Decent priced Chrono?

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  • Cameramonkey

    www.thechosen.tv
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    May 12, 2013
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    I have an email into Caldwell's parent company, but wanted to get INGOs opinion.

    Just started reloading so I bought a Caldwell basic Chrono. First one worked OK my first outing. Only a few random anomalies. Second outing it threw a ~6,500+ FPS reading (9mm pistol) then refused to "see" more bullets. No errors, just acted like I wasnt shooting. So I exchanged it.

    Fast forward to this afternoon.

    New one is doing similar. Readings between 646 and 26,884*, LOTS of errors alternating between error2 and error3 (one or the other sensor fails to see the bullet) *Pretty sure my gun should have blown up if that were true, but no difference in felt recoil.


    So far this looks like a craptastic, semi reliable chrono. ( only have maybe 3-4 of the 10 loads I worked up that I trust the results on) Any suggestions that wont break the bank? I'd LOOOOOOVE a LabRadar unit, but that's a bit outside my budget.

    I thought maybe batteries, but reliability was sporadic throughout the afternoon. It actually seems to have gotten better as the day went on, but it wasnt a steady improvement. More of a sine wave. (bad, good, bad, good, bad, good...)

    Ideas?

    EDIT: It MUST have a smartphone interface or have a way to export the data. I'm spoiled by the features of this (maybe PoS) unit. I set the group data and hit record. It saved it to my phone via a cable and I didnt have to write anything down. (one of the anomalies can be seen below)

    Example:

    --------------------------------------------
    Set: 6
    Created: 06/18/17 02:30 PM
    Description: 147 over 3.1TG
    Notes 1:
    Notes 2:
    Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
    Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
    Bullet Weight(gr): 147.00
    Temp: N/A °F
    BP: N/A inHg
    Altitude: 0.00
    # FPS FT-LBS PF
    10 749 183.15 110.10
    9 2242 1640.98 329.57
    8 761 189.06 111.87
    7 595 115.58 87.46
    6 1014 335.67 149.06
    5 845 233.10 124.21
    4 1253 512.55 184.19
    3 863 243.14 126.86
    2 863 243.14 126.86
    1 862 242.58 126.71
    Average: 1004.7 FPS
    SD: 468.0 FPS
    Min: 595 FPS
    Max: 2242 FPS
    Spread: 1647 FPS
    Shot/sec: 0.4
    True MV: 1005 FPS
    Group Size (in): 0.00

    --------------------------------------------
    Set: 7
    Created: 06/18/17 02:37 PM
    Description: 147 over 3.2TG
    Notes 1:
    Notes 2:
    Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
    Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
    Bullet Weight(gr): 147.00
    Temp: N/A °F
    BP: N/A inHg
    Altitude: 0.00
    # FPS FT-LBS PF
    10 922 277.52 135.53
    9 924 278.73 135.83
    8 993 321.91 145.97
    7 927 280.54 136.27
    6 932 283.57 137.00
    5 935 285.40 137.45
    4 942 289.69 138.47
    3 918 275.12 134.95
    2 948 293.39 139.36
    1 928 281.14 136.42
    Average: 936.9 FPS
    SD: 21.7 FPS
    Min: 918 FPS
    Max: 993 FPS
    Spread: 75 FPS
    Shot/sec: 0.4
    True MV: 937 FPS
    Group Size (in): 0.00
     
    Last edited:

    oldpink

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    Apr 7, 2009
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    Pro-Chrono Digital
    It's currently going for $95 in that above link and you may be able to find it for slightly less, but I'd call that a killer deal.
    It's even made in USA, for those to whom that is considered a bonus, as I do.
    I love mine, and that's all I can say that.
     

    WhitleyStu

    Keep'em Scary Sharp!!!
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    Feb 11, 2009
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    I've been using a Pro-Chrono Digital for quite a few years. It is very user friendly and less effected by various light condition than any of the other chrono I have had. When shooting indoors under fluorescent light the optional light bar works great.
     

    gmcttr

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    May 22, 2013
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    I started using the Caldwell basic this year and haven't had any problems. I have noticed that the unit needs to be carefully lined up and shots need to be well centered (left to right) to prevent 'no read' errors but this hasn't caused wildly high readings.

    Are you positioning the unit far enough out (~15') that the gases exiting the barrel aren't causing problems?
     

    Cameramonkey

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    I started using the Caldwell basic this year and haven't had any problems. I have noticed that the unit needs to be carefully lined up and shots need to be well centered (left to right) to prevent 'no read' errors but this hasn't caused wildly high readings.

    Are you positioning the unit far enough out (~15') that the gases exiting the barrel aren't causing problems?

    I didnt see in the manual anything about distance. When I fired up the app the default distance is "1 foot". So I presumed I could use it that close since they default to such a close distance. Who knew they would default to a non-workable distance. :dunno:

    Support came to the same conclusion this AM. I'll try again with a longer distance.
     

    gmcttr

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    I figured it was either distance or you were having really bad luck getting two defective units in a row.

    Let us know how it goes, but I suspect your problem is solved.
     

    Mgderf

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    I thought it would turn out to be clouds, or trees...
    I've read that shadows moving over the Caldwell can detrimentally affect results.
    I did know that you needed more than a foot clearance though.
     

    RobbyMaQ

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    I have one you can borrow. Caldwell. It's pretty reliable. Accuracy? I have no way to test. Seems within lines of the reloads on 9mm I've done.
    Only goofy thing is you have to plug in the phone end first, then the chrono. the app is goofy like that. Unsure on exporting, as I use a tracfone. it records shot strings, and you can save data, etc...
    otherwise, works rain or shine.
    Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph I got mine through basspro on rewards points (for like 15$ on my end)
     

    Cameramonkey

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    I have one you can borrow. Caldwell. It's pretty reliable. Accuracy? I have no way to test. Seems within lines of the reloads on 9mm I've done.
    Only goofy thing is you have to plug in the phone end first, then the chrono. the app is goofy like that. Unsure on exporting, as I use a tracfone. it records shot strings, and you can save data, etc...
    otherwise, works rain or shine.
    Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph I got mine through basspro on rewards points (for like 15$ on my end)

    Thanks. Same one I have. Gonna try it at 15' and see how that goes. To export, you email the results. As cheesy and plastic as they are, they seem to have the app down pretty well. When I email the results I get a list in the body of all the data, and a csv file for each group. Pretty damned cool. And their customer service is excellent. They responded to me in only 2 business hours. I'm impressed.

    I still really want a doppler unit though. LOL
     

    RobbyMaQ

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    Thanks. Same one I have. Gonna try it at 15' and see how that goes. To export, you email the results. As cheesy and plastic as they are, they seem to have the app down pretty well. When I email the results I get a list in the body of all the data, and a csv file for each group. Pretty damned cool. And their customer service is excellent. They responded to me in only 2 business hours. I'm impressed.

    I still really want a doppler unit though. LOL

    DOH! Sorry missed that you had already bought one.
     

    gopurdue02

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    I've had good luck with the Competition Electronics ProChrono. Also, if budget is no object I would also recommend labradar as well. I often run them together and when the ProChrono works right they are often within 5-10 FPS. However, light is the devil of all chronographs and ergo the reason i've switched over to labradar. Mine had some initial problems but they worked it out for me.
     

    Doublehelix

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    I've had good luck with the Competition Electronics ProChrono. Also, if budget is no object I would also recommend labradar as well. I often run them together and when the ProChrono works right they are often within 5-10 FPS. However, light is the devil of all chronographs and ergo the reason i've switched over to labradar. Mine had some initial problems but they worked it out for me.

    This is my issue as well. I want the Labradar, but have a Caldwell budget.

    Without hijacking this thread too far, what were your issues?
     

    Cameramonkey

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    This is my issue as well. I want the Labradar, but have a Caldwell budget.

    Without hijacking this thread too far, what were your issues?

    Jack away. I'm curious too. I heard they are awesome but tempermental... (wait, that sounded REALLY bad.)
     

    gopurdue02

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    I documented my issues here:

    https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/427510-labradar-problems.html

    However, they basically replaced every part of my unit and since then I have had zero issues. I mostly run both units at the same time for my competition loads to be 100% sure my reloads make power factor. I reload nearly 100% of my ammo theses days and getting accurate FPS data is very important to me and I had no issues writing the check for the labradar setup.
     

    Doublehelix

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    I documented my issues here:

    https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/ammunition-reloading/427510-labradar-problems.html

    However, they basically replaced every part of my unit and since then I have had zero issues. I mostly run both units at the same time for my competition loads to be 100% sure my reloads make power factor. I reload nearly 100% of my ammo theses days and getting accurate FPS data is very important to me and I had no issues writing the check for the labradar setup.


    Ahhh... I do remember that thread now that I see it. So they were able to get it fixed it sounds like with a couple of trips back to the shop. That is a shame that you had to send it back twice, but I guess it is good news to hear that it is working now.
     
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