What do you guys think about this chronograph?
- Thread starter dennisH87
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bluetopper
Member
I ordered/won that one off ebay a couple of years ago and it has performed and suited me well. I didn't need all the fancy stuff and just wanted one that would read out the shot. I'm happy with mine.
mkl
Member
From all I've heard a very decent chronograph.
I would suggest that you get the model that has the remote readout so you can have the display on your shooting bench. Much better than having to lay down your gun and walk up to the chrono to read it, which you will want to do after each shot when developing loads. [If velocity too high, then pressure too high and you want to know this after the first shot, not at the end of an overpressure string.]
I have the Pact I, and the remote readout is very handy.
I would suggest that you get the model that has the remote readout so you can have the display on your shooting bench. Much better than having to lay down your gun and walk up to the chrono to read it, which you will want to do after each shot when developing loads. [If velocity too high, then pressure too high and you want to know this after the first shot, not at the end of an overpressure string.]
I have the Pact I, and the remote readout is very handy.
Furncliff
Member
I have The Alpha Master. I was pleasantly surprised with all the useful features. The chrony works great and I recommend the remote read-out.
ranger335v
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- 3,797
Well...it's cheap enough.
matrem
Member
Have owned one since,approx 95-96?Put it through "its share"of bullets & arrows.It always"closely agreed",when compared to several other chronographs(including some far more expensive ones).I have to say though,some other trusted sources haven't had quite the same success with their Chronys.Any time that you buy based on price,feel fortunate when your equipment works as well as the "top of the line" stuff.
Asherdan
Member
I have an F-1 Master right now and never had a problem with it. Just pay attention to set up and make sure it's fully opened so the sensor gap is correct.
Bruce H.
Member
I have had an F1 Chrony for about four years now. It works fine for evaluating new loads. The only problem that I ever had with it is that you need to make sure that the sensors are not in direct sunlight. It comes with shields, but if the sun is not directly overhead the shields can be ineffective. I tape cardboard to the shields to ensure that the sensors are shaded.
GearHead_1
Member
I have the BetaMaster and it's been a fine chrony.
Novus Collectus
Member
I have the cheapest Chrony and even though I only used it about a half dozen times so far, I more than got my money's worth the very first time IMO.
I don't know how accurate it is down to the foot per second, but it works fine enough for what I need to know and all those extra features would have been wasted on me unless I used it on a regular basis or for extensive testing sessions.
If one is just curious and just wants something to start off with to get an idea to see if they want to get more involved, then the cheapest Chrony is the way to go IMO.
I don't know how accurate it is down to the foot per second, but it works fine enough for what I need to know and all those extra features would have been wasted on me unless I used it on a regular basis or for extensive testing sessions.
If one is just curious and just wants something to start off with to get an idea to see if they want to get more involved, then the cheapest Chrony is the way to go IMO.
35 Whelen
Member
I've owned 3 or 4 different brands of chronographs since the late 80's. My first was an old ProTach (if I remember correctly). It was OK, but the readout was on the unit, and you had to go to the unit to reset it. I also owned a Pact PC2 and it was an awesome chronograph. No problems at all, other than it is kind of outdated now. This particular unit was stolen out of my vehicle.
I currently own a Chrony Beta Master and have owned it for probably 5 years or so. I don't mean to be the odd man out, but it's a piece of excrement. EXTREMELY sensitive to light conditions. It's to the point where I have to shoot very, very close over the top of the the sensors to get readings, and it's almost impossible for me to fire a string without getting false/inaccurate readings. Getting velocity readings with small caliber bullets such as .22's is out of the question. I've piddled with it, cleaned, adjusted, etc. and it still doesn't work well. The user interface, while useable, is very confusing and just...well...a pain in the a$$.
Last year, my Pop bought a CED Milennium chronograph as he became disgusted with our Chrony. I've yet to use it and it's still in the box, but it'll soon be coming out so I can chrono loads for my 358 Norma prior to elk season. This chronograph also has available infrared screens which work in ANY light conditions INCLUDING total darkness!
35W
I currently own a Chrony Beta Master and have owned it for probably 5 years or so. I don't mean to be the odd man out, but it's a piece of excrement. EXTREMELY sensitive to light conditions. It's to the point where I have to shoot very, very close over the top of the the sensors to get readings, and it's almost impossible for me to fire a string without getting false/inaccurate readings. Getting velocity readings with small caliber bullets such as .22's is out of the question. I've piddled with it, cleaned, adjusted, etc. and it still doesn't work well. The user interface, while useable, is very confusing and just...well...a pain in the a$$.
Last year, my Pop bought a CED Milennium chronograph as he became disgusted with our Chrony. I've yet to use it and it's still in the box, but it'll soon be coming out so I can chrono loads for my 358 Norma prior to elk season. This chronograph also has available infrared screens which work in ANY light conditions INCLUDING total darkness!
35W
Asherdan
Member
This makes me think you got a lemon that has sensor issues. As standard practice, me and my other range buddies start off our chronys by running 22lr over them from a standard rifle or pistol with a known velocity load. I've used the same Federal bulk pack for this for a couple of years now. 3-5 rounds over will let you know if theres something wrong with your setup without pi$$ing away centerfire factory or handloads that co$t you. I've caught low battery issues and dirty sensor lenses this way. Regardless, I've never had an issue from .223 to .458.
The only hassle I've had with mine is muzzle blast/ejecta. I have no problem with my own if I get it out to 12' for rifle. On a crowded weekend the big boomers off to either side of me can give me error readings, however. Have to pay attention to the neighbors and time my shooting around theirs is all.
.38 Special
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- Sep 15, 2006
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I have a fairly expensive PACT chrono with all the bells and whistles. My shooting buddy has the cheapest Chrony available. It takes me 15 minutes to set mine up. It takes him about a minute and a half. Mine gives me a lot more information than his, most of which is useless to me. His reads the same velocities mine does, and gives the same three truly useful numbers. Someday I am going to sell my PACT and buy a Chrony.
GearHead_1
Member
I Chronograph both .223 and 22-250, I've never had a problem using the BetaMaster to do this. Me thinks you got a lemon. One of my friends did manage to shoot one of the diffuser rods but that was an easy fix.
ForneyRider
Member
I have the Beta model.
Works great from .22-250(3913fps woohoo!) to 375H&H and 380ACP to 45ACP.
Shot in middle of day.
Had some issues with H110 and 41 magnum. But I moved back some more and it was fine.
Works great from .22-250(3913fps woohoo!) to 375H&H and 380ACP to 45ACP.
Shot in middle of day.
Had some issues with H110 and 41 magnum. But I moved back some more and it was fine.
Novus Collectus
Member
When I first got my Chrony I couldn't get to the range for a while and I was itching to try it out so I set it up and shot a .177 pellet through it out of a 1,000 fps spring piston air rifle. It gave a reading ok.
My USPSA shooting friends discouraged me from buying a Chrony with several horror stories. I ended up with a CED Digitial Chronograph which was about the same price and has been amazing so far with everything from a little .177 pellet rifle to all my pistols.
matrem
Member
My Chrony has read thousands of arrows,bullets,and yes .177 pellets.(could never get it to read BBs.)Lately it's been giving a lot of "weird" readings,last week,a buddys .50 Encore ML "spit one out" at 6013 fps!!After the years of hard use,can't complain.The next chronograph I purchase,(which may be soon) will probably be another Chrony.As I've stated earlier though,some others I know haven't had the same luck with them as I have.
GearHead_1
Member
I'm probably asking the painfully obvious but have you tried a new battery?
matrem
Member
Gearhead, Yep,that was the 1st "fix" that didn't work.Am not at all complaining,haven't contacted Chrony yet,probably will.Mine has done a LOT of "work",& how much should a sub $100 chronograph endure?
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