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Which Chronograph to buy?

I am looking to buy a chrono for load developement...

I know the 35P is the one I would like to have but____$$$and no longer made....

What are your thoughts on:
Shooting chrony Beta master
Competition Electronics- Pro-chrono digital
Pact- Pro XP

Thanks
 
I also own a CED, I've been very happy with it.

A buddy briefly owned a Shooting Chrony Beta and didn't work well. About half the numbers either didn't make sense, the sun was an issue or it just missed the shot.
 
Can you tell me "WHY" the CED is so good? I have a PACT and I like it. How would I know this CED is better? I mean I shoot my rounds through it, and it spits out 3150, 3072, 3092, 3142.....

Does this mean my loading is not up to par? or that my machine is not as good? I'll admit my chrono is about 15 years old... and I wanted to try to get one that interfaces with my pc,which accorind to the CED it does), but what makes it more accurate that any other?

Not trying to poke holes in your opinions... just trying to buy me a new chronograph and get a good one at the same time.
 
I am not saying your pact is inaccurate. I had a pact since I think about 1994. Recently it would not read shots except for about 1 out of 6. I borrowed my friends pact scy screens and it improved to 1 out of about 3. I bought a new CED M2. It reads all of my shots and gives almost identical readings that I had from my pact. Because the price is only $200, it gives readings almost identical to the same ammo shot over other chronos, is easy to use and has good customer support is why I recommended it. From my experence around other avid shooters most of the chronographs out there give accurate readings. I do miss not being able to print out my data and staple it to my targets at the range like I could with my pact. I have to print the data at home and attach it to my targets or log it into my reloading notes. There are less expensive chronos out there and I think they do give accurate readings. By no means are the CED M2 the only good chrono.
 
P1, I wasn't trying to knock bad on the Pact, I've never used,or even seen one for that matter).

I've just been really happy with my CED.
 
Not a scientific based reason, but I didnt like my Pact. Never seemed to give really accurate readings and was finicky with light, etc. When I "accidentally" ran over it with the truck, I didnt cry a bit and just went and ordered a CED M2.....doesnt seem to have the issues that the Pact had....go figure!

YMMV
John
 
willyCJ said:
P1, I wasn't trying to knock bad on the Pact, I've never used,or even seen one for that matter).

I've just been really happy with my CED.

Never took it as a knock. no harm done.... just have been wanting a new one ever since my dad got a little too close to one of the sides, and now it's .243 shorter if you know what I mean. I know I can get new plastic for $30, but it's a whole lot more fun to buy a new one. I also was thinking about synching it with the PC, but I'm not sure of the Plus/minus effect of not being able to print on demand as I can with my Pact.

So far,in 15+ years) my pact still catches nearly every shot, so that is not an issue with mine,knocking on wood here).
 
I have a ProChrono and so far so good,only about a month old). I went round and round with the OWNER of Shooting Chrony and I can say is that insulting the purchaser is not a good business practice. The Shooting Chrony *never* worked right yet they wanted $84 for a "trade in." I would avoid Shooting Chrony.
 
I have an Oehler M35 with 3 sky screens mounted on a precisely measured 8 foot rail. The CED M2 measures within 1-2 fps when rounds are fired thru both units in tandem,the downrange one reads 1-2 fps less).
I carry the CED to the range now because it's much more convenient to transport, and has proven accuracy and precision.
One day when the sun was really bright, and the ground covered in snow, it gave me readings about 400 fps slow for a few shots in a row, then went back to normal. I've heard of others having problems with their CED's in extremely bright conditions as well. They have the solution, the infrared skyscreens which are supposed to work in any light condition, even total darkness. The IR's are expensive and less convenient because they need to be powered either with a battery pack or AC but I think they would fix the 'bright day' problem that the conventional screens have.
Like I said earlier, I can't comment on the Pact. I had a cheap shooting chrony many years ago and I doubt it was very accurate. The Pro version might be better.
Good luck,
-Bryan
 
I just want to pitch in here, so no one makes the same mistake as I did.

Bottom line: Spend your money wisely and don't look real close at the Shooting Chrony's. The screens are junk and depending on the caliber, I may get a reading or may get an "ERR" code...50/50 chance. I'm sick of it!

I just did a search and the CED M2 looks pretty sweet!

CED M2
 
I never owned a Chronograph before, but decided to get one this past summer. Did a bit of research and decided on the CED M2.

I didn't get the IR screens, but as long as I'm not in the shade too badly, it works well.

I'm happy with mine.
 
The CED M2 has a large memory and can be downloaded to a PC very easily with the included software. I works well and the only strange readings I have had with it was when the 9V battery was nearly dead,12 months old). Keep fresh batteries in it and enjoy using a truly great chrono.

I built my own infra-red light source from 18 IR LEDS in series with a 100 ohm resistor,2 IR screens = 36 LEDS) and powered from a 24V volt battery source. I used 2 mini SLA 12V batteries in series for the 24V supply. It works great, I even chrono'd my sons .177 air rifle at 780fps.

The IR screens I made attach to the underside of the CED's sky screens. I might have to give the info for a DIY project if there is interest.
 
I have had virtually every Chrono out there, inclduing the 35P which I still have, this works pretty well but I had to replace the head unit and it still just "prints" when it wants too, also had problems with one of the skyscreens, it also "eats" batteries.

I then purchased a Kurzeit all bells and whistles which is great on Mains power BUT the daisy chain 6v battery deal just does not work so useless on an outdoor range.

next down the line is the PACT with the IR kit, started good but then failed on several occasions even in good light, I have just given up on this as I used it in a tunnel range recently with the IR and it read consistently 200FPS higher than it should, initially I thought I was onto something with a .284 and N560/Berger 180's but alass no !

So final purchase will be the CED M2 I hope and pray it works as well as people say, I am now officially a "Chrono" collector!
 
OK, so if I accept that the CED M2 may be the "best" available today; does anybody have an idea where is the best place to buy one please? The best I have seen so far is Sinclair. They sell it for $38 less than Brownells. Same ownership, go figure?!
 
I had an opportunity to place a Chrony Master in front of my Ohler 35 P and was impressed, It gave the same Numbers and was a lot easier to set up. If I had to purchase a replacement today I wouldn't hesitate on the Chrony Master
 
At the SHOT show I stopped at the Oehler booth and asked Ken Oehler,again) about the 35P. He always points out they SUSPENDED production, not stopped, leaving the door open.
For sure other items are more profitable for his company.
 

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