Chronograph's latest and greatest? What to buy?

[halfmoanut]

What is the very best in technology today?

 

[BCR1]

Tag

 

[Fuj]

What is the very best in technology today?

Weibel

 

[Webster]

What is the very best in technology today?

I have an old Oehler model 33. I hardly use it any more because you have to set it up about 10 feet in front of the bench. It takes about 20 minutes to set up and align so you don't hit the sensors. Range rules you cannot go in front of the bench when others are shooting. no-one wants to stop shooting for 20-30 minutes while you set up. Then you have to wait for a range shut down for targets to retrieve the sensor stands. If money wasn't a problem I would get a Lab Radar. I also have Magna Speed on the barrel but the menu is goofy. I shoot for groups for varmint hunting. A few numbers to get fps is all I want. Seldom shoot beyond 300-350 yards so the actual speed doesn't matter much for making a drop chart.

 

[jlorenzo]

Lab radar or magneto speed. Not sure about the crazy high end stuff.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Labradar

 

[cem]

Very best is a high end Oehler. I have a pair of 35P and at my home range going cold for setup is not an issue. Used prices on the 35P have tumbled in the face of competition from radar. Dealing with wind and leveling all the carriers is an issue. I don't know that radar is better technology but it is surely by far the most convenient and at the same price the clear choice.

 

[Killick]

Here's a test by Randy S (aka-AAA) of 3 top chronos from this website.

Chrono Comparison Test: LabRadar, Magnetospeed, & Oehler 35P « Daily Bulletin

We see comparison tests of cars, cameras, and other hardware. But how about chronographs? What could we learn by setting up three different chronographs, and running a 20-shot string over all three at the same time. One of our Forum members, Randy S.

bulletin.accurateshooter.com

 

[JimSC]

Latest and greatest are the new Andiscan II and the Bulletseeker dopplar units. Labradar and Magnetospeed came out about 7 - 8 years ago. Opticals date back 30 years, maybe more ?

As far as best they all do the same job, just depends on how much you want to spend. $100 or $1000 or somwhere in between. I tested a ProChrono against a Labradar and Magnetospeed last year for 10 rounds using some factory ammo during a barrel break in.

edit - found the thread where I did that test> The spreadsheet speaks for itself

Chrono Comparison

None will read the wind or pull the trigger for you as far as I know

 

[59FLH]

deleted

 

[R.Morehouse]

If you are shooting short range ( I am a SR-BR guy ) and are curious about your chrono #'s, after being happy with your load development pick up a Magnetospeed Sporter for around $100. and have at it. Very simple to use and accurate. At least mine is compared with my Ohler which mostly sits here not being used anymore.

Regards
Rick

 

[BartsBullets]

@JimSC summed it up

BulletSeeker Mach 4
Andiscan
Labradar
Magneto Speed
Caldwell was supposed to come out with something.

The first two are a little over 1000.00 delivered.

Bart

 

[ShtrRdy]

Are the Bulletseeker or Andiscan available in the US?

 

[DesertBoy]

Never saw the need to spend the big bucks on any of them. I use a first gen magneto, and it is very accurate. I always validate anyway, so if the velocity needs fine tuned, I just do it at that point. JMO. I have heard guys say that with the magneto they have seen up to 100fps difference from what the unit reads, opposed to when they validate. Have used the magneto to load develop a 338 Terminator, .338 Edge, 7mm rem mag, and a 25-06, and validation speed has been very close to what the magneto read. I have also read if you have the screen module to close to the blast, it can drastically affect the reading. I wonder sometimes if this is why some people struggle to get accurate readings.

 

[JimSC]

You have to consider that a Magnetospeed is going to give you the speed at the muzzle while a optical is going to give you the speed at the distance it is from the muzzle. Supposedly the LR gives you an adjusted speed. In the test I did my friend set up his LR about two feet to the left of the barrel and with his recoil activation switch it was picking up my bullet at about the same point as my ProChrono optical which I set 12 feet from the muzzle.

I always use a tape measure and a laser boresight when setting up my optical to ensure the chrono is at the same distance each time and is in alignment to the bore. One of these days I will make a post on setting up an optical. Done properly it can be done in a couple of minutes when setting out your target which requires a cold range anyway and the results will be just as accurate and repeatable as the $1000 chronos.

I use the optical when load developing and the Magnetospeed to get my true muzzle velocity which works well enough for me and my less than perfect shooting technique

 

[BartsBullets]

Are the Bulletseeker or Andiscan available in the US?

I had to order both from over seas.