Looking to get a chronograph and would appreciate any thoughts you guys have as to handy features, makes/models, etc.

As always, thanks for the input!

Cheers,
Lee

Oehler! Oehler! Oehler!

Model 35P.

Non comes even close for consistency and accuracy!

Many have tried, and I have tried many, always go back to the Oehler.

i've had many chrono's .. i bought a lab radar, no complaints, nothing to "shoot" accurate, and no downrange setup ... SPENDY though

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Oehler! Oehler! Oehler!

Model 35P.

Non comes even close for consistency and accuracy!

Many have tried, and I have tried many, always go back to the Oehler.

Agree 100%.
have 2, 1 35P, 1 older 33. Like the 33 for cold weather. 6 D cells work better in the cold than 1 9 volt. 35P is quicker to set up.
Oehler also stands behind their product. The 33 was bought in the 80's. 5 or 6 years ago the digital display went out. Called Oehler and they said to mail it in. Received it back and the had completely rebuilt it. No Charge! They wouldn't even allow me to pay postage. Where else are you going to find service like that on electronics.

I had an Oehler for years. Had no issues.

For the last 20 years I've simply used a Chrony Master Beta. Hey it read within a few FPS of what the old Oehler did.

If you want the Cadillac look to Oehler. Want a unit that will work just fine leave some $$ in the bank and get a Chrony

Look . I just need to know the speed. Period. no other useless options. I can do math. So I have used the basic Chrony since they came out. I can't afford to spend more money. They work.

I use a chrony, about $100. I keep a pad of paper handy. I use it only for load development so it doesn't go out with me every time. I've never had to use a sharpie on the bullets either.

Had the cheapest chrony, $66 when they first came out. Black powder grains went thru the screen and poked holes in it, still worked til a patch hit it in the face. End of that one. Got another as they wouldn't fix it. Second time out let a friend shoot the thing. Borrowed one and damned if he didn't hit a wire and scrambled it too! IF you get one DON'T use the wires, get some dime a stick dowel rods and make up some extra's, sooner or later you or someone will shoot one. Sticks don't harm the unit, those heavy wires very likely well. Get some 1/4" plexiglass and make a front cover too. Unburned powder can sure make holes in the film face, might wreck it too.

After those I did without for years. In '11 I bought a CED M2 with all the gadgets and goodies, close to $500. Worked fine last I used it, then I got sick for several years. Next trip out one of the sensors was dead. Sent them in after talking to the owner. "out of 2yr warranty but, due to not being used much send it in". N/C for the sensor.

Couple times out was fine. Next time the wind blew the tripod over. Killed the sensor. Won't fix it, $39 for a new one. I've been dragging my feet getting it replaced. Lotta money for no more that it's been used.

IF Ohler will repair things like that poster said. Get that one and don't look back.

We can sure learn a bunch by using one that's for sure. Great to get readings when developing loads and comparing cases and primers too. Who'd ever guess when the max vel is reached and powder is increased the velocity can and will/or may drop.

I'm an opinioned SOB. I feel there's a big reason they put the whole works in front of the gun: "so they can sell replacements!!"

George

I don't allow anyone else to shoot over my chronograph. If it gets killed I'm going to be the one to do it.
Saw a guy at the range one day shoot another guys chrono on purpose we believe from his expression and attitude about it.

All chronographs have essentially the same "guts", that is, the clock and counter. And all of them are very, very good, just like that little electronic calculator you can buy for $1.98 gives you 2+2=4 each and every time.

The difference is in the detectors (screens). Cheap ones will miss -- or misread -- more shots than the better ones when light conditions, bullet glint, or other factors come into play. If you have the luxury of waiting for better light and shooting more rounds to get a sufficient number of reliable readings, then the cheap ones will do you as well as the better ones. Oehler has the best detectors, which is why you see them praised so highly.

The basic Chrony has worked for me for decades

I had a basic Chrony for years, worked great. Had been looking around for something new, don't know why, just was. Bought a Magneto Speed. Works great, easy to set up. Attaches to the end of the barrel, may or may not affect accuracy, but don't use it for accuracy testing. The Labradar looks interesting, but expensive as stated above.

Santa brought me a LabRadar! Man! So far I am loving it.



.

I've owned a Shooting Chrony, PACT PC2, CED Millenium II, Magnetospeed V2, and now a LabRadar.

The LabRadar is what I prefer.

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
The basic Chrony has worked for me for decades

+1

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
The basic Chrony has worked for me for decades

+1

I use one as well and am satisfied.

Went through two Chronies due to ML sabots, even though there were shields in front
of the screne. Later got a Pro-Crono and didn't use it for ML loads with sabots. It
was plenty accurate, but went through the same pain of setting up, missing speeds due
to light, and all other BS that went along with it as well as the Chronies. Got a
Magnetospeed V1 when they first came out, and will never go back to a regular chrono.
If I was to get a chrono right now, it would be the Magnetospeed Sporter since I'm
only concerned about accurate speed recording when using one. If I had deeper pockets,
the Labradar is a dream machine!

Used some basic Chrony for years. Of course I hate the setting-up, especially in winter with short days. Worked great for rifles.

But when I started to reload .460 Rowland and .500 S&W, problems started. Some loads produced flash. Flash strong enough to get errors or absolutely crazy readings. I have to put chrony about 7 m/yards from the muzzle to start to work. Also didn't work for some 9mm Luger factory ammo. And it didn't work in closed shooting ranges with incandescent lights. So I made my own led light for that, external battery and what ever. I still use this for air rifles and rimfires.

But I grown up and bought Labradar in the summer. Can't be happier. Just unfold camera stand, mount Labradar to it, put it on and start measuring. Works fine. IMHO the best "chrony" today.

Jiri

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Oehler! Oehler! Oehler!

Model 35P.

Non comes even close for consistency and accuracy!

Many have tried, and I have tried many, always go back to the Oehler.

A big 10-4 roger

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
I had an Oehler for years. Had no issues.

For the last 20 years I've simply used a Chrony Master Beta. Hey it read within a few FPS of what the old Oehler did.

If you want the Cadillac look to Oehler. Want a unit that will work just fine leave some $$ in the bank and get a Chrony

I've had three different Chronies and they all had sad issues.Some guys like them. I don't roger

Shooting Chrony - bought it 24 years ago and shot it in the first 3 months.

Upgraded to a Gamma chrony & it is still going.

Can be a pain to read the display in strong sunlight.

I think it is more reliable than some pricey models that friends used.

Lab Radar sound great but expensive.

Chrony works for me. I only use it while working up a load. I much prefer to be shooting without one for other purposes.

Another vote for Oehler. Been using one since 1990.

We had an Oehler and its a fine unit. My buddy put it in a big box so it is a pain to move around. I don't think Oehler is making units now - maybe though.

I bought a CED with the regular and IR screens and it has been as solid as any chrony can be. It is all packed in one shoulder bag. With its big Hollywood metal tripod its a rock but I still stick it out 10 feet or so or more when shooting mags through it.

I still have two oehler 35P's. But now that I have a Lab Radar I just don't see myself ever going back. So much simpler.

I have a Oehler 35P for well over 9 years and have been quite satisfied, however, when MagnetoSpeed came out a couple of years back I got one. correlation with the Oehler is close but not perfect and you can have issues with lead bullets and adjustments of the sensor blade relative to the barrel. My only issue with the Oehler is that I don't have a private range and it is a PITA to haul and set up the screens.
Kind of limits me to crappy weather days when the range is little used.
If I had unlimited resources I believe a LabRadar would be purchased however there are too many other toys demanding my attention to toss another grand on a chrono.
Just my 2cents.
Gary

LabRadar - the latest technology, but a bit pricey. Easy to set up. Very, very accurate. You can even calculate ballistic coefficients from the data.

Thanks for the input, gents!

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
I'm an opinioned SOB. I feel there's a big reason they put the whole works in front of the gun: "so they can sell replacements!!"

George

I've always wondered why they couldn't come up with a better system, now it has been explained!!!!!!!!!
Thank you George

Oehler if you have a fat pocket book, otherwise Id suggest a Pro-Chrony for about $126. its handy easy to set up and use for reloading and whatever..

I have had an Oehler for almost 35 years. A 35P.
Only one minor problem in that time. Took it to the factory in west Austin, Tx. (hard to find) and
they fixed it while I waited. No charge. Can't say
enough good about those pros. I keep it squeekey clean and temp. controlled stored without the battery in place. Very consistent and the printer is still good after all these years.

Tetonka
DRSS

I really like the Magnetospeed. Bought the cheaper Sporter model and have had great luck with it. It can change point of impact and mess with how a rifle groups while it is attached, but I just work up the load and then shoot a few over it to get the average speed and call it good. I bought it because I hate fooling with setting up the tripod and hoping the sunlight was right with the Chrony.

If you get one of the Chrony's, get one with the readout that sets on the bench with the rest out front.
I have the F1.
I also got the printer. Nice to have the print out. Just staple the print out to the target. I have a tree ring binder for each firearm. I put each target in the binder with the load data written on the target.
Leo