I'm looking to purchase a new chronograph I'm not looking to break the bank I no u get what u pay for just looking for some advice and experience with what you fellow shooters would recommend I don't want nothing fancy just basic FPS thanks Adam
Looking to purchase a chronograph
- Thread starter Adam 6mm build
- Start date
rwj
Gold $$ Contributor
Magnetospeed... https://magnetospeed.com/
I use CED M2. Does the job. I can do load development while measuring velocities. Didn’t like magneto speed just because I couldn’t shoot for groups while it was on and couldn’t justify spending money on Labradar.
If money is no object, go Lab radar
If money is no object, go Lab radar
If you can attach a MS to the barrels you want to chrono, and if you don't care that your firearm will shoot to a different POI while the MS is attached, it's a fine chronograph.
If you want to be able to easily chrono loads during load development without using extra loads, the LabRadar is the way to go.
Those two chronos set up while the range is hot, are pretty much impervious to weather or changing lighting conditions, and are said to be more accurate than opticals which can be set up at different distances and angles from session to session.
If your budget can't take one of those . . . if you're willing/able to setup a chrono while the range is cold . . . if you're willing to shoot through a narrow window . . . an optical chrono would be your choice. Having replaced my CED M2 with first a MS V1 and then a Labradar, I can say the CED M2 did a fine job for me. Replacing sensors, screens, and support rods that had been shot wasn't too bad . . . don't ask me how I know
If you want to be able to easily chrono loads during load development without using extra loads, the LabRadar is the way to go.
Those two chronos set up while the range is hot, are pretty much impervious to weather or changing lighting conditions, and are said to be more accurate than opticals which can be set up at different distances and angles from session to session.
If your budget can't take one of those . . . if you're willing/able to setup a chrono while the range is cold . . . if you're willing to shoot through a narrow window . . . an optical chrono would be your choice. Having replaced my CED M2 with first a MS V1 and then a Labradar, I can say the CED M2 did a fine job for me. Replacing sensors, screens, and support rods that had been shot wasn't too bad . . . don't ask me how I know
The cheap Chrony's work just fine:
http://www.shootingchrony.com/introduction.htm
http://www.shootingchrony.com/introduction.htm
dgeesaman
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a couple of these and they work pretty well. Occasionally direct sunlight on an angle trips them up but not often. The Bluetooth module is a nice addition for a busy range but like all Bluetooth accessories they are flaky.
They aren’t super accurate but they are pretty close. I’ve compared mine to LabRadar and the cheap chrony wont show off you single digit ES as well, but data is data.
Not sure how people shoot their chrony when shooting from a bench. Take a couple of minutes to set it up and look down the line from both directions. Finally, check elevation. Be deliberate and it will last a good long time.
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If you want to save money magneto speed sporter if you’ve got a little extra magneto speed V3 if you’ve got plenty of money lab radar
What Adam said. Tommy Mc
The Sporter Magnetospeed is substantially cheaper than a LabRadar, and is dead easy to use. It is more accurate than the optical chronos, too. It unfortunately changes the point of impact. And, since you have a weight hanging off the end of your barrel, it *may* change group size.
LabRadar is the Cadillac of chronos. Super accurate and it doesn't touch your rifle. There is a bit of a learning curve, so it is a little more involved to run than the Magnetospeed. But, once you learn how to run it, you easily get super accurate velocity data without disturbing the rifle's POI or possibly changing group size.
LabRadar is the Cadillac of chronos. Super accurate and it doesn't touch your rifle. There is a bit of a learning curve, so it is a little more involved to run than the Magnetospeed. But, once you learn how to run it, you easily get super accurate velocity data without disturbing the rifle's POI or possibly changing group size.
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Keep in mind the more time and effort it takes to set up a chrono the LESS you will want to use it.
Get the Labradar no clamping to the barrel with adjustments necessary for different rifles no going downrange to setup a tripod with old school chronos.
Get the Labradar no clamping to the barrel with adjustments necessary for different rifles no going downrange to setup a tripod with old school chronos.
wkdickinson
Gold $$ Contributor
+1 on the Magnetospeed V3. I had a Shooting Crony Beta for a long time, which worked fine, but was always a pain in the butt to set up. A year or so ago my wife bought me the V3 as a gift and I have been very pleased. It fast and easy to set up, it never has missed recording a shot and the mount stays tight. Lots written about their shortcomings, but so far I haven't found any of them to be an issue. However, I only use it on target rifles with very heavy barrels - might be different on a hunting rifle with a slim barrel.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Shooting Crony as good as most people need. We put one up against 35 years back difference was so small it would not mean jack.
If as stated above setup take time ? the V clamp on use up more time ? Clamp it on get your Numbers ( poor group ).
Remove and shoot for group.
If as stated above setup take time ? the V clamp on use up more time ? Clamp it on get your Numbers ( poor group ).
Remove and shoot for group.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
If you're considering the LabRadar I highly recommend doing your research. They're a great "idea" but unfortunately they don't always work as advertised. Don't just read or talk to the people with good reviews. There are a lot of VERY frustrated LabRadar owners out there and for whatever reason the LR drops or misses shots, sometimes frequently.
Over on another forum I've read where guys got so frustrated with the LR unit and the lack of support from the company that makes them, one blew his up with tannerite and the other kicked his to pieces. That's not a joke and both provided pictures of the end result.
No Chronograph is perfect, they, ALL, have their pros and cons. For ease of use/setup and never misses a single shot, IMO, the MS chronographs are hands down the winner, but they can affect POI. I've been using a MS chrono since they very first came out and never had one affect group size though. As was already mentioned, pretty much any time you hang something off or screw something on, the end of the barrel it's going to change POI but that doesn't mean it affects groups. I've never had a muzzle brake, not, affect POI and my suppressors generally change POI a fair amount, but neither of those has ever affected group size either. On my guns, attaching a MS bayo has always changed POI much less than adding a muzzle brake and a suppressor.
Over on another forum I've read where guys got so frustrated with the LR unit and the lack of support from the company that makes them, one blew his up with tannerite and the other kicked his to pieces. That's not a joke and both provided pictures of the end result.
No Chronograph is perfect, they, ALL, have their pros and cons. For ease of use/setup and never misses a single shot, IMO, the MS chronographs are hands down the winner, but they can affect POI. I've been using a MS chrono since they very first came out and never had one affect group size though. As was already mentioned, pretty much any time you hang something off or screw something on, the end of the barrel it's going to change POI but that doesn't mean it affects groups. I've never had a muzzle brake, not, affect POI and my suppressors generally change POI a fair amount, but neither of those has ever affected group size either. On my guns, attaching a MS bayo has always changed POI much less than adding a muzzle brake and a suppressor.
MikeT124
Silver $$ Contributor
Anyone interested in extreme data for your velocities the only way to go is LabRadar. There is a significant amount of data that the unit records and stores other than the minimal data shown on the screen. The data is stored on an SD card and can be accessed from the card to a computer with either the LR attached or a card reader. For instance velocity data for each shot in a shooting session a CSV file is created. I just looked up a single shot from a 30-06 fired at a range of 115 yards and it gave me 111 separate velocities along with the range for that single shot. So you are able to analyze in great detail every shot you fired in any given session. The data also reflects the amount of time expired from the time of the shot to each recorded velocity reading. So for a data freak like me it's the only way to go.
Mike
Mike
If you go with a Labradar, buy this kinetic trigger and missed shots will be a thing of the past.
https://jklprecision.com/product/labradar-trigger/
Many of friends have switched to this trigger and now they love the Labradar.
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
I've heard that add on really helps with missed shots, but doesn't it kinda suck to spend $560 for a LR and then you need to buy an aftermarket product to make your LabRadar function reliably without missing or dropping shots???
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