New Compact LabRadar at NRA Exhibits.

[hogpatrol]

LR sat on their hands for too long. If they cut their price in half, Garmin will match them. From my viewpoint they're headed for the scrap heap of old tech. One of my relatives worked with the guys that started Garmin and from what he told me, they were way smarter than the suits that ran the fortune 100 corporation they left.
Seems that company said there was no future in consumer GPS products.

 

[joshb]

It drives me SO crazy. I hated it about the LR, got excited that the bluetooth app would do it, but BT never worked...

Now we have an awesome garmin, but it's like 72 button presses to start a new string. It keeps me up at night.

…and this is the reason I held off buying one. I had a feeling it was too good to be true. I’ll wait until they sort it out and use my ole Magnetospeed until then.

 

[Kurz]

We've had the AndiScan and other European ones for a couple of years.

And, I've been hearing about the Caldwell for a while now, probably since 2020; I'd guess it was just delayed and they realized they had to get in once the Garmin came out.

And none of them have had the impact of LabRadar or the newer Garmin. The Caldwell still hasn't been released, just talked about.

 

[STOMP442]

The magneto would be the best for getting a really close true muzzle velocity!!! That would be ALMOST as accurate as the high speed video!!!

That's why I like it. I have used on for years and it's never left me wanting to upgrade or move to anything else. Just plain works.

 

[rijndael]

The Caldwell still hasn't been released, just talked about.

Correct. It's been vaporware for years. Here's where I first learned about the Caldwell, in 2020. From SH:

 

[Kurz]

I like that term 'vaporware'!

 

[hogpatrol]

Vaporware is what happens when a tech company’s concepts, ideas and prototypes don’t become reality. Instead, they disperse into the ether — but their legend lives on.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'll stick with my Magneto. 1/3 the price, fits in my range bag and gives me accurate readings every time.

Don’t forget the bonus feature of how the magneto can change your point of impact and group shapes on target

Magneto undoubtedly causes an interference with the bullets propulsion from the muzzle and/or harmonics of the barrel. Even if only a small amount, it's still enough where I would never trust any results on targets as solid data if a Magneto was strapped to my barrel.

 

[STOMP442]

Don’t forget the bonus feature of how the magneto can change your point of impact and group shapes on target

Magneto undoubtedly causes an interference with the bullets propulsion from the muzzle and/or harmonics of the barrel. Even if only a small amount, it's still enough where I would never trust any results on targets as solid data if a Magneto was strapped to my barrel.

I shoot through the Magneto for data purposes only. Never on the gun for any other reason.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Meant to post this earlier, but stopped by the LabRadar kiosk at the Dallas Exhibits. They had their edition of the new “micro” unit on display. Chatted with them for a bit, and they were excited about their product.

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It appears to be a solid unit, and price point MSRP is the same as Garmin. Not sure how it will fare against the Garmin with the traction it has already gained on them, and with apparent discounts already being offered through various vendors.
I will say that the many times we passed their spot in our orbits over two days, there was no traffic, and I swear I could hear crickets.

Edit: The unit is significantly heavier than the Garmin.

It looks Huge.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

…and this is the reason I held off buying one. I had a feeling it was too good to be true. I’ll wait until they sort it out and use my ole Magnetospeed until then.

Five bucks says you’ll do what I did- Walk in your local shop, see that cute little bugger in person- what’s cash price-owner says $570- you walk out with the new toy.

 

[hogpatrol]

Well, it's bigger so you'll probably need to buy their bespoke carrying case and is that a sighting device of some sort on top? Well, that's a step up in technology, not.

 

[Eagle Six]

The magnetospeed is a good unit. When I used it I would test loads, then strap it on and get the speed. Or I would strap it on get the speed, take it off and test the load precision.

Now with the Garmin on a tripod I mount it to the gun, on the bench I just set it on the bench, when prone (Oh Lord I'm to old for that) but when I do set set it on the ground or mount it on the gun. Every load I shoot I have the speed. The Mini Lab doesn't appear that mini, so I will most likely stay with the Garmin.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

The magnetospeed is a good unit. When I used it I would test loads, then strap it on and get the speed. Or I would strap it on get the speed, take it off and test the load precision.

Yeah that’s the problem with Magneto. It’s a waste of time, components, and barrel life having to shoot loads again for speed data when other radar units give you the same speed data as you test with no interference.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

From my standpoint, it's the only thing about the Garmin that needs to be changed. Having to chug through the steps for a new session is Windows 2.0.

I don’t mind the few extra button clicks now because at least I can remember how to do it. On the Lab Radar, there were lots of times I couldn’t remember how to do something. Part of the reason was because I didn’t enjoy using it, do I didn’t use it often. The Garmin interface is a big improvement vs the LabRadar’s in my opinion. Dead easy, so I use it more. Plus I really enjoy that I don’t have to wake up (“re-arm”) the Garmin every other time I get ready to fire again.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Well, it's bigger so you'll probably need to buy their bespoke carrying case and is that a sighting device of some sort on top? Well, that's a step up in technology, not.

A cool feature for the radars would be an integrated front facing camera with 10x zoom that could be brought up on the screen for aiming the unit at a target. Something like a cell phone camera with a digital reticle

 

[Eagle Six]

From my standpoint, it's the only thing about the Garmin that needs to be changed. Having to chug through the steps for a new session is Windows 2.0.

Almost exclusively I use the Garmin for rifle. I press the 'On' button, pretty universal with any gizmo. Then it is three quick presses of the selection button, almost like full auto, and it ready to go.

I do have a remote for my GoPro with one button press which activates the unit (turns it on) and immediately starts recording. Pretty nice, unless it's been 8 hours since I used the unit and then GoPro turns off the connection and it needs to be turned on manually for a few seconds for the remote connection to be activated. Always seems to be something!!

Anyway, I would go for that one button push feature, but until then I can push the selection button faster than I can say 1-2-3.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

The thing that’s going to kill the lab-radar is that Garmin is such a recognizable brand and catchy word to boot. Do I need to say anything Creedmoor.

 

[hogpatrol]

What I'd like to know is how long LR was going to sit on their outdated design before releasing the new one.
There's something about a company that operates in that "Let's squeeze them for as long as possible" business model that causes one to stay away from their product line. YMMV.

 

[CJ6]

Well with the new "MICRO" LR out everyone start selling their "OLD" xeros for $325. It's a win win.