What The FX Pocket Chrono Should Have Been - Rechargable

I’m surprised ppl use these things. 
imo, it just add another level of uncertainly to testing stuff with pcp.

I used to own one, got rid of it pretty quickly. It never seemed to repeat well, and the numbers seemed to be rounding up or down. To add to that, the best part about it…hanging it on the barrel is kinda dumb because it messes with your guns harmonics and poi. 
I’ll stick with my old pro crony…when I have the funds I’ll get a lab radar. 

I just bought rechargeable batteries when I bought the FX chrony. 

Wow great job !!!!

I just bought rechargeable batteries when I bought the FX chrony.

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Seems that rechargeable AAA batteries are a decent option depending upon the battery life. @Heavy-Impact’s idea seems to be a design improvement that the manufacturer may wish to take note of. 

I still use AA batteries in mine. I don't use it often enough for them to be a large expense.

When I tried AA rechargables, they didn't seem to supply sufficient voltage for very long at all - much shorter life time (per charge) than alkalines. Having a 3200mAh pack in is probably really nice for a power user - which is probably the target market of most FX owners.

Quick question. How often do you guys use your Chronographs? I feel like I'm on the same 9v battery for the last 3-4 years on my green shooting chrony. Once the tune on a gun is set it's just done. Each gun maybe sees 15min over a chrony and that's about it.

I just bought rechargeable batteries when I bought the FX chrony.

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Same here. I keep 3 Eneloop batteries in the charger and 3 in the Chrono. Whenever the red light comes on I just switch the batteries. Works like a charm. The mod suggested above is pretty cool though, even if i just don’t have the time or inclination to commit to a project like that.

For those who don’t like the FX Chrono due to functionality reasons (as opposed to battery life), I really don’t get it. Mine is every bit as accurate as my Pro-Chrono, much easier to set up (i.e. no real setup), and is useable indoors and outside with no trouble, as opposed to having to set up the diffuser outdoors or the light set indoors. I love it.

Chris

...How often do you guys use your Chronographs?...

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Whenever I get a new gun, and whenever I am trying a new/different projectile. Just from the former, my FX Pocket Chrony gets used a lot! It certainly does have some issues, but the convenience factor wins for me. 

I don't worry about POI changes when it is mounted on the end of the barrel as my testing is a 2 step process - 1) How fast are the pellets traveling and 2) how accurate are the groups at that speed. And if I was worried about being able to save pellets to do both at once, I would just set the unit onto the shooting bench near the muzzle, or get a tripod adapter for it. In the very few times the Pocket Chrony has not feasibly attached to the barrel/shroud of a certain gun, I've just set it on the table near the muzzle and gotten numbers that way.

I really like it as a tool. I have not tested its numbers against anything else, so I can't say how inherently accurate it is. It is sometimes a PITA to have to change batteries so often. But overall it is so usable that I sold my Lab Radar fairly soon after I bought the FX. I'm certain that the Lab Radar is better and more accurate (and has more capabilities with down range velocity measurements), but it stayed in its case most of the time, and the FX Chrony gets used regularly.

EDIT: And I was remiss for not saying "thanks heavy-impact - nice job with the battery mod and thanks for sharing." As good as the FX Pocket Chrony currently is to me, there are others on this board who have the knowledge and skill to pretty easily make it better and even more usable.

That is a great idea and looks like a fairly simple mod.

I found the Kentli lithium AA batteries several years back. They seem to last as long or a little longer than the alkaline batteries and are rechargeable up o 1000 times.

https://www.amazon.com/kentli-batteries/s?k=kentli+batteries

Great post. Might be a good project next winter. How do you recharge the battery pack?

IMO the crono should have been build with a 18350 or a 18650 battery in it.

I have 4 sets or rechargeable batteries, so i dont run flat CUZ i dont chrono a whole day.



I also assume battery problems are why the inline chrono have not launched yet.

Yep. No problem with battery life or usable voltage with these. Amazon.com: TENAVOLTS 1.5V AAA Lithium Rechargeable Battery, 1.8h Fast Charge, USB Charger, Constant Output at 1.5V, 1110 mWh, 4 Counts with Charger : Health & Household

Sorry I'm so dense, but the batteries are in a pack. the charger is for individual batteries. Do you cut open the battery pack each time you need to re-charge and then repack them?

Travel - battery pack from at least 7-8 years ago, rewired, two extra slots for tablet and phone if needed.

I’m surprised ppl use these things. 
imo, it just add another level of uncertainly to testing stuff with pcp.

I used to own one, got rid of it pretty quickly. It never seemed to repeat well, and the numbers seemed to be rounding up or down. To add to that, the best part about it…hanging it on the barrel is kinda dumb because it messes with your guns harmonics and poi. 
I’ll stick with my old pro crony…when I have the funds I’ll get a lab radar.

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I have LabRadar. And I use the FX Chronograph much more. The FX has much more portability and I don't attach it to my barrel:

i have seen pics of the fx attached directly to the barrel, seems this would affect the tuning process. the mount attached to the air tube looks like a good idea. is that a custom mount?



thanks, j

heavy-impact said:

I have a caldwell also and I mount this one on a tabletop tripod. I don't have to worry about changing poi and harmonics anymore... I sold my fx and have real barrels now.

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real barrels now? i got few guns they all got barrels