Lab Radar...How Much Faith?
- Thread starter 59FLH
- Start date
My experience is similar to Big_Daddy's. Once I got the Lab Radar I sold my Oehler 35P. While I don't put much stock in argument from authority, a whole bunch of my fellow LR BR shooters use a Lab Radar. Realize there is a learning curve with using the Lab Radar, but once you have that sorted out it's very reliable.
Now as to wether a radar unit is more or less accurate than an optical unit, I am not sure. I suspect the accuracy of most all the chronographs is great. I think the big issue is getting them to read in bad lighting conditions. The Lab Radar doesn't have that issue. You just have to figure out where to place the unit.
For example, for a 6 BRA, the unit needs to be close to be muzzle. For a braked rifle, about a foot back and a foot to the side. Once you know that it's very consistent.
Now as to wether a radar unit is more or less accurate than an optical unit, I am not sure. I suspect the accuracy of most all the chronographs is great. I think the big issue is getting them to read in bad lighting conditions. The Lab Radar doesn't have that issue. You just have to figure out where to place the unit.
For example, for a 6 BRA, the unit needs to be close to be muzzle. For a braked rifle, about a foot back and a foot to the side. Once you know that it's very consistent.
TZaun
Gold $$ Contributor
A buddy of mine and I each own one and set both up one day, one on each side of the rifle. Every shot that was taken registered 1-3 fps different between the two units. One unit was always reading higher than the other. I was extremely impressed with the consistency between the two. The only time I lose confidence in mine is when the battery is getting low. It's thrown some strange numbers on a low battery.
Normally we use calibration procedures to determine the accuracy of instrumentation. We have no way to calibrate our chronographs so we can not evaluate their accuracy. We can infer some level of precision but not accuracy. We can decide if the results we get look reasonable but that is not an assessment of accuracy. We can put two or more chronographs side by side and if they agree that is some comfort but not rigorous. We can rely on the manufacturers estimate of accuracy but I do not see anyone putting a +/- 30 fps on their chronograph data.
You're correct. You may not know if you are +/- xxx fps, but you know if you are seeing large, unexplained readings.
Similar to your touching the lands measurement that you arrive at, with your chosen method. That gives you a reference to work from. You probably don't know "exactly" at what length you are touching, but it's a consistant measurement that you can develop a load from.
I am confident in mine. But I wouldn't put it a foot to the side and a foot back with a brake on. It would put it right in the blast path.
I compared it against some other people’s lab radars and magneto speeds and a Caldwell chrono and they were all really close. If it fails it also gives a reading you know is wrong like 1000 FPS off. The Caldwell device would fail but to the tune of 100 FPS off and make you wonder if it was the ammo or the chrono.
That’s pretty hot you might want to back off that load a bit
Nah, bolt lift was normal. Seems good to go!! Not sure why the others were so slow??
wedgy
Gold $$ Contributor
I ran the LRadar against the Magnetospeed and they were 5 fps different with the MS being ~5 fps faster consistently so it was good enough for me to unload the MS as it was more involved and affected group size.
BTW , everyone know PPC's are for girls, step up to a Creedmore if you can handle the horsepower. Or a CMM Creede More Mag... you heard it here first
BTW , everyone know PPC's are for girls, step up to a Creedmore if you can handle the horsepower. Or a CMM Creede More Mag... you heard it here first
Wow lost almost 6000fps in 10yds!!
If you can get it to work. And pick shots up. I had one of the first ones and never had issue for the first three years. Used every time I pulled trigger. Zero issues. Then all the sudden one range session wouldn’t trigger. Then wouldn’t pick up all shots. Two trips later to Labradar and them saying it was fixed I still have picking up all shots/ triggering issue. So I don’t count on it to work 100% of the time. And yes I have the settings correct and placed correctly and aimed correctly
This will solve any pick up errors for people that have problems. I sold my first Lab out of frustration. Bought another one and got this and I’ve never looked back no matter how or where I shoot. Best part is that once this is hooked up your actual positioning of the unit becomes far less critical.
TAJ45
Silver $$ Contributor
Ha! There are a few who would want to know your load - by PM of course. Wouldn't want to get anyone hurt you know.
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divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
Are you running off the AAs or whatever they use (I don't remember now)?
I keep a portable battery bank in the case I carry the LR in, and run the unit off that (and run my phone powered off the same bank.) I haven't tested it, but I suspect the setup would run all week without running short of power.
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