Short-list of "best" and "best value" chronographs?

[Halimar]

One of the remaining items needed to complete my assemblage of reloading equipment is a chronograph. I'd like to get a high quality unit, but depending on the price I'd probably not want to pay much extra for bleeding-edge technology, or something with "all the bells and whistles". I've read that there are some excellent new models available that are easy to operate (very important for me) and represent good values for the money. But are they durable, and is one brand the "standard" more so than another?

I found a couple of links on the forum that talk about the "best chronograph", but they are either a couple of years old, or start with the person posting asking about a particular brand/model (maybe one they'd already purchased and were having problems with it). And I found a link about one at: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/01/shot-show-oehler-model-35p-chronograph-lives-on/. However, there's a comment made by a reader posted below the write-up that claims that, as good as the featured unit is, it is old technology. Besides, it's a bit spendy for my budget.

I would greatly appreciate your recommendation(s) for something that fits this bill.

Thanks.

Hal

 

[284driver]

I have a ced millennium 2 with additional infrared sensors. Excellent chrony in my opinion. Keeps track of many strings. I can't remember the exact stats.
Friend has the pact chrony with the printer and bullet database but it petered out after 2 years and minimal use.

 

[fdshuster]

Not recommended is the Chrony 1. I've been (trying) to use it for years with mostly failures. Take it out, spend a lot of time setting it up, get maybe 15 or 20 "correct" ( who can say for sure) readings, then be looking at zero's.

Unit was sent back to the maker & they returned it claiming it was perfect. Followed all their directions for trouble shooting, sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

Very frustrating, mostly a waste of expensive ammunition, barrel life & time.

And, no I'm not spending $600 for an Ohler.

 

[bdale]

I have a Competition Electronics that works great ,they go for around 100.00 and are simple to set up in-fact i leave mine assembled all the time. i just take it off the tripod set in floorboard or back of truck with the rest of my stuff. You can see a lot of reviews on them on Midway USA site.

 

[ReedG]

Like my Chrony. I make no claims to it's accuracy. It does what I want and does it well with no problems in years (except that time a Speer TNT gave up the ghost leaving the barrel of my .22-250 and made the Chrony look like it had been in a raid over Berlin in WWII). It's just a method of comparing one load to another: faster/slower, higher/lower SD, etc. If it was "exactly" 3,247 fps doesn't matter to me.

 

[shooterjon]

Ohler 35 P-I have had mine for 2 trouble free years now and rely on it constantly.Must admit to having 2 other brands,CED & a Chroney and they also worked well.
Just like the idea of the 3rd. sky screen acting as a velocity checker.
Just my thoughts hope this was helpful!

 

[Joe C]

This past spring I bought an Ohler 35P to use here at my shop. I've used is several times now and like it very much. Personally I didn't have much experience with others, only having used friends from time to time but I had an excuse for buying the Ohler, as it is used for part of my business, and saw no reason not to spend the money (read: tax write off) and get it.

It has been very consistent. It comes in a very easy to set up package and has been very enjoyable to use. Also the people at Ohler were great to talk to and deal with, which means something in my book.