best chrono for the money

[favload]

I'm looking to buy my first chronograph without breaking the bank. I am looking at the Shooting Chrony Alpha Master with remote $114 and the Competition Electronics Pro-Chrono for $94 no remote, both on Midway. Both have good reviews but I would like to hear your comments. It would be nice to get a good one for under $125 with a remote.
thanks
jer

 

[Silverfox]

favload--I have no experience with the Pro-Chrono, but one of my first chronographs was the Shooting Chrony F-1 model and it worked great. However, I wanted something with the remote that I could have up on the bench and I bought the Beta Master model. It has given me great service.

 

[favload]

Thanks, I have also heard good things about it but also that it is sun sensitive. I'm not real sure what this means other than it may not work well in direct sun? Is this true and or common to most models?
thanks

 

[fdshuster]

favload: I've had the basic Shooting Chrono F-1, for a lot of years. Seemed like no matter what I did, when the 'sky was blue', I would have problems--- very frustrating. Now use it only under overcast sky conditions, or in the early morning, keeping it out of the direct sunlight. Under those conditions, it has been flawless, as verified by comparing the results with side-by-side numbers produced by models that are much more expensive. By the same token, I've witnessed failures by the chronos that are 4 times the price, and provide a multitude of information/ maybe more than really needed? The basic F-1 suits my needs.

 

[Travelor]

I have two chronographs and I believer hte CHRONY F-1 to be the best buy. Reason is that it is accurate and small. For those having trouble with blue skys - use the difusion covers.

My otehr chronograph is a ACT Professional and it susually stays home as the bar for the creens and the printer with wiring are so much larger. I can use a pencil with the CHRONY and it works just fine.

 

[reloader243]

I too use the Chrony Master Gamma with remote and printer. I also noticed it was a bit of a problem in nice days.I purchased the LED light option from Chrony and all my concerns went away. Hardly ever an error, I think it makes the Chrony now preform as it was intended....Get the LED LIGHT option,available from MidwayUSA...and don't look back.
Rick, New Berlin,Pa

 

[fdshuster]

Diffusion covers were always used, as per the instructions furnished with the chrono, and every other possible combination. Sometimes they worked and sometimes they did not! It's easier for me to use it under overcast skies, without all the hassle. Covers have always been used, no matter what the sky conditions.

 

[Silverfox]

favload--My Chrony Beta Master has had no problems with bright sunlight or cloudy skies. I keep the diffusion covers on the Chrony at all times. I have only had two instances where my didn't pick up the bullets and give me a reading. The first one was entirely my fault--I forgot to turn the switch from OFF to ON

The second one was when the sun was setting and my chrongraph was in the shade of the roof over the bench. I did not get a reading then. I would guess that if I would have had the LED light option from Chrony, there would have not been a problem.

 

[dreever]

I'm with Silverfox. I've had a Chrony Beta Master for years without a problem. As to blue sky problems, never had any problems there either.

Danny

 

[DJ]

Ditto on the Beta Master. I've only had mine a couple of months, but I have had no errors sun or clouds. If you do get one of them I would recommend using some clear tape to keep the diffusers from coming apart,each diffuser comes in 3 pieces that snap together). I sometimes am not able to get mine more than about 6 feet from the muzzle and the blast from my 300wsm would knock them off. The tape took care of that.
DJ

 

[weaselthis]

I have the Alpha Master as well. REALLY like it! Had problems w/ sun a couple of times later in the day,4-5pm) when the sun was setting, but other than that it is worth the $$ IMO. I saw a post somewhere,I can't remember if it was here or not...gettin old and CRS)where somebody had made diffusers cut out of an opaque, white, 5 gallon bucket and some threaded rods w/ wing nuts from Home Depot. He made both of them one piece and quite a bit wider than the OEM and said they helped a lot w/ sunny days. I'm wondering why wouldn't one solid oversized piece of this material covering the whole Chrony unit like a shade cover work?

Oh, after the bozo next to me on the firing line shooting the 300 Ultra Mag w/ a muzzle brake kept causing error messages on MY Chrony,I wasn't even firing!) and finally blowing the skyscreen diffusers off, I took a few binder clips and attached them to the 3 piece diffusers to hold them together. I maintain the ability to break them down to smaller/packable sizes that way. Viola!,yeah, I know it's spelled incorrectly...). I keep the clips w/ me till I make the new 5 gallon bucket ones and test them out. Good luck w/ your purchase.
WARNING: You're gonna spend a LOT of money now, old son! The chronograph is just the start!

 

[spclark]

'I'm wondering why wouldn't one solid oversized piece of this material covering the whole Chrony unit like a shade cover work?'

No reason it won't, but if there's any wind around it'll make a wunnerful airfoil & lift that chrony right up off the ground!

You wanna fine chrony, check this one out:

http://www.neconos.com/details12.htm

 

[weaselthis]

Good point. THAT didn't cross my mind,I think it's lost anyway!) Good thing I've got it mounted on an old Davidson Star D tripod that weighs as much as an Abrams!
I know that a $750 Chrony ain't in MY budget, but the specs look pretty good on that one. Thanks for the link. Even tho I've lost my mind, never to old to learn something new!

'I'm wondering why wouldn't one solid oversized piece of this material covering the whole Chrony unit like a shade cover work?'

No reason it won't, but if there's any wind around it'll make a wunnerful airfoil & lift that chrony right up off the ground!

You wanna fine chrony, check this one out:

http://www.neconos.com/details12.htm