Which Chronagraph?

[SC_Dave]

From 50 to 500 dollars is a wide range. My budget is <200. Does anyone have a recommendation?
Thanks, David

 

[Walkalong]

It's cheap, it works. Yes, I have to write the numbers down by hand and log them in my Excel based "Log Book" when I get home. I do think they sell a way to connect to a device, but I don't mind writing it down.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

My ProChrono works well.
I have a Shooting Chrony that has never been good for anything other than irritating me and collecting dust.

 

[someguy2800]

I have the Caldwell which you can connect to your smartphone. Mine seams to be picky about lighting but it does work well. Works great as long as it’s like 2 hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset. I have it mounted on a $15 Amazon camera tripod. Only one I’ve had besides an very old one about 10 years ago so I only have one point of comparison to say it’s good or not, but it sure works better than my old one.

 

[LiveLife]

Another vote for Caldwell I have been very happy with (Caldwell is part of Battenfeld Technologies now owned by S&W) - https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-720001-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph/dp/B00HTN5DTE

I use Caldwell app with smartphone/tablet which is convenient as it notes date, temperature, ES/SD, etc. and I can add load type/info when doing powder work up. I haven't had much trouble with lighting. If you have trouble with readings, shoot consistently closer to the "eyes" located on top of the chrono. I usually shoot 1/2 to 2/3 way down from sun screen and do not get errors.

 

[Blue68f100]

With the bluetooth adapter the CE is a very good unit for the price. The adapter is pricey but worth it. With the phone app you can send the data to your self in pdf or txt structure to pick up excell. Like with any hardware there is a learning curve on how to setup to have a error free environment. I have had my unit for several years now. Took me a while to get my distance from unit and where to shoot for a consistent reading.

 

[ray15]

I've got both the CE ProChrono Digital with bluetooth and the Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph. The hardware is pretty good on both, with the CE unit having beefier rods and shades. CE also sells replacement rods and shades, where Caldwell doesn't that I can find. I think the Caldwell's sensors are actually a bit more sensitive, but I get good results with respect to lighting with both. Either one will generate more errors as the light fades, but I have zero issue in broad daylight. Overcast is fine, again until the sun gets pretty low in the sky.

CE Prochrono Digital Advantages:

• Beefier rods/shades
• Spare rods/shades sold
• Unit has internal memory and will record strings of shots and provide statistics without a smartphone or computer
• Connectivity is largely trouble free across supported devices

Disadvantages:

• Chronograph costs more about 20 bucks more
• Connectivity must be purchased as an accessory, Bluetooth module is 48 or so.
• Aspects of the app could be more obvious

Caldwell Advantages:

• Sensors are surprisingly good
• Unit is cheaper, and you don't have to buy connectivity as accessory
• App is a touch more streamlined

Disadvantages:

• Have to run 3.5mm headset cable from chrono to smartphone
• Compatibility of connection is poor on Android devices
• If smartphone connectivity fails the unit is hard to use being devoid of any memory (last shot only)
• Rods/shades a bit weedy and not easily replaced. (11/32" rods)

In the end I find the wireless connectivity and the better compatibility of the CE unit worth the extra scratch. But the Caldwell can work well, and it's cheap. Just make sure you can return it if you can't get it working with your smartphone as the lack of internal functions make it painfully limited without an external device.

 

[mercervillerental]

After trying the Magnetospeed I went the Labradar route and couldn't be happier. I know its at the very top of your range but they appear to hold their value extremely well for a potential resale.

 

[preacherJohn]

I vote with Walkalong and the ProChrono. I've had mine several years now and after I added the Bluetooth, it pairs with my tablet using an android app and it stores my info.

 

[bullseye308]

Whichever one you go with, take one of the rods to Home Depot or Lowes and get wooden dowels as close to size as you can and use the wooden rods. They are cheaper, easier to replace, and don’t knock your chrono over when hit like the metal rods. Or so I’ve heard.

 

[Dudedog]

Happy with my CE Prochrono, You do need to purchase the parts to connect to a smart phone/laptop separately another $50 or so if you want to connect it.
Only other chrono I have used was my Prochrono PAL with I got for an excellent price on sale.
It worked well but couldn't connect to a phone/laptop and offered limited info compared to the regular Prochrono.

Edit: Add
I have the cabled adapter to connect to a cheap laptop (Dirt cheap on sale $100) that does not have Bluetooth. (rather use the cheap laptop than my expensive phone) Cabled adapter hooks up thru a USB port.
The chrono will generate Lo, Hi, Avg, ES and SD with out an app.

 

[Allen One1]

Magnetospeed Sporter if you are just worried about rifle. If you need to run pistol rounds through it see recommendations above.

 

[KYregular]

Prochrono has been spot on for me. I don't have the Bluetooth gizmo and don't care for it, as I write it down and log it later. Works well in sun or overcast, but at twilight it's done.

 

[mcb]

I have a Shooting Chrony Alpha Master and its been a tank. I have bounced #7.5 shot off the front from a Taurus Judges and its still going strong. Fold up nice and compact for easy transport.

 

[jmorris]

This is the cheapest chronograph I have and it’s the one I use the most because of that. It goes pretty much everywhere I do, it’s either in the shop or in the truck if I am shooting away from home. Fits in a little “tackle box” with all its stuff, an extra 9v batt and pasters.

A cell phone with video records everything I need to know like this but faster because I only need to say what the load was and go through the chronograph, no need to record the shooting itself.



I have others I use from time to time and really like the features of the Pact XP but if you want to know velocity, low, high, shot count, avg, ES and SD the above is lowest cost unit that I know of. That one cost me $20 (with a $50 off Sportsman’s warehouse coupon).

 

[wrench459]

I've only been around one.. CE for ammo.
Another one that I've played around with is
a dynojet 2X48 .

 

[Hasaf]

I am joining in with the Caldwell crowd. It is well under your budget and as others have said, it works. The tripod it comes with is poor quality; but it will work. I tend to immediately copy my numbers into a spreadsheet while I am at the range, as such, the smart phone connectivity isn't used much.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I use a Caldwell. It hasn't broken yet, so I don't have experience with anything else.

 

[edwardware]

I have a Shooting Chrony Alpha Master. . .

Ditto the above. The remote wire is long enough to clear the shooting bench roof, and the muzzle blast.

 

[Offfhand]

Look for Oehler 35P chronos on ebay. These are the gold standard of hobby chronographs and occasionally they are listed at very good prices.

 

[hdwhit]

Go inexpensive. Light-sensing chronographs are positioned ahead of the firing line and so are subject to sudden death due to "lead poisoning" (i.e. getting hit by your own fire).

Also, I echo the advice to replace the metal rods holding the skyscreens with wooden dowels. I found that I can get wooden shish-ka-bob skewers in packages of 100 at the dollar store and they really do spare the rest of the device a lot of stress should you hit a rod.

Interestingly, I hit one of the metal rods on my Shooting Chrony and replaced it with a piece of metal rod from Lowes. I ended up hitting several metal rods after than and then found out about using the shish-ka-bob skewers. Since I switched to them, I've only hit a rod once, so I now have a bag of 95 skewers waiting their turn.

Maybe I should just have a cook-out.

 

[z7]

I am using the magnetospeed v3, while I can only chrono 1 pistol, I can do all of my rifles pretty easily. Setup isn’t bad, I just set things up at home and write down what shims to use For each rifle. It messes with point of impact s little bit, but not enough to really be a problem, my bolt gun is .3 mils high, so I dial down and shoot

It works on the 10/22 as well, and it captures most evey shot

 

[LoonWulf]

I use both the Prochorny Digital, and a Magspeed V3, the only thing the Mag speed wont work on are auto loading pistols without rails, otherwise riggin it up could be some work, but it WILL work.
The PC Digi has mostly be relegated to as a check for my magspeed, and for tuning my bows, but it is an excellent chrono for the cost in and of its own right. I think i got mine on sale for about 70 bucks.

 

[Toprudder]

I've used both the F1 Shooting Crony, and the Caldwell. I love the Caldwell, and it has operated flawlessly with both my iPhone, and iPad. I've heard that connectivity to other brands of smartphones can be iffy.

The Caldwell, without a phone, will only register the last shot. But the app on the phone is fantastic, and support (for me) has been excellent. I emailed in a bug report that apparently only existed with an older iPhone 4, and they released an update in less than 2 weeks that fixed them. I bought the deluxe setup that came with tripod (cheap, but functions for me), powered screens (which I only used once just to test) and carry bag.

The F1 Chrony will do shot group statistics in standalone mode, but I ended up getting the remote printer for it. The Chrony I liked, the printer was a bit of a disappointment. It works, but dealing with paper feed issues, especially on humid days, was a problem. If you get a Shooting Chrony, get the "Master" model, which gives you a remote interface. Easier to read and control without having to go forward of the firing line.

One optical chrono that I would like to see in operation is the newer G2 model from Caldwell.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/169483/caldwell-ballistic-precision-chronograph-g2

The orientation of this chrono would alleviate much of the problem of lighting and sensors. It has built-in bluetooth connectivity. It is also inside your budget. I have not seen one in use, though, so I can't comment on that.

 

[Whiterook808]

Has anyone tried the Magnetospeed with a full-stocked military rifle, such as an Enfield No. 4 or a MAS36?