LabRadar Recommendations

[MikeMcCasland]

Hey Guys,

I'm in the market for a LabRadar as I'm getting tired of burning up extra ammo just to chrony rounds with my MS. I've done a little research, and the LabRadars seem to be a little more invovled than your average chrony, so was hoping to get some real-world feedback.

I do most of my shooting at a crowded public range, with ~3ft between each shooter; I'm usually guaranteed to have someone next to me.

I shoot most unsuppressed 30" barrels, but occasionally shoot suppressed ARs, and subs out of suppressed pistol caliber carbines. I'd like to chronograph all of them if possible.

From the research I have done it looks like I'll need a base plate/tripod of some kind, as well as an external battery pack. Any recommendations on what to get?

Also, I've read some about different triggering mechanisms for suppressed use. Do I need to get a microphone or anything like that?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ngb1787]

Labradar has everything on their website

 

[Jammer Six]

They also have a Youtube channel with several videos to get you going.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Rgr. Appreciate it. I'll check out some vids.

Any feedback on the base vs. a mini-tripod?
Anything special needed for suppressed use?

 

[Raythemanroe]

Microphone setup for archery with surpressed

Ray

 

[Twoboxer]

The base works well shooting of a bench provided the bench is wide enough to allow the Lab to sit alongside your front rest. The base's head has been strong and plenty stable for me . . . more so than some tripods I've used.

Any rechargeable USB battery pack will work. The one from Labradar comes with mounting tape specific to the task, but you can certainly duplicate that on your own.

Have not used it to chrono suppressed, but haven't had any problems finding parameter adjustments that worked well for me including use in 5-lane, indoor, parallel shooting galleries that sounded like a war zone. I have seen some reports of issues if there are adjacent surfaces down range that can reflect radar like walls or metal stands, but never had that problem myself.

 

[ngb1787]

I would email labradar and ask for a discount,

 

[Bamban]

Here is my brother's Labradar. He bought the 2 inch think aluminum plate, I machined a 3/4 x 1 1/2 stud from a barrel drop. With the hole through it, I screwed it to the camera mount on the Labradar.

The aluminum plate, I just drilled a hole 1/2 an inch from the edge for the stud to go into. To secure it in place, I drilled and tapped a cross hole and clamped the stud tight.

The plate is heavy enough, even heavy wind from 6 o'clock would not blow the Labradar off the table

 

[Shinbone]

I use a 3/4” x 6” x 28” oak plank anchored by a 15lb weight so I can make sure the Labradar sits a little forward of the muzzle for optimal triggering. I am really happy with how well the Labradar works. Easy, reliable, accurate.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I wouldnt even use a labradar without one of the bases that arkco matt sells on here. Any large cell phone backup battery with a usb port will work. Id buy the labradar and the bag from them, the base from matt and a battery from amazon or best buy

 

[B23]

If you're shooting at a range where you'll have others shooting at the same time as you, how well will the Labradar work, under those conditions?

Also, based on information I've gathered talking to guys that have a LR, it's pretty much a love of hate relationship.

There was recently a thread over on Long Range Only forum where a very qualified individual was so fed up with his Labradar chronograph as well as dealing with Labradar the company, that he blew his LR chronograph up with tannerite. I'll have to go look for the link and post it later, it's rather comical to read.

http://www.longrangeonly.com/forum/when-things-go-wrong-/6091-guess-am-lr.html?highlight=labradar

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Mine works fine at matches and public ranges. You point it at the target and it tracks that bullet only. Its easy to use- not sure why that guy had issues. Some people have issues with anything i guess

 

[reloaderguy]

My LR works great. I have kinetic trigger and can set the LR forward or back of the muzzle without any lost shots.

 

[piie]

There are different sensitivity levels for the built-in microphone that you can adjust if/when your unit us triggered by a neighbour - never happened to me, but I guess a large calibre with a muzzle break could definitely be a problem.

As you can see from some of the photos posted already, you may run out of bench length, so you wil either need a custom stand that can extend past the front edge of the bench, or a tripod.

For suppressed firearms, you need to use an external microphone.

One note about USB chargers/battery packs - you should only use the 1 Amp output. a 10000 mah is good for probably an entire day at the range.

 

[Jammer Six]

If you're shooting at a range where you'll have others shooting at the same time as you, how well will the Labradar work, under those conditions?

Also, based on information I've gathered talking to guys that have a LR, it's pretty much a love of hate relationship.

There was recently a thread over on Long Range Only forum where a very qualified individual was so fed up with his Labradar chronograph as well as dealing with Labradar the company, that he blew his LR chronograph up with tannerite. I'll have to go look for the link and post it later, it's rather comical to read.

http://www.longrangeonly.com/forum/when-things-go-wrong-/6091-guess-am-lr.html?highlight=labradar

That story tells me a lot more about him than about my Labradar.

When I needed help, it was the President of the company that returned my call and talked me through my problem. Haven't had any problems since then.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

I have a battery pack that is sold for jump starting cars, it has USB outputs, would that work as a battery pack? I can make a base without difficulty, out of anything I want. If the car jumper wont work, could someone recommend a battery pack.

 

[Jdne5b]

Under a covered line, Ive had to turn down the trigger to avoid triggering on other peoples shots. Once I turned it down, I couldnt get it to register my subsonic blackout. It also doesnt like to be against a wall or side-berm. Other than that, its great

+1 for the Arko base. I also use the swivel adaptor he sells for un-even ground. It all fits nicely in a Pelican case. The labradar plastic broke at some point in their soft case. LR fixed it no questions asked.. but it rides in a hard case now.

 

[BartsBullets]

Arko base for sure.


Bart

 

[piie]

I have a battery pack that is sold for jump starting cars, it has USB outputs, would that work as a battery pack? I can make a base without difficulty, out of anything I want. If the car jumper wont work, could someone recommend a battery pack.

As long as the USB does not output more than 1 amp

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Appreciate the feedback guys. I did some additional research last night, and in conjunction with your feedback I'm thinking of the following.

LabRadar
Arko base
Battery Pack
Inertia/Recoil operated trigger
Pelican case


It looks like the inertia trigger is the key here, as it triggers the labradar to look for shots based on recoil...so you're not picking up other peoples shots. From what I gather, it enables you to place the LR anywhere next to the rifle without regard for suppressed/unsuppressed.

Does that sound right? Ya'll see any issues with that setup?