Chronograph

[JEBar]

I'd appreciate recommendations for a replacement shooting chronograph .... I've used the same "Chrony" since the '80's that served me well until earlier today .... don't ask why I suddenly need a new one ..

[Squatch]

I've got this one and I'm very pleased with it. Just mount it on a cheap camera tripod.
https://www.amazon.com/Competition-Elec ... B0028MTBJ4

A few weeks ago My bud on here Hack was shooting his 45/70 with a scope and clipped the left 2 wires. It was impressive. Those wire are hard stuff. Bent them into instant candy canes. I could NOT straighten them at all by hand with my Leatherman tool. New replacement diffuser kit was only $10 and back in business. Thing still works great! Lotta bang for the buck.

JEbar you are supposed to hit the wires not the box when you miss!

[JEBar]

JEbar you are supposed to hit the wires not the box when you miss!

I have looked at the one in your link , good to hear favorable comments on it .... I have also looked at this one https://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Ballist ... hronograph .... I like the idea of having a tripod .... I actually did hit a wire and what it did to the area where the wire was inserted apparently was enough to kill the unit .... I think the wires ought to be brightly colored so they will show up in a scope ...

[Squatch]

The problem is the scope is focused so far down range they just don't show up in the scope.

Looks like a decent unit as well.

[JEBar]

yep, my hope was a bright color might help

[Les]

I have a Chrony F1, and a Caldwell Ballistic Precision Premium chrono - the one shown in your link. The Caldwell 'Premium' unit comes with a special lighting kit that allows it to be used indoors - something that the F1 can't usually do, because it it affected by mains lighting.

It works the same way as the F1, and it seems to be equally accurate. The only downside is that it all fits into its own bag, which is supplied, but it tends to be a bit bulky. It's not a major problem, because it's very light and can be slung across your shoulder.

The LED lighting unit runs off cells/batteries, so there's no need to find a power socket in order to use it indoors. The Caldwell comes with a power adapter, so it can be used directly from a power socket, or it can be used via a 9 volt cell/battery.

I always site the chrono fairly close to the muzzle - 10 to 15 feet for fullbore, less for smallbore - as it's just the muzzle velocity that I'm really interested in, so I've never had any mishaps with wayward rounds ...... yet!

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[JEBar]

I've never needed to use one indoors .... how often do you use yours inside

[Les]

I've never needed to use one indoors .... how often do you use yours inside

At home, hardly ever, but it does see regular use at the club. Another alternative is to use something like the Skan chrono, which relies on shooting through an aperture ...... definitely not something you'd want to do downrange.

http://www.skanar.co.uk/skchrp1.htm

[JEBar]

that is an interesting chrony, first time I've seen one like it .... I can see it used with a BB gun

[ssonb]

I have discovered after a range remodel on my crony that you need to take a piece of paper and tape it on the last diffuser on the outside and stick a small target or mark with a marker a spot to aim on the device itself.

[JEBar]

I have discovered after a range remodel on my crony that you need to take a piece of paper and tape it on the last diffuser on the outside and stick a small target or mark with a marker a spot to aim on the device itself.

understood on the tape on the outside of the rear antenna wire but I'm a bit hazy on the spot to aim

[ssonb]

In the center of the paper equidistant from all sides, the top, sides and bottom of the triangle formed by the "antenna'' Using this method I have had people shoot thru my unit that have never even seen a chronograph and not hit anything important..When you shoot thru a chrono you only worry about a backstop for the bullet after it has passed thru the device.

[JEBar]

10-4 .... I've never had an issue when using open sights but, unfortunately, with a scope focused on a target down range, I can't see the chronograph .... I believe that by mounting it on a tripod it will be easier to place the chrony where the bullet should pass toward the top of the antennas where its as far from the body of the chrony as is possible .... in addition, I was trying to do two things at once, testing various loads to see how they grouped and the speed they generated .... I really need to do one at a time .... test a few rounds for speed and then put aside the chrony and test some more for grouping .... hopefully, lesson learned

[JEBar]

as I continue researching what's out there I ran across the Labradar Ballistic Velocity Doppler Radar ===> https://www.amazon.com/Labradar-Ballist ... 8QEPBJG43W <=== YouTube videos abound and I find it interesting that folks either love or hate the Labradar ===> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGz3Gbf5njw <=== at its price point, it isn't one I'd consider but I do find it interesting

[JEBar]

update ---- as has been mentioned, the parent company of Caldwell is Battenfeld Technologies .... their customer service can be reached at (877) 509-9160 .... the fellow I spoke with was very helpful, a pleasure to work with .... I needed to order a replacement metal antenna rod .. .. at $1 each with free shipping, I ordered 4 rods .... one just never knows when a replacement will be needed ..