Might not be faster than the bluetooth might be.
Clunky is the word that comes to mind.
I don't mean to sound negative it's just that it could be so much better.
Chrono talks to the dongle with a stero mini jack cable (signal/ground???) Dongle plugs into USB port.
Some goodies in the dongle I am sure. (see driver ,pdf in the software--extract it from the exe you get when you extract that from the zip you download)
(it might just be a USB to serial converter which you can buy for about $10 but then you need the 25' mini jack cable, the you would have to split that to the correct pins on the RS232, solder etc)
I am sure there has to be software to sniff the serial port just like you can sniff packets on the LAN interface just need to find it and play with it if/when I have time.
If CED was to release some info on how the communication happens someone might actually write some better software for the shooting community for free.
(possibly even donate it to CED for distribution with the chrono)
And
NO it will not export multiple strings
When you export it will export whatever string you are on.
Haven't played with the bluetooth app but I bet it is almost a straight port of the USB PC/MAC software. (which came first)
Some thoughts on the software
The software works but could have been designed a lot better IMO.
It could be great with some work as is it is just adequate. (still a big improvement over the pen and paper method)
Chrono will hold 9 strings with I think 99 shots a string.
You can export a string but each string must be exported separately. PITA
It would be really nice if you could just tell it to start logging and have it log to a file until you tell it to stop. (maybe a check box to turn this on or off, autoname the file with something like system date results ... ask for a default location to save it and remember that location)
For example when you click the string change button write that string to a file. (you would need to add a box for sting name on the screen just like they have for bullet weight.) (No export/desc/filename bla bla to save the data. It would also be nice if it pulled the vels as shot instead of having to tell it to get the vels. Along this line it would be nice if it kept running stats for the string instead of having to click to get the stats.
I don't mean to sound negative about it, it works as advertised, it's just with a few minor changes it would be so much more user friendly.
The software seems to be depending on the chrono to do the work
Smart chrono, dumb software ????
All the chrono needs to do is pass the data along....
Also when you have of list of vels on the screen you can highlight one and click delete shot but it does not delete that shot.
I thing it just deletes the last (or first) shot in the string. (looked like rain so I wanted to get things done, need to double check which, I think last shot)
No way to report the data once exported.
Note to combine all the .csv files go to a command prompt C:> (or whatever drive letter) CD to the directory where they are located, C:> CD \reloading\chrono relsults (the folder/directory they are in)
copy *.csv outputfilename.csv
and bingo they are all combined.
I gave the export files all nice names like RMR 147gr Target HP 3.7 WSF OAL 1.10
no need, just put that in the comment. The files might as well be called, 1 ,2, 3, 4 etc if you are going to combine them.
Final verdict
All and all it is worth it if you do a lot of testing.
Maybe there will be some improvements made to the software down the road.
(one can always hope)
Would I buy it again, yes, would I recommend it, yes but I would point out the limitations to anyone thinking about it.
(Will read the manual again to see if I am missing something)
Example of .csv output opened in notepad
String:,2
Date:,2/28/2016
Time:,9:39:46 AM
Grains:,147
Hi Vel:,915
Low Vel:,858
Ave Vel:,894
Ext Spread:,57
Std Dev:,22
RMR 147 Target HP 1.10 OAL 3.7 WSF
Velocity,Power Factor,Ft/Lbs
890, 130.830, 258.523
858, 126.126, 240.267
911, 133.917, 270.867
915, 134.505, 273.251
896, 131.712, 262.020
Off thread but
Yuk icky ES and SD but the load shot well.
Charges as thrown with Lee Pro disk on cold damp day, Wondering if they are worse variation wise than what I normally get when loading when it is warm and dry. (will need to check)
