Labradar also offers a smaller unit. My son had decided to move the large Labradar to our home and go with the smaller unit. But I got to the point where I really needed a (new) chronograph so I bit the bullet, and got a Garmin C1. The Garmin works great, sets up in seconds. So he kept the large unit.
My first Chronograph i ever owned was a Chrony and for what it was, was pretty good. Except our local range had a roof cover that always shaded the Chrony so it missed a bunch of shots. Plus, like all sky screen chronographs, it was a real pain to set up. I would still have it, but as happens too many times with a Chrony, after many years of use, I shot a bit too low once.
Next was a Pact. A Christmas present from my son. It worked twice in the year of effort to get it to work. Sent it back to the factory, they sent it back saying it was fine. Never worked. It’s still in its box in our shop. For sale, good price.
The Magneto Speed was next. It worked pretty good. Not that easy to set up but easier than a sky screen. Problem was, I never could get it tight enough on my rifle’s barrels. And yes sports fans, it worked loose on my .35 Whelen. That’s a whole lot of BLC(2). Not much left of the Mag speed’s mount. Called the company. I was thanked for being honest about how it happened. No they don’t offer replacement parts. Yes they would give me a 15% discount if I wanted to buy a brand new one. Not sure what I have done with the pieces.
Next was the full sized Labradar I share with our son. For the most part, it was easy to set up. The software on the phone was somewhat less than intuitive but the thing worked. Always, Always carry spare batteries or a plug-in external battery. For what people sell them for used, it’s a bargain.
Last is the Garmin C1. I was a bit hesitant to jump on the Garmin bandwagon. I have a boat load of Garmin stuff. Used the bike computers for decades. Problem was, all too often in the cycling community, Garmin let the paying customers do the beta testing. So, I always wait a bit before I plunk down the cash for a newly introduced Garmin product.
I might say, I have been really impressed the Garmin. Fits right in a pocket in my shooting bag. When i go shooting, it goes too. Not sure if the new C2 would be worth the extra money but the C1 works, works seamlessly, talks to the phone with me even having to think about it, and I can’t remember it dropping a shot. Oh, the onboard battery which others have voiced concerns about; one charge lasts for months at my rate of use. (As opposed to the Labradar going through a charge on an external battery in one session).
Heard a lot of people brag on the new Athlon, but if you have the bucks and are not concerned about speed firing, the Garmin is by far the best so far by an order of several magnitudes. (in my experience.)
So Garmin should be able to offer a firmware update to bring the C1 up to speed if they were to take a notion to do so. [Yeh Garmin I am talking to y'all. Getter done!]
on Garmin's part if you ask me.
