I am looking for a fairly reliable shooting chronograph for under @200 USD.

I like the Competition Electronics Pro Chrono LTD.
What do you think?

It is a gift for a beginner, so it must be in the "budget" category.
Any tips will be much appreciate.! Thanks, Brian

Brian

Hard to beat a CHRONY. Super simple to operate and easy to set up.

Mark

Mark, Thanks for the post.

Yes, I have used a CHRONY for many years. It was always perfect for the little bit of velocity testing that I have done.
They have not made it for years.

I've used a ProChrono DLX for maybe four or five years and found it quite good.

From time to time it gives a strange reading and sometimes goes into error mode, probably because of old batteries.

(I'm inclined to take the 9v batteries from our smoke detectors at daylight saving and keep them for the chrono.)

sambarman338, Thanks for your post.

I assume that the Pro Chrono LTD has similar performance to the DLX but with less feature, right?

Brian

Sorry Brian, I know nothing bar that I got it for half the price (maybe $A200) from the US that it would have cost here.

Thanks sambarman338, You have helped. Brian

if you wanna go real cheap a log hung on a rope with a yardstick behind it should only cost 3-4$

that's what they used to use,,, and then done the math.

I have had a CED for decades and it still works fine. From a .177 pellet to a 500 AR. I have a private range so set up is not a problem. You will need a very sturdy tripod, out a way in front of the muzzle blast. It's on my third computer!

Live Oak,
Thanks for the advice. The CED looks about right.
We will be shooting a .500NE and the grand kid will be shooting .308 and smaller, also on a private range.
For the big bore, should I place the CED at least 15 feet out in front of the muzzle? Thanks, again. Brian

10 feet should be enough.
I keep a string on the tri-pod and pull it back to the bench so it's the same every time.

Lamar, Thanks for the tip. Good idea with the string! Simple. Brian

I hear 15 feet is better for anything of power and that unburnt slow powders could give trouble at closer distances

Get any one of the new radar chronographs and you don't have to worry about placing the chrono out far! I got a Garmin one and I LOVE IT!!! Guess what? You can even record in total darkness!!

Sambarman338 and shootermetal,
Thanks, good to know. brian

quote:

Originally posted by shootermetal:
Get any one of the new radar chronographs and you don't have to worry about placing the chrono out far! I got a Garmin one and I LOVE IT!!! Guess what? You can even record in total darkness!!

Having owned and used the finest chronographs on the market (Oehler) for over 50 years, I concur that the Garmin radar-based chronograph is far superior to any optical machine.

The fine old Oehler is a great and accurate machine, but I have no further use for it. If you need a good chronograph but don't want to spend the money for a Garmin then drop me a PM.

Stonecreek, Thanks for the info, I am doing a major down-size in my old age and will pass on your offer. Brian

Used to be made in Caneda. Not made anymore.

I think Aliexpress has some knock offs.

I have a Gamma Chriony for sale. PM me for info. I am in NZ.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Brian

Hard to beat a CHRONY. Super simple to operate and easy to set up.

Mark

Depending on what tools/materials you already have, a ballistic pendulum might be nearly free and fun/interesting to make. Otherwise, if you just need a few data points, maybe you can find someone local to help you. Or you could "rent" one from amazon.

All good tips thanks. I do appreciate everyones help.

JPL, That ballistic pendulum sounds like a fun project, please tell me more. I like to have project on the go with my grandsons. That sounds perfect, I have never heard of it.

Nakihunter, Thanks for the offer on the Gamma Chronograph, but I will have to pass on that.

I just wanted a cheap one to check some of the loads that My grandson is working on. I will just use it a few times for his education and enjoyment. That's it.

So thanks again to all for your help. I am now good-to-go on the chronograph.

I don't want a chronograph for my own use. For me, they are just a waste of time, another distracting gadget.
( like wearing binos when hunting cape buffalo. lol)

I never had a game animal ask me what my velocity is.
I never load for velocity, I load the the kind of pressure that I want for the kind of bullet that I use for the kind of animal that I will be hunting. Then I check how it groups.

I am a bullet and terminal ballistics nerd. I hunt cape buffalo with a big bore so I choose the best bullet available for the best terminal performance and I build a moderate single purpose load.

Thanks again to everyone for your help!

JPl, I sure would like to build a "ballistic pendulum"
Can you please tell me where to get some info on one. Great project for my grand kids, maybe a cool Christmas present!

the Back pages of Ackley's book has full directions and the Math equation.

Lamar, Thanks!

LabRadar - dirt cheap on Gun Broker since everyone wants a Garmin and far superior to any optical unit.

I bought a Caldwell for I think 129.00 and set it up at 15 feet and it works great for a low cost item.

belaw and hydehunter, that is good info. Thanks!
Being a gift for a teenager who will only use it once in awhile I want it to be "affordable", but I want it to be reasonably reliable as well.
I will check out both of your suggestions,, Thanks again. Brian

Brian, I have the Pro Chrono DLX vs the LTD. I like it a lot. DLX has bluetooth vs LTD, I think. For the extra $8, it's worth it to be able to look at the speed on your phone in front of you instead of trying to read the display in the sun 15 feet in front of you.

I later got the Garmin. It's unbelievably great. But I prefer the I/F on my phone for the Pro Chrono.

DO get a good, moderately heavy tripod. Heavy blast will move/turn the unit even 15 feet out. And at a shared range, then you have to wait for a cease fire to go fix it. The string is a great idea.

HTH,
Steve

I got the Garmin as well and it is unbelievably cool to use. I also downloaded the App and paired to the unit. So I get all the data in my phone. I can even email it so I can have it on a spreadsheet in my office.

quote:

Originally posted by skl1:
Brian, I have the Pro Chrono DLX vs the LTD. I like it a lot. DLX has bluetooth vs LTD, I think. For the extra $8, it's worth it to be able to look at the speed on your phone in front of you instead of trying to read the display in the sun 15 feet in front of you.

I later got the Garmin. It's unbelievably great. But I prefer the I/F on my phone for the Pro Chrono.

DO get a good, moderately heavy tripod. Heavy blast will move/turn the unit even 15 feet out. And at a shared range, then you have to wait for a cease fire to go fix it. The string is a great idea.

HTH,
Steve