LABRADAR PROS AND CONS

[Bill Norris]

Just received my new Labradar last nite UPS. Reading the back of the quick start guide and read the registration note. Instructs us to register our unit serial # in order to receive firmware updates. Serial # is located underneath the battery cover below the bar code tab and on the box. Looks very good.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Bill, FWIW - I had a little trouble with mine on the first outing, due, in part, to not reading the instructions carefully, and in part to a somewhat misleading picture in the instructions. My unit will not pick up the muzzle blast to trigger the radar when set up as shown in the picture in the manual; with the unit placed directly along side the muzzle. I have to place it ~ 6" to the side, and maybe 4" in front of the muzzle. Even then, I usually keep the trigger setting on "2" (i.e. 2nd most sensitive setting). You'll want to be familiar with both the trigger and sensitivity settings in order to tweak the setup at the range, if necessary.

Also, I picked up an inexpensive 1.25" bushing/ferrule at Lowes, which I glued directly onto the aiming "V-notch" at the top center of the unit with 100% silicone rubber. I don't remember the exact diameter of the hole through the bushing, maybe 5/16" or so, but it's much easier to sight in on your targets looking through the bushing as opposed to the notch. Good luck!

 

[Nature Boy]

Kinda wish I had a Labradar this morning at the range. Not enough light to get my ProChrono to register

 

[Bill Norris]

Bill, FWIW - I had a little trouble with mine on the first outing, due, in part, to not reading the instructions carefully, and in part to a somewhat misleading picture in the instructions. My unit will not pick up the muzzle blast to trigger the radar when set up as shown in the picture in the manual; with the unit placed directly along side the muzzle. I have to place it ~ 6" to the side, and maybe 4" in front of the muzzle. Even then, I usually keep the trigger setting on "2" (i.e. 2nd most sensitive setting). You'll want to be familiar with both the trigger and sensitivity settings in order to tweak the setup at the range, if necessary.

Also, I picked up an inexpensive 1.25" bushing/ferrule at Lowes, which I glued directly onto the aiming "V-notch" at the top center of the unit with 100% silicone rubber. I don't remember the exact diameter of the hole through the bushing, maybe 5/16" or so, but it's much easier to sight in on your targets looking through the bushing as opposed to the notch. Good luck!

WOW Thanks Bro for the info. I will make note of your findings for sure. Was wondering if u or anyone might know which one of these firmware updates is the most recent? Please see pic below. Thanks again

 

[Ned Ludd]

Sorry - I have no idea about the firmware.

The only other quirk I can think of that you might encounter in your first trip out with the LabRadar has to do with signals that might arise from adjacent shooters. Because of the way I have to set the sensitivity on mine (fairly sensitive), it will occasionally pick up a muzzle report (signal) from another shooter, if there's one right next to me. It's not a big issue. In many cases, it will give an error message because the radar beam can't "see" the neighbor's projectile. Even if it does give a velocity readout, it will usually be grossly different than my actual readings, and is therefore easy to pick out and delete from the string after I've finished shooting it. Either way, it's not necessary to crawl out from behind the rifle to check/correct it, until you've finished the shooting string. LabRadar sells an external mic hookup with a mounting bracket for ~$50 that would likely render the minor issues I've had moot...I just haven't gotten around to ordering one yet.

 

[KenOath]

Sorry - I have no idea about the firmware.

The only other quirk I can think of that you might encounter in your first trip out with the LabRadar has to do with signals that might arise from adjacent shooters. Because of the way I have to set the sensitivity on mine (fairly sensitive), it will occasionally pick up a muzzle report (signal) from another shooter, if there's one right next to me. It's not a big issue. In many cases, it will give an error message because the radar beam can't "see" the neighbor's projectile. Even if it does give a velocity readout, it will usually be grossly different than my actual readings, and is therefore easy to pick out and delete from the string after I've finished shooting it. Either way, it's not necessary to crawl out from behind the rifle to check/correct it, until you've finished the shooting string. LabRadar sells an external mic hookup with a mounting bracket for ~$50 that would likely render the minor issues I've had moot...I just haven't gotten around to ordering one yet.

Changing the Chanel on the LR will stop it picking up your next door neighbours..

 

[Ned Ludd]

Changing the Chanel on the LR will stop it picking up your next door neighbours..

Can you elaborate? Changing what "channel"? Not sure what you're referring to, but I'd certainly give it a go if you can explain further.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Anyone know what the 'Firmware B' thing is about? My firmware A is at 1.2.4 but I think B is a 1.0.0.

Never tried to update it, but can't imagine it needs two versions of FW to run....unless they're for different components.

Anyone else updated Firmware B only?

 

[KenOath]

Can you elaborate? Changing what "channel"? Not sure what you're referring to, but I'd certainly give it a go if you can explain further.

Open the TX Chanel option in the menu then choose from 12 different channels, make sure it’s a different Chanel to other LR on the firing line and you shouldn’t have a problem..

 

[Bill Norris]

Anyone know what the 'Firmware B' thing is about? My firmware A is at 1.2.4 but I think B is a 1.0.0.

Never tried to update it, but can't imagine it needs two versions of FW to run....unless they're for different components.

Anyone else updated Firmware B only?

Have not seen anything about B at all. I sent Labradar an email requesting info as to which one is the latest.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Open the TX Chanel option in the menu then choose from 12 different channels, make sure it’s a different Chanel to other LR on the firing line and you shouldn’t have a problem..

I see what you're saying. What I'm describing is an issue where the muzzle blast of an adjacent shooter activates the microphone trigger on my LabRadar, due to the relatively high sensitivity setting I have to use. This makes my LabRadar think I have fired a shot when I have not. I don't believe it is a channel issue with an adjacent LabRadar unit, solely someone else's muzzle report activating my acoustic trigger. If I turn down the sensitivity of my LabRadar, it will start to miss some of my own shots. I think buying and using the external mic is the simplest solution to the problem.

 

[kvd]

Great thread. Have learned a few things about the LR I didn't know although I've own it for about 3 years now. This was my first chronograph so I don't have experience with other devices. I can say that alignment has not been an issue for me. I don't use the notch at the top of the unit but try to match the angle of the barrel. Remember that when shooting at distance, the bullet will be raising at the beginning of the trajectory so the unit needs to be angled up rather than line of sight.

If you play around with the settings in the menu, this thing will track anything down to a .177 BB. I've used it routinely to track 40 grain subsonic 22LR projectiles with no problems.

I have had trouble with the LR picking up shots from other shooters nearby but I think I can mitigate this by adjusting the sensitivity setting.

I can also comment on Labradar's customer service. For whatever reason, my early production unit had something rattling around inside and a crack in the case on one of the corners that appeared to be from over-torquing a nearby fastener . I've never dropped the unit and it was functioning fine but I was concerned that something loose inside might goof something up. So I emailed them and they said "send it in for service" I did so and was expecting to receive an email or phone call with what it would cost to fix/repair the unit and how long it would take. Before I even received anything like this, the unit came back completely repaired at no cost. This was within a week and a few days of shipping it to them. From my experience, I would give Labradar a well deserved excellent rating for standing behind their product and supporting their customers. Fast service is definitely a plus.

A game changer in the consumer chronograph arena.

My 2¢ worth

 

[Ccrider]

I use a magnetic mini usb charge cable.
Once you install the male portion of the magnetic system, it stays there forever.
No wear and tear on the mini usb port that way.

Took your advice and ordered this:


Comes with three cables and various adaptors including one for iPhone-lightening.

Works like a charm.
Thanks

 

[Bill Norris]

Also ordered the magnetic mini USB cable as well. Should help out with the wear and tear of the cable end and LR jack.

 

[mjl650]

Getting ready to order one. This thread has been a great help in making my decision but I Just need one more question answered before I place my order. How close does another shooter need to be before the LR will pick up the muzzle blast from another shooter? My clubs 300 yard range is parrallel about 20' away from the pistol steel plinking range with times of rapid fire strings, there is a 8' high concrete wall separating the two. Any chance of the LR being triggered?

 

[Bill Norris]

Getting ready to order one. This thread has been a great help in making my decision but I Just need one more question answered before I place my order. How close does another shooter need to be before the LR will pick up the muzzle blast from another shooter? My clubs 300 yard range is parrallel about 20' away from the pistol steel plinking range with times of rapid fire strings, there is a 8' high concrete wall separating the two. Any chance of the LR being triggered?

Probably not according to what I've read since the sensitivity can be adjusted as mentioned in an earlier post above.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Getting ready to order one. This thread has been a great help in making my decision but I Just need one more question answered before I place my order. How close does another shooter need to be before the LR will pick up the muzzle blast from another shooter? My clubs 300 yard range is parrallel about 20' away from the pistol steel plinking range with times of rapid fire strings, there is a 8' high concrete wall separating the two. Any chance of the LR being triggered?

No chance

 

[mjl650]

^^^^
Thanks for the replies, just placed my order.

 

[Snozzberries]

I have been seriously considering buying a chronograph. I was very seriously considering the Labradar. Amazing news, my range bought a Labradar. So now I just get to borrow theirs.

Since nobody has mentioned, let me add in something. You can insert a SD Memory Card into the unit, and it will write detailed information to the card. I'm attaching the 2 types of files that it writes.

The first is a Series of shots. You can create multiple Series, so when doing testing of different grains of powder, you can group them into a single Series. This file contains all the info about 15 shots I did, including the average, standard deviation, fastest, slowest.

The second is a single shot. You can see how many times the labradar gets a reading on the bullet, and it reports back the velocity at every distance. This data allows you to calculate the exact Ballistic Coefficient of the bullet. (If you want to)

FYI, these are .308 Lapua 167gr Scenar rounds, factory fresh. 24" barrel.

 

[Ned Ludd]

For the muzzle blast of an adjacent shooter to activate the acoustic trigger, they need to be pretty close, like right next to you on the firing line or one spot over. That how my unit behaves with the sensitivity set on "2". You can certainly turn the sensitivity down to 3, 4, or 5, whatever the minimum that works with your setup is, if adjacent shooters are triggering the unit. However, you don't want to to set it so low that the acoustic trigger starts missing your own shots. You just have to play with the setting to find the proper balance.