Labradar vs ProChrono Comparison

MikeinCalgary

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I have had my ProChrono chronograph for over two years and was thinking of upgrading to a Labradar, considered by many the gold standard in chronos. Before I spent alot on a new chrono, I wanted to make sure it would make a difference. A friend loaned me his Lab so I was able to do a side by side comparison. The Pro was about 12 feet in front of the barrel, the Lab was slightly behind the muzzle, so I would have expected a slightly slower result with the Pro. 10 shots using a K31:

Lab $650
average: 2508
SD 19.7
ES 66
low 2474
high 2540

Pro $180
Ave 2498
ES 70
SD 20
low 2464
high 2534

I noticed almost every shot on the Pro was 9 fps less than the Lab. My conclusion was to stick with the Pro, although the advantage of not going in front of the line with the Lab is appealling. The SD, which is really what I wanted to see was almost identical and certainly for load testing would be fine in either case.

MT
 
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Not having to shoot through it or cross the firing line to mess with it is worth the extra $$ to me for the Labradar.

And starting from last Sunday I can control it with my iPhone. :)
 
Personal preference.

This
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Or that
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As long as it works, who cares.
 

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I bought a Labradar after I shot by second Chrony.

Since I have to call a ceise fire just to adjust the chronograph I thought I'd be a nice guy and try to work with it slightly out of position. I clipped one of the rods and smoked the electronics so that was that.

There is a large steel visor in front of the firing point at my home range that inhibits the radar signal on the Labradar and that makes it hard to get on target there and get a good reading.

So keep in mind that a clear line of sight is best for the radar. If there is branches and things along a laneway for example it could confuse the radar unit.

But the Labradar is the cats pajamas on a wide open range like a military base where I've spent alot of time over the years.

It saves the speed for every yard out to about 300 yards and time of flight etc on the SD card.
 
...ask a guy with two watches what time it is...

I moved from a Chrony Beta (which will be up for sale tonight) to a Labradar last month, not because I was unhappy with the data, but just the setup and adjustment hassle. I was only taking the chrony out once or twice a year, whereas now I can always setup my labradar at my position and track every shot regardless of which distance or target im shooting at.

In the end, go with what works and what youre happy with.
 
I want a Lab but for the amount I will likely chronological I don't know its worth the price. wish I could rent one for a weekend or something

I do alot of competative shooting so the chrono is really important for reloading, and that is why I was consdidering the upgrade. I only use it when I replace a barrel, or buy a new rifle so it gets used once per year. If you don't reload then it's probably not worth getting a chrono. If you do and you shoot past 300-400m then the chrono is a good idea for getting better groups.
 
Perhaps slightly off topic as there is no ProChrono, but here's a Labradar vs Magnetospeed vs Oehler comparison.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/06/chrono-camparison-test-labradar-magnetospeed-oehler-35p/

I've got a Magnetospeed Sporter myself which is very compact and handy, especially when taking a reading during sight in on a busy firing line before a PRS match.

However, a few friends have the Labradar and they are great as there is no effect on POI or barrel harmonics. You can shoot your ladders and groups and chrono at the same time.
 
The problem I had with Magnetospeed is strapping it directly to the barrel and that affects harmonics and accuracy.

I saw David Tubbs has his set up on a rail connected to the forend on his ELR Tubb 2K rifle so it doesn't touch the barrel and he gets feedback for every shot without affecting accuracy.

Cool as that is, it's impractical for most of us.
 
The problem I had with Magnetospeed is strapping it directly to the barrel and that affects harmonics and accuracy.

I saw David Tubbs has his set up on a rail connected to the forend on his ELR Tubb 2K rifle so it doesn't touch the barrel and he gets feedback for every shot without affecting accuracy.

Cool as that is, it's impractical for most of us.

That was my initial hesitation with the magnetospeed, until I saw all the new rails/rods/attachments you could get to mount from the forend. By the time I added up Magnetospeed plus all the other bits to mount to my rail...I was dangerously close to the price of the labradar.
 
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