Blue Tooth on a Lab Radar

[centershot]

What is the advantage of having this? How is it used? When was this added as an addition?

 

[Jetpilot]

As I remember is was on the early version of Lab Radar as the unit my club purchased has it. There was some problem with the Bluetooth or sourcing the chips for it so it was dropped, not exactly sure why or if it has returned now or not. I used the Bluetooth to connect to my phone\tablet which mean when I had the Labradar forward of the bench I did not have to reach forward to arm\disarm etc, I could control everything from the phone\tablet right next to me as well as view the results. I found the radar a pain to aim exactly down range for my little .22 bullets (we have baffles in front of the firing line) and often a light touch would move the radar enough to miss a shot or two - most frustrating so the Bluetooth was a help for me. There will be others here who will know more about the revisions and issues with the Bluetooth but hope it helps.

 

[JMA]

People can have problems with their device [phone/tablet]droping connection with the app.
Supposedly the problem is with the device and multiple apps useing the bluetooth.
The solution is to trun off bluetooth to every app except the Lab Radar.
To much work for me so I got an Ipad for use with Lab Radar and thats the only thing it uses the bluetooth for.
App works With no problems now.

 

[TSFineGuns]

I used to have the LR with Bluetooth. I never had any issues with it connecting or dropping. Although I had it for a short time.

Connecting to it via Bluetooth with the app allows you to control the LR from your phone. Not necessary, but definitely a nice to have.

I really never had issues with the Labradar that I bought. From the day I got it, until the day I got rid of it, it never missed a shot from PCP .22 to .30-06.

It's true downfall was the lack of progression from the company, the size of the unit itself, and the required accessories to get it to all work.

 

[centershot]

Does not sound as though it is a "must have" option.

 

[6Creed73]

I don't have a LR, but have been thinking about picking one up since the prices have dropped so much.

For anyone who has one or has experience with them, if it has bluetooth does it save your shots strings to your phone to reference later? That would be a must for me, even my cheap ProChrono does that.

 

[powderbrake]

I don't have a LR, but have been thinking about picking one up since the prices have dropped so much.

For anyone who has one or has experience with them, if it has bluetooth does it save your shots strings to your phone to reference later? That would be a must for me, even my cheap ProChrono does that.

If you get a Labradar, get the one with bluetooth. This allows you to use your smartphone as a remote keyboard to control the labradar. This is important, as the main unit is generally too far away to reach to arm or disarm the radar, and to view the velocities and to save data. The data is saved to the memory card in the Labradar, NOT to your phone. I normally place the sd card in my desktop at home when reviewing data.

Actually I write down the Max ,Min, Ave velocities, the SD and ES on a prepared sheet, with target #, bullet type, powder and grains and seating depth and weather conditions after each string so I don't need to work from the sd card.

My Labradar has worked very very well with my iphone 10, 12 and 14.

I set up my Labradar with the muzzle about 2 to 3 inches in front of the labradar, and about3 to 4 inches to the side. Works well, and I never have to screw with resetting any parameters. The separate trigger makes it work even better, and I highly recommend it.

I firmly believe that most problems with the Labradar are due to not reading the manual completely, and care in aiming the unit at the target.

 

[6Creed73]

If you get a Labradar, get the one with bluetooth. This allows you to use your smartphone as a remote keyboard to control the labradar. This is important, as the main unit is generally too far away to reach to arm or disarm the radar, and to view the velocities and to save data. The data is saved to the memory card in the Labradar, NOT to your phone. I normally place the sd card in my desktop at home when reviewing data.

Actually I write down the Max ,Min, Ave velocities, the SD and ES on a prepared sheet, with target #, bullet type, powder and grains and seating depth and weather conditions after each string so I don't need to work from the sd card.

My Labradar has worked very very well with my iphone 10, 12 and 14.

I set up my Labradar with the muzzle about 2 to 3 inches in front of the labradar, and about3 to 4 inches to the side. Works well, and I never have to screw with resetting any parameters. The separate trigger makes it work even better, and I highly recommend it.

I firmly believe that most problems with the Labradar are due to not reading the manual completely, and care in aiming the unit at the target.

Great, thanks for the detailed info!

 

[Sandstorm]

Plus 1 for the Bluetooth and i-phone interface...makes it much easier to work with.
Plus the JKL remote trigger

 

[Rsadams]

I have it and have never used it once.... All the information is s right on the lab radar screen... Zero need to have it on the phone or tablet for me....there's an update coming soon hopefully it fixes the problems people have with the Bluetooth that use it.... I also bought the jkl trigger but haven't needed to use it so far.... My lab radar works exactly as it's supposed to without it...

 

[ebb]

This is so last week's news, everybody has a Garmin now.

 

[Jayplace]

This is so last week's news, everybody has a Garmin now.

Is this true? Other than the Garmin being smaller why have all of the labradar people changed? I kinda like my LR.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

Is this true? Other than the Garmin being smaller why have all of the labradar people changed? I kinda like my LR.

Once you see the Garmin in action the LabRadar looks and feels very outdated.

Benefits of the Garmin:
- Small form factor, weighs very little. Super easy to set up.
- Much less sensitive to positioning than the labradar
- Does not trigger off of concussion of shot, or external trigger. Instead it continuously looks for projectiles going downrange. Therefore the positioning of the device is much less of an issue and from my limited usage, the garmin picks up every shot
- Phone app and bluetooth connectivity that actually works

And I do not even own one yet but I have had the opportunity to use one

One unknown with the Garmin is how long the internal, non user replaceable batteries will be good. As with all rechargeable batteries they will deteriorate over time. Perhaps the units can be mailed back to Garmin for a replacement when they no longer hold a charge.

Looks like Garmin will do to LabRadar and MagnetoSpeed what they did to optical chronographs... push them into obsolescence

 

[ebb]

I only know what I read here Ive never seen a Lab Radar or a Garmin. Or an Auto dood or a hydro form die or many of the things that are talked about here. Very few places to shoot near here, and way fewer at any distance. I still mourn the passing of the 1000yd range at Manatee.

 

[powderbrake]

I am keeping my Labradar for now. The Garmin looks great and reports say it works great, but my Labradar does what I need.
Those people who buy a used Labradar are saving a lot of money. As you all know, this is not a cheap hobby, and just jumping on the latest "hot" item is fine for those with plenty of cash, but you have to work within your means.

 

[divingin]

- Does not trigger off of concussion of shot, or external trigger. Instead it continuously looks for projectiles going downrange. Therefore the positioning of the device is much less of an issue and from my limited usage, the garmin picks up every shot

LR can be set to trigger on bullet detection. I think most people who tried it found that blast triggering, or better yet, a recoil remote trigger, worked better, especially for not detecting other shooters' shots..

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

LR can be set to trigger on bullet detection. I think most people who tried it found that blast triggering, or better yet, a recoil remote trigger, worked better, especially for not detecting other shooters' shots..

You can make your own recoil sensor out of one of these:

20Pcs vibration switch shock vibration sensor shaked switch 5.5mm*5.5mm-FY | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 20Pcs vibration switch shock vibration sensor shaked switch 5.5mm*5.5mm-FY at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[divingin]

Konocti; I think you mentioned that before. I bought a JKL trigger before I saw your post though.

 

[Dave M.]

I don't have a LR, but have been thinking about picking one up since the prices have dropped so much.

For anyone who has one or has experience with them, if it has bluetooth does it save your shots strings to your phone to reference later? That would be a must for me, even my cheap ProChrono does that.

Buy one used on here. There’s ones going up for sale every day with the new “pocket” Garmin coming out.