Cronograph
- Thread starter bubba300
- Start date
I use a Chrony Gamma Master.
When using the Chrony indoors around fluorescent lights you will need a special light source such as the optional
Chrony LED Lamps.
It works very well and it is Canadian made and serviced.
Their accessories and replacement parts can be ordered factory direct for a reasonable price with a quick turnaround.
This is important in my opinion when using a product you will be shooting through or at.
It works really well as long as it is set up far enough to prevent muzzle blast or unburnt powder from tripping the chronograph.
It has a lot of memory so you can print out the data at home with the supplied printer if you want a hard copy.
The other nice feature of the Chrony brand is that you can always upgrade a lower model Chrony at a later time.
When using the Chrony indoors around fluorescent lights you will need a special light source such as the optional
Chrony LED Lamps.
It works very well and it is Canadian made and serviced.
Their accessories and replacement parts can be ordered factory direct for a reasonable price with a quick turnaround.
This is important in my opinion when using a product you will be shooting through or at.
It works really well as long as it is set up far enough to prevent muzzle blast or unburnt powder from tripping the chronograph.
It has a lot of memory so you can print out the data at home with the supplied printer if you want a hard copy.
The other nice feature of the Chrony brand is that you can always upgrade a lower model Chrony at a later time.
Chrony make a simple one that reads out the velocity of each shot. The next one up has a memory and will red back the average of the string, the Extreme Spread and the Standard deviation of the string. This model is available with the read out on the unit or on a small separate box connected to the unit by a 20' telephone cord.
The simple one is a huge step up from nothing at all. The one that generates averages, etc. is good only if you plan to shoot 5 or 10 shot strings.
The simple one is a huge step up from nothing at all. The one that generates averages, etc. is good only if you plan to shoot 5 or 10 shot strings.
Anyone here use CED? I am also looking for a new one, but Canadian made has piqued my interest, I would like a good solid, accurate model that does not need to be transported. I have my own range and if there is a heavy model that isn't meant to be stored, taken down or built for travel I would be interested.
Think of it this way
You have 2 points that have light beaming through and a sensor on the other side. when you break the light on 1 end it starts a timer and when it goes through the other end it stops the timmer it then uses math to spit out the FPS.
Now since everyshot is a little diffren't fps off because it's almost impossible to get the same load everytime due to burn rate, powder ect allot of them can do the average speed over say a 10 shot string and say this is the average with this one or that one being faster or slower.
Now cheapo cronys have a narrow margin to shoot through ie smaller amount of area the bullets can pass through making them a little harder to use some use mutiple sensors to be more accurate but it really depends on how much you want to spend as the sky is the limit.
You have 2 points that have light beaming through and a sensor on the other side. when you break the light on 1 end it starts a timer and when it goes through the other end it stops the timmer it then uses math to spit out the FPS.
Now since everyshot is a little diffren't fps off because it's almost impossible to get the same load everytime due to burn rate, powder ect allot of them can do the average speed over say a 10 shot string and say this is the average with this one or that one being faster or slower.
Now cheapo cronys have a narrow margin to shoot through ie smaller amount of area the bullets can pass through making them a little harder to use some use mutiple sensors to be more accurate but it really depends on how much you want to spend as the sky is the limit.
I have a CED M2, works well but it doesn't meet your criteria for a stationary unit. Its light and meant to be transported but like I said it does work good. If you want a real nice unit buy once and cry once pick up a Oehler P35.
Here's a test of several brands of chronographs conducted on 6mmBr:
We tested all the major brands.
1. Shooting Chrony -- Narrow sweet spot. Controls are confusing -- multiple pushes of same button required. Some units are very fussy as to light conditions. No IR option. Good Battery life.
2. PACT -- IR option doesn't work very well. Too many buttons on keypad. Thermo printer burns batteries quickly. We had to send one unit back. Having printer is nice, but overall, battery life is big issue.
3. Oehler 35P. Big, heavy with proof channel. Base unit very simple to use and very reliable. Sensors have proper lenses so the beam is focused, giving bigger sweet spot. Paper is very hard to feed when you run out. Battery life is pretty good considering it has a printer.
4. CED -- Small, light keypad. Nice big display. Keypad is pretty intuitive. Hinged sensor mounting bar is clever, compact when stored, but you have to be careful to slip the sensor bases on securely. IR option works good, IF you have the plugs seated tightly.
5. PVM-21 -- Once assembled (like a box kite), it is very fast, easy to set up. IR emitters work fantastic -- it will register lead pellets in complete darkness. AC adapter is funky. Unit works better with 12V battery but that has to be carried separately. Very reliable unit if you just use the white receiver box, but then you have to write down the results. Software is cranky to install and Not at all intuitive. Most guys using PVMs have given up on using with a lap-top. Unit desperately needs a better (less buggy and simpler) software interface, and it should be converted to run 5.5 volts so you could power from your laptop.
What would I buy? CED for entry level. Oehler if you have the money. PVM-21 if you shoot in low-light. PVM is excellent, but the computer interface is "not ready for prime time" and far too complex for most users. We had issues just installing the software on laptops -- you have to fiddle around to get the drivers to "take". If PVM would plug directly into USB port (like a printer) with clean software, it would be my choice for field assignments.
I have a CED M2 with the infra-red option. I'm quite satisfied with it except that set up is a PITA, particularly when the range is busy. I just bought a Magnetospeed for those situations, but I have yet to try it.
We tested all the major brands.
1. Shooting Chrony -- Narrow sweet spot. Controls are confusing -- multiple pushes of same button required. Some units are very fussy as to light conditions. No IR option. Good Battery life.
2. PACT -- IR option doesn't work very well. Too many buttons on keypad. Thermo printer burns batteries quickly. We had to send one unit back. Having printer is nice, but overall, battery life is big issue.
3. Oehler 35P. Big, heavy with proof channel. Base unit very simple to use and very reliable. Sensors have proper lenses so the beam is focused, giving bigger sweet spot. Paper is very hard to feed when you run out. Battery life is pretty good considering it has a printer.
4. CED -- Small, light keypad. Nice big display. Keypad is pretty intuitive. Hinged sensor mounting bar is clever, compact when stored, but you have to be careful to slip the sensor bases on securely. IR option works good, IF you have the plugs seated tightly.
5. PVM-21 -- Once assembled (like a box kite), it is very fast, easy to set up. IR emitters work fantastic -- it will register lead pellets in complete darkness. AC adapter is funky. Unit works better with 12V battery but that has to be carried separately. Very reliable unit if you just use the white receiver box, but then you have to write down the results. Software is cranky to install and Not at all intuitive. Most guys using PVMs have given up on using with a lap-top. Unit desperately needs a better (less buggy and simpler) software interface, and it should be converted to run 5.5 volts so you could power from your laptop.
What would I buy? CED for entry level. Oehler if you have the money. PVM-21 if you shoot in low-light. PVM is excellent, but the computer interface is "not ready for prime time" and far too complex for most users. We had issues just installing the software on laptops -- you have to fiddle around to get the drivers to "take". If PVM would plug directly into USB port (like a printer) with clean software, it would be my choice for field assignments.
I have a CED M2 with the infra-red option. I'm quite satisfied with it except that set up is a PITA, particularly when the range is busy. I just bought a Magnetospeed for those situations, but I have yet to try it.
I have a blue Chrony model, works fantastic for my bows and rifles. Setup I find very easy, sweet spot has never been an issue. The only addon I wish I took was the remote control, but its not a big issue. Small dollar comitment for great performance. Good luck on your choice !
SavageLapua
CGN Regular
- Location
- Mining brass near Red Deer
I hate chrony's that you have to shoot over the sensors. Lighting is always an issue...
I'm ordering one of these as my Christmas present to me...
MagnetoSpeed
Solid copper or brass would be out though...
I'm ordering one of these as my Christmas present to me...
MagnetoSpeed
Solid copper or brass would be out though...
I've got a Chrony. My only mistake was cheaping out and buying the most basic model. I should have spent a few bucks more for the Beta, Beta Master and Gamma, Gamma Master Chronys as you can for about $14 build a computer interface and record the data either in excel or in a terminal window.
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This one has me really interested, but there is so little info out there right now. Let us know how it performs once you try it out.
X2 The CED M2 has been a great unit for me, and I have used it quite a bit this summer/fall during my own load development as well as a few friends. My only complaint is that my friends don't seem to see the guides very well and tend to shoot them
If you plan on letting your friends use it, get some extra guides!
I have the PVM-21 and I do not agree with this assessment of the software completely. It is correct that it can be a challenge to get the software and the PVM to interface, however it is fairly quick and straight forward when you get used to it. The Software is very powerful, just requires a very different logic to how you approach your data entry. Once you are used to it, it works very well.
Where the PVM really shines is the aperture, which is large and very easy to shoot through without hitting the expensive chronograph.
I bought a 35p about 25 yrs ago. Gave the Chrony I had to a friend. Could never trust the Chrony to work properly when needed. I don't use the printer, I prefer to just write it down before clearing it. I was considering ordering a set of the new screens for it. Not that I need them, mine only had two to start with, and the new stuff is a 3 screen set. But, they'd cost me what I paid for the 35p originally.
