prone.life
Silver $$ Contributor
Wanted to share my thoughts using the Garmin C1 today at my local indoor range.
-- summary --
- Radar attached to chassis with 200mm nodal slide (details below)
- Experienced radar discontent being indoors but found ways/methods to mitigate.
- Captured(recorded) 6 of 10 6.5 Creedmoor shots at a 25yd indoor range
- results commensurate to prior testing (fps, sd, es)
- Suppressed/unsuppressed recorded at equal rate.
While not capturing every shot It worked well enough to gather useful data such that I'm looking forward to future testing and believe it's entirely possible to measure shots at my local indoor range at a higher rate than I did today.
Looking at the pictures it's quite possible I should have worried more about forward alignment of the unit more.
Next session I'll experiment with radar alignment, position ~1/4 - 1" from chassis and off rifle locations.
-- detail --
The rifle rested on an Armageddon Gear Schmedium bag, from the shelf for the lane, which was steadier than nothing but as a bench and chair lover it was definitely new territory for me. The radar reacted quickly inside the range with alternating messages of "Analyzing Shot" and the "ready" screen with no shots fired. Initially I thought it had to do with vertical orientation of the muzzle; i.e. moving the aim point from top (12 o'clock) to bottom (6 o'clock) of target seemingly decreased the errant attempts to measure phantom shots. Remember, the radar is mounted to the rifle / moves with the rifle.
Throughout the session there was an M1 Garand actively shooting four lanes to my left, the radar didn't care.
After five shots I moved the radar to ~1" away from the chassis (vs 3" originally) and the radar immediately calmed down; i.e. attempts to analyze phantom shots all but disappeared.
After ammo was gone I experimented sliding the radar nearer/farther relative to the chassis and it clearly preferred being nearer (1/4" to 3/4" from) the chassis in this scenario.
When radar tried to measure phantom shots I saw several messages each of, "Analyzing 3", "Analyzing 4" and "Analyzing 5". Not sure if each is a different code or not.
I came away from the session happy overall and encouraged it is completely possible to use the Garmin radar at this indoor range albeit with some considerations to be mindful of. I believe I could have captured more of the shots if I had done more work up front to mitigate phantom shot analysis via positioning/alignment.
-- parting thoughts --
For me this is a game changer as it means I have a reasonable expectation of indoor chrono testing this winter and happy to have a place 15 minutes from home compared to my longer range club an hour away. I suspect the C1 may have different idiosyncrasies at different indoor ranges and placements.
I meant to test pistol but learned they're hard to test if you don't bring one.
-- Gory Details --
Rifle: Impact Precision :: 26" Proof (chambered in 6.5CM) :: MPA Matrix Chassis :: Triggertech Diamond :: CGS Hyperion (for 5 of the shots)
Garmin mount: Neewer 200mm Professional Rail Nodal Slide
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7LT4ZK
Ammo: 136gr Lapua Scenar-L :: 40.8gr N550 :: Fed GM205M :: Lapua brassy brass
Recorded Shot Data: Avg. 2873fps
Rest: Armageddon Gear Schmedium
bag placed V side down, longest demension inline with chassis
Range:
- 10 lanes all at 25 yds
- Target set at 25yd for consistent aim points
trying to analyze a non-existent shot; i think orientation and distance from chassis had something to do with it.
-- summary --
- Radar attached to chassis with 200mm nodal slide (details below)
- Experienced radar discontent being indoors but found ways/methods to mitigate.
- Captured(recorded) 6 of 10 6.5 Creedmoor shots at a 25yd indoor range
- results commensurate to prior testing (fps, sd, es)
- Suppressed/unsuppressed recorded at equal rate.
While not capturing every shot It worked well enough to gather useful data such that I'm looking forward to future testing and believe it's entirely possible to measure shots at my local indoor range at a higher rate than I did today.
Looking at the pictures it's quite possible I should have worried more about forward alignment of the unit more.
Next session I'll experiment with radar alignment, position ~1/4 - 1" from chassis and off rifle locations.
-- detail --
The rifle rested on an Armageddon Gear Schmedium bag, from the shelf for the lane, which was steadier than nothing but as a bench and chair lover it was definitely new territory for me. The radar reacted quickly inside the range with alternating messages of "Analyzing Shot" and the "ready" screen with no shots fired. Initially I thought it had to do with vertical orientation of the muzzle; i.e. moving the aim point from top (12 o'clock) to bottom (6 o'clock) of target seemingly decreased the errant attempts to measure phantom shots. Remember, the radar is mounted to the rifle / moves with the rifle.
Throughout the session there was an M1 Garand actively shooting four lanes to my left, the radar didn't care.
After five shots I moved the radar to ~1" away from the chassis (vs 3" originally) and the radar immediately calmed down; i.e. attempts to analyze phantom shots all but disappeared.
After ammo was gone I experimented sliding the radar nearer/farther relative to the chassis and it clearly preferred being nearer (1/4" to 3/4" from) the chassis in this scenario.
When radar tried to measure phantom shots I saw several messages each of, "Analyzing 3", "Analyzing 4" and "Analyzing 5". Not sure if each is a different code or not.
I came away from the session happy overall and encouraged it is completely possible to use the Garmin radar at this indoor range albeit with some considerations to be mindful of. I believe I could have captured more of the shots if I had done more work up front to mitigate phantom shot analysis via positioning/alignment.
-- parting thoughts --
For me this is a game changer as it means I have a reasonable expectation of indoor chrono testing this winter and happy to have a place 15 minutes from home compared to my longer range club an hour away. I suspect the C1 may have different idiosyncrasies at different indoor ranges and placements.
I meant to test pistol but learned they're hard to test if you don't bring one.
-- Gory Details --
Rifle: Impact Precision :: 26" Proof (chambered in 6.5CM) :: MPA Matrix Chassis :: Triggertech Diamond :: CGS Hyperion (for 5 of the shots)
Garmin mount: Neewer 200mm Professional Rail Nodal Slide
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J7LT4ZK
Ammo: 136gr Lapua Scenar-L :: 40.8gr N550 :: Fed GM205M :: Lapua brassy brass
Recorded Shot Data: Avg. 2873fps
Rest: Armageddon Gear Schmedium
bag placed V side down, longest demension inline with chassis
Range:
- 10 lanes all at 25 yds
- Target set at 25yd for consistent aim points
trying to analyze a non-existent shot; i think orientation and distance from chassis had something to do with it.
