Chronograph Recommendations

[civil82]

Forum Members, I have been hand loading for several years and have managed to get by without a chronograph until now. Long story short, I'm looking to make a quick purchase. Any advice on specific brands and models? Thanks in advance.

 

[kjcpoint]

I got a new magnetospeed chrono last week. A very handy tool if you shoot at a local range and dont want to carry a stand and screens with you.

I have tested the magnetospeed with a 6xc with a #4 contour barrel and a 22-250 with a #5 contour barrel and seen no difference in POI with or without the magnetospeed strapped to the barrel.

The first time we used the magnetospeed we also had my buddies pact set up and fired through them both. The magnetospeed was consistently 20 to 30 fps faster than the pact.

Kyle

 

[jscandale]

I have had great success from a CED m2 chronograph. What ever you do, stay far away from a PACT professional XP. There just isn't enough bandwidth on this forum for all of the negatives I can give you on it.

JS

 

[SDDasher]

I agree with John on the CED and if you really want to get good readings, opt for the infra red screens which I find much easier to use and more accurate.

 

[effendude]

+3 on the CED
Scott

 

[hmcsr]

I have a CED Millennium available for $100 + shipping. Works great, replaced with a CED M2 for more capacity.

Bill 8)

 

[civil82]

Thanks for the input from all. hmcsr, a PM has been sent with questions.

 

[fe1]

Oehler is the best in the business. Read the thread at the top of page.

 

[Rustystud]

I have a Magneto Speed and Oehler 35P ordered. I have a CED M2 with all the bells and whistles and a Chrony. They will all be testeded over the next few weeks. I and John708, 284Doc, and Cottonman have had issues with our CED M2 chronographs.
Wish I had never sold my Oehler 33.
Nat Lambeth

 

[amlevin]

I have had great success from a CED m2 chronograph. What ever you do, stay far away from a PACT professional XP. There just isn't enough bandwidth on this forum for all of the negatives I can give you on it.

JS

No question the CED is a good unit. I just can't share your scorn for the PACT XP Professional. I've been using one for a year now, quite frequently I might add, and it's worked just fine. Our club also has one that's a loaner for members. Aside from someone shooting off the top of a sensor and not telling anyone about their boo-boo, it has worked fine for a lot of people.

For some reason the company just keeps selling them so I guess that not all have had your issues with them.

Glad you like your CED. I sure like my PACT. That's life.

 

[CaptainMal]

Depends on how serious you want to get into the thing.

For me I used a Shooting Chrony since the early 90's and it worked. Then a friend blasted it apart, gave me $80 and I used that to get a new Competition Electronics Pro Chrono. Used it weekly for 6 months and it was wonderful with literally no issues. Then a wind blew it over and broke something inside.

Sent it back and it came back repaired ( sensor mount came loose when it crashed) quickly at no charge.

It's kind of a flimsy box but it sure works better than my old Shooting Chrony and has a huge shooting window that's real forgiving. Doubt it's remotely professional quality but I'm not either.

Just don't shoot it.

 

[hogpatrol]

Just bought the magnetospeed. My experience with this unit is two minute setup and takedown and no bothering fellow shooters on the line. Used it with 6brs with/without brakes, AR15s with flash supressor, 17hmrs, 17fireballs. No environmental issues (clouds, sun, fog, etc.) Stores data on a mini-sd card. Review it as used an/or download it to excel or openoffice standard pc file. Intuitive user interface and super easy to use. Almost impossible to damage. . Hog

 

[Rustystud]

Got my Oehler 35P yesterday. Set it up and used it today. It was cumbersome setting up by myself taking a number of trips back and fort to my rifle. But the results were worth the time invested. My Magneto Speed will arrive tommorrow. I will test it out as well. Plan to set up 3 different chronographs in a row. Magneto Speed, Oheler 35P, CED M2, and Chrony. The results should be interesting.

Nat Lambeth

 

[GSPV]

I have a CED, but bought a Magnetospeed. I'm really digging it.m it's stupid easy.

 

[amlevin]

Got my Oehler 35P yesterday. Set it up and used it today. It was cumbersome setting up by myself taking a number of trips back and fort to my rifle. But the results were worth the time invested. My Magneto Speed will arrive tommorrow. I will test it out as well. Plan to set up 3 different chronographs in a row. Magneto Speed, Oheler 35P, CED M2, and Chrony. The results should be interesting.

Nat Lambeth

So which one will you believe if they all read differently 8)? Just take an average? Buy another and add it to the statistical sample?

 

[hoverp]

I shot my magneto speed Ono my Tubb 2000 in 6xc.

Recorded every shot and velocities were spot on with my shooters chroney .

I love it. No more setup pain. Most people on the line have no clue your recording velocities. It's really nice.

I do look forward to the test results comparing the listed velocities with the oehler.

 

[hogpatrol]

Got my Oehler 35P yesterday. Set it up and used it today. It was cumbersome setting up by myself taking a number of trips back and fort to my rifle. But the results were worth the time invested. My Magneto Speed will arrive tommorrow. I will test it out as well. Plan to set up 3 different chronographs in a row. Magneto Speed, Oheler 35P, CED M2, and Chrony. The results should be interesting.

Nat Lambeth

Sounds like the Bachelorette of chronos. ;D Think you'll love the Magnetospeed. She's low maintenance.