I wonder how this compares with the Germin?
Caldwell Velociradar Chronograph
- Thread starter Ironworker
- Start date
Have a Garmin, and just got my Velociradar but haven't had a chance to test it out yet. It's bigger and heavier than I thought, the aiming hole is tiny and hard to use, and the buttons are hard to push and easy to get it out of aim when using them. Also, you can't use it when charging or connected to a USB power block. Not even to the range yet, and already I'm feeling like it was a waste of money ... but maybe range-use will change my mind. That said, the Garmin is an awesome tool across the board, and will be tough to beat.
I just bought the Garmin.
Kiss of death right there
I have the LabRadar, Garmin and just got the FX True Ballistics just because it gives the “real” BC (at least that’s what they say) I haven’t tried it yet but looking forward to try and share the experience.
I was pleased to see LabRadar announce that the LX will do BC soon.
It truly is, because when the internal battery starts to die, you'll have to send it back to be repaired (if still supported) instead of just plugging in an external battery.
Big_Daddy
Gold $$ Contributor
Same story here.
Garmin 100%
Same story with my somewhat-new Labradar LX.
Rocketvapor
Gold $$ Contributor
@neckturner
Do you have a link to the "LabRadar announce that the LX will do BC soon"?
I wonder about how far?
Small cross section Tx/Rx antennas don't usually have much range.
I've noticed some errors floating around the internet.
The Garmin won't see bullets at the 20 yard clear path needed.
20 yard signal returns from large targets or barns-Yes, bullets @ 20 yards- No.
What many seem to forget is the Garmin is 10 year old technology.
New chips and parts, but old.
Works all the time though.
I guess Garmin, Caldwell and True Ballistics decided to go existing 24ghz Doppler to avoid major delays in the FCC finalizing 60ghz regulations. No-one could get a 60ghz unit approved until legal specs were approved. Shame on a manufacturer that jumped the gun and designed a unit on maybe specs and had to go back with changes when the official specs came out
Caldwell Velociradar FCC ID: 2AF3W-1134904,
Internal pics:
https://fccid.io/2AF3W-1134904/Internal-Photos/Internal-photo-7453634
True Ballistics FX FCC ID: 2A95Z-20231001
Internal pics:
Garmin and Labradar LX still under confidential release delay
Hope 24ghz doesn't go away. Operating an "unapproved" piece of radio equipment might not be a bother to a private individual but sales, maintenance, and maybe use at "Official" events or locations might.
Can a user with an out-of-warranty Garmin, LX, or the Caldwell find the replacement battery and DIY?
I saw pictures of the Garmin part # and Amazon replacements.
Pictures of the Caldwell and LX are in the FCC data.
18650 based and any battery shop can fix it.
Do you have a link to the "LabRadar announce that the LX will do BC soon"?
I wonder about how far?
Small cross section Tx/Rx antennas don't usually have much range.
I've noticed some errors floating around the internet.
The Garmin won't see bullets at the 20 yard clear path needed.
20 yard signal returns from large targets or barns-Yes, bullets @ 20 yards- No.
What many seem to forget is the Garmin is 10 year old technology.
New chips and parts, but old.
Works all the time though.
I guess Garmin, Caldwell and True Ballistics decided to go existing 24ghz Doppler to avoid major delays in the FCC finalizing 60ghz regulations. No-one could get a 60ghz unit approved until legal specs were approved. Shame on a manufacturer that jumped the gun and designed a unit on maybe specs and had to go back with changes when the official specs came out
Caldwell Velociradar FCC ID: 2AF3W-1134904,
Internal pics:
https://fccid.io/2AF3W-1134904/Internal-Photos/Internal-photo-7453634
True Ballistics FX FCC ID: 2A95Z-20231001
Internal pics:
Garmin and Labradar LX still under confidential release delay
Hope 24ghz doesn't go away. Operating an "unapproved" piece of radio equipment might not be a bother to a private individual but sales, maintenance, and maybe use at "Official" events or locations might.
Can a user with an out-of-warranty Garmin, LX, or the Caldwell find the replacement battery and DIY?
I saw pictures of the Garmin part # and Amazon replacements.
Pictures of the Caldwell and LX are in the FCC data.
18650 based and any battery shop can fix it.
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Jager
Gold $$ Contributor
I'd argue that tiny form factor doppler chronos like the Garmin Xero, AndiScan, and LabRadar LX are every bit as much a game changer as was doppler technology itself. And so I see pie-plate sized units like Caldwell's new entry as being dead out of the gate.
There's an even more important factor, though. I'm convinced that the primary reason for the stunning reliability of the Garmin Xero is because of its triggering mechanism: it does not depend upon an acoustic waveform coming off the weapon, but simply picks up any projectile within its velocity range that enters its radar beam.
That solves all sorts of in-field problems.
The Garmin has that newer, direct-signaling trigger. And so does the new AndiScan A3.
The LabRadar LX appears to have the old-style acoustic trigger. And I'd guess Caldwell's new unit probably does as well.
I'm unable to see any real advantage in the 60 GHz frequency band used by the LabRadar LX compared to the 24 GHz band used by pretty much all the others. There are some theoretical benefits (and disadvantages) to both bands, but in the typical civilian shooter scenario where these devices would be used, I'd call it a wash.
There's an even more important factor, though. I'm convinced that the primary reason for the stunning reliability of the Garmin Xero is because of its triggering mechanism: it does not depend upon an acoustic waveform coming off the weapon, but simply picks up any projectile within its velocity range that enters its radar beam.
That solves all sorts of in-field problems.
The Garmin has that newer, direct-signaling trigger. And so does the new AndiScan A3.
The LabRadar LX appears to have the old-style acoustic trigger. And I'd guess Caldwell's new unit probably does as well.
I'm unable to see any real advantage in the 60 GHz frequency band used by the LabRadar LX compared to the 24 GHz band used by pretty much all the others. There are some theoretical benefits (and disadvantages) to both bands, but in the typical civilian shooter scenario where these devices would be used, I'd call it a wash.
The one that finally works reliably with shotshells and tiny Trap/Skeet pellet sizes will be the one that peaks my interest. Until then I'll stick with my CED Millenium.
I don’t think the Caldwell name brand itself is going to be a draw for the shooters on this forum. It has always been a entry level product from big retailers and that’s fine.
I've owned several decent chronographs since I bought a used Oehler M33 from a friend in 1986. Next came the CED Millennium M1 & M2 versions, which were far superior in ease of reading the display & other features to the older M33, and required only one 9V battery compared to the 6 D-cells of the Oehler. I had eventually built myself more rigid rails for all these chronographs to hold the skyscreens so they wouldn't flop around in the wind, but there were still plenty of times when I couldn't use them when the wind got too gusty. And even with the CED's 2' screen spacing, it was still a PITA to load all the stuff I needed for a range session in the truck. So when the Garmin came on the scene, it was a no-brainer to get one - and even though all three of the older chronographs still function just fine, I haven't used any of them since getting the Garmin. There were times in the past where I'd forgo using one of the CEDs simply because the breeze was an issue, or I was short on time, or didn't want to mess around getting the screens aligned, or because I was going to shoot prone, and hadn't ever gotten the screens rigged up to set up on the ground. Still am amazed at how easy it is to grab the Garmin off the desk as I'm getting rifles, ammo, and targets to go shoot...
afaik, neither LabRadar LX nor Garmin Xero C1 work with shot shells.
Agreed. Just toss them in the shooting bag.
And yet it's perfectly reliable in use.
Below. Having said that, the CSV files that come out of it could be put into a spreadsheet and turned into BC with some Excel magic. But I'd rather wait for the firmware.
The track files I've pulled from the LX, with a boat tail 6mm bullet, go to about 27 yards.
Both the Garmin and LX will work while pugged into an external battery. That's my long-term (dead internal rechargeable) plan.
Not sure if I read that correctly - Xero C1 and LX use an 18650? If so, perfect.
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