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Lets see your lab radar do this!

LR can be set to trigger on detected projectile, which is the same as the default on the Garmin.

That's actually on of my cons about the Garmin: no way of setting up a trigger for it.

If the Garmin picks up 100% of the shots what would be the need for an external trigger setup?

I was under the impression that the external triggering device was developed because the LR wasn’t picking up all the shots on its own.
 
If the Garmin picks up 100% of the shots what would be the need for an external trigger setup?

I was under the impression that the external triggering device was developed because the LR wasn’t picking up all the shots on its own.

Does the Garmin pick up 100% of the shots? My friends didn't. It was a high percentage, and certainly still useful, but not 100%.

That said, with respect to the LR, I think the external trigger provision was originally for airguns and archery, which don't generate enough muzzle blast to trigger the LR in "normal" mode.

The LR is normally is triggered by the concussion of a shot going off, which tells the unit to look for the radar return. External triggers use a different mechanism (factory is a microphone to pick up airgun and archery shots, aftermarket is a recoil detection sensor) do the same thing. And last, it can operate in doppler mode where a return from the radar tells it to record (I've never tried it on mine, so have no idea how well it works.)
 
I have no idea if it picks up 100% of the shots. Just going by what people are reporting on this site.

I just don’t understand the need at all for an external trigger if the unit can do it reliably on its own.

No dog in this fight. Just asking.
 
Broken record time.....I've had my lab just after they came out, I do
not need an external trigger. Yes it will miss an occasional shot,
but nothing to disturb what I'm working on. As it is, I don't need
to replace it. And If I do, It will be another lab. Man they are getting
cheaper by the minute. It's a win/win for me !!.....LOL
 
I got the idea from Greg at primal rights youtube video when he put his garmin 50 yards down range.

I noticed my 223 wasn't setting off tannerite at 300 yards reliably so I wanted to get some actual velocity data.

According to my ballistic software, my load still had an impact velocity of 2,500 fps (minimum required to set off tannerite).

I am running the 53 grain vmax in my 12 twist factory remington, when you put this into a stability factor calculator, it is right on the edge of being able to stabilize (Sg of 1.0).

I thought this was the source of my issues, my velocity being lower than I expected because of the bc degradation due to the stability being poor.

So I decided to stick my garmin 302 yards downrange on my tripod and check the numbers vs my sig bdx software. My rifle shoots 1/2 moa very consistently so I wasn't worried about potentially hitting the unit.

I placed the target 13 yards past the garmin downrange at 315 yards to give the doppler some room for the signal.

I took 3 shots, went down to the unit, and had 3 shots registered. Not a single hiccup.

To my surprise, the unit matched up perfectly with my ballistic software. Very nice that this unit gives me the ability to confirm numbers downrange so easily.

This garmin unit has yet to disappoint!!!!!
Not to be the contrarian, but you proved the ballistic software works. So you have a solution to a non-existent problem. Leave the chrono on the bench and math will always work!
 
The labradar can be configured to clock bullets using its doppler radar as the trigger, but only
on slower moving projectiles like 22 rimfire. This is how I use it to clock rimfire and pistol ammo
and it works perfectly without the use of any external devices.

I am not sure what the maximum velocity the labradar can clock when set to doppler mode as the
trigger but it will not clock a rifle round.

You could theoretically set it up downrange where the projectile velocity has slowed enough that the labtadar in doppler mode should pick up the shot.
 
I hate to be the fly in the ointment, but the LabRadar can and does do that from the bench. No need to go tramping down range and be in fear of killing your chrono. LabRadar records data on a projectile until it either goes out of range or stops. I get an average of 102 readings on a handgun fired on a 52 yard range. These readings are saved onto the SD card and are available at your computer. Additionally your have the option of selecting 5 yardage ranges that appear on the screen of the LR during a shooting session, so if you need instant feedback you have it.

Mike
unfortunately the 100 yards it does extend out to (if it even picks if up) is pretty useless for centerfire rifles IMO.

And I have owned (and still own) a labradar for 3-4 years now. I plan on keeping it for occasional use, but at my home range I will be only using the garmin due to its portability and reliability
 
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Not to be the contrarian, but you proved the ballistic software works. So you have a solution to a non-existent problem. Leave the chrono on the bench and math will always work!
you are missing the point that I am running the 53 vmax on the absolute ragged edge of stability.

Ballistic software assumes good stability.

For every 0.1 Sg below 1.5 Sg stability factor (recommended for maximum BC), you do get a few % degradation to your BC.

I was under the impression that I was experiencing quite a bit degradation from this, and my velocities were a good bit lower than what the ballistic software had calculated.
 
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Next opportunity I get I will try this same experiment with the labradar.

Also, my garmin has picked up 100% of the shots so far. I even tried to mis-position it intentionally to not pick up, and it still picked up.

If you deep dive into the specs, the garmins radar has massively stronger doppler power, hence why it is so much more reliable.
 
Next opportunity I get I will try this same experiment with the labradar.

Also, my garmin has picked up 100% of the shots so far. I even tried to mis-position it intentionally to not pick up, and it still picked up.

If you deep dive into the specs, the garmins radar has massively stronger doppler power, hence why it is so much more reliable.
The beam [cone] dimensions might also be different between the two, but that's just a guess on my part. Aiming a LabRadar placed at the firing line to properly to pick up .224" projectiles is essential, so I'd imagine it would be even more so for this kind of experiment. In other words, aiming the LabRadar "just so" to pick up the bullet when the unit is placed at some distance downrange will be critical for it to even have a chance to work in this context. Even so, I have no interest in using the LabRadar for this type of exercise, so it works just fine for my needs.
 
I have one of the early release labradars. For the first year I ran it on Doppler setting for my 6mm br and dasher without a problem. Was always reliable. Also have a Garmin which I placed down range doing some testing with a PCP air rifle. I was seeing how close to the backstop I could place the garmin and still get readings. I was able to get accurate velocity recordings capturing only 6 feet of pellet flight. That tells me the Garmin captures the bullet in flight pretty close to the unit and not 20 yards out.
 
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Lab radar doesn't have to stop at 100, I have had mine take readings from at 270 win at 125 yards. You just have to change the distance intervals in the settings.

I didn't try any further than 125.
 
Did you ever figure out why you weren't able to "trigger" the tannerite?
i think it's probably because I am right on the border. tannerite requires a minimum of 2,500 fps impact velocity and I am at 2,510 fps, i'm sure the lower impact energy of the 53 grain bullet isn't helping either......

I could only get it to go off maybe 20% of the time
 

"Lets see your lab radar do this!"​

How about drop more than 50% in less than a month.
If you're looking to buy one but the price was too high before, nows the time to jump on one.
Seen one yesterday for $275
 
LR can be set to trigger on detected projectile, which is the same as the default on the Garmin.

That's actually on of my cons about the Garmin: no way of setting up a trigger for it.
If the Garmin picks up 100% of the shots what would be the need for an external trigger setup?

I was under the impression that the external triggering device was developed because the LR wasn’t picking up all the shots on its own.
I have used my Garmin numerous times since getting it.
ZERO shots missed. No need for an external trigger.
My buddies at the range with Garmins are reporting the same.
 

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