Your thoughts on chronograph?

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gspn

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I might be looking to buy a chronograph. Ideally it would be easy to transport, easy to set up/break down, and able to clock items such as pellets, arrows, pistol and rifle...with arrows being a the least important.

I'd like to be able to move the data to a computer by a USB, data card, or wireless function if such a thing exists.

What should I be looking for?
 
Most of the shooters' chronographs are portable and relatively easy to set up.

Most do a fine job of recording data once a learning curve is past.

I recommend a chronograph that does not have the brains down range from the firearm. Sensors are less expensive to replace if and when they are shot.

CED M2 and the Magnetospeed chronographs have the ability to down load data to a computer. Others may as well but I am not familiar with them.

Do a search of THR. Chronograph threads pop up frequently.

Hope this helps
 
Personally I prefer to jot down my readings in real time on a form created for the task.

I may sound silly but I like to "feel" every shot. So when I write down the speed I think about where the shot ended up, how the bolt opened, I inspect the case and primer and relate this to the speed. If there is anything odd I then note this down for later analysis.

I have Chrony Beta Master which partially meets your needs but not all. It is however a perfectly capable chrony.
 
I believe when it comes to a chronograph They will all tell you bullet velocity. Everything above and beyond is a matter of features. If I were to replace my old Oehler 35P today I would likely choose the CED M2 package. I like being able to currently print my shot data and include the printout in my ammo box with my load data for those rounds. I also note things on the back of the printout. Twenty years ago a chronograph that would interface with a PC was unheard of. Today units like the CED M2 Chronograph are common place. Not unusual to see a shooter with a laptop on the range.

Just a matter of looking at what's out there, comparing reviews and finding a chronograph will all the features you want for the price you want to pay.

Ron
 
I own two. Started with the F1 Chrony, and later bought the Caldwell chronograph.

If you get a Shooting Chrony, get the "master" version, as it puts the brain of the system on the bench. I got the optional printer for mine. There is a PC interface for it, but I have no experience with that.

The Caldwell I really love. It interfaces with my iPhone to collect all data including statistics. If you don't have a smartphone, all it will do is display the last shot velocity.

You might want to look at the Pro-Chrono, as it has a nice PC interface and software. I have a friend that owns one and he really likes it.
 
Chronograph Users

My observation:

There ain't but 2 kinds of chronograph users...
1. Them that's shot theirs
2. Them that's gonna shoot theirs.

I'll admit, I'm in the first category.
Scoped rifles are the bane of a chronograph's existence.
 
had my Pact Pro XP out today, 19deg out overcast and snowing , worked great , all my shots are stored in it , now I'm home , I can print out all my shots or just a string or two. the Pact Pro XP also has a built in ballistics program , put in you bullet info and it will give you your bullet drop , and if you do shoot one of the eyes , your only out $15-$20 , easy to set up and take down ,
 
I have a pact xp and shooting chrony. I have used CED, Ohler, Pro Chrono.

The shooting chrony cost me $20 with a coupon and works just as good as the others for reading speed of objects that pass over the sensors.
 
I like my Beta Master.

You have to enter data by hand into the spreadsheet, but it will save your data if you screw up.

-J.
 
I started with a cheapie and I'm still using the thing. Very happy with it. It's a Chrony, don't know the model number offhand but it's red and it has a display box that comes up to the bench. I highly recommend that you get one with such a box. Presumably there are grades of chronographs and accuracy probably varies, but until I hit mine with an errant shot I'll be a happy camper. I did go online to check out reviews on the Chrony, and as I recall it was cited as being consistently 15 fps faster than an Oehler. Perhaps coincidentally I've noticed that my Chrony doesn't become completely flat when unfolded. This may account for the difference, but this is only speculation. Personally I don't care if my Chrony gives a 15 fps fast reading as long as it's consistent and allows me to compare different charges effectively. Very happy with this piece of equipment, it even got rained on once and stopped working but it was easy to disassemble and dry out.
 
Chrony Master

Get the Chrony Master with 1) PC Interface Cable, and 2) Chrony III Software, simple installation on Multiple PC's, Database of LOTS of Bullets, or create your own.

Automatically posts data from Chrony into tables, determines Average, mean, median, etc.

Multiple Guns, Multiple Bullets per Caliber, Multiple Loads Per Bullet. and ALL are saved and recallable, tweakable....

I am 100% Satisfied....
 
I shoot pistol and I want the statistics for strings of 50 rounds of length. My Chrony will not measure shot strings longer than 32 rounds. I bought a RCBS Ammo Master Chronograph http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/81190_Chronograph_Instructions.pdf and found the thing only provides statistics for strings of ten rounds length. Sure the manual says it stores up to 100 shots, but it is 100 shots of ten individual strings.

911572.jpg

I am not interested in writing down the individual shots for five 10 round strings and typing the data into an excel spread sheet.

Any suggestions on a Chronograph?
 
SlamFire1 said:
I shoot pistol and I want the statistics for strings of 50 rounds of length. My Chrony will not measure shot strings longer than 32 rounds. I bought a RCBS Ammo Master Chronograph http://www.rcbs.com/downloads/instructions/81190_Chronograph_Instructions.pdf and found the thing only provides statistics for strings of ten rounds length. Sure the manual says it stores up to 100 shots, but it is 100 shots of ten individual strings.

I am not interested in writing down the individual shots for five 10 round strings and typing the data into an excel spread sheet.

Any suggestions on a Chronograph?
Click to expand...

I don't have one but despite my love of my 20 year old Oehler 35P if I get a new chronograph it would be the CED Millennium flavor. As to the strings?

The CED holds 220 shots in memory, into one string or up to 20 strings as you prefer. Highest velocity, lowest velocity, average velocity, standard deviation, and extreme spread are all recorded for you. PC software is included, so you can upload your data when you get back from the range for analysis and printing via serial port. There is a HP IR output included as well, but Hewlett-Packard has essentially obsoleted their own port-it will work with the old H-P thermal printers, though.
Click to expand...

That leads me to believe you can have your 50 shot strings. However, before popping for one I would give them a call and confirm that. That would preclude another disappointment.

Ron
 
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