Oh dang! - Labradar LX - Small form factor

[Linko]

I have had a LR for a few years. The triggering and bluetooth was/are really poor. Hard to get it to work without fiddling with the aiming. I don't use it all the time at the range so i get thru it.

Trading to a new unit for me would be justified by:
1) a smaller size so I could stick it in my range bag.
2) Just work without fiddling

I do think Garmin has a good reputation so that unit is on my list. I will wait and see how this shakes out.
I would think a higher operating frequency and the resulting smaller antenna size has value in providing a smaller unit. A long way from the Tropospheric antennas I worked on in the early 70's

(as my LR resale value drops!)

 

[neckturner]

I have had a LR for a few years. The triggering and bluetooth was/are really poor.

Triggering is, assuming aimed right (which can be tricky), very reliable with a RAT.
BT has become, at least in my use, completely reliable with firmware 2.0, release September 2023. If you haven't tried it, worth a shot.

 

[DocUSMCRetired]

The new LabR LR has both Doppler and Microphone trigger options I should add.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Doc,
you guys must have access to new designs being tested but are held to NDAs.
( I checked out the website)
New stuff seems to be fighting the FCC on signal strength/interference potential.
It's a shame as many long range areas have little potential (no 5G mm wave cell coverage) of interfering with other services.
Maybe a Technician Amateur Class device for a fixed location (like a mile or more range). Licensed operator required.

Seems one way to fight that would be a down range sensor, like a bullet cam, communicating back with legal WiFi or cell. Lookup/offset angle could be corrected just like my Bullet Cam squares up target image. Downrange camera plus Doppler would be a cool device. Record of shot placement, velocity, trued B.C. all linked together. BlueTooth to WIFI bridge might work if a Wifi app could be written.

 

[Dimner]

I have had a LR for a few years. The triggering and bluetooth was/are really poor. Hard to get it to work without fiddling with the aiming. I don't use it all the time at the range so i get thru it.

Trading to a new unit for me would be justified by:
1) a smaller size so I could stick it in my range bag.
2) Just work without fiddling

I do think Garmin has a good reputation so that unit is on my list. I will wait and see how this shakes out.
I would think a higher operating frequency and the resulting smaller antenna size has value in providing a smaller unit. A long way from the Tropospheric antennas I worked on in the early 70's

(as my LR resale value drops!)

I'm pretty happy with how this is playing out and not jumping on the Garmin bandwagon right at the get go. The key being I already have the big orange LR and have no current issues using it. My only complaint currently is the bulk and method I need to use to setup at the range. I have learned to embrace the SD card and ignore the aggravating app.

I can have my cake and eat it too. I'll wait for the war of the 3 radars to play out for a year maybe year and a half. Learn about all 3, and pick the best (so far looks like the Garmin is the leader by a couple radar lengths), and then find a good sale price.

All this is easier because the LR resale value is dropping so much that I will have no regrets keeping it for the ability to calculate BCs by down range distances.

 

[Linko]

Triggering is, assuming aimed right (which can be tricky), very reliable with a RAT.
BT has become, at least in my use, completely reliable with firmware 2.0, release September 2023. If you haven't tried it, worth a shot.

Thanks for identifying a new firmware update being available.
I have the magnetic external trigger now. That did make a vast improvement.
Aiming still is difficult even with the 3D printed top aiming thing.
Cant afford to buy any more stuff so I will keep at the LR for the time being.
If I were a betting man I would say Garmen will be the future.

Great input from all our members. This is always a Great site!

 

[Rocketvapor]

The old style, 24GHZ Lab Radar lists beam width as 7.6 degrees (+/- 3.8 degrees).
That is likely the -3db (HALF POWER) beam width.
Half power at range is gonna hurt.
Alignment off by a degree or two will reduce down range signal and thus bullet return signal.

The new LR LX, 60GHZ has a 32 degree beam width (+/- 16 degrees), but no range.

Still asking; anyone have an FCC ID on one of the new 60GHZ units?

 

[lloydx2]

I'm pretty happy with how this is playing out and not jumping on the Garmin bandwagon right at the get go. The key being I already have the big orange LR and have no current issues using it. My only complaint currently is the bulk and method I need to use to setup at the range. I have learned to embrace the SD card and ignore the aggravating app.

I can have my cake and eat it too. I'll wait for the war of the 3 radars to play out for a year maybe year and a half. Learn about all 3, and pick the best (so far looks like the Garmin is the leader by a couple radar lengths), and then find a good sale price.

All this is easier because the LR resale value is dropping so much that I will have no regrets keeping it for the ability to calculate BCs by down range distances.

exactly

 

[Linko]

My LR has a new home. Garmin in transit. friends at my range have great things to say how its working for them. Size alone is a big improvement.

Cleaning things up in this new year, next is to sell my 224 Valkyrie Whidden FL bushing/micrometer die set and brass. Be posting that on the selling sub forum.

 

[Linko]

Had my first day at the range with the Garmin. Took it out of my pocket turned it on, set it down pointed down range. fired my first shot. reading popped up on the Garmin.
end of story.

 

[Flea21]

Labradar LX is shipping… I ordered mine on Tuesday and it’s arriving this Saturday. I’m looking forward to getting this out on the range for my next load development.

 

[neckturner]

The range I was at two weekends ago had one operating. It just worked.

 

[Linko]

Labradar LX is shipping… I ordered mine on Tuesday and it’s arriving this Saturday. I’m looking forward to getting this out on the range for my next load development.

It's ridiculous how easy it is to use.

 

[Will Henry]

I bought the Garmin; just because it was readily available and I had heard nothing bad. It got here in time for my wife's birthday, so she was pretty excited (not)! I'll try it out this weekend. WH

 

[SteveUrban]

I see that the LX is supposed to give you one down range velocity. So, does that mean that you cannot get a BC? I emailed LR about this and have not received a reply.

 

[neckturner]

In this

at about 8 minutes, the guy says you can use it for BC. He also makes the point that hits on target are more useful than measured BC. He might be right... but I like being able to measure the bc (using https://bc.geladen.ch/labrabaco/labrabaco.html ).

We'll see if the track files exist on the LX, and if they're compatible with Labrabaco.

 

[dgeesaman]

I see that the LX is supposed to give you one down range velocity. So, does that mean that you cannot get a BC? I emailed LR about this and have not received a reply.

Most ballistic coefficient calculators only take two velocities. So if you’re happy with one BC value per shot and the downrange distance of that velocity is suitable for you, I don’t see why it won’t work.

The classic LabRadar gives up to five downrange velocity values per shot at up to 100y distance. I use it to model airgun pellet trajectories and the detail is useful since airgun pellets tend to vary a lot from the standard BC models.

 

[Thauglor]

I picked up an original used LR for cheap, just got an air rifle mic and it caught all my pellets in last night's quick testing

 

[Downeast]

Knowing Garmin, they are already working on a new improved model. I have Garmin marine electronics and most of their units become obsolete in a few years with no CS (or parts).

 

[WSnyder]

I have Garmin marine electronics and most of their units become obsolete in a few years with no CS (or parts).

That and the software has always been kludgy to deal with. I like their stuff, I have and still do own loads of it but the kludgy software, balky updates, funky menu systems and all that that has gone on since day one gets frustrating. When I say day one I bought a GPS 45 around 1995.