CED Chronograph Experiences?

[DRNewcomb]

I'm curious if this has happened to any other users of CED M2 chronographs. Yesterday I was trying to test some loads at the range. The day was clear and cool with a bright blue sky and few clouds. The awning over the shooting line shaded the chronograph from the direct afternoon sunlight but it had a perfect view of the sky. I had the chronograph out a couple weeks ago on a cloudy day and it worked perfectly. This time, for the life of me, I couldn't get it to work reliably. I tried with and without the sky screens, adjusted the height of the bullet's flight over the sensors, reversed the sensors, etc. I could sometimes get it to register using the .22 pistol I normally use to verify operation before testing my loads but it would not register any of the .223 rounds I was testing. It was set up about 10' in front of the firing line.

I suspect that the problem was that the cool blue sky just looks black to the sensors. Anyone come up with any work-arounds for using the M2 under these circumstances?

 

[jepp2]

Was the sun on your sky screens (diffusers)? I use a Chrony but with clear blue skies the sky screens need sun on them to be bright enough to create a shadow from the bullets to trigger the sensors.

 

[ShootDots]

My CED simply will not work unless it is in direct, bright sunlight. I can use my "infra-reds" but they have different readings from the non-infra red screens.. I do not know which is correct, if either. T-Rust me, in the not to terribly distant future, there will be a Lab-Radar in my possession!

 

[rardoin]

My CED simply will not work unless it is in direct, bright sunlight. I can use my "infra-reds" but they have different readings from the non-infra red screens.. I do not know which is correct, if either. T-Rust me, in the not to terribly distant future, there will be a Lab-Radar in my possession!

This is the reason why mine collects dust...I could not rely upon it to collect data every shot and I was wasting time and money having to repeat load brackets. I now have the Labradar and it only misses a shot from operator error. I could not get my CED M2 sorted out sadly...I wish i could help you.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Was the sun on your sky screens (diffusers)? I use a Chrony but with clear blue skies the sky screens need sun on them to be bright enough to create a shadow from the bullets to trigger the sensors.

As I mentioned, the shadow of the awning over the firing line shaded the chronograph. Direct sun did not fall on the diffusers. Next time I may set up on the side of the line that is uncovered. I would still be in shadow, this time from trees.

 

[Twoboxer]

As I mentioned, the shadow of the awning over the firing line shaded the chronograph. Direct sun did not fall on the diffusers. Next time I may set up on the side of the line that is uncovered. I would still be in shadow, this time from trees.

Had the same issues with my CED M2 - and maybe would have had them with (m)any optical chrono. I learned to move the chrono further out and make sure that shadows from the overhead beams spaced downrange didn't eventually cause the same problem as the shadows shifted.

Eventually I bought a MagnetoSpeed . . . and then a Labradar.

 

[1shot]

I have been using a CED for more than a few years now. I bought the IR diffuser screens when I purchased the CED. I tried it first with the plain screens and experienced the same issues posted earlier. As soon as I started using the IR screens all the time, the issues went away. The velocities are cross checked against actual come-ups at distance and with four different calibers the CED seems very accurate in my experience.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd
Buckeye Bullets and Brass, LLC

 

[jepp2]

I have never done it, but lots of folks set theirs up with the sensors pointing sideways 90 or 270 degrees or downward 180 degrees. I have seen them use a sheet of white paper to give the contrast. So don't just give up without trying other options. Blue skies are known to be problematic.

 

[majohnson]

I've had a Pro Crono, most days I can get it to work but once in a awhile it just won't. Shade is not its friend, I had that problem just this Tuesday.

I think about replacing it but no matter what option you look at they all seem to have issues. Magnetospeed effects groups data. Labradar seem to have problems if you have other shooters close to you. At times they don't collect data. And with them being so new to the market how long before they update or problems begin to show up and you are left hold a paper weight basically. I also want something more consistent, that doesn't require me to shoot the same load multiple time to collect data and results. Barrels and ammo get expensive and all have a limited life span.

 

[BenPerfected]

I've had a Pro Crono, most days I can get it to work but once in a awhile it just won't. Shade is not its friend, I had that problem just this Tuesday.

I think about replacing it but no matter what option you look at they all seem to have issues. Magnetospeed effects groups data. Labradar seem to have problems if you have other shooters close to you. At times they don't collect data. And with them being so new to the market how long before they update or problems begin to show up and you are left hold a paper weight basically. I also want something more consistent, that doesn't require me to shoot the same load multiple time to collect data and results. Barrels and ammo get expensive and all have a limited life span.

The MagnetoSpeed adds weight. If you groups get tighter with the MS, this barrel and most others is a good candidate for an adjustable tuner.
Ben

 

[rardoin]

"Labradar seem to have problems if you have other shooters close to you. At times they don't collect data."

I have used it on the line at a F-class match...did not lose a shot; no problem with adjacent shooters if set properly. The only time mine has failed to collect data completely was when I made a mistake and did not have it armed. I have had only two shots not register MV accurately (gave me a double expected speed) but the downrange velocities were accurate...so I was able extrapolate the speed at the muzzle. My experience with the unit is overwhelmingly positive. If shooting smaller faster projectiles than .22 cal it may not be a good choice.
.