After researching and debating for several months I recently took the plunge and purchased a new Labradar chronograph. I had read several mixed reviews and this was my experience during my first outing.
Prior to heading to the range I powdered up my unit at home and pre-set my units for velocity, distance, etc. I also downloaded the Bluetooth app for my iphone. I initially had connectivity issues with the bluetooth app and my phone connecting to my Labradar like many others have spoken of as well. I quickly discovered that the connectivity issue was due to my phone being connected to my Garmin watch at the same time. Once I disconnected the bluetooth connection to my watch I was able to successfully connect my phone to my Labradar repeatedly without issue.
At the range we were shooting off of a bench and had the Labradar attached to my spotting scope tripod and set in front of the bench. I started by using the notch on the top of the chronograph to aim the unit and thought it looked good. At this point I grabbed a soda straw as some recommended and set it in the aiming notch of the unit. I quickly discovered that I was pointed towards the 100 yard target but pointed about 4 feet high of the target. I made an adjustment and left it at that. Next we fired a series of shots through the four following rifles:
6.5 Creedmoor with APA brake
280 AI with APA brake
338 Norma Mag with Terminator brake
300 WSM with Thunderbeast suppressor
For all rifles the Labradar was positioned approximately 4-6" in front of the break/suppressor and 10" right of the muzzle. The outing was successful with all 52 rounds fired from these rifles recorded and velocities were within 5-10 fps of what I had previously recorded with my magnetspeed. We had no missed velocity readings and the Bluetooth worked well for the most part. The phone disconnected a couple of times but I just closed out the app, reopened the app and connected again.
All in all I am very happy with the unit and hope this info is of some help to others that may be considering one. I have attached some pictures showing the Labradar position relative to our rifles muzzle.
Prior to heading to the range I powdered up my unit at home and pre-set my units for velocity, distance, etc. I also downloaded the Bluetooth app for my iphone. I initially had connectivity issues with the bluetooth app and my phone connecting to my Labradar like many others have spoken of as well. I quickly discovered that the connectivity issue was due to my phone being connected to my Garmin watch at the same time. Once I disconnected the bluetooth connection to my watch I was able to successfully connect my phone to my Labradar repeatedly without issue.
At the range we were shooting off of a bench and had the Labradar attached to my spotting scope tripod and set in front of the bench. I started by using the notch on the top of the chronograph to aim the unit and thought it looked good. At this point I grabbed a soda straw as some recommended and set it in the aiming notch of the unit. I quickly discovered that I was pointed towards the 100 yard target but pointed about 4 feet high of the target. I made an adjustment and left it at that. Next we fired a series of shots through the four following rifles:
6.5 Creedmoor with APA brake
280 AI with APA brake
338 Norma Mag with Terminator brake
300 WSM with Thunderbeast suppressor
For all rifles the Labradar was positioned approximately 4-6" in front of the break/suppressor and 10" right of the muzzle. The outing was successful with all 52 rounds fired from these rifles recorded and velocities were within 5-10 fps of what I had previously recorded with my magnetspeed. We had no missed velocity readings and the Bluetooth worked well for the most part. The phone disconnected a couple of times but I just closed out the app, reopened the app and connected again.
All in all I am very happy with the unit and hope this info is of some help to others that may be considering one. I have attached some pictures showing the Labradar position relative to our rifles muzzle.
