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New Garmin attached directly to rifle?

DngBat7

Silver $$ Contributor
I know different manufactures have made a device that you can attach the new Garmin directly to rifle, I know you can also use photography nodel rail for the same thing. My question is, Is it recommended to attach a sensitive piece of electronics to a firearm with strong recoil? Can not that jossel the devise over and over causing problems down the road? And is it even necessary because the Garmin works just fine on a little tripod next to it?
 
I know different manufactures have made a device that you can attach the new Garmin directly to rifle, I know you can also use photography nodel rail for the same thing. My question is, Is it recommended to attach a sensitive piece of electronics to a firearm with strong recoil? Can not that jossel the devise over and over causing problems down the road? And is it even necessary because the Garmin works just fine on a little tripod next to it?
Excellent question. One would think Garmin would have already tested and answered it.
 
It might be a wash if you have a muzzle brake. The on-tripod orientation of next to the gun, and back a few inches, is in the rearward blast zone from a lot of brakes. Just off the rail is a bit more sheltered, but it feels recoil.
 
If that's what you want to do, attach Garmin to rifle, go for it. But, I would think that it may alter barrel vibrations enough to change bullet impact, thus negating getting both accuracy and velocity info.
Looking at the info, it seems easy enough to mount to the side of the rifle and aim at target. It's cone seems much more forgiving than trying to aim a Labradar imo. If I had one I would mount it on the bench next to the rifle.
 
I have spent years designing aerospace electronics. While proven methods exist, it's not trivial to harden electronics against shock and vibration. I'd say the shock profile from a recoiling rifle would be significantly worse that our aerospace requirements. I'd be interested to know if anyone has comparative data for direct-coupled gunfire. Our gunfire requirements were quite stout but attenuated through the airframe. I have a hunch that Garmin didn't take extreme measures to harden the chronograph against recoil shock impulses. Small surface mount parts are probably the least vulnerable, but the battery could be if not bonded securely. The circuit card itself would have some mass and probably be vulnerable. Admittedly this is conjecture on my part, but I've seen a lot of broken electronics in my career. I'd be interested to hear Garmin weigh in on the subject.
 
I have spent years designing aerospace electronics. While proven methods exist, it's not trivial to harden electronics against shock and vibration. I'd say the shock profile from a recoiling rifle would be significantly worse that our aerospace requirements. I'd be interested to know if anyone has comparative data for direct-coupled gunfire. Our gunfire requirements were quite stout but attenuated through the airframe. I have a hunch that Garmin didn't take extreme measures to harden the chronograph against recoil shock impulses. Small surface mount parts are probably the least vulnerable, but the battery could be if not bonded securely. The circuit card itself would have some mass and probably be vulnerable. Admittedly this is conjecture on my part, but I've seen a lot of broken electronics in my career. I'd be interested to hear Garmin weigh in on the subject.
I would trust this man's ^^^ intuition.
 
I know different manufactures have made a device that you can attach the new Garmin directly to rifle, I know you can also use photography nodel rail for the same thing. My question is, Is it recommended to attach a sensitive piece of electronics to a firearm with strong recoil? Can not that jossel the devise over and over causing problems down the road? And is it even necessary because the Garmin works just fine on a little tripod next to it?
Exactly. It won't be on my rifle. But there are some with $ signs in their minds that have quickly developed way attach it to a rifle. If the unit fails I'm sure that metal bar manufacturer won't give you a new Garmin. I wonder if they did any testing?

Not wanting to start any wars... But I won't do it.
 
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The muzzle blast is also a vibration and shock, and it needs to be in that 5-15" window, whether it's attached to the rifle or not.
 
The muzzle blast is also a vibration and shock, and it needs to be in that 5-15" window, whether it's attached to the rifle or not.
Which one are you talking about?
The LabRadar that triggers off the blast,
or the Garmin Xero that runs continuously?
 
The LabRadar that triggers off the blast,
or the Garmin Xero that runs continuously?

Reading the manual, the LabRadar is transmitting/sending as soon as you hit the ARM button, regardless of the 'trigger' mechanism.

1700787505422.png

But, I was specifically speaking of the Garmin, that's the operational window - it needs to be near the muzzle. So, how much worse, if it all, is being attached to the gun vs on a tripod? With a muzzle brake, the 5-15 window off to the side may be worse.
 
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OK, so I learned something about the LabRadar (don't got one).
I can see mounting the Garmin to the rifle if you don't plan on being stationary.
 
OK, so I learned something about the LabRadar (don't got one).
I have had one for 2 years. Maybe missed a handful of shots out of hundreds. I think Labradar like many other mass produced products have good and bad copies. Also, there’s user setup error.

I still use my Labradar today, even having the garmin.
 
I’ll be curious to see what happens using the Garmin with other shooters on either side of me. So far I’ve run it without anyone else present shooting along side of me.
 
I'll probably pick up a used LabRadar, just because :)
I don't have large caliber rifles with a brake so I'm not concerned about blowing my Garmin over.

The wife and I shot a 600yd match with shooters on either side Saturday. I moved the Garmin/Tripod towards her when she shot a relay, towards me when I shot (we shared a lane).
It was like we were all alone for all 138 shots :)
Didn't pick up ANY shots from adjacent lanes.
 

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