ChargeMaster Link

[GW Staar]

RCBS has just introduced another ChargeMaster. Pre-order only so far....supposedly shipping late July. On their site it's listed at $350 with free shipping. It's called ChargeMaster Link because it comes with a Bluetooth app to link it to your phone?????

https://www.rcbs.com/priming-and-po...ink-electronic-powder-dispenser/16-98944.html

I know a lot of people use and love the original ChargeMasters and the Lite version, but I've never felt the need for either, mostly using a Uniflow and a 10-10 scale for my loading.....nor do I load to compete.

But I'm curious....have I missed anything, really, for what I do? And Why would you want to use a WiFi connection to your phone? Always learning......

 

[25-5]

I only dump for pistol. The ChargeMaster has been great for loading rifle and .38 S&W.
I do reload a lot though. For me it was money well spent.
As to WiFi. Not for me, since only my big toe is in the 21st century.

 

[EricBu]

I am a gadget junky, and my house is filled with wifi and bt devices........but a reloading scale? What in the everloving f*&k for? Where's the gain, other than charging a hundred bucks more? I see absolutely zero value in programming my scale from my phone? I have a standard Chargemaster Lite, and use it for long range precision rounds, and absolutely love it...but not once did I say, "jeez, if I only I could change that powder charge from my phone, instead of just reaching over and doing it on the scale". <smdh> this is 100% purely a gimmick to suck in the knot tops and neck beards new to reloading.

 

[bullseye308]

Lots of folks will get it just for the WiFi so they can put another app in their phone to play with. It may be a little more convenient, or a little more problematic, that will vary from user to user. I bought the Hornady one a couple years ago and it keeps up with me loading on a single stage. I have no need or use for anything else for the way I load. It will probably work just fine and do what it is supposed to for most users, just like any other RCBS product.

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

I don't "do" "apps" or connect anything "smart" to my network. Original ChargeMaster is a fine piece of kit if +/- 0.05gr is acceptable. I don't use mine much anymore though since I figured out how to get the Dillon PMs to work right. PASS!

Thanks for the heads up though. Been curious why they were discounting the old models so much, when price of reloading gear is at a high.

 

[JD Fla1]

I'm checking out this too, since I'm in the market for the lite version. I have one in a cart.
The app for it, I guess, will do all the load workups, recording what ever you do, and keep it for your records.
Is that what the regular chargemaster does in its unit?
I seen a price for it already at 299. I'll hold out till this is actually released and tested by users, not hyped up big name you tube tubers
oh, and I would install the app to an old tablet I have and keep it in my reload bench area, since my eyes would get weary looking at a phone screen

 

[Boomholzer]

Its most likely BLE or Bluetooth Low Energy. Basically "Bluetooth lite" for non-audio, all your smartphones support it. Whether or not its worth anything depends on the phone App design and the User Interface. The potential is there for a better UI vs a LCD and a membrane keypad.
I understand the lack of enthusiasm. This is basically what I do for a living; design embedded BT, BLE, WIFI, Lora, 802.15.4, etc. solutions into consumer product designs. Sometimes it belongs, sometimes its comical, sometimes its a bit improper. I have stories.

If there was a CM that didn't wander as much and didn't require so many periodic recalibrations I would be more interested. I do not trust the e-scale. Maybe they improved it.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

For $27 over the Lite, I'll give it a shot if I decide to add another Chargemaster. The value I see in the Bluetooth functionality is saving load data. Depends on the app they put out for it, but if it's well done, I'd get some benefit from it.

The other side of this is the updated features over the Lite. Seems RCBS applied some lessons learned from the Lite and the Matchmaster, and I'd bet that will translate to quicker and more accurate throws.

Suppose I better grow my top knot and my neck beard out...

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I am a caveman, would pay more to NOT have blue tooth or anything like that in a reloading device. I reload to get away from tech stuff.

 

[JimGnitecki]

The bluetooth connection is a bigger deal than most guys think. I glanced at the example photo of the cellphone display screen they show. That screen seems to allow you to very quickly and easily adjust the dispensing rate! That will allow a user to go slower for difficult-to-throw-accurately powders and faster for easy powders. Others have already mentioned the automatic recordkeeping advantages. It is possible that it MIGHT also make the calibration process a lot easier and faster to execute (I can never remember the proper sequence for doing each steo on my Chargemaster Lite and have to open the manual).

Anytime you can substitute an iPhone interface and its REAL computer for the limited interface capabilities of consumer electronics unit itself, that is a BIG win (think about how hard it is to simply reset the time on your car's clock without Bluetooth!).

Finally, you're getting the Bluetooth basically for free given the low list price. And, no one forces you to use the Bluetooth if you don't want to.

I view the Bluetooth as a free "big plus". I wish it had been around when I bought my Chargemaster Lite a few months ago.

Jim G

 

[GW Staar]

I appreciate the educational replies.....I'm certainly a caveman where a blue tooth connected powder trickler is concerned. I built my own computer to use Autocad version 2, before there was anything much on the market that could run it.......but since then computers have evolved way faster than my intellect..... I mean Autocad is up to version 30 if they kept the early naming.....my brain? Probably version 4......and no I couldn't build a computer now.....my old home built was probably less powerful than today's smart watches.

 

[lordpaxman]

Tagging in as interested. The unit shows Bluetooth, not WiFi, these are two different wireless technologies. While they have a keypad on this unit and you certainly can hit buttons to dispense powder, instrumenting the unit and connecting to a software app gives them the ability to present another presumably better interface. And one they can change over time, hopefully while listening to customer input. Good luck.

 

[Rule3]

I guess if you are into bells and whistles, spending money all for 0.1 grain accuracy.??
Never saw a need for a electronic powder measure??

But these days think of all the bells and whistles on cars! Heck you can get enabled water faucets, water heater, AC units etc,

But the main thing is , does it come with a sexy female voice you can give directions to and ask her to load xyz grains of Blamo powder??

 

[GW Staar]

Tagging in as interested. The unit shows Bluetooth, not WiFi, these are two different wireless technologies. .......

I know the difference, but I also make more typos than I ever did....age deteriorates everything....short range radio computer connection.....my favorite version is in my car so I can listen to books on tape to lessen the boredom on road trips. Again I appreciate those who splained how it might organize the powder loading step of reloading. Heaven knows these days, I also need organizing and a bluetooth connection between my brain and my press too.

 

[unwashed]

It's just another way of tracking you. But it seems people don't care!

 

[JimGnitecki]

It's just another way of tracking you. But it seems people don't care!

Range of Bluetooth is measured in feet, not miles.

Jim G

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

Range of Bluetooth is measured in feet, not miles.

Jim G

You may not be familiar with surveillance; exploitation of google and apple records of who downloaded firearm related apps for phones has been a subject of privacy debate. It's not the use of bluetooth, but the use of the app itself.

 

[JimGnitecki]

You may not be familiar with surveillance; exploitation of google and apple records of who downloaded firearm related apps for phones has been a subject of privacy debate. It's not the use of bluetooth, but the use of the app itself.

That's a valid point, BUT The Government ALREADY knows you have a firearm by virtue of the background check that is done each time you purchase a firearm. Some states have more stringent recordkeeping as well, including ammo purchases. Here in Canada for example, you need a Firearms license to buy ammunition.

From that perspective, the app on your iPhone is rather inconsequential.

Jim G

 

[SingleActionAndrew]

That's a valid point, BUT The Government ALREADY knows you have a firearm by virtue of the background check that is done each time you purchase a firearm. Some states have more stringent recordkeeping as well, including ammo purchases. Here in Canada for example, you need a Firearms license to buy ammunition.

From that perspective, the app on your iPhone is rather inconsequential.

Jim G

In my state too I must apply for a license and get a nightly background check to keep it to procure and store ammunition as well.

There are a lot more parties involved than the government when we start talking about apps on the phone.

Apple may claim to be pro privacy (who knows what actual practice is) but Google (Android) is explicitly in the business of monetizing every piece of data they can get their hands on.

I don't want anti-gun activists, criminals, credit agencies, political campaigns etc to be able to buy information such as precise GPS coordinates of where I reload and how many thousands of throws a weekend/week/month/year I put through the chargemaster. And whether Apple or Google phone, most apps these days are a bunch of third party code glued together and 3rd party infrastructure that all themselves have a financial incentive to sell the data they interact with to provide the service.

Now, it could be that the app doesn't collect or share any information (so perhaps only the google play market is at issue). But that would be an exception to the norm these days!

 

[jebova2301]

In my state too I must apply for a license and get a nightly background check to keep it to procure and store ammunition as well.

There are a lot more parties involved than the government when we start talking about apps on the phone.

Apple may claim to be pro privacy (who knows what actual practice is) but Google (Android) is explicitly in the business of monetizing every piece of data they can get their hands on.

I don't want anti-gun activists, criminals, credit agencies, political campaigns etc to be able to buy information such as precise GPS coordinates of where I reload and how many thousands of throws a weekend/week/month/year I put through the chargemaster. And whether Apple or Google phone, most apps these days are a bunch of third party code glued together and 3rd party infrastructure that all themselves have a financial incentive to sell the data they interact with to provide the service.

Now, it could be that the app doesn't collect or share any information (so perhaps only the google play market is at issue). But that would be an exception to the norm these days!

For the specific application, turn off background data, disable wifi, disable data usage, and you're set.

 

[Dale Alan]

I am a gadget junky, and my house is filled with wifi and bt devices........but a reloading scale? What in the everloving f*&k for? Where's the gain, other than charging a hundred bucks more? I see absolutely zero value in programming my scale from my phone? I have a standard Chargemaster Lite, and use it for long range precision rounds, and absolutely love it...but not once did I say, "jeez, if I only I could change that powder charge from my phone, instead of just reaching over and doing it on the scale". <smdh> this is 100% purely a gimmick to suck in the knot tops and neck beards new to reloading.

Cute little names . I thought there was an age requirement for this forum ?

 

[Dale Alan]

Take off the tinfoil hats boys, or maybe just move along so the rest of us can learn about this new product .

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

This reminds me of the Frankford Arsenal by adding the bluetooth. My FA had to be sent back but they sent me a replacement quickly and it is the fastest and second most accurate against all I tested. And that is saying something because my Chargemaster has been heavily altered.
https://dayattherange.com/?p=6427

 

[Targa]

I am cheap and would forego the Bluetooth option but I do see some pretty cool advantages of it that were mentioned in this thread. As far a being tracked by technology, I have a superpower that makes me impervious to such tracking…..I am no where near important enough to be tracked…

 

[unwashed]

In my state too I must apply for a license and get a nightly background check to keep it to procure and store ammunition as well.

There are a lot more parties involved than the government when we start talking about apps on the phone.

Apple may claim to be pro privacy (who knows what actual practice is) but Google (Android) is explicitly in the business of monetizing every piece of data they can get their hands on.

I don't want anti-gun activists, criminals, credit agencies, political campaigns etc to be able to buy information such as precise GPS coordinates of where I reload and how many thousands of throws a weekend/week/month/year I put through the chargemaster. And whether Apple or Google phone, most apps these days are a bunch of third party code glued together and 3rd party infrastructure that all themselves have a financial incentive to sell the data they interact with to provide the service.

Now, it could be that the app doesn't collect or share any information (so perhaps only the google play market is at issue). But that would be an exception to the norm these days!

TY, I couldn't of said it any better.