Chronograph: Questions

[ronas]

I'm going to need to buy a Chronograph. I've read about the ones to stay away from.

I've read that Oehler and Dillon CED M2 are acceptable. Are there any others that are pretty good that are not laboratory ballistic chonographs. I'm not looking to spend a lot of cash to get the best one. Just want a basic unit that is accurate and reliable. Not concerned with lots of features.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

The Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital is as simple as they get and one of the less expensive models on the market. Check the reviews at Midway. It couldn't possibly get so many reviews with so few material complaints unless it was as reliable as an anvil.

EDIT:
In the interest of full disclosure, I have a CED M2 and a Shooting Chrony Beta Master. I'm none too keen on the SC brand because I went through three of them in the first two months of 2010; the Beta Master I now have is my fourth. I bought the CED when the SC broke for the third time and I'm quite satisfied with it.

Accuracy and or reliability aside, the CED has some advantages over the ProChrono because it has a remote control head that sits beside you on the bench. For one thing, the display is only two feet away instead of 10, so it's easier to read. And you can reset/reboot it without going downrange. For another, the CED's battery is in the remote unit so you can change your battery without going downrange. That's a factor at a public range, and especially in the winter. When it's cold, I keep the spare battery in my pocket because the battery in use will die from the cold but gets revived by a few minutes in my trouser pocket.

 

[Yasherka]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I've been using the CED M2 for a couple years now. The only complaint I have is the software is problematic (for me at least) with 64 bit versions of Windows.

 

[CTone03]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I have the CED M2 and in my opinion, it's a fickle piece of junk just like all chronographs.

My advice is to buy a cheap one as all of them use the same crappy sensors from China. As already said, the only nice thing about the CED is that the display is close by. The only thing consistent about it is that you can count on getting mostly errors.

I've owned a Shooting Chrony F1 and a Comp Electronics ProChrono, and can say that chronographs in general are very frustrating. Paying more will not give you more reliability, but will get you bells and whistles. With that said, the F1 gave me about the same amount of errors as the M2, and the ProChrono was decent; keep it in either bright sunlight or complete shade with no intermittent shadows and you will get good, reliable velocities. Let the one of the sensors get shaded and you will get errors or crazy velocity readings.

I have no experience with the IR kits, and am debating whether to buy one for the M2 after kicking the tripod over yesterday in frustration as I ruined yet another OCW test from this mess, but if I had to do it all over again I would just spend $80 for the cheap Shooting Chrony F1 and deal with the limitations of 1950s technology.

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I have the master chrony (the blue one) It has a remote display so you can lay on the rifle and control it. I only use the strings of 10 shots myself but, I know it has other features or multiple strings. The next model up has a printer or mine can be upgraded if wanted. I have been happy with mine. It has always worked and with the exception of the box it comes in being way too small I have been very happy with it.

 

[1911jerry]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I have owned the CED and the SC. I have used them for many years and sooner or later you, or one of your best buds, will shoot it up.

The rods for the diffusion cover on the SC can be replaced with wooden dowels at your local hobby shop for real cheap. If you shoot the box of the SC, you can send it back and for a nominal fee, they will refurbish it.

The customer service at CED is 1st class. They have always taken care of me when I needed something small, and have always follwed up with a phone call or email to make sure everything is satisfactory with you. You can also purchase the individual parts you, or your best bud, will eventually shoot up.

There are only two types of people in the world..... those who have shot up a chrono and those that will.....

Jerry

 

[brand692]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I had an Oehler 35P and made the mistake of getting rid of it.

So I bought another. I hear of guys having problems all the time with cheap chronos, but the Oehler 35P never gave me a single error reading, ever.

The good news is Oehler is producing them again, but at a cost of $575. Used ones can be had for as low $400.

I wouldn't own anything but an Oehler after hearing of problems with sun position, light requirements, weather, and every other reason under the sun for other chrono not working. The PVM gets good reviews, but supposedly has a limited "sweet spot."

I live on the central coast of CA, and I've used the Oehler at all times of the day, in fog, in the clear, and just about everything in between. Before that I was on the East Coast, and same deal. It just never had a problem. At the time, I was shooting BR and literally put thousands of 6PPC and 6BR through it, again, without error.

But finding someone who has one and wants to let it go is getting more and more difficult as time moves forward. You will likely wait months. So ording a new one is the best. But they may be more than you want to spend.

Chronos are an excellent example of "you get what you pay for." If you weren't 3k miles away, you'd be welcome to use mine.

And Jerry is right. Just be prepared to put a hole in one. When I was still flying, they have a very similar saying: There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots. Likewise, there are guys who have have never used a chrono, and there are guys who have. But there aren't guys who have used a chrono and not shot it.


ETA: You are in SC. Try going over to the forums at www.6mmbr.com and see if you can't find a local BR comp. More than likely a couple of Oehler 35Ps will show up and a lot of the old timers won't mind putting a few rounds through one if you are just looking for velocities on a load. They may make you let them shoot your rifle so you don't put a hole in their priceless Oehler, but the goal of it is data collection, regardless of who is shooting it. However, if you are planning on using it for some serious load developement, you will need to buy one. Just an option.

 

[pjparker]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

My experience with my Oehler 35p mirrors Brand692's, except for two things.

I never got rid of mine, and I have had false or no readings caused by early morning low-angle sunlight.

Called Oehler about it and it seems to be a physical issue rather than a fault of the chronograph. Lignt reflected off of the surface of the bullet counters the shadow cast by the bullet, and the photo eye just does not see it.

The range I shoot at faces north, so early morning light is a full broadside 3 o'clock worst case scenario. Quit chrono-ing in the early morning and stopped having that issue.

Paul

 

[brand692]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

Wow. Never new that's what caused it. Probably one reason why I've never had issues with mine is because the range I shoot at here in CA sits in bowl. The sun has to be up a ways before it's over the mountains. Those of you who shoot at the Leguna Seca range know what I'm talking about.

The one up the road, Los Altos Rod and Gun is a ways away and I've never been there really early nor stayed late.

Back on the east coast I shot at the range on Gordon where I did most of my development. That was a much flatter range and the sun was hitting the lanes much earlier in the day. Now understanding what caused pjparker's problems, I'm kind of surprised I didnt have issues there. I forget though which direct that range faced. I think it was NNE, but I'm not 100% sure.

Thanks for the info pjp. I may take mine out this weekend just to see if I can get it to error.

 

[crossgun]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

Oehler 35P is an outstanding tool and proof that spending more does get you something. It gets you something that works and is accurate.

I bought a light kit for mine as I also use it a lot indoors for archery/arrow development.

Here is a review I did
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...143#Post2046143

 

[Deisel]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

http://www.oehler-research.com/cgi-local...30ee+1278237238

 

[head2h2o]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I have been running the CED for a while with no problems. Like other posters have said, it is only a matter of time before you shoot it. I have seen more than 1 chrono get taken out at the range.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

I think you guys must be doing something wrong. I've used my SC alpha for years now and have shot bullets, bb's, arrows, and paintballs over it and haven't hit it once.
As far as reliability/accuracy goes, I set up my chrono and shoot a string of .22lr through it to see what kind of readings im getting.

3 factors that will skew your results: sunlight/shade/muzzle flash, batteries, distance between sensors.

If the unit is not completely folded out, the distance is shorter and will give higher readings. I use a new 9v battery for every major chrono session I do. I only use the diffusers on really sunny days.

Hope this helps.
Kurzzeit/Neconos PVM-21 does look pretty cool though.

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: Chronograph: Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Powder Burns</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think you guys must be doing something wrong. I've used my SC alpha for years now and have shot bullets, bb's, arrows, and paintballs over it and haven't hit it once....</div></div>
You're obviously not doing it right. I can come over and help you with that if you like.