Radar Chronograph

[uda123cat]

I was wondering if anyone is aware of any companies that are making or maybe actually plan to make a competitor to the Labradar chronograph? I think competition is a good thing and drives innovation and hopefully more affordable pricing. The Labradar chronograph has been out of stock for multiple months, is relatively expensive (I know sophisticated technology), hasn't really changed much that I can tell from its first offering, and is somewhat finicky in its operation. I did not make it to shot show and did search various forums and shot show reports but did not see much of anything regarding chronographs in general and new products in particular.

thanks
Dan

 

[mdram]

caldwell announced one over a year ago
the velociradar, its still not for sale

edit: labradars actually showed up in January several places, but sold out fast
remember there is a worldwide chip shortage

 

[GLShooter]

The only complaint I have on the LR is that is the 3900 FPS limitation. My understanding is that is by Federal restriction and not their choice. I've had mine about five years and love it.

I wouldn't mind seeing another brand in competition but I doubt if the price point will get a whole lot better.

Greg

 

[RegionRat]

A sports radar gun can run anywhere from $100 to $800 and shares some of the technical challenges in common with LR, but there are noteworthy additional difficulties in the tech required to get a signal off the back of a very small spinning bullet base.

The frequency and power level differences are just some of the cost drivers to enter this market. Since the business model of a company like Bushnell (I only mention them since they are familiar to the forum and also sell a cheap sports radar gun) or one of the other outfits already participating in sophisticated consumer electronics like radar guns and range finders includes similar issues, you can assume they considered entering that market and level of difficulty and cost, then opted to either pass or wait.

The company that does LR, was already producing very sophisticated industrial lab versions of the same technology. So for them, creating a cheaper, smaller unit, comes from a starting point of already having the “full strength” capability, the design staff, and I will assume at least some of the production facilities and all of the development capability. I would also assume that LR still required them to either acquire or contract some different capabilities to build a low cost consumer product. Boards like this are usually partially contracted by small companies.

Let’s face it, LR all but nailed the market on their first outing and anyone who now enters has to be looking at the ROI. The fact that LR doesn’t have a good BlueTooth is noteworthy, but the basic function of the unit is still very strong. A new competitor has to consider the buyer would not likely buy an additional unit, and it has been so long since LR that the vast majority of the folks who wanted one already have it.

A new unit would have to come in significantly cheaper to have a chance. If a unit comes in and just matches the LR in terms of cost, I would bet they would not get an ROI that would keep investors happy.

 

[uda123cat]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. Makes sense.

 

[TedA]

Infinition is Radar that some labs and private consultants use. It is very accurate but pricey
Several of the manufacturers are using the Higher priced long range unit. I have seen lab test data that very favorably compares the LabRadar with others including Oehler at ranges up to 100 yds.
Ted Almgren

 

[Fuj]

The Caldwell Velocity Dopplar Radar was listed on Natchez
about 2 years ago for $300 and out of stock. It never was in
stock after a phone call I made during that time period. I'm
thinking Caldwell got a cease and desist Lawyer letter. At first
I thought it was a April fools joke, but the release was targeted
for a Christmas sale. You can bet the unit would have been a
Chinese knock off.

 

[jcwallac84]

https://www.evo-ballistix.de/index-en.html

Not sure its an actual competitor since its so expensive and maybe more for like a bullet or ammo company.

 

[divingin]

Infinition is Radar that some labs and private consultants use. It is very accurate but pricey

I bet it's pricey. I'm guessing (no price point even implied on their site) but from their appearance, over $10K/unit (or twice that) wouldn't surprise me at all.

One thing that I found interesting was the embedded Labradar ad on Infinitions's website.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Many times when you purchase a new item that may seem cutting edge, in reality the technology is already in danger of becoming old news by the time the item actually makes it to the consumer market. Good examples of this would computers, cell phones, and automobiles. By the time you get your new computer/phone/car home, the company that manufactured it is already well on the way to finishing the development of the next model, which will almost certainly have features that yours does not. At some point with items that fall into this category, we simply have accept that we are paying for some specific functionality, which the particular unit we purchased will maintain over its life, even though newer models with perhaps more features will become available during its life.

I bought a very early model MagnetoSpeed and used it for years. I still have it, and it still does everything it did when I first bought it, which is to say more than I needed it to do. I eventually broke down and bought a LabRadar, for the main reason that it doesn't affect barrel harmonics like the MagnetoSpeed when attached to the barrel. After a couple years, I purchased the JLK kinetic trigger for the LabRadar, and made my own magnetic mount. The addition of the JKL trigger has made a noticeable improvement with the LabRadar as compared to the use of the internal microphone sensor. With the JKL trigger, far fewer shot velocities are "dropped", and it doesn't pick up shots from adjacent shooters at the range. I am very happy with the LabRadar setup I am currently using. If you decide to go the LabRadar route, yes, it is a little pricey. But well worth the money, IMO. Just remember that the none of the functionality of the LabRadar you purchase now will ever be lost if they do decide to come out with a more advanced model in the future. It makes the decision to buy one a little more palatable.

 

[JimSC]

That is why I buy electronics that are second or third generation. I buy my autos at the end of the year and then keep them for 8 or 10 years. I had a Labradar for a while, hated the darn thing for a variety of reasons, sent it back to Brownells. I always said if they fixed some issues I would buy a the Labradar II. Now with the Andiscan may get me to put my money where my mouth is. I like the small size and it seems to have fixed all the issues I had with the Labradar. Now all I need to do is convince myself the convenience of a small chrono which can fit in my range bag and be set up behind the line is worth the price. I already have a Magnetospeed for spot checks and my ProChrono optical works fine for load development

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I watched a guy struggling to get his optical chronograph lined up on his rifle by himself this weekend. Back and forth 3 or 4 times. I offered to help him while I was setting up my bench and rest but he said he’d get it, and of course he finally did after about 10 minutes of messing around from the time he took the unit out of the bag to assemble it to the time he was ready to shoot.

I pulled my LR out of its hard case, snapped it into its little tripod, put it next to the rifle on the bench then aimed it at the target, locked the head, and turned it on. Ready to go in under a minute. Don’t think I could ever go back to an optical unit...

I’ve never used the app or Bluetooth on my LR because I write everything down in a notepad. Couldn’t care less if the BT works or not. Can always pull the data off the SD card if I wanted to verify anything. It sets up super fast and is ultra reliable at picking up shots so I’m as happy as can be. If the Andiscan was similarly priced or cheaper then the LR I might take a look at it, but for nearly twice the price I have no interest in it at all. Wasn’t overly impressed with the testing results reported by FClassJohn with the prototype Andiscan unit anyhow. Having to reset it every shot and it being a little touchy on positioning. Definitely don’t want that thing hanging off my rifle scope rail for it to work reliably. The only real benefit I see for some people is how Andiscan uses wifi instead of Bluetooth but that doesn’t concern me personally.

 

[JimSC]

I watched a guy struggling to get his optical chronograph lined up on his rifle by himself this weekend. Back and forth 3 or 4 times. I offered to help him while I was setting up my bench and rest but he said he’d get it, and of course he finally did after about 10 minutes of messing around from the time he took the unit out of the bag to assemble it to the time he was ready to shoot.

all the guy needed is a $20 universal laser boresight and a piece of paper. I have shown half a dozen people that trick. That's lot cheaper than dropping 700 - 900 dollars for LR and all the add ons needed to get it to work the way it should from the factory.

That is if you can find one in stock

 

[Dave M.]

all the guy needed is a $20 universal laser boresight and a piece of paper. I have shown half a dozen people that trick. That's lot cheaper than dropping 700 - 900 dollars for LR and all the add ons needed to get it to work the way it should from the factory.

That is if you can find one in stock

There is no comparison between an optical unit and a LabRadar. LR is quick to setup, not to mention how important it is that you are perfectly perpendicular to the light curtains to get consistent readings. People that find a reason not to own a LR, are only fooling themselves. Sorry but that is the way I feel.
Dave

 

[arctic2]

Labradar Lite. Not sure if this has been posted already.

 

[Chappy]

MSRP is $559.95. Ouch considering it's the lite version.

 

[Mauser06]

I already have the lite version.....since my phone app won't work. Lol.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I already have the lite version.....since my phone app won't work. Lol.

Have you performed the update on your LabRadar to make it talk to the app?

 

[Mauser06]

Have you performed the update on your LabRadar to make it talk to the app?

Hmmm. Probably not. I will look into it! Thanx!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

“IF” Caldwell’s new Velociradar turns out to be a good reliable unit at around the $300-$400 price point then I think Labradar is going to lose a lot of business.

However, I will really be questioning the quality of the Caldwell unit when it comes out because Caldwell is not renowned for building anything of high quality. That might be the saving grace for Labradar.

But it could turn out to be the same situation as how Hawkeye borescopes became nearly worthless in value after the release of the Teslong units. Teslong is king of the hill at the moment with amazing image quality at a price that can’t be touched. Lyman had a little bit of a hay day for a short while but can’t compete with the current wifi enabled rigid rod Teslong units in price or quality. You can’t hardly give away a Lyman or Hawkeye anymore.