Labradar Max Velocity question

[copperking81]

Ok, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a Labradar. I've never owned a chronograph mostly because the downsides with the other products on the market have always caused me pause. This thing looks realllllyyy cool and appears to address most of my concerns, with the exception of one.

The Labradar apparently is limited to velocities below 3900 FPS. I shoot a lot of .204 Ruger and .220 Swift and I'm guessing most of my loads will produce velocities at or just above 3900 fps. I have some questions out to Labradar to get a better sense of how stiff this 3900 FPS limit is and whether or not anything can be done to override or modify it but in the interim, thought I'd ask the forum if anyone else has been impacted by this limitation with their Labradar and if so, if you've found a workaround.

I really want one of these things but also really need it to work for these two calibers.

Also, feel free to post any general thoughts or experiences with Labradar.

 

[DRNewcomb]

Don't know the answer but I understand that as the base diameter of the bullet decreases, LabRadar has more and more problems, to the point that it's not supposed to work well at all for .17 cal.

 

[copperking81]

Don't know the answer but I understand that as the base diameter of the bullet decreases, LabRadar has more and more problems, to the point that it's not supposed to work well at all for .17 cal.

Yeah, that concerns me too.

 

[Schism]

Yeah, that concerns me too.

Me too!

I'm wanting to purchase a new chronograph and have looked into a Labradar but share the concerns of copperking81. I would love to hear from those who shoot 17 and 20 cal and their experiences with the labradar.

 

[Shynloco]

Ok, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a Labradar. I've never owned a chronograph mostly because the downsides with the other products on the market have always caused me pause. This thing looks realllllyyy cool and appears to address most of my concerns, with the exception of one.

The Labradar apparently is limited to velocities below 3900 FPS. I shoot a lot of .204 Ruger and .220 Swift and I'm guessing most of my loads will produce velocities at or just above 3900 fps. I have some questions out to Labradar to get a better sense of how stiff this 3900 FPS limit is and whether or not anything can be done to override or modify it but in the interim, thought I'd ask the forum if anyone else has been impacted by this limitation with their Labradar and if so, if you've found a workaround.

I really want one of these things but also really need it to work for these two calibers.

Also, feel free to post any general thoughts or experiences with Labradar.

Don't know if this is of any help, but I have a friend who tells me there are two versions of the Labradar....one sold in the US and one sold in Canada where the unit is made. Supposedly, the Canadian model has a higher velocity capacity reading than the US version. Can't tell you why, but you might look into that and see what they can do for you OR make friends with a Canadian real quick.

Alex

 

[copperking81]

I got a response from Labradar and they said the 3900fps ceiling is pretty much the max. I'll probably hold off and see what comes in the near future and hope for an upgrade that addresses this limitation.

I will say, they were incredibly responsive to my email inquiries. I received responses to several emails within a matter of minutes, over the weekend, and even late into the evening. I thought that was pretty impressive.

 

[copperking81]

Don't know if this is of any help, but I have a friend who tells me there are two versions of the Labradar....one sold in the US and one sold in Canada where the unit is made. Supposedly, the Canadian model has a higher velocity capacity reading than the US version. Can't tell you why, but you might look into that and see what they can do for you OR make friends with a Canadian real quick.

Alex

Interesting. I'll have to inquire about this.

 

[ratbuster]

I owned a Labradar for a short while and sent it back. It's inability to pick up 100% of my shots was the main reason I got rid of it but not the only one.

I shoot primarily 20 cal bullets at 3800 fps and up. The LR will pick up the vast majority of 20's at 3800 fps but as you creep up in velocity it's ability to capture the result drops off. No chance of correct operation on a 20 cal at 3900. Of course the 17's are worse.

The other thing that drove me crazy is if you want to keep your series data separated you need to start a new series each time which requires pushing buttons. That is all fine and good except if positioned near the muzzle of most barrels you can not reach the machine without leaving your seat. I found that aggravating, time consuming and breaks up your shooting rhythm. I understand LabRadar is planning to introduce a bluetooth interface so you will be able to control the unit from your phone so that problem should get solved but as it is now I found it unacceptable.

I continue to use my MagnetoSpeed chrono. Fortunately with my big bull barrels and small cartridges it does not affect either group size or POI at all so the main knock on the MagnetoSpeed is a non issue for me. The MS is more portable, quicker to set up, has a simpler, more convenient user interface and for many hundreds of rounds it has not once failed to produce a reading.

If Labradar can figure out how to overcome the limitations of dealing with small, fast bullets and get the bluetooth controller finished I might buy one again.

 

[SheepDog]

You can get acceptable results if you use a self illuminated optical chronograph. Getting rid of the ever changing light conditions is a real boon to the optical chronograph. You will still get reflections of temperature on the optical units but the effect is not enough to justify the cost of the Doppler system.

 

[shoot4fun]

Don't know if this is of any help, but I have a friend who tells me there are two versions of the Labradar....one sold in the US and one sold in Canada where the unit is made. Supposedly, the Canadian model has a higher velocity capacity reading than the US version. Can't tell you why, but you might look into that and see what they can do for you OR make friends with a Canadian real quick.

Alex

My understanding of the difference is regulation. I don't think the US model can have as strong a signal as the Canadian version. As for me, after seeing the "bugs" my shooting bud has had with his Labradar, I will just stay with my Magnetospeed.

 

[Joe R]

Ok, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a Labradar. I've never owned a chronograph mostly because the downsides with the other products on the market have always caused me pause. This thing looks realllllyyy cool and appears to address most of my concerns, with the exception of one.

The Labradar apparently is limited to velocities below 3900 FPS. I shoot a lot of .204 Ruger and .220 Swift and I'm guessing most of my loads will produce velocities at or just above 3900 fps. I have some questions out to Labradar to get a better sense of how stiff this 3900 FPS limit is and whether or not anything can be done to override or modify it but in the interim, thought I'd ask the forum if anyone else has been impacted by this limitation with their Labradar and if so, if you've found a workaround.

I really want one of these things but also really need it to work for these two calibers.

Also, feel free to post any general thoughts or experiences with Labradar.

I'm an F-Class shooter and I've had a Lab Radar since January. I used to use a Oehler 35 and although it was a fine unit, because of the firing line berms I could only used it at the 100 yard range. A big limitation.

For me the Lab Radar has been a quantum leap in therms of functionality. It has worked flawlessly and I use it a couple of times a week. Now I can shoot at the 300 and 1,000 yard ranges and still get the data. Now when I see a round's velocity jump 20-30 fps I know its point of impact and I don't have to sit there and wonder why. I still scratch my head when I get a flyer.

Additionally, I strongly urge you to call Lab Radar and speak to them directly, they are very friendly and no one knows their product and its limitations better than them. When I used it for the first time I called them and they walked me through the initial setup. I haven't called since.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[carlsbad]

I have a labradar. Indeed, it does miss a few shots. It seems to miss them most when the new target requres me to get my muzzle too close or far from the labradar and I don't have time to move it.

However, this this flaw is more than made up for by the ability to get data in matches and other shooting circumstances where I would have had no data before.

This has been a huge help for me in my current ongoing issues with a barrel that just won't shoot.

--Jerry

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

It is my understanding that their are 2 units, however the Canada vs US information I believe to be incorrect.

You have a High Power version sold only in the US and Canada. It has the ability to be set to High or Low power. You also have a Low Power only version which is used internationally. To comply with the stricter laws overseas.

 

[copperking81]

It is my understanding that their are 2 units, however the Canada vs US information I believe to be incorrect.

You have a High Power version sold only in the US and Canada. It has the ability to be set to High or Low power. You also have a Low Power only version which is used internationally. To comply with the stricter laws overseas.

This is correct. I verified with Labradar today. They do in fact have two units, a US/Canadian and an European unit. The European unit is a less powerful unit because of overseas regulations.

 

[copperking81]

I owned a Labradar for a short while and sent it back. It's inability to pick up 100% of my shots was the main reason I got rid of it but not the only one.

I shoot primarily 20 cal bullets at 3800 fps and up. The LR will pick up the vast majority of 20's at 3800 fps but as you creep up in velocity it's ability to capture the result drops off. No chance of correct operation on a 20 cal at 3900. Of course the 17's are worse.

The other thing that drove me crazy is if you want to keep your series data separated you need to start a new series each time which requires pushing buttons. That is all fine and good except if positioned near the muzzle of most barrels you can not reach the machine without leaving your seat. I found that aggravating, time consuming and breaks up your shooting rhythm. I understand LabRadar is planning to introduce a bluetooth interface so you will be able to control the unit from your phone so that problem should get solved but as it is now I found it unacceptable.

I continue to use my MagnetoSpeed chrono. Fortunately with my big bull barrels and small cartridges it does not affect either group size or POI at all so the main knock on the MagnetoSpeed is a non issue for me. The MS is more portable, quicker to set up, has a simpler, more convenient user interface and for many hundreds of rounds it has not once failed to produce a reading.

If Labradar can figure out how to overcome the limitations of dealing with small, fast bullets and get the bluetooth controller finished I might buy one again.

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to know!

 

[rifleman700]

Ok, I'm on the cusp of purchasing a Labradar. I've never owned a chronograph mostly because the downsides with the other products on the market have always caused me pause. This thing looks realllllyyy cool and appears to address most of my concerns, with the exception of one.

The Labradar apparently is limited to velocities below 3900 FPS. I shoot a lot of .204 Ruger and .220 Swift and I'm guessing most of my loads will produce velocities at or just above 3900 fps. I have some questions out to Labradar to get a better sense of how stiff this 3900 FPS limit is and whether or not anything can be done to override or modify it but in the interim, thought I'd ask the forum if anyone else has been impacted by this limitation with their Labradar and if so, if you've found a workaround.

I really want one of these things but also really need it to work for these two calibers.

Also, feel free to post any general thoughts or experiences with Labradar.

I have wanted to upgrade to a LabRadar but like you I shoot a lot of small caliber and being that it won't work with them I have not yet pulled the trigger on one. My Oehler 35 and 43 work great but the LR is a much more environment friendly unit.