The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => Ammunition, questions, and handloading techniques => Topic started by: gdawgs56 on November 02, 2014, 10:30:01 PM
-
Sorry if this has been asked thousands of times, but what chronographs do you all use? I think it's time for me to get one.
-Jason
-
I've been borrowing a competition electronics pro chrono from a coworker. I have a Caldwell Chrono on order. I plan on performing a comparison of the two once the caldwell gets here (backorder).
Don't have any experience with any other brand.
The pro chrono works and I've only had two range sessions where it lost readings. You have to make sure it doesn't have issues with the sunlight. The first time it failed I thought it was a dead battery but it wasn't. The second time I literally moved my shooting direction 90 degrees and it started working again. When it would have sunlight issues, it would read something wacky (either really low ~300 fps or really high ~3000 fps). I've used it dozens of times and it seems fairly consistent from range session to range session.
Cheers,
Toby
-
I use a CED M2 with infrared sky screens.
-
CE Pro Chrono Digital.
recommendation: If you plan to use the chrono at a public shooting range, GET the remote control unit.
Think building a new load in .1 or .2 gr steps. Each step is a different "string" of shots over the chrono. Testing several different bullet speeds and performance: each one is a string of shots. Other shooters at a range will tire of letting you go down range to "change strings" on the chrono, or OOPS, I forgot to turn it on, or your done testing and want to turn it off and continue shooting. Even a hard wired remote is a really beneficial thing to have.
Just saying
-
Thanks guys! I'll only be using it in my private range (well, middle of no where in the desert is semi-private).
I'll check those suggestions out.
-Jason
-
i have a Pro Chrono Digital. no problems. :)
-
I took James & 1SOW up on their recommendations and got the remote CE. It is great at the public range as they say.
I also love downloading data into my laptop from the remote unit.
-
Mine was a gift, so I didn't get to choose, but it's one of those blue Chrony Beta units. It's very rugged and effective, but I have issues with erasing memory. That is, the menu is not intuitive.
Another item you'll need is a tripod. No one buys camera tripods anymore so most of the new ones are flimsy. However, there seems to be one or two nice sturdy units in every thrift store I visit, for about half the price of new.
-
Pro Chrono Digital, and I use the remote cable that hooks up to a laptop and run the chrono through the laptop.
-
Older Pro Chrono Digital here. I've had it for quite awhile and it's served very well over the years, so I know they are built well. :)
-
I used the Pro Chrono for a while and was very happy with it, but also have the new Caldwell.
I had some concerns over the 'cheapness' of the Caldwell unit (as in, will it last, or become another disposable item?), but so far I've been happy with it, other than the tripod with the 'deluxe' kit is meant for midgets and needs to be replaced - too short to shoot standing pistol, and pretty flimsy overall, but good enough for rifle.
The main reason for buying the Caldwell is the price of the remote kits for the Pro Chrono is the same or higher than the price of the Caldwell chrono, which uses a smart phone or tablet as the primary display and input mechanism. When shooting at public ranges that are not busy or on a private range, the Pro Chrono is great, but when working up/testing a dozen or more loads at a busy range, the remote is almost required, or a whole lot of wait/down time. The last outing with the Pro Chrono had me using a broomstick to try to press the 'string change' button w/out crossing the firing line... :-[
The Caldwell isn't perfect - I usually need to plug in the cable, remove, plug back in to phone and/or chrono at least once before it gets a 'solid' connection..having said that, once it gets a connection between phone and chrono, it's yet to lose it, including through a full afternoon with hundreds of rounds over the unit. With that in mind, I cable it, throw it on the tripod (one I had, not their supplied POS), start the app and turn the chrono on, and check to ensure it's got a connection established before I move the chrono down-range.
I would wager the Caldwell software is done in a 'low cost geography' as the first version was very much alpha-feeling, but they have made numerous app updates over time, and it's now pretty decent, allowing you to 'stage' or pre-enter the strings you plan on testing before being on site at the range, and a few other enhancements. You have the option to SMS/text or email your load results from your phone, although I'm still waiting for automatic Dropbox sync/export.
Back to back shooting 9mm Minor-ish loads (115-140 Power Factor), including one of my 'standard' 130PF loads, the Caldwell and Pro Chrono have been very close to each other, within 10FPS or so for 10 shot string averages, while many have favorably compared the Pro Chrono to the various $$$ chronos used at matches, so more or less I'm going with - it's accurate enough for most purposes.
Were I going to use it only at a private range, I'd go with the Pro Chrono, as they stand behind their product, and I've heard of people shooting theirs to still get it 'fixed'/replaced for a good price, but if your typical use is at a public or busy range, you'll want to consider the options and total cost for a remote.
YMMV as always - ask me in another couple of years, as the question remains - will both last for at least 10 years?
-
I have the PACT Professional, which I like because of the built in printer. I run a string and print it out. The other thing I like about it is only the sky screens go downrange, while all the "good parts" are next to me on the bench, along with all the controls. I've been using it for years and it's been a good unit.
Hope this helps.
Fred
-
Pro Chrono. It's usually calm enough people wise when I bring it out to go back and forth. :)
-
chrony m.
-
Pro Chrono digital here, too.
-
Another CE Pro Chrono user. See a trend?
Afforable, easy to set up, easy to use. Mine's been fairly accurate compared to what I chrono at home vs what I get at the Chrono Stage at major matches. Usually within +/- 1 PF.
-
Another CE Pro Chrono user. See a trend?
Afforable, easy to set up, easy to use. Mine's been fairly accurate compared to what I chrono at home vs what I get at the Chrono Stage at major matches. Usually within +/- 1 PF.
This is worth noting, as apparently some chronos have an interface designed by, well, engineers, possibly influenced by Rube Goldberg.
I've heard this about Shooting Chronys IIRC, among others.
The Pro Chrono interface is pretty darned simple - on/off, string change/next, string review, delete shot and delete string. No instructions needed.
The Caldwell with it's latest software is a bit more effort, but completely different interface being on a phone or tablet, but still, pretty simple.
-
We have the CED with infra red, mine seems to read a little low cause I always make 3 point more PF when I travel.
Also have used the competition electriconic but need a light bar for that so the ced is more user friendly.
I did think about one of these
http://www.neconos.com/details12.htm
-
Looks great, but 'yipe!'. The price of a great new CZ! ;) ;D
-
Looks great, but 'yipe!'. The price of a great new CZ! ;) ;D
or 3 p09s.... almost :o
-
Green F1 Shooting Chrony here... Pretty inexpensive and does the job. I can also say that it can withstand some mishaps... :-[