Folks,

Anybody using a Lab Radar chronograph? Saw one at the range recently and was pretty impressed as it was so easy to set up and it would do so much. No Sky Screens, no fiddling to get everything lined up with the target. I certainly would take it to the range more often than my Chrony.

Mark

Mark,
I don't have one myself but do know quite a few that do. To a t they all speak very well about the unit. Some minor complaints seem to revolve around battery life, but some of these guys are at the range for hours. The Lab Radar is also very good at getting the velocity at longer ranges.
John

Thanks John!

I have one.

It had a bit of a learning curve, and I’m still not great at using the electronic data collection part, but it works well, and isn’t as picky about set up.

It doesn’t do real well with small bores (under .224) and has not been super reliable with hot.223 wssm loads (they comment on a max velocity around 4000 FPS) especially at distance.

That being said, I haven’t used either of my Oehlers since getting it.

I’d rate it 4 stars but only because I’m a Luddite with this electronic communication stuff. (Compared to all the wires it’s 5 star)

Thanks Chuck!

I have and use one for few years now.

Search a forum, everything has been written already.

I was just reading reviews on it. The main complaint was that you have to aim it precisely and this can be tricky. Some people have built devices to help in aiming. I think someone has built an attachment to the top of the unit that allows mounting a scope. You aim through the scope at the target and you are on, but I don't think they are actively marketing them

I didn't have problems with aiming so far.

BTW Labradar now works with cellphone app. Connected by BT. I didn't know it has BT integrated. Just updated the firmware.

Jiri

I have had a Lab Radar for a while now and really like it. I picked up a setup trick on the 'net that seems to work well. Go to the home store and buy yourself a cheap plastic speed square. You hold the wide flat edge against the front of the unit aligned with the sight notch and sight along the top edge of the square at the target; very quick and easy.
My only complaint with the chronograph is that the audio trigger, even on its most sensitive setting, won't reliably trigger with .22 lr ammo. For this I have to use the Doppler trigger. I use a big usb rechargeable battery pack for power and don't even fool with the AA's any more.
C.G.B.

This is a review I did a little while back on Midway's website.

This is the best and easiest to use chronograph I have ever owned. It does have its limits though. For large profile bullets like the .284 150 grain and up you can get good reading out to a 100 yard target and a little beyond but for .223 caliber bullets reliable reading fall off around 50 yards. April 2nd I took the LabRadar to the range with a No. 1 220 Swift (55 gr Sierra HPBT), No. 1 7mm Mauser (150 gr Sierra SPBT), No. 1 25-06 (117gr SPBT), and a 1892 38-40 (180 gr RN cast bullets) and I shot 10 rounds each. The read distances 0, 10, 30, 50, 75, and 95 yards. The Swift reading started falling off at 50 yards with 0s or speeds faster than the muzzle speed, same with the 25-06. The 7mm Mauser had good numbers out to the target. The 38-40 WCF I had problems getting a reading at the start. I had to adjust the chronograph several time to get a reading. I blame this on low velocity and low report but I did get my 10 shot string with good numbers out to 30 yards. Even with these limits and small problems LabRadar beats the old style chronys hands down.

The spread sheets it produces all need to be reworked. The data ends up in the wrong columns so you have to move it around but once you rearrange it, it makes a nice looking report.

I have one an really love it. With the double rifle, firing offhand due to caliber; you do not have to worry about shooting the sky screens.

I started using a camera tripod to support the Lab Radar unit for the standing shots and now use the tripod even on the bench. The tripod positions the Lab Radar unit in the proper position with respect to the rifle muzzle and is easy to set up and aim with the articulating head on the tripod.

I initially has some trouble aiming the unit. However, I found taking a 2" long piece of plastic straw, setting in the Lab Radar "sights", and holding the straw down with one finger while aiming the unit has totally solved that issue.

I would also suggest using an external battery.

George

I'm another fan. I also use an external battery pack. I've never had aiming difficulties with my unit.

I've had one for about two years now. I find it difficult to aim properly to get an accurate velocity reading. I've switched over to a Magnetospeed V3 and am happier with it.

I use only the LR now. I find the doppler method picks ups shots 99% of the time. I dont like magnetos because anything hanging off my barrel is bound to change harmonics.