Which chronograph?

LDB

LDB

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
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694
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Houston suburb
I'm looking into chronographs. It is obvious the Garmin Xero is the current prom queen. But budget is also a factor. I've found these options from Midway, my usual goto.
Athlon Rangecraft $399.99
Garmin Xero C1 refurbished $429.99
Garmin Xero C1 new $499.99
So, experiences/thoughts/comments on the Athlon?
Consider Garmin refurbished to save $70?
Go only with the new Xero?
And I know there's a new and probably even better Garmin but just can't consider $700.
Finally, anywhere selling them for better prices?
Thanks for any and all input.
 
I had a skyscreen chrono and never used it in almost 10 years of ownership. Bought a LabRadar and use it several times a year. I would look for a used LabRadar setup, people are dumping them for the new models but they are about as capable and really not much more setup.

That's the budget option at this time. Bet you could get a used one for 200-250.
 
LDB said:
I'm looking into chronographs. It is obvious the Garmin Xero is the current prom queen. But budget is also a factor. I've found these options from Midway, my usual goto.
Athlon Rangecraft $399.99
Garmin Xero C1 refurbished $429.99
Garmin Xero C1 new $499.99
So, experiences/thoughts/comments on the Athlon?
Consider Garmin refurbished to save $70?
Go only with the new Xero?
And I know there's a new and probably even better Garmin but just can't consider $700.
Finally, anywhere selling them for better prices?
Thanks for any and all input.
Click to expand...






 
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Three shooting buddies and I all chose Athlon. We have never had any issues with our units but I have no experience with the Garmin unit so I can’t claim one is better than the other. I have close to 12 grand in navigation and radar units on my boat, all Garmin, never a moments problems with several thousand miles of offshore use.
 
Jim Walsh said:
Three shooting buddies and I all chose Athlon. We have never had any issues with our units but I have no experience with the Garmin unit so I can’t claim one is better than the other. I have close to 12 grand in navigation and radar units on my boat, all Garmin, never a moments problems with several thousand miles of offshore use.
Click to expand...

Not surprised by the Athlon success. I bought my first Athlon scope about a decade ago. I now have 5 of their optics. Best bang for the buck in that regard, IMO.
 
I got a Garmin Xero and LOVE it. I also have used a Ohler 35P for many, many, many years. It's a top quality unit. But the set-up takes about 20-30 minutes.
The Garmin,, easily less than a minute & no skyscreens.

As noted,, Garmin has a proven track record of quality electronic stuff. I'd buy another one w/o hesitation. The Athlon,, I've seen them used a little,, but I like the proven quality.

I just helped a buddy get his own Garmin. A guy had one,, was needing cash,, and sold his for $350.00.

Buy the Garmin & know you have a good company behind it.
 
The speed of the Garmin re-set isn't bad. Rapid fire will not be recorded easily.
But about 3-5 seconds between shots works just fine.

Almost all of our electronics nowadays is coming from the orient. We can't get away from that due to the way businesses have sold out America.
 
RC44Mag said:
Of the choices between china and Taiwan the better quality lies with Taiwan, albeit with a little additional cost. In addition we’re still in a Cold War with china and it’s warming up. Myself, I prefer not to add to their success if I can help it.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this! Problem is that China has it's mitts in pretty much everything electronic anymore.
 
s4s4u said:
I'm with you on this! Problem is that China has it's mitts in pretty much everything electronic anymore.
Click to expand...
Agreed but I do everything I can do not to feed the enemy cash
I did some looking up online and owners say that the boxes their units came in same made in Taiwan. If the internals were made in china the box would have to say assembled in Taiwan. That said, the world, including the USA has a lot of our computer boards made in Taiwan and I believe it it may their main export and likely why we certainly don’t want china to take the country.

I recently read somewhere not long ago that the units are indeed made in Taiwan including the chips and boards. I’ll see if I can get some more info.
 
I had a Shooting Chrony but only used a couple times in all the years I owned it. It’s a hassle to set up, and I guess if you could shoot on your own property and have it “mostly” set up and ready, then you can save money on it. But I think some ranges probably frown on (or prohibit) that style in the event the bullet hit it and is deflected to a different range. So I bit the bullet and recently got a new Garmin Xero C1 and love it. I handload, and this little chronograph is easy to set and use and back in the bag it goes along with my velocity / SD measurements. It’s worth buying, and if you ever used the old style I described, you’ll really appreciate it.

Edited for typos but also to add that some of these new chronographs might connect to your phone (Bluetooth), so check on that feature. Not positive, but I think maybe.
 
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I bought a Garmin Xero and LOVE it. However -- way back when -- I bought an Oehler 35P and never went to the range without it!
I record everything I shoot in a log book, so I can go back years later to see what loads worked in which firearm and the Oehler 35P made it easy to log everything because it gave me a printout of all my range sessions.
The newer chronographs don't give printouts and I miss that feature! The trade off is that the newer chronographs are smaller and quicker to set up at the range but I really miss that printout from the 35P because it was easier to record into my log book from the printout than the Excel program that transfers my range sessions to my computer from my Garmin Xero!
 
I have found the Garmin info is sent to my phone,, and is EASILY sent to my computer. I open that & I can customize my Excel spreadsheet, & print the info. The Garmin gives MORE data then my Ohler 35P.
It's so easy,, that even this computer stupid shooter was able to do it WITHOUT asking Miss Penny for help.
 
I didn't know Shooting Chrony had gone the way of the Dodo either - they were Canadian, so maybe the insane gun laws Up Nort' had something to do with it.

I've got an old Competition Electronics ProChrono, it works well enough. A Garmin would be neat but I just don't have the need for one at the moment.
 
Out with the Old ('84 vintage and still works).
chrono old.jpg


In with the New (gitting lazy in my old age).
chrono new.jpg
 
Good for you Gunny!!!!!

I was skeptical when the Garmin came out. I mean,,, I own the Ohler 35P,, and have had a few direct conversations with Ken Ohler about their use.
But once I got mine,, I'm spoiled. The Garmin is SO EASY to set up & use,, that I'm clocking more ammo than I have in a long time.
 
contender said:
Good for you Gunny!!!!!

… I'm clocking more ammo than I have in a long time.
Click to expand...
That’s been my recent experience, too! How many times did I wish I had my old Chrony set up for some loads but deliberately chose not to take it. Now my Garmin stays in the bag and in about 60 seconds, I can easily test any load without disrupting the hot-cold line or pushing my liberties setting up a tripod.
 
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If I had my own private range I'd have an Oehler. But I'll be getting an Athlon/Garmin for taking to public ranges. Just have to decide if I want faster responding or not Chinese.
 
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