Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I seem to recall asking someone at LabRadar the same question some time ago. I don't actually remember what the specific answer was, but I do seem to recall he at least gave me an answer. Hopefully, the LabRadar folks will address your inquiry in a satisfactory manner.
In some cases, manufacturers provide performance analysis results for their equipment in very nebulous terms when they really don't want too much attention given to any specific measure of accuracy/precision. A very good example is analytical balances. Inexpensive analytical balances of questionable reliability often provide calibration figures in such a way it is very difficult to determine exactly what they mean. In contrast, high end analytical balance manufacturers such as Mettler, Sartorious, OHaus, etc., actually provide calibration data far beyond what most users would ever need or even understand in most cases. In other words, they must really want the users to know how good their products are. With the various chronographs I've owned, I don't recall ever seeing a velocity measurement accuracy number that wasn't simply a percent. If you get a good explanation of what that value really is, please share it with the rest of us here.
As far as accuracy and precision, in the last few years, I have used both a MagnetoSpeed and more recently, the LabRadar. In terms of direct comparisons using both chronographs, the precision was equally good as far as I could tell. All variations within any single velocity data set were faithfully reproduced by both units. However, the LabRadar consistently returned a value slightly below that of the MagnetoSpeed (lower, but within ~10 fps, or less). The difference between the two units was small enough that it didn't make a noticeable difference in terms of bullet drop at 600 to 100 yd. In terms of "accuracy", I have had very good results from either unit in terms of using the established velocity numbers along with BC and atmospherics to predict drop at various distances out to 1000 yd. However, my readout for that is often based on comparing where my elevation turret ends up in order to center a shot string in F-Class competition at some set distance to my known 100 yd zero, which is not necessarily the most accurate way to do it. Nonetheless, it represents one "real world" use for chronograph data. In actuality, I am often surprised how close to the target center I can put shots with loads I have never fired at distances over 100 yd, so presumably the velocity data can't too far off. I still hesitate to read too much into though, simply due to my sample size typically being only 4 or 5 shots.
I have been a big fan of the MagnetoSpeed since it was first released. It is very reliable and fairly simple to use. However, it's weakness is that it affects barrel harmonics and can interfere with the load development process. The advantages of the LabRadar are that it doesn't affect barrel harmonics. That is a big deal for me...no more loading double the number of test rounds to shoot the same load with the MagnetoSpeed for velocity, and without, for grouping. The LabRadar certainly has a few quirks/issues, such as picking up shots from neighboring shooters. But all in all, I find it to be a step up from the MagnetoSpeed in term of convenience and usefulness.
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