnetoSpeed. It does not attach to your firearm's barrel (sits alongside), so it can be used with any firearm (tested up to 3900fps) and doesn't change the POI. If tight on budget, you can try another optical chrono. |
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Spend the money on a labradar. Worth every penny. No more waiting for range to go cold to make changes. No more accidentally shooting your chrono. No more waiting on the perfect weather. It sits next to you. Works in all weather environments. View Quote I hope so. Mine shipped today. |
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I have the Prochrono Digital and have been very happy with it. Almost zero errors... Very consistent. Does not seem excessively sensitive to lighting conditions.
I spent a few extra bucks and got their wireless digilink system... Love it. Run everything through my iPad or iPhone, no more resetting strings or calling the range cold and email myself the data from the range...no more hand written notes.... Worth every penny. Good buy in my book. |
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I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Magnetospeed has been dead on for me. Using to use and very accurate. I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. This. I'll never use a traditional Chrony again. Absolutely obsessed with my v3 magnetospeed. I regularly see less than 10 fps variations in my precision reloads (which is what I expect). To this day the magnetospeed has not missed a single reading. |
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ProChrono is good to go from my experience. It's sometimes a little sensitive to sunlight, but not near as bad as what you described. I sometimes get dups, but not that often. Im very happy with mine.
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I just decided to click into this thread and see what's up. I now have a V3 on the way.
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I just got my Magnetospeed V3 today. Anybody want to buy a Caldwell? Only used once
and the biggest POS I ever seen. It was damn lucky to get a ride home. A few years ago, I would have shot that thing to pieces. Couldn't find a Labradar so I ordered the V3. Two days later I get an email saying the Labradar is back in stock! I am sure the V3 will be good enough |
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Honestly, chronographs are over-rated in their utility for the reloader. They are a fun adjunct to the hobby but are in no way necessary. I just felt it was important to put that out there.
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Honestly, chronographs are over-rated in their utility for the reloader. They are a fun adjunct to the hobby but are in no way necessary. I just felt it was important to put that out there. View Quote I don't mean to be a dick, but honestly, you're completely in the dark if you handload without a chronograph. |
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I've got a CED M2 that has been working pretty well for me. I like being able to have the "brains" and readout screen right on the bench
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I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Magnetospeed has been dead on for me. Using to use and very accurate. I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. Between that and Lab Radar, it's the salad days of chronos. |
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HOw often are you guys using your chronograph? I backed off my V3 deal I was gonna get because I couldn't imagine using it more than a couple times. Once I get the info I need..then what? I'm sure as hell not gonna let everyone else who's too cheap to get one use it.
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HOw often are you guys using your chronograph? I backed off my V3 deal I was gonna get because I couldn't imagine using it more than a couple times. Once I get the info I need..then what? I'm sure as hell not gonna let everyone else who's too cheap to get one use it. View Quote Then you buy another gun in a different caliber and start it all over again! |
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Quoted: HOw often are you guys using your chronograph? I backed off my V3 deal I was gonna get because I couldn't imagine using it more than a couple times. Once I get the info I need..then what? I'm sure as hell not gonna let everyone else who's too cheap to get one use it. View Quote I use my Oehler more often than not, I'll go as far as to say I use it on over 90% of my shooting days. The data it provides is invaluable to the kind of experimenting/shooting I do. |
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I don't mean to be a dick, but honestly, you're completely in the dark if you handload without a chronograph. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Honestly, chronographs are over-rated in their utility for the reloader. They are a fun adjunct to the hobby but are in no way necessary. I just felt it was important to put that out there. I don't mean to be a dick, but honestly, you're completely in the dark if you handload without a chronograph. You're not in the dark in any way. Notice in 3221's long post above, the pictures were all of group sizes. The metric used to tune was group size. No chronograph can tell you anything about on-target performance. You have to shoot and analyze your targets for that. You have to shoot at distance, too, not just 100 yards (or 50 yards for bullseye pistol). Chronos are fun but non-essential. IMO, as a class, handloaders would be better served by pressure measurements than velocity. I say that because pressure is a safety issue. Iconoclasm seems to be my specialty. BTW, I own two chromos and have used several others. It is, after all, a hobby. |
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HOw often are you guys using your chronograph? I backed off my V3 deal I was gonna get because I couldn't imagine using it more than a couple times. Once I get the info I need..then what? I'm sure as hell not gonna let everyone else who's too cheap to get one use it. View Quote See, he gets it, too. |
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I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Magnetospeed has been dead on for me. Using to use and very accurate. I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. I've seen those on rifles but I've never messed with one... I'm guessing you can't use them for pistols? |
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Quoted: I've seen those on rifles but I've never messed with one... I'm guessing you can't use them for pistols? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Magnetospeed has been dead on for me. Using to use and very accurate. I had a chance to try out a Magnetospeed V3 sporter and I'll never use a traditional chronograph again. I've seen those on rifles but I've never messed with one... I'm guessing you can't use them for pistols? The only one I've used is the cheaper sporter version, which would work well for me. But no, I don't think they make one that will work on anything but a 6"+ barreled revolver. But I would be surprised if they didn't come out with a rail mount some day. I need to chronograph some 300WSM loads since I ball parked a load based on similar powders and found an extremely accurate load, but have no idea what the speed is. I asked to borrow the Magnetospeed again rather than drag out my RCBS chrony. |
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I have a PACT (w/ ir sensors) and a magnettospeed v3. the PACT hasn't been out of the box since I got the V3.
also I have used the V3 on my full sized glocks. they have a pistol rail adapter you can use for it (http://www.magnetospeed.com/collections/magnetospeed-accessories/products/v3-rail-adapter) |
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I just got my Magnetospeed V3 today. Anybody want to buy a Caldwell? Only used once and the biggest POS I ever seen. It was damn lucky to get a ride home. A few years ago, I would have shot that thing to pieces. Couldn't find a Labradar so I ordered the V3. Two days later I get an email saying the Labradar is back in stock! I am sure the V3 will be good enough View Quote I've got a Caldwell and it's great. I've used for thousands and thousands of rounds with great success. I've checked it against several other chronographs and it has proven to be accurate, repeatable, reliable, robust, and inexpensive. It hardly ever misses recording a round and it's easy to set up. I have no complaints with my Caldwell. |
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You're not in the dark in any way. Notice in 3221's long post above, the pictures were all of group sizes. The metric used to tune was group size. Again nothing could be further from the truth. That target was converted to metric for a "13MM" game on another website. Everyone says they can shoot 1/2" groups all day long with there $50 22lr and blammo ammo. They did a game where you had to shoot 4 5-shot groups with all of them less than 13mm (larger than 1/2"). For some odd reason the list of people/firearms that did make the 13mm club isn't very long. No chronograph can tell you anything about on-target performance. You have to shoot and analyze your targets for that. You have to shoot at distance, too, not just 100 yards (or 50 yards for bullseye pistol). That's why I use a chronograph and you don't. Hate to break it to you but you work up a load for the distance you are competing/shooting at. Chronos are fun but non-essential. IMO, as a class, handloaders would be better served by pressure measurements than velocity. I say that because pressure is a safety issue. Iconoclasm seems to be my specialty. BTW, I own two chromos and have used several others. It is, after all, a hobby. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Honestly, chronographs are over-rated in their utility for the reloader. They are a fun adjunct to the hobby but are in no way necessary. I just felt it was important to put that out there. I don't mean to be a dick, but honestly, you're completely in the dark if you handload without a chronograph. You're not in the dark in any way. Notice in 3221's long post above, the pictures were all of group sizes. The metric used to tune was group size. Again nothing could be further from the truth. That target was converted to metric for a "13MM" game on another website. Everyone says they can shoot 1/2" groups all day long with there $50 22lr and blammo ammo. They did a game where you had to shoot 4 5-shot groups with all of them less than 13mm (larger than 1/2"). For some odd reason the list of people/firearms that did make the 13mm club isn't very long. No chronograph can tell you anything about on-target performance. You have to shoot and analyze your targets for that. You have to shoot at distance, too, not just 100 yards (or 50 yards for bullseye pistol). That's why I use a chronograph and you don't. Hate to break it to you but you work up a load for the distance you are competing/shooting at. Chronos are fun but non-essential. IMO, as a class, handloaders would be better served by pressure measurements than velocity. I say that because pressure is a safety issue. Iconoclasm seems to be my specialty. BTW, I own two chromos and have used several others. It is, after all, a hobby. I do find it interesting that you'd read someone putting a metric measurement on a target as "TUNING" something. When I take my hard earned $$$ and buy a firearm I want it to be the best/tuned as it can be providing me with quality range time. When I spend my hard earned $$$ on reloading components, equipment, molds I want the best reloads I can make. I want to take the guess work out testing firearms and loads saving time and $$$. A chronograph does just that. Like I said, if you ask the right questions you'll get the right answers. Like my pappy used to say at christmas time. "You got to be smarter than the box you're trying to open". |
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I have the Prochrono Digital and have been very happy with it. Almost zero errors... Very consistent. Does not seem excessively sensitive to lighting conditions. I spent a few extra bucks and got their wireless digilink system... Love it. Run everything through my iPad or iPhone, no more resetting strings or calling the range cold and email myself the data from the range...no more hand written notes.... Worth every penny. Good buy in my book. View Quote I have the same setup and am also happy with it. For the limited amount of load development I do, it's all I need at a price I was able to afford. |
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Notice in 3221's long post above, the pictures were all of group sizes. The metric used to tune was group size. Again nothing could be further from the truth. That target was converted to metric for a "13MM" game on another website. 3221, when I used the term "metric", it means a thing you measure. It does not refer to millimeters or the metric system of units. In your efforts to develop a load, you tune your load such that it minimizes group size. Group size is your metric (the thing you measure). You don't tune for a particular velocity. Although one could try to replicate factory ammo's velocity, in general, reloaders are better served trying to minimize group size. If you are after a velocity, then chrono velocity would be your metric. ... you work up a load for the distance you are competing/shooting at. Yes, we agree on this, no matter the distance or sport - pistol or rifle. I do find it interesting that you'd read someone putting a metric measurement on a target as "TUNING" something. Again, you seem to have misunderstood my use of the term metric. Tuning is a process. Group size is the metric used when tuning. View Quote This discussion seems argumentative and counter-productive, to me. I will pursue it no further. Enjoy your sport and your recreational time and be safe. |
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I've got a Caldwell and it's great. I've used for thousands and thousands of rounds with great success. I've checked it against several other chronographs and it has proven to be accurate, repeatable, reliable, robust, and inexpensive. It hardly ever misses recording a round and it's easy to set up. I have no complaints with my Caldwell. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I just got my Magnetospeed V3 today. Anybody want to buy a Caldwell? Only used once and the biggest POS I ever seen. It was damn lucky to get a ride home. A few years ago, I would have shot that thing to pieces. Couldn't find a Labradar so I ordered the V3. Two days later I get an email saying the Labradar is back in stock! I am sure the V3 will be good enough I've got a Caldwell and it's great. I've used for thousands and thousands of rounds with great success. I've checked it against several other chronographs and it has proven to be accurate, repeatable, reliable, robust, and inexpensive. It hardly ever misses recording a round and it's easy to set up. I have no complaints with my Caldwell. Want to buy another? |
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Don't know if your joking or not, but want to sell is not allowed in threads.
Conduct code and all. You can sell in the EE, equipment exchange. |
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Quoted: No, I couldn't unload that POS on anybody and sleep good at night View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Don't know if your joking or not, but want to sell is not allowed in threads. Conduct code and all. You can sell in the EE, equipment exchange. No, I couldn't unload that POS on anybody and sleep good at night OK, please don't mention selling items in posts again. |
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Whatever, you took the whole thing wrong.but if it makes you feel powerful...
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Quoted: Whatever, you took the whole thing wrong.but if it makes you feel powerful... View Quote Not powerful, it's the rules of this site. From the conduct code you agreed to when joining, See #2 SPECIFIC TO SALES
dryflash3 |
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