Oh dang! - Labradar LX - Small form factor

[DRK]

I am at SHOT. I was planning on stopping at Labradar tomorrow. I visited with him last year, really not much to see and not a terribly good dealer program, we'll see what this year holds.

 

[muleystalker]

I like how everyone is bashing the Labradar now that a better version has come out.
I'm sure most of you thought at the time it was pretty slick.
It's been out for years, someone was bound to come out with a better and smaller
version. Look at most electronics.
Look at phones, a lot of people have to buy the newest, even thought it hasn't changed
from the last years model.
Nobody bashes Apples iPhone 12 just because it didn't do this or that as well as the 15

I think the reason for all the comments is a lot of people had problems with their LR's and the customer service was pretty much non existent! I know several people that there units went bad right at the end of warranty, a problem LR knew was going on and they would fix them. LR gave them the option to fix it for approx. $60.00 less than a new one cost and told them they recommended them buying a new one. Also the BlueTooth was crap and never worked and LR never did anything to try and rectify the problem. And then the updates and added features they were supposed to add to the Firmware and app never happened.
This is just some of the reasons why people are a little negative about them, myself included.

As far as the iPhones go, Apple listened to customers, helped them and responded constantly with Firmware updates to improve the function of the phones unlike LR and their lack of customer service.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

I like how everyone is bashing the Labradar now that a better version has come out.
I'm sure most of you thought at the time it was pretty slick.
It's been out for years, someone was bound to come out with a better and smaller
version. Look at most electronics.
Look at phones, a lot of people have to buy the newest, even thought it hasn't changed
from the last years model.
Nobody bashes Apples iPhone 12 just because it didn't do this or that as well as the 15

Hahaha when they came out you weren't even allowed to call yourself a shooter if you didn't have a big orange thing next to you. I still use mine and my gas/flame annealer, only time I ever had problems with my LR was when the winds were blowing crazy.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I like how everyone is bashing the Labradar now that a better version has come out.
I'm sure most of you thought at the time it was pretty slick.
It's been out for years, someone was bound to come out with a better and smaller
version. Look at most electronics.
Look at phones, a lot of people have to buy the newest, even thought it hasn't changed
from the last years model.
Nobody bashes Apples iPhone 12 just because it didn't do this or that as well as the 15

Exactly. Current Garmin fans will discover any issues or limitation with the system as it gets more widespread use, just as the original LabRadar users did. How the parent company might handle such discoveries is as yet unknown. Clearly Garmin owners are hoping for excellent support for this unit by the company and if past experience with Garmin is any indication, they will probably get it. Regardless, the widespread anti-LabRadar behavior is not unexpected given the amount of money spent on the Garmin 'upgrade". I mean, if someone just spent $600 on a new radar chronograph to replace their LabRadar, it obviously has to be the best thing since sliced bread, right? The almost confrontational reception of this new LabRadar unit is just another manifestation of the same behavior. If the new LabRadar unit had come out as little as 6 months earlier, would we even be having this discussion? The new LabRadar unit simply offers another choice to those that have not yet purchased the Garmin. I view that as a positive thing.

 

[rijndael]

Regardless, the widespread anti-LabRadar behavior is not unexpected given the amount of money spent on the Garmin 'upgrade". I mean, if someone just spent $600 on a new radar chronograph to replace their LabRadar, it obviously has to be the best thing since sliced bread, right?

Plenty of us have been unhappy with LR for a long time. It's why, until the Garmin came out, I was sticking with my Magneto on an MK Machining off-barrel mount.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Plenty of us have been unhappy with LR for a long time. It's why, until the Garmin came out, I was sticking with my Magneto on an MK Machining off-barrel mount.

I get that, and that particular sentiment is not unfounded in many cases. But I also suspect the number of users that have been very happy with their LabRadars (such as myself) far outweigh the number of dissatisfied users. But as we know, the "dissatisfied" tend to howl a lot louder than the "satisfied". I just find some of the anti-LabRadar behavior to be petty and childish. OK, maybe some just want to brag on their new Garmin purchase. I get that, and it's fine. But it almost seems as if some people actually feel threatened somehow by this new LabRadar unit, as though they might be made into fools if it were to turn out to be better than the Garmin in some small way. Who cares? The new LabRadar unit will perform however it performs, and we really can't know that yet, so it's not even worth worrying about, IMO. No one that just purchased a Garmin unit will lose a single bit of the utility it had when they purchased it, regardless of whether the new LabRadar turns out to be good or bad. In this day and age of difficult-to-find or nonexistant reloading supplies and utterly stupid lead times for many other shooting-related items, I personally find the notion of having multiple choices to be a good thing.

 

[Mike TackleBerry]

Labradar is probably not going to financially survive from this in the long run, Garmin sales from the Xero only make up a tiny fraction of their revenue, After some research I'm amazed at how big garmin really is and how many areas of the markets they have their hands in.

 

[Camper]

I broke my previous Err2 and Err3 chronos... at least that is what I called them cause every other shot was Err2 or Err3. I already dropped the Garmin several times and it still works. I wonder how much punishment the LX will be able to take? If it's as durable and the price is considerably lower than the Xero, like a $100 cheaper, I'll get one as a back up. I know it's a matter of time before I break the Xero. But then again, I will probably not want to take the 2 minutes to learn how to operate the LX so I'd probably get another Xero anyway.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Oh yeah’ that’s back when they had I phones with more technology than the Apollo space program and still no one could figure out how to make a small chronograph that wouldn’t miss a shot. They also had eight years to evolve and haven’t made a move until Garmin kicked they’re ass.

Remember the first A BOMB. Today they are so small you can carry them in a suitcase. Or mount them on the wing of a fighter plane. Not a fan of Labradar. Had one tried it a few times and sold it.

 

[TTE]

I don't have a LR or Garmin, still using an Oheler (that works fine, but a PITA to set up).

IMO ... unless the new LR offers better performance or more features than the Garmin, it will be second fiddle in sales.

 

[Minshooter]

Agree.
I wish Labradar well with their new offering, but still wouldn't be surprised to see a Preparation H dispenser in their lobby.

 

[284winner]

Too little too late IMO.

Yep I think that ACE in the hole needed to come up a couple years ago with all the finicky crap happening with the LR units. It's Garmin's time to shine. I'm giving Garmin my loyalty. My LR has left the range

 

[hgr2]

What were you using before the Lab Radar? I remember wasting so much ammo and load development range sessions using a Chrony or the CED, Hell, I remember shooting those chicken $hit units on purpose!

I still really like my old Lab Radar, several years ago, after using a buddies LR I ordered one as soon as I got home. It was very reliable in any lighting conditions compared to those others. With that said, I am a Garmin owner and really like it.

Hope LR survives.

 

[ctrickett]

Jumped on the Lab Radar when first came out, found it difficult and not intuitive. Sold it, bought Magneto easy to use, but strapping to barrels that are tapered is a PIA….bought another LR and never took it out of the box. Bought the Garmin and it’s great, simple intuitive, small…..gives me the info I need. Sold the NIB LR for a song I’ll stay with Garmin…..anyone want a Magneto?

 

[DRK]

I did not make it Labradar today, however, I did see the Garmin on display at SHOT. I am impressed with the size of it compared to the original Labradars.

 

[DRK]

I made it to Labradar today. I talked to him for about 15 mins. The highlights:

New unit on display was functional.

The screen is very bright and has a very high resolution.

The screen is protected by Lexan for drop protection.

The case is aluminum not plastic for drop protection.

It is about the same size as the Garmin but deeper.

It can be charged while using.

The Bluetooth is fully functional and should not have problems like the originals. Will still export data to Excel, etc. No account is needed.

The controls are very intuitive.

There are two velocity measurements, one at muzzle, one at 5 yds.

It is 60 GHz hence the LX Roman numerals vs the original 24 GHz.

It was in design for 18 months before release, will ship early March. Taking pre-orders.

He claims labradar did the software for the Garmin. He did not say more than that, I am assuming there is A LOT more to the story is not saying or cannot say for trade secret, NDA, etc.

I asked why upgrade from the Garmin if you have one, largely it is personal preference is what I was told.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I see no reason to buy any new chronograph my old reliable labradar provides me with
what I need, velocity numbers. I would rather spend the 600 for components.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Sounds like, shared software, probably same internals. Just visual branding differences. Sort of like all NASCAR look the same except for the colors.

 

[muleystalker]

The one thing that I see could be a problem is the metal case/housing which is also black, sitting in the sun on a firing line in the type of heat a lot of use shoot in... a combination for problems. I remember using my LR in real hot weather in the sun not wanting to work and my iPad shutting off too.
Then in really cold weather the metal housing can't help battery life, I know it doesn't on my rangefinder with the metal housing. Anyway thats just 2 things I saw that I'm not very fond of but time will tell.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I think you meant 60 Gigahertz.

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