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I am thinking of buying one of these units,if anyone who has one can comment on the pros & cons?I would appreciate it,thanks. DRSS | ||
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Bill, All reports I have seen were positive. I wanted to try one here in our indoor range and was told by the company that it will not work in a tunnel. I hope others who are using them will let us know their experience. | |||
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What is it? Never mind. Doppler radar chronograph. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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It works, even at a public range. I bought the wired trigger for it. and the battery pack. That rubberband around the stock under the front of the scope is the trigger.  | |||
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I use it all the time and have very few errors. The microphone must be hooked up to read a suppressed rifle and when I forget the microphone, it won't read but it's my fault. Some say lining it up is tricky but I have not found that to be the case. * I went with a generic rechargeable battery back and it takes the expense out of running it. Zeke | |||
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I have watched the odd one being used on the range. Certainly agree they are are a good device however the owners do mention and I have observed, that the shot from other rifles close by can trigger the unit, nearby muzzle braked rifles in particular can do this. The range I use does have stations quite close to each other although on a non competition days there is plenty of room for shooters to spread along the stations to negate this issue. All up I have only heard positive things from those that own them. Still by far the most popular chronograph I observe being used on the range, myself included, is the little old Chrony. | |||
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Thanks for the replies gentlemen,I don't know why I did not go this route all this time,I reload for a lot of rifles,time to get one  DRSS | |||
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Labradar thread again. And again. And I have to write again: :-) For big, "high blast" calibers it is a must. I have to be 7 yards or so away from chrony with my .500 S&W Revolver, but Labradar works great. Used also with .585 Hubel Express. But for .177 air rifle, I will use chrony. Works with slugs, doesn't work with shot. I use it from small rifle calibers, pistols up to big ones. I tried it in underground shooting ranges with good results, but not tested in "single tunnel" range. tl;dr One of the best shooting/reloading gear I have. Jiri | |||
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Don't have one but just a thought----You might be able to use it with rifles that have muzzle brakes without having to remove the brake. Don't know for sure though. Hip | |||
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Mine works great, haven't brought the Oehler out in years | |||
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The only negatives are you might need a trigger if in a public setting (see the above photo- I don’t have one, but chrono use is not something I do with others around. The rare times I have, I haven’t had issues… It also has issues with small bullets and speeds over or around 4000 FPS. I have one, it’s much nicer than dealing with sky screens and having the chrono getting shot. I noted the results were essentially identical between my Oehler unit and the lab radar. I’d give it 4.5 stars. It can be finicky to aim it downrange and a strong wind can give bizarre readings at times. | |||
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I read this many times from many people. But never understand. I just take it, put it on tripod, aim to target and that's all. It works. No tricky part so far. I read also about some scope attaching to be able to aim to target. There is groove, it works well. Jiri | |||
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works great, less problems than other brands. easy to use, easy to setup keep a package of batteries in your backpack opinions vary band of bubbas and STC hunting Club Information on Ammoguide about the416AR, 458AR, 470AR, 500AR What is an AR round? Case Drawings 416-458-470AR and 500AR. 476AR, http://www.weaponsmith.com | |||
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I don't shoot around others so have not had any problems with false triggering. If anything, the trigger on mine seems not as sensitive as I would like. For .22's and target loads in hand guns I bought their external microphone which works even with air guns. To point the thing I use a cheap 6" plastic carpenters square held to the face of the unit. Just point the top of the blade at the target and lock in place. If you get one get a rechargeable USB battery pack as they are power hungry. C.G.B. | |||
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I have one and love it. I have had zero issues with "aiming it". I simply set it up on my bench and point it at the target. I don't even use a tripod. I cut a 1 ft square of 3/4 inch plywood and and screwed it to the bottom of the unit using the hole provided. Have not found the report trigger to be sensitive. I set up about 6 inches from the muzzle per mfg's directions. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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My experiences are round balls, no matter the diameter, don't work as there is no flat surface to bounce the radar beam directly back to the unit; rather it deflects the beam to the side. The solution: a tap with a hammer to leave a small round flat surface on the ball. Or, if there is flat surface due to the cut of the sprue plate that will work. I rest the flat surface on the top wad so it is at the bullet's base. No problem getting readings this way. cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Ha ha I like that one Cal, out comes the LabRadar along with a hammer, some may think it is to wack the LabRadar when it doesn't read what you want  I had heard that round balls and shot were a problem to get readings with the LabRadar so good solution you've found for round balls at least. | |||
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I cannot find one in stock anywhere,if anyone wants to sell one ? PM me please,thanks. DRSS | |||
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Bill73, Your weather is tooo cold to be out shooting anyhow! Just be patient and one will become available in a couple of years. NRA Life Benefactor Member, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center,Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/ | |||
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Cr, I get bundled up & shoot no matter the weather or I would have to move DRSS | |||
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I've had one for several years and am generally pleased with it. I also have a Magnetospeed and the MS has a few advantages when using a non-braked rifle but find myself using the LR 98% of the time. You'll want a lithium/USB battery to power the unit but those are widely available and cheap. You need to aim it carefully at your target. I used to use a plastic soda straw on the top "aiming groove" but you can find a 3D-printed crosshair aiming unit on eBay for $10 or so, and that works better. Be sure to consider the velocity of the projectile (and that might be the issue noted with a round ball). For black-powder or slow rounds, use the pistol setting. If the range is not busy and you are not using a suppressor, the internal microphone works fine. But if you shoot with suppressor, you'll want an inertial trigger which works quite reliably. These are available on the internet. I find this superior to the LR microphone for this purpose (and the inertial trigger unit uses the same input jack). I often shoot prone and it is inconvenient to reach up to press buttons on the unit (and this can disturb its aim). The newer LR firmware supports a Bluetooth connection to an Android or iOS device and there is an app from LR for this purpose. The app was recently updated (beginning of the year) and works better, but I still think one of their nephews is doing the coding. I prefer using the app but there are some bugs or oddities that need to be rectified. The unit will sometimes pick up a spurious reading and show you a velocity of about 2000 fps for a non-existent shot. These can be deleted, but it takes a few steps and the displayed series statistics (velocity, SD, ES) do not update. (It almost always does correct the data on the SD card and the statistics from the SD care will be correct). The unit stores its readings on an SD card. Be careful to not accidentally engage the tiny "lock" on the SD card or the LR will boot up with a fatal error message. If that happens, check the card. The statistical analysis is handy and I usually cut and paste the data into an Excel spreadsheet for storage and review. I think it is the best, most versatile chronograph available and worth the money. I do wish they would get a good programmer who understands shooting and handloading to tuneup their app! If the unit gets spuriously triggered or annoyed, it may display a message to the effect of "Error--press Enter to continue." Again, that is a pain if you are shooting prone. You can ignore the error message and keep shooting, and the unit functions fine. I have no idea why they have not eliminated this incorrect displayed advice. | |||
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Appreciate the input thanks. DRSS | |||
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Anybody see LabRadars for sale anywhere? I need one and can't find one. | |||
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I did manage to find one but paid the price on Gun Broker,check the auction sites,ebay,Amazon etc. DRSS | |||
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I've wanted one but that 3,900 fps speed limitation won't work. If you shoot a 6x284 or a 22-250AI you would have to have a chrono anyway. Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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I found one online at Scheel's, reasonable price too. | |||
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They still have stock @559$ way better than 999$ I paid,any one needing one should jump on this!!! DRSS | |||
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Thanks for the tip. Just ordered one. It's the "Lite" version without Bluetooth, but seems to have all the features I need. I look forward to leaving my old Chrony with its tricky set up and skyscreens behind! Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Two tips for folks. 1) The labradar eats betteries fast, so just use an auxiliary power pack like you use for a mobile phone. 2) No need for a tripod just use a piece of 3/4 or 5/8 plywood 12"x12" and screw it to the unit. Ofcourse counter sink the hole on the bottom side.  Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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I shoot at a public range and use the hard wired trembler trigger. | |||
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It is half the true. I use Energizer Ultimate Lithium, will last for many many shooting sessions. But, there is an issue!!! Never ever leave batteries in the Labradar for storage. I found it will eat your batteries if stored. I also tried to remove just one AA, but it actually works not as series of 6 AA cells, but IMHO as parallel combination of two series of 3 AA cells. So removing just one AA will not save all. Since I am removing all AAs after each shooting session, it will last for months or maybe for a year. Jiri | |||
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Good advice Jiri, I have found the same thing with my Chrony and digital calipers, both which seem to go through batteries quite quickly. Discovered by removing the batteries between use the batteries last way longer, in fact haven't replace the digital caliper battery for years now that I only install it each time I intermittently use them. | |||
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I have one, but can only provide very limited feedback as I've only made a couple of range trips with it. My friend and I found it frustrating to set up to use with the phone app, which they seem to recommend using. Otherwise, fine piece of equipment. We have each owned several chronos over the years. Certainly handy not having to put anything out in front of the line at a busy shooting range. We bought the extra battery pack because of the tendency to eat internal batteries fast. That seemed to work well. It's bulky, but that's the way things are in the shooting world. We like it overall. | |||
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