Chronograph

[Jimmy33]

What does everyone use? Looking to buy one and just want to see what everyone has been happy with.


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[Stein]

I have a MagnetoSpeed Sporter.  It is easy to use and works great, gives repeatable results and I've never had it not record a shot.

The only downside is your POI changes so if you are needing to zero your scope you have to take it off.  I only use it for the first stages of load development so it's not an issue.

[jrebel]

I have owned them all.....

Chrony, the box style one with the shades.....Worked well but was a pain to set up.  Pros:  Cheapest way to go, built well, batteries last a long time.  Cons:  Hard to set up, big rifles would sometimes blow the shades off, shades eventually get brittle and break (usually over the course of years).

Magneto speed V3......Works amazing and is very accurate.  Pros:  Ease of use, very accurate, batteries last a long time.  Cons:  It is strapped to your barrel so it changes POI and cannot be used at the same time as sighting in your rifle.  You have wires running from your barrel to the digital readout.  It is expensive....the sporter is cheaper but I personally like the options on the V3 and would not buy the sporter model.

Lab Radar......pretty amazing unit:  Pros:  Very accurate.   We compared it with the magneto V3 and they were less than 3fps different.  No wires attached to your rifle, No weight to end of barrel so you can sight/shoot for groups while getting speeds. Battery life is amazing if you buy an external battery pack.   Cons:  using AA batteries sucks and they don't last very long, it is a bigger unit that requires a tripod, it is very expensive / most expensive of the three. 

Hope that helps.  I personally love the lab radar and won't go back to anything else.  If I wasn't going to spend the money on the lab radar, the magnetospeed V3 would be my next in line. 

[CP]

I’ve got the Caldwell ballistic precision.  It’s got some pros and cons but overall, I’ve been happy with it.  It can be a bit finicky and you have to fuss with the shades and set the tripod just so but it works with rifles, shotguns, pistols, arrows, slingshot, ….

I’ve only shot it once so it’s missing some of its plastic but it still works.

[Reidus]

Magneto speeds work good until they don't.

I'd like to get a labradar setup.

[Karl Blanchard]

Magneto speeds work good until they don't.

I'd like to get a labradar setup.

        Labradar for me.

[Caseknife]

Have a Labradar, works great.  Installed an angle iron mount on the front of my shooting bench, works good for the majority of firearms, some require a tripod off to the side.  It does lose communication with my phone at times, but easily could be my phone, or my limited technological abilities.  Haven't tried to use it with my 200yd target, just 100yd target, the siting requirements could be an issue.  I do have an auxiliary battery pack.  No having to reach across the bench to initiate the chrono, just do it from your phone, and easy to review the data.  Spendy, but not unlike anything else in our game.  Got tired of trying to get skyscreens set up and to read in different types of natural lighting.

[jasnt]

V3

[b23]

The only three I'd even consider would be one of the Magnetospeed units, LabRadar, or Oehler 35P.  Of those three the LabRadar is the only one I haven't had.  They all have their pros and cons so do your research as to which unit best suits your needs before purchasing one. 

I've been a MS user since they very first hit the market and they've served me well on everything from 17HMR to 338's.  They can cause some POI shift but I've never had them affect group size.  I don't have any skinny barreled guns so maybe that's why my stuff has seen minimal POI shift but I shoot most of my stuff suppressed so POI shift with a can on VS off is something I'm used to.

The LabRadar has some great features but they aren't without their cons as well.

For a conventional chronograph you'll be hard pressed to purchase one better than the Oehler 35P but they too have their cons.

[jjness11]

I currently own a Magnetospeed V3 and a LabRadar. Used the Magnetospeed for years.  Did lots of load development with it. Then upgraded to the Labradar. I typically bring at least two rifles for a range session. That way when one barrel is cooling, I can shoot the other. That’s one spot the LabRadar shines. Leave it set and grab the next rifle. Also, it has no effect on POI shift. Only issue is every once in a while it’ll miss a shot in my string. Usually operator error. If you have the funds, get the LabRadar.

[aorams]

Your inbox is full. You can text me at the number I sent you PM

[Jason]

Anyone tried to buy a Labradar lately?  12 weeks out. Tried getting myself one for Christmas.

[grimace]

I've been using a Oehler 35P for a few years now, it works good seems reliable.  I've even used it for testing arrow speed too which is interesting in itself. My only issue is I like to shoot rifles prone, the stands for the screens are pretty tall. I cut some plywood to set them up at ground level but it always seems to be an issue getting them the right height. I will likely get a Labradar in the future if I don't come up with a good solution. 

[jrebel]

Anyone tried to buy a Labradar lately?  12 weeks out. Tried getting myself one for Christmas.

I bought mine about 18 months ago and it said the same thing.  Shipped in less than a week and I had it in under two weeks.  Can’t guarantee that’s the case now but it was then and they had the same warning. 

[pianoman9701]

I would imagine that with the photo technology available in the newer phones, it wouldn't be too hard to design an app that uses the camera video to measure. Any programmers on here?