The Accurate Reloading Forums
Best chrono for under 150 bucks
12 December 2007, 06:48
cobrajetBest chrono for under 150 bucks
Thinking of getting one of these for Christmas and was wondering who makes the best one for the money? I dont need the latest greatest gizmo, just a good solid chrono that has a printer option and is user friendly. Thanks for any help.
12 December 2007, 07:33
SlattsThere was a big discussion about chronos recently on another forum. Oehler, Chrony, CEP, et. al were discussed. I was avidly reading comments to see which one gave the most consistent readings. All the bells and whistles don't really interest me. All I really care about is good readings and I can run the statistics myself. The bottom line was that they all give pretty consistent results. One guy chimed in and said that he had tested them extensively several years ago and saw no real differences. As a result of that limited research, I purchased a Shooting Chrony Alpha Master for about $100 at Midsouth.
12 December 2007, 08:22
cobrajetSo how do you like the Shooting Chrony?
12 December 2007, 09:05
craigsterquote:
Originally posted by cobrajet:
So how do you like the Shooting Chrony?
I also have one and it seems to work just fine, no complaints so far.
12 December 2007, 11:00
wrongtarget+2 on the Shooting Chrony, the F-1 Master works great for me.
http://lockstock.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CHRF1M13 December 2007, 04:18
stillbeeman+3 on the Chrony. I've had one since they first came out (same one, knock on wood) and it's still telling me how fast my bullets are going. When its not in use, I've kept a piece of tape over the light sensor holes and the battery unpluged.
18 December 2007, 03:23
pdpdad+4 on the Shooting Chrony
18 December 2007, 03:33
Gerry+5 on the Chrony's.
Beta Chrony, pretty basic with a display screen for the bench.
Mine works just fine; AND yes, the vast majorty of my Buddies have asked. You can put your loads over the screens to see how fast they are going - but I'll do the shooting!

From what I've been reading here lately it appears that some folks just have to, or end up buying two of them? My suggestion is to buy the best one you think you can afford (one time) and then read the directions.......
Cheers,
Number 10
18 December 2007, 16:58
tnekkcc
1) I had a Shooting chrony, but I shot it with a handgun.
2) I got another Shooting Chrony, but I shot it with a handgun too.
3) I got a Prochrono Pal, and I liked it allot better, becuase it always triggered, but I shot it with a handgun too.
4) I got another Prochrono Pal, and I really like it, so I am just using it with rifles for a while. If I shoot it with a handgun too, I will get another prochrono.
http://www.grafs.com/vendor/product/162501http://www.grafs.com/vendor/product/16250018 December 2007, 18:34
RojelioQuit shooting handguns! It's too expensive.
Rojelio
PS: after years of fighting my shooting chrony getting errors all the time. I bought a pro chrono and I get a correct reading 100 % of the time regardless of the sun or cloudcover unless the battery is dying.
18 December 2007, 18:49
ReloaderThe ProChrono is hard to beat for under $150.
I have a Shooting Chrony and that darn thing has a mind of it's own at times. It just burns me up when I get error messages in a string and to top it off this one gives ridiculously high speeds at times.
(Knock on wood), my prochrono hasn't given me error messages or any other problems in the two years I've extensively used it.
You can often find the PC on ebay for a steal.
Good Luck
Reloader
18 December 2007, 19:34
Heatquote:
Originally posted by tnekkcc:
1) I had a Shooting chrony, but I shot it with a handgun.
2) I got another Shooting Chrony, but I shot it with a handgun too.
3) I got a Prochrono Pal, and I liked it allot better, becuase it always triggered, but I shot it with a handgun too.
4) I got another Prochrono Pal, and I really like it, so I am just using it with rifles for a while. If I shoot it with a handgun too, I will get another prochrono.
http://www.grafs.com/vendor/product/162501http://www.grafs.com/vendor/product/162500
Yep, Prochrono, except I don't shoot mine

... It gives me consistent results that matched up to a friends Oehler... Had Oehler chronos still been available I might have bought one but I'm certainly confident in the Prochrono...
Ken....
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
19 December 2007, 01:33
bama7x57Prochrono for me also. I paid 100 bucks for it from Cabelas about 4 years ago. I have a friend at work with one also and we compare ours occasionally and it's always been consistent.
20 December 2007, 06:40
NorsemanAny problems with overcast days or bright sunlight?
20 December 2007, 11:28
STINGERNorseman
When I first got my chrony the favored times to shoot was when it was over cast. Bright sunlit days were not good for consistant readings especially when the sun angles are the way they are in my locale.
If the sun is directly overhead no problem but during the winter when the sun moves left to right at about a 30° readings sometime can be flaky.
I learned a little trick in one of the gun rags. Cover the sensors with Frosted scotch tape. It causes better dispersions and less false signals.
I shot my Chrony also. Well not really the chrony. I hit one of the rods which in turn deflected the 45 LC into the rear lid. Real nice to see your chrony, tri pod rolling out to the 25 yard line.

Went out and picked it up dusted it off and it was still working. I sent it in anyway just for giggles. And chrony fixed it up and sent it back, no charge.
Another trick, go to your local home improvement store and purchase the 1/8 wooden dowels. If you hit one they shatter on impact unlike the aluminun one the companys furnish.
Best wishes, Bill
20 December 2007, 11:55
GerryHey Bill,
One of our Ole Shooting Buddies from Heidelberg Rod & Gun Club just arrived in Minot - he's a good Guy.
Your experience paralells mine with light in the afternoon - slightly cloudy to overcast works best and I can omit the diffuser screens altogether but have to put them back on as the insensity of the sun increases. Here, you can definately tell when the sun has reached it's "Zenith" for my Chrony - 'cause after that the readings are all over the map.
The Frosted Scotch Tape & Wooden Dowl ideas are classics - gonna go buy some this morning and give both a try.....
Cheers,
Number 10
20 December 2007, 23:38
STINGERGerry
I was stationed at Bitburg. I was Wing Explosive/Nuclear Safety Technician.
Did a lot of trap shooting with a borrowed shotgun. I didn't take any firearms over there. Going through paper work really raises my hackles.
My wife and I did fish though. Thats another adventure also. She was experienced with a fly rod. I wasn't. She skunked me everytime we went out. Damn show off.

Whats your buddies name? Have him give me a call and I'll take him out to our range. I'll PM you my phone #.
Best wishes, Bill
21 December 2007, 03:20
GerryYo Bill,
Thanks for the PM.
Very kind of you to consider giving my
(Ex)pal a call.
Hint: Be careful when he jumps up like the original version of a "Spring Butt" and grabs the empty Beer Pitcher off the table - it means he's gonna immediately engadge someone in a VERY long-winded & supposedly interesting topic; he'll stand there until he grows roots and yack his head off until everyone gets so thirsty they decide to take matters into their own hands. His credentials speak for themselves - USAF.
Cheers,
Number 10
22 December 2007, 22:31
POPChrony Beta Master