Chronograph choices

[Roper]

I'm in the market for a chronograph and am curious if there is any consensus of the best model.

I'm tending towards the Chrony brand as they have what seems to be the most complete selection of models and accessories.

This is the last "toy" in my reloading arsenal and would like to get it right the first time.

 

[WIL TERRY]

OEHLER.

 

[Rick Courtright]

OEHLER.

Hi,

I'd agree, except for all practical purposes, Oehler's out of the consumer chrono business. They were supposed to make a special run of the Model 35 starting last summer. Dunno if they did. Their Model 43 is suspended if I read the website correctly.

Don't get me wrong: I have an Oehler 33 that's coming up on it's 30th birthday! Price was dear then, and nothing's changed over the years. Looks like the basic Model 43 carries a price of $600.

One could be in Chrony's for a LONG time for that, as their basic unit can usually be had for real close to $100, and the "better" ones don't take huge price jumps from there.

And, in head to head tests of my buddy's $100 Chrony, and my Oehler, there's not enough difference to get excited about. And, if the chrono doesn't do ALL the calculations you want, everybody reading this has access to a computer, and any of the popular spreadsheets can be set up to do them. (For free, even, if you go for the Open Office suite!)

If I had to buy a new one today, it would be a Chrony...

Rick C

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I just bought a Beta Master Chrony and it's a nice unit. I'm going to replace the metal light diffuser rods with wooden dowels as someone here suggested - in case they get shot it won't take out more costly components.

 

[contender]

I too suggest for pure quality with the standard by which all others are measured,, Oehler. And yes, they did make some more of them for the regular market. Not the cheapest, but the best.

 

[WESHOOT2]

I use a PACT; I recommend any brand that separates brains from the get-shot parts.

 

[Rclark]

Mine is the nice folding compact $99 Chony F1. Another guy brought his out (another brand). Shot over both at same time. Agreed within a few fps. I am satisfied with mine. Might not be the 'best' but it works. Yes I have to write the numbers down in a notebook (no printout), and yes I have to come home and put velocities in a spreadsheet to get average and standard deviation. Simple. Only other thing you need is a tripod for easy adjustment.

 

[Cholo]

I like my PACT.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Mine is the nice folding compact $99 Chony F1. Another guy brought his out (another brand). Shot over both at same time. Agreed within a few fps. I am satisfied with mine. Might not be the 'best' but it works. Yes I have to write the numbers down in a notebook (no printout), and yes I have to come home and put velocities in a spreadsheet to get average and standard deviation. Simple. Only other thing you need is a tripod for easy adjustment.

"One of these days" I'm gonna get the ballistic printer to plug into mine. Do away with the pen & pad and cipherin'... :wink:
(There's a 1/8" jack on the side of an F1 for that purpose...)

Besides, the readout screen on mine has become so splattered with powder soot and bullet lube over the years that it's getting hard to read! :lol: I have to say, as long as one doesn't put a bullet into it, an F1 will certainly give one their money's worth in spades... 8)

Tip: An F1 in it's original box fits perfectly in a .30 cal ammo can... :wink:

 

[paul105]

Here's the one I have. I recommend it highly. I've had others that gave me fits (false readings, err messages, etc.) but this one has proven to be very user friendly. If you shoot at a busy range, a remote control would be very handy (although not necessary if you use the pen/notebook technique.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

A remote control/pc interface is available

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/858466/competition-electronics-digital-remote-control-for-prochrono-chronograph

Paul

 

[Rclark]

Besides, the readout screen on mine has become so splattered with powder soot and bullet lube over the years that it's getting hard to read

Don't ya know, you are supposed to put 10-15 feet away at least? And not rest the muzzle on the front of it ??? Ha!

Paul105's chronograph is the one I compared mine against BTW.

 

[paul105]

Besides, the readout screen on mine has become so splattered with powder soot and bullet lube over the years that it's getting hard to read! :lol:

No problems with debris on my readout screen because, recently, it has been hiding behind RClark's.

I have to say, as long as one doesn't put a bullet into it, an F1 will certainly give one their money's worth in spades... 8)

I've lost a several to bullet impacts - a couple accidental, one intentional (it had been back to maker twice without being fixed).

Because of the sight to bore relationship, you need to be extra careful shooting AR type rifles over your chronograph (learned that lesson the hard way). Also be careful to aim a little higher when using a scope (especially one with a big objective/high mount).

Paul

 

[gunners]

I just bought the pro chrono somebody else just mentioned. Got the USB inter face as well with the program for my laptop. Have not used it yet as it only came on thursday. Might feel a bit funny rocking up to the range with a laptop though

 

[Rclark]

LOL, gun on hip on the right, and laptop in hand on the left, with a blackberry in the pocket.... The modern info-gun-slinger....

 

[gunners]

No I have an iphone :lol: as long as it ain't the other stuff I'm slinging it should be good

 

[bigboredad]

I really depends on what you want it to do. I had a beta master for a long time and loved it. The master just means it comes with a 10' telephone cord so you can put the read out on the bench and put the chrony 10' feet away. To keep from shooting it you can have a steel plat welded at an angle to go in front of it. If I had done that instead of talking about it I wouldn't need another one. which brings up another good point. You can trade in your shot up chrony of any make and get a new one at a reduced price

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I like my Pact.