Recommendation for a Chronograph

[flyingbair]

Hello Group,

I am wanting to buy a Chronograph does anyone having any recommendations on which brand/model and where to purchase it.

Johnnie

 

[philly1010]

You can go cheap, or you can get a nice one with features that will make it a long term and worth while investment. I bought a Oehler and have been more than pleased with it. I have heard horror stories of people owning the type that has the entire unit out in front of the barrel, and the unit accidentally gets hit with a bullet. The Oeler has the "screens" out front, but the actual readout unit sits on the bench right next to you with two cords running out to the screens.

 

[JamesnTN]

I offer the CED for 164.00 plus shipping.
I use one and have not had any bad readings thru mine at all Set it up the other day against one of the Chrony brands and the chrony was readig aprox 50-60 fps faster. When I run the ballistics from mine on my rifles the drop is right on.
One thing the chrony is compact and easier to setup but I feel the CED is a bit more accurate and reliable.

 

[Forum Boss]

James' report is one of many we've heard suggesting the Shooting Chronys can be "optimistic" compared to other chronos, and Oehlers in particular. That said, when I plug the numbers from my Shooting Chrony into my ballistics program, I was within 1/2 MOA,two clicks) at 600 yards, and POI was high, not low. That was with 105gr Scenars, using the stated BC of .530.

I prefer the ease of control functions of the CED compared to the Shooting Chronies. I have to bring my owners manual with me to the range every time, just to remember the arcane sequence of buttons to push to clear memory.

 

[JamesnTN]

The one thing I also like to add between the CED and Chrony. When we had them setup back to back although the Chrony read faster the ES between the 2 were within a couple fps of one another. Shooting groups at extreme distances this is vital. If your at varmint hunter and a turret twister then you want to be more accurate on the velocity.
On my CED I'm using a 4 ft rail instead of the 2 ft rail.

 

[kaferhaus]

I have both of them and the chrony never leaves the cabinet anymore... in fact, I'll be selling it this weekend at a gunshow.

The Chrony is fine and served me well, but I feel the CED gives me more reliable information and I like being able to download the data right into my ballistics/reloading program.

 

[Preacher]

PACT has a special on there's for the month of June.
I liked the bullet drop feature,
My only complaint with the one I had before my Oehler
was the screen brackets kept breaking every time the wind tipped it over.

 

[Hipshot]

I'll add another good word on the CED. It replaced a PACT which I still have and would sell in a heartbeat. The CED is easy to set up and due to various conditions of sun/shade/shadow at our range, typical diffusers don't always create a good shadow when the projectile goes through. I purchased the incandescent light feature,which replaces the diffusers) and used it indoors in a dimly light shooting stall. Later, I purchased the IR "diffusers" and can run them off the optional rechargeable battery pack or AC power. Since using the IR diffusers, both indoors and outdoors, I've had no problems with external sun/shade/clouds/fog interfering with the reading.

I like the easy to use keyboard, the huge numeric display and the interface to a computer for more intense number crunching. For the money, I like CED.

 

[chuckw2]

What does the IR option do for the CED cronos? Why is it needed outside? Worth 89 bucks? How many of you CED users have this option?

Chuck

 

[dreever]

The Oehlers are a class act, no argument there, and the CED looks to be a top notch unit also.

I guess it all comes down to how much you are going to use it, and the available $$$ you have to spend.

If you just want a chronograph to work up loads for a rifle and then to periodically check to make sure everything is copacetic then The Beta Master Chrony for less than $130 will serve you well. I have one, and am completely happy with it.
As to the comments of optimistic readings, I don't know, haven't checked mine against the high priced spread, but does it really matter? The most important number is Extreme Spread anyway, especially at the longer yardages, because the target dosen't care if that bullets running 2930 or 2950. If your load is shooting itty bitty bug holes but the velocity is lower than what you expected don't worry about it! I'll take those bug holes over velocity any day.

If I were using a chronograph every time I went to the range like some of these guys do I'd probably buy the CED. Quite frankly though after I get the rifle humming I only periodically re-check after about every 500 rounds, or after something seems amiss, otherwise my chrony just gathers dust on the shelf.

Danny

 

[AlNyhus]

I've had great luck with the Competition Electronics Pro Chrono. The can be bought for around $100 most places and are reliable and repeatable. The new models have a better diffuser setup than my older model. For sunny days and when the sun angle gets severe, I use a cheap furnace filter in place of the individual diffusers...works great!

Pro Chrono

 

[Hipshot]

Chuck,

The IR unit replaces ambient lighting that's used to create a light colored background for the sensors to read. The shadow of the bullet is what triggers the timer in the chronograph. Indoor lighting is generally awful in creating an even white/light colored background, even with the difusers in place. Strong incandescent light is needed. Florescent lighting generally doesn't work, either. The IR creates it's own even light colored,albeit in the IR range) so that the small bullet traveling at 4,000 fps can register. I use it outdoors because where our range is situated, the sun is at an angle whereby the shadow of the shooting house covers the sensors, creating a dark rather than light background for the sensor to try and pick up the dark shadow of the bullet. Also, in conditions of severe overcast or shifting clouds/sun can cause misreadings. The IR unit eliminates all the factors that can cause misreading or no readings. It's the best 89 bucks I've put into the chronograph; more better than a printer!

 

[chuckw2]

Thanks for the reply Hipshot. That explains some weird readings that I get every now and then with my crono.


Chuck