Let's talk about chronographs that will work with iOS

[TacticalJanitor]

I’m not familiar with Montana, never been there, and don’t own either of the chronographs you’re looking at but I have researched them a bit one thing to keep in mind about any optical chronograph is you have to shoot across the optical plane and it’s really only reliable when you’re shooting level with the sensors. Angles tend to result in missed readings. You should leave a good gap between your bullets path and the chrony but there’s a limit to the gap. Also, the optics need to be a safe distance from the muzzle blast - typically 3ft max for my cheap little Chrony F1 - and I can’t say I know the answer for either one of your choices but the Doppler radar will not have any of those limitations. Just food for thought.

Thanks for these points. My intuition is telling me that I would not enjoy tinkering with an optical chrono, and you are helping to confirm that suspicion.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Thanks for these points. My intuition is telling me that I would not enjoy tinkering with an optical chrono, and you are helping to confirm that suspicion.

just don’t shoot it

 

[Varminterror]

@TacticalJanitor - I own a ProChrono Digital, a LabRadar, and a MagnetoSpeed V3, and used to have a couple other models, like an old Ohler, a couple Shooting Chrony models like the Beta Master, and I forget the model with the shot timer circuitry... I wouldn't buy anything again except the LabRadar and Magnetospeed.

One option you may not have considered - I do a LOT of SD/MicroSD/USB to iOS transfers, even among devices which offer bluetooth communication.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My intuition is telling me that I would not enjoy tinkering with an optical chrono, and you are helping to confirm that suspicion.

After your take out the ProChrono and attach it to a tripod, most folks also set up the guide wires and sunshades.

Besides holding up the sun shades, the wire give you a "V" shape that you should be shooting through...hopefully straight on and level with...while it is 10 feet from your muzzle.
Sometimes the wind catches the sun shades and they act like sails to tip the chrono over.

The only setup for the Labradar is to mount it to a tripod. You need to have the muzzle of your pistol beside and next to the unit. You'd really have to work hard to shoot it. The other nice thing is that it reads velocity at various distances down range...since it's radar

 

[lordpaxman]

Does anyone here own and use the LabRadar setup? If you do, does it work with iOS in 2023?

Yes, and Yes.
Before the Labradar, I had a ProChrono DLX and bought the separate add on Bluetooth module. Their app has matured pretty well. My son now has this.
Labradar’s first attempt at an app was a do-over, but their latest works better and is usable.
Both can export data. You have to with the ProChrono, but the Labradar also has an SD capability that will capture the info and you can use that to transfer data if you so desire.

I find it easier to setup the Labradar than the ProChrono, but both can be done fairly quickly. Since I shoot individual targets for each test load while gathering data I would have to make sure I aligned the “V” shaped portion of the ProChrono sensors correctly which took the majority of the time. With the Labradar you need to make sure it’s “focused” on the target since its radar beam is quite tight.
A 10 or 20 yard pistol target wasn’t too much trouble, but the 100 or 200 yard rifle targets was a bit more of a problem for the ProChono setup.

I had more questionable readings with the ProChrono than the Labradar, but in both cases I recommend firing a small group of known factory ammo as a test group first to make sure the setup gathers valid data.

If you get the ProChono, I’d also recommend a boo-boo plate, so you don’t have to post “I shot my chrono” when the next “I shot my chrono” thread starts. It’s only a matter of time.

With the most recent Labradar app, and firmware updates, I still occasionally, but not often get a Bluetooth disconnect for some unknown reason. Since I have an SD card in it, the app will reconnect without any issue, and transfer all applicable data. It can happen with iPhone or iPad.

Having used both, I would let you have my ProChrono, but not the Labradar.

 

[Kaldor]

Yup, I can imagine brother! I get paid to fight with other people's tech issues, and would rather not have any of my own.

It may be a moot comparison. Some Googling indicates that I can't buy a Labradar with Bluetooth these days.

I prefer my personal electronics to be drama free

But you can buy a LabRadar without Bluetooth, but I feel that kinda defeats the purpose. Its like they let an engineer build the interface on the machine without user input...
Engineers know best am I right? Great product, awful interface on the chrono itself and only slightly better with the app.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I prefer my personal electronics to be drama free

But you can buy a LabRadar without Bluetooth, but I feel that kinda defeats the purpose. Its like they let an engineer build the interface on the machine without user input...
Engineers know best am I right? Great product, awful interface on the chrono itself and only slightly better with the app.

Overheard in the inspection cage, “Absolutely remarkable engineering.... too bad it doesn’t work.”
The device in question was a digital tape measure with readout to the 4th decimal.

 

[mkl]

Although I don't yet have a good understanding on the relationship between sunshine, weather, and traditional chronos...it sounds like there might be a lot of days that I wouldn't be able to reliably collect data. It rains quite a bit here too, and is often very windy at the range.

Radar does not depend on sunlight, most weather, wind, etc. It generates its own pulse as opposed to depending on one from other sources such as the sun, the weather, etc. as most of the other chronographs do. Also, you can't accidentally shoot it !!!

Edit: Although I don't have one, I understand that the Labradar will save data to a micro thumb drive which can then be removed and inserted into a computer and the file transferred. If so, your computer should be able to link with your smart phone via blue tooth and get the information into your phone.

 

[lordpaxman]

Edit: Although I don't have one, I understand that the Labradar will save data to a micro thumb drive which can then be removed and inserted into a computer and the file transferred. If so, your computer should be able to link with your smart phone via blue tooth and get the information into your phone.

That would be one way to transfer the data, however, the app does transfer the data from the Labradar unit to the device running the app. The app also allows you to export that data. The SD card can be used in whatever way you’d like.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

With the most recent Labradar app, and firmware updates, I still occasionally, but not often get a Bluetooth disconnect for some unknown reason. Since I have an SD card in it, the app will reconnect without any issue, and transfer all applicable data. It can happen with iPhone or iPad.

Having used both, I would let you have my ProChrono, but not the Labradar.

Great info. I accept that sometimes things stop working. What I'd like to avoid is 15 minutes of restarting, repairing, recursing, etc., when I'm trying to shoot.

The tip about keeping the SD card in increase the likelihood of reconnection is awesome.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

Thanks All for the genuine user input! I think I'm going to put this project on hold until Labradar can again supply the BT units, or I can find one on the second hand market.

If I find that I can't wait, then it will be the DLX.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

@lordpaxman , do you use the app to arm and disarm the device? Or do you use the wired setup?

Another thing I wonder about, is that if I set the Labradar on one side of my shooting table, and have the pistol rest on the other side, will any jiggling (and/or recoil) mess with Labradar sighting at 25 yards? If so, maybe a tripod will be the best option for my needs.

It's not a chintzy table, but I wouldn't try to perform surgery on it either.

 

[d31tc]

I have the ProChrono DLX and my shooting buddy has the Labradar. I'm an android person and he's an Apple person

The Labradar is easier to lug around, easier to set up, and there is less danger of killing it with a stray shot. The biggest thing for us is that the Labradar is more consistent in it's readings and less affected by lighting conditions...plus you can use it indoors if that is your desire. He makes adjustments on his unit using his iPhone

The DLX is simple to use as there aren't many settings to play with. It is more sensitive to the wind...easier to blow over.

We usually use his, just for the speed of setup and accuracy of the readings. We use our chronos whenever we tweak our loads or try new powder or change guns we're competing with...so not usually more than a couple of times a week during our 4 month off season

Did you use the DLX and Labradar at the same time? If so, what was the typical difference or error in velocity of DLX relative to the Labradar?

 

[9mmepiphany]

If so, maybe a tripod will be the best option for my needs.

Use a mini table top tripod https://www.amazon.com/Ruittos-Tabl...qid=1680562209&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-2

 

[9mmepiphany]

If so, what was the typical difference or error in velocity of DLX relative to the Labradar?

Nothing worth mentioning.

My comment about being "more consistent in it's readings and less affected by lighting conditions" was in reference to error readings/non readings due to lighting

 

[tlakose]

I got the DLX as well. Got a cheap tripod on Amazon and set it up. Throws all the data to my phone and I mess with it later. I like how it graphs your shots and gives you everything you need to know.

 

[lordpaxman]

do you use the app to arm and disarm the device? Or do you use the wired setup?

I use the LabRadar app to arm and disarm. I’m not sure what you mean by “wired”, as the other way to arm/disarm is on the LabRadar unit itself via a button. I try to disarm the unit when I go downrange although there have been times when I get back and the thing is armed…. Gotta start wearing that tinfoil hat.

Another thing I wonder about, is that if I set the Labradar on one side of my shooting table, and have the pistol rest on the other side, will any jiggling (and/or recoil) mess with Labradar sighting at 25 yards?

My experience on different tables shows that the LabRadar will tolerate some motion. My current table is not sturdy and jiggles. I suspect limited motion won’t affect readings due to the frequency of the radar beam, but if the motion moves the beam out of bullet path, that would be an issue. The beam is cone shaped so it would take a bit to do that.
The biggest problem I had with motion is the USB micro cable would move slightly and interrupt power to the unit. That was using a bigger rifle with a muzzle break, and I had a wooden shield setup to protect the unit from muzzle blast. I purchased a better right angle USB cable and that seems to work better.

 

[TacticalJanitor]

I use the LabRadar app to arm and disarm. I’m not sure what you mean by “wired”, as the other way to arm/disarm is on the LabRadar unit itself via a button. I try to disarm the unit when I go downrange although there have been times when I get back and the thing is armed…. Gotta start wearing that tinfoil hat.


My experience on different tables shows that the LabRadar will tolerate some motion. My current table is not sturdy and jiggles. I suspect limited motion won’t affect readings due to the frequency of the radar beam, but if the motion moves the beam out of bullet path, that would be an issue. The beam is cone shaped so it would take a bit to do that.
The biggest problem I had with motion is the USB micro cable would move slightly and interrupt power to the unit. That was using a bigger rifle with a muzzle break, and I had a wooden shield setup to protect the unit from muzzle blast. I purchased a better right angle USB cable and that seems to work better.

Oh, I thought they sold a wired remote trigger (button) for arming and disarming. In any case, I'd rather not be monkeying around with wires at the range.

Maybe some sticky velcro would allow you to attach the external power brick to the backside of the Labradar without causing problems? It might make both units wiggle together on the table.

Thanks for the info Sir.