Looking to purchase a chronograph since I'm getting more serious about my reloading. What's everyone recommend?

I've used a Chrony Beta Master for years. Would buy it again. Yep you can pay more but why?

same as ramrod, It has a couple qwerks works for me

I've been using an Oehler 35 (minus the printer) for ~20 years. They're making them once again but are super pricey.

I've been using a ProChrono Plus since the late 90's. Their new model has a USB interface to record data to a laptop. If I didn't like my old one so much I'd spring for the new one.

Anybody tried the LabRadar yet?

Oehler! Oehler! Oehler!

Nothing even comes close.

No idea if LabRadar is available yet - they seem to be advertising for donkey's years and no sign of it yet!

We have tried them all, including some from Europe.

Non works as well and as consistently as the Oehler in our under ground range.

Just went to LabRadar web page.

Still no sign of it, and they claim that their "pre-order" is full??

What the hell does that mean??

I thought pre-order is you place your order, and when it is available you get it.

I tend to have my doubts about any company that advertises a product years before it is in production.

I've had my Oehler since the early 90s. Can't ask for better.

LabRadar has been delievered to pre-orders with some review. Sounds good so far.

Might be the best for larger bores here, since Oehler would be about the same price.

Cheers, Chris

Oehler, I have had mine since the Model 35 came out. The proof channel system is still the most accurate, you are only out a few dollars if you accidentally shoot a screen and not the entire chrono and their software is very good. As the saying goes "cry once" and buy the best.

Paul

I will agree the Oehler is the cream of the cream. Had one with a partner years ago until he screwed me out of my half.

Bought the Beta Master to replace. Had the same readings and results. Only issue I've ever had with the Chrony was the diffusers coming loose. That was a quick fix.

Want the best out there the Oehler if probably hard to beat. Want one that will give you basically the same readings for a fraction of the cost look to the Beta Master.

For quality you can't beat Oehler. Had mine since the mid 80's. It's a bit of a PITA to set up but I know that it is accurate and reliable. If I was starting out today would probably get one of the inexpensive ones then decide if I needed the Oehler later.

I wasted my time on 3 different, crummy Chronies The customer service was a joke as I only understand Engish.

The Oehler solved it all. roger

I bought a Chrony back when it was called a Master Beta. Clever name, huh? Anyway, it always works great and I would buy again

Mixed blessings. I have both a Chrony and a MagnetoSpeed.

The Mag-Speed is an amazing device and is absolutely not reliant on the sun conditions. That alone makes is priceless to me in SoCal.

Unfortunately it's useless for handguns. I can't imagine putting the magneto speed on a revolver or auto and actually think it would stay on the gun. So I revert to my Chrony for that.

So, for rifles my Magnetospeed is my go-to.

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Mixed blessings. I have both a Chrony and a MagnetoSpeed.

The Mag-Speed is an amazing device and is absolutely not reliant on the sun conditions. That alone makes is priceless to me in SoCal.

Unfortunately it's useless for handguns. I can't imagine putting the magneto speed on a revolver or auto and actually think it would stay on the gun. So I revert to my Chrony for that.

So, for rifles my Magnetospeed is my go-to.

Does it affect accuracy or point-of-impact?

Just got a MagnetoSpeed unit, and I am planning to test it to see if it affects the accuracy.

Thank you all for the replies. Looks like Oehler directly is the only way to get a 35 right now. Still weighing out whether or not it's worth it (to me) to spend over 4x the amount on the Oehler vs other brands.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Just got a MagnetoSpeed unit, and I am planning to test it to see if it affects the accuracy.

I'll look forward to seeing that, Saeed.

Anybody have experience with the LabRadar chronograph?

If it works, it would be a real step forward and worth getting.

But, we don't know yet.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
Just got a MagnetoSpeed unit, and I am planning to test it to see if it affects the accuracy.

On every rifle I have put it on it affects POI, but not really the accuracy that I can tell.

quote:

Originally posted by Ackley Improved User:
Anybody have experience with the LabRadar chronograph?

If it works, it would be a real step forward and worth getting.

But, we don't know yet.

All the reviews I have read is it is a bit finicky with some software updates coming. Many have reported it is failing to consistently pick up small projectiles. 22-24cal.

I have started the test on the accuracy effect of using the MagnetoSpeed.

First off it is being installed on a Walther KK 200 match 22 rim fire rifle.

My plan is to shoot 18 groups of 5 shots each with it on and off - I have actually shot 21 groups without it with this rifle, and will shoot groups with it installed next.

Next is to repeat the test with a 223 Remington, 308 Winchester and a 300 Winchester Magnum rifles.

It should give us some idea of what effect it might have on accuracy, being attached to the muzzle.

I use my Magnetospeed on both my S&W 629 and my Ruger Super Redhawk without any problems. Works fine on my rifles too. Obviously it won't work on my semi-auto pistols and I'm anxious to see if the Labradar works well. I have light problems here in Alaska (angle of the sun) so something which doesn't rely on light would be optimum for my situation.

There's a Oehler 35P just listed on Benchrest Central, $400.00. A Fair Price, Great quality!!
Mack

Groups with magneto on and without Left to right respectively.

Yeah you can not chrono and do accuracy tests at the same time

With my Magneto V3, the 243, 264 WM and 25-06 just have a change in POI. With one of the 30-06 (older Mtn Rifle from Rem) it messes with the group. With the new (to me) Mod. 70 30-05 I see no change in POI and a slight change group size. On a 300 WM I had, group size was slightly larger (not as much as Fotis' shows) and POI shifted 5". I would agree with Fotis that doing accuracy and velocity at the same time is a YMMV situation.

The question I have is why are you worried about shooting groups with it on.

I get the velocity measurements then proceed on.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The question I have is why are you worried about shooting groups with it on.

I get the velocity measurements then proceed on.

With other chronographs, you can both at the same time.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The question I have is why are you worried about shooting groups with it on.

I get the velocity measurements then proceed on.

With other chronographs, you can both at the same time.

Yes you can I just never bother to do both at the same time.

Oehler.

One good thing about a Chrony is have the right light conditions and it will turn a 270 Win into a 270 Wby

quote:

Originally posted by Michael McGuire:
Oehler.

One good thing about a Chrony is have the right light conditions and it will turn a 270 Win into a 270 Wby

That's good to know, perhaps you could package up some of that light you have and send it on to all us Chrony users. That light might turn my 7mm-08 into a 7mmWM

Yes many chronographs around that serve the same purpose, I've had my Chrony F1 since the late 70's or early 80's, one of the first batch brought to NZ. It has given good service and continues to do so. If I was doing a lot of chronographing a unit with a remote read screen and a memory would obviously be an advantage, but I don't and never have so the little chrony suits me.

Oehler and a pro Chrony plus...I like the Pro Chrony mostly because it works as well as the high dollar Oehler and quicker to set up and get done....It also cost about $109. when I bought it...

Stay away from that little red box chrony, it will waste more ammo and cause you much frustration on cloudly days and sunny days, its a pain in the butt...Those that claim it as a dandy have never used it much, and that's a fact.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The question I have is why are you worried about shooting groups with it on.

I get the velocity measurements then proceed on.

With other chronographs, you can both at the same time.

bingo

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
The question I have is why are you worried about shooting groups with it on.

I get the velocity measurements then proceed on.

With other chronographs, you can both at the same time.

Yes you can I just never bother to do both at the same time.

That is ok if you only have a few rifles......

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Oehler and a pro Chrony plus...I like the Pro Chrony mostly because it works as well as the high dollar Oehler and quicker to set up and get done....It also cost about $109. when I bought it...

Stay away from that little red box chrony, it will waste more ammo and cause you much frustration on cloudly days and sunny days, its a pain in the butt...Those that claim it as a dandy have never used it much, and that's a fact.

Mr. Atkinson:

This is my 5 USD solution (material - LED strip, cables, 9V connector and some UV cured glue etc., 30 minutes work excluded) to cheap "red boxes". It works now in all light conditions including total darkness.



Jiri

I have to admit that I've only owned one but have tested it against the magnito and other chronographs.

Mine's the chrony master beta.

Zeke

Yes, I'll admit to master beta-ing ! haha

Jiri,
Excellent idea, and if it works you need to patent it and sell it...awesome and certainly needed!

Mr. Atkinson,

there are already factory made "lights" for those red boxes, but mostly are made for connecting to grid (120 or 220V). I just made it by myself at the fraction of price and it is portable.

But tested it yesterday in indoor range with intensive fluorescent tube light (it is blicking or strobing at high frequency). It has been sometimes jammed by this. Will try to cover with black cloth from upside.

In indoor in almost total darkness and under incandescent bulb light, it worked flawless. Outdoor, there will be no "artificial jamming".

Jiri

Anybody out there with experience with the new LabRadar yet? If this doppler radar technology can be made available at a reasonable price, it becomes a game changer.

I have had such good luck with the pro chrony plus, that I seldom use my other high dollar chronograph anymore..

The prochrony plus at a tad over a hundred bill is so easy to haul out to the range and sets up so quickly that its about all I use, even at home on my short rifle range. I keep it on a tripod in the shop and flip the switch on and shoot. I have tested it on my Oehler several times and its within 10 to 15 FPS or better every time.