http://www.shootingsoftware.com/chronographs.htm

Roger

This will make a lot of people "holler", but they are not more accurate than the Shooting Chrony F1, which you can pick up for $70.

With modern electronics, there just isn't much cost or much error in a chronograph. It's a very simple circuit, and they are all crystal controlled. I've run the stats on the Shooting Chrony, and it really does meaningfully read to about 1 fps if you have constant sunlight.

I will give the Oehler a slight edge in the sensors. Their design PROBABLY is a bit more resistant to error from varying light conditions.

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May your chambers be true to your bores.

[This message has been edited by ultramag (edited 03-06-2002).]

I haven't picked a model yet, but it seems to me that the "Master" series, with their remote control would save a lot of trips between the bench and the Chrony...

(F1 Master sells for $72.29)

Rick.

I have all of one session with my CED, and can only compare it to the PACT1.

Skyscreens are much sturdier, better designed.

Display unit is great, each function has its own button, no toggling, scrolling, etc.

Has a low battery indicator..a big plus over the pact. I probably wasted a lot of 9v batteries because I was always paranoid that the inconsisten readings on my PACT were a function of low battery.

Comes with a cable to download a days worth of shooting strings into the PC, and you don't need any special software. You can pull it into almost any application.

Roger

R-WEST

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"the spotlight of truth will cause the cockroaches of deceit to run for cover every time"
Rush Limbaugh

I imagine a test, where the different start/stop sensors of these brands are set up on one rail, and letsay 100 rounds are shot through them.

Sounds easy, but who will perform it?
hronograph-owners - unite !

I own a PACT which made troubles with power supply at first. This problem is solved, but sometimes I get really erratic readings (clear sky) which I cannot explain (it would need a special knowledge to reload so inconsistently).

I checked the electric resistance of the sensors (plugs) and found that they differed a lot. I am no expert, but I think that is not o.k.

quote:

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Originally posted by Bruce Gordon:
I have been following this thread with carefully since I am also interested in getting a chronograph and don't want to get something that will not perform reliably and consistently.
After checking out the website link, I decided to buy a CED Millenium. The cost was a bit higher than the bargain basement models but I liked the looks and decided to go with it.

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I own a 30 year old Oehler 33 STILL WORKS PERFECT,2 years ago a switch failed.
Mr Oehler offered to pay shipping and REPAIR FOR FREE! or if I thought I could replace it he would send me the switch! 3 days later 2 new switches appeared in the mail box, 15min W/soldering iron & the Oehler 33 is good to go!! (warranty like Leupold?)

Bad connectors can be a real problem, especially when you are dealing with fairly low level signals, such as those on electrical connectors. I do have some nice connector dressing material. If you can ever get the contacts well cleaned, you apply this stuff and it pretty well does away with poor electrical contacts. If it doesn't cost more than a buck or two to send, I'd put some in an envelope and mail it to you.

Of course, manufacturer data is always a little suspect. Verifying their findings is one of those things to do this summer. In the meantime, I'm not extremely worried about their data. It does pass some statistical internal validity checks. Unless they are outright falsifying the raw data, the conclusion is pretty good.

Thanks!

The original Oehler Model 10 used a 400,000 cps counter, meaning that if you wanted accuracy down to under 10 fps, you needed to space the screens at least 5 feet apart (before solid state components, the multi-thousand dollar chrongraphs used by the ammunition factories required a 15 foot spacing for decent accuracy!). Later, Oehler upgraded to a 1,000,000 cps counter, which allowed the same accuracy with a 2' screen spacing. I use a 4' spacing with my model 33 just for "good measure". I think everybody is still using the 1,000,000 cps counter, but I'm not sure.

Since the internals are the virtually the same, the main difference in brands is in the "screens" or sensors. The effective size of the "window" is somewhat important, but even more important is performance in varying light. This is where your "bargain" priced chronographs may come up a bit short. Low light conditions, such as near dusk (which is usually the best time to test for accuracy since the wind has calmed and mirage is gone) sometimes challenge the cheaper sensors. Also, very bright direct sunlight can be a problem, especially with highly polished bullets (Noslers have a reputation for being difficult to chronograph in bright light).

How much problem is a lesser-performing sensor screen? It depends. If you have plenty of ammunition, just shoot an extra round or two to get a dependable average. On the other hand, if you only load 3 or so trial rounds and want a reliable read on them, you might not get it with a bargain unit.

Also, as mentioned earlier, the availablility of manufacturer support can be important. I have no idea about the others, but Oehler has an outstanding reputation.

I am very grateful for your offer: as a regular eBay user I know shipping costs quite well: it's always more than a few bucks - maybe you can publish the brand of the contact agent ? Thank you for offering it anyway - maybe I can please you one day with a German highspeed-Kn�delkanone.

In front of me is the Sinclair 2000-B catalog (can't find the last one)where they offer a skyscreen mounting bracket for $29.75. When you shoot a chronograph professionally, you'll kill both sensors, i.e. $49.50, which is less than a refurbished Chrony.

I think I'll contact PACT next week and let them explain how they are dealing with the sensitivity of their sensors.

Some months ago I started an investigation for a do it yourself metering system (start signal at muzzle, stop at target) which turned out to be a disappointment: I was not successful in finding an adequate timer, and as I know only a little about electronics, quartzes and frequency reading is beyond my horizon.
If the matter would be so easy, Oehler'd earn his money elsewhere.

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No matter where you go.........there you are!

The contact dressing is kind of an obscure product. You'd have a hard time getting it. It comes in small syringes (not with a needle), so putting two or three in an envelope shouldn't be too big a deal. If you want some, email me your street address, and if the Post Office doesn't give me cardiac arrest at the cost, I'll send it over.

There are a few really simple ways to do timers and counters. There is a chip set that is dedicated to that function... all you do is add a quartz crystal, and it will count frequency or time between events. An even cheaper method is just a little microprocessor and a program, counting quartz crystal cycles from event A to B. It is ridiculously cheap to do, and extremely accurate.

If you want to experiment with simple analog circuits, there are some easy ways to make a steadily increasing voltage that starts climbing when event A happens and stops when B happens.

Good shooting!!