I just purchased a Caldwell chronograph with the lighting kit. My problem is I have a really hard time getting it to record a 10 shot group, if it registers at all. I get 2-3 registered shots out of 20 shots. I have tried everything I can thank of, bright sun lite, partial cloudy, overcast, middle of the day and late in the evenings. I've used it with the sun shades and the lites on and off, and without the sunshades. I did get a couple of 10 shot groups on a partially cloudy day with the lites in the sunshades on. I do find that it works much better with my slower shooting guns, around 500-550 fps. My Hatsan is shooting(when I can get it to register) at 800-815 fps. I've tried it at different distances in front of the gun with no change in readings. Is the outdoor lighting really that critical to the Caldwell chronographs or am I doing something wrong. Thank you.
Caldwell chronograph
- Thread starter SH95503
- Start date
when i had the caldwell,
i had better luck waiting for a cloudy day and shooting with the sky screens off.
i had better luck waiting for a cloudy day and shooting with the sky screens off.
Upvote 0
Ya, try / make a cardboard roof / sides / box or a cloth canopy as a sunshader .. i dont have one but the one i use i made a sunshield thing for it and seems to do much better .. defently less errors or miss shots false reading....
Just tinker around and find somthing you can make work or it to work better.
I do know .177 can be tough at times vs say .22. For it to pick up and get a read on them ..
Just tinker around and find somthing you can make work or it to work better.
I do know .177 can be tough at times vs say .22. For it to pick up and get a read on them ..
Upvote 0
Thank you. I just tried that yesterday, worked great for three shots and error code and stopped working. But it was late in the day.
Upvote 0
I have a Caldwell,sounds similar to yours. Indoors I use the electric lights, outdoors on a sunny day I use the sunshades, outdoors on a cloudy day I use just the chronograph. I am very happy with mine, although I only shoot .20 caliber and up through it. It seldom fails to register. Maybe your chronograph is faulty? Could also try cleaning the small glass widows on top of the chronograph.
Upvote 0
The biggest issue with a Caldwell chronograph is consistency. I have the rifle level and on two bags. The chronograph is about a foot away and about two or three inches bellow the barrel. I use the bubble level on the tripod to make sure it is level. I aim the rifle in the middle of the chronograph's sensors. I do not "aim" when I am using the chronograph. Rather, I make sure everything is level and even and pointed at a safe backstop. Then I shoot over the chronograph making sure I stay centered and level.
I also unplug the nine volt or use a fresh one for each use, low batteries will wreck a chronographs capabilities. I always check the sensors and make sure there is no debris in the recess.
I have hundreds of 10 shot groups over my Caldwell Chronograph. I even have a 120 shot string off of my Pulsar with only a few errors because it started to rain on the chronograph and I had to quit. If you try my suggestions and it still is not working then you have a lemon of a chronograph. I would recommend a Caldwell over a FX radar because it is the more consistent of the two. YMMV
I also unplug the nine volt or use a fresh one for each use, low batteries will wreck a chronographs capabilities. I always check the sensors and make sure there is no debris in the recess.
I have hundreds of 10 shot groups over my Caldwell Chronograph. I even have a 120 shot string off of my Pulsar with only a few errors because it started to rain on the chronograph and I had to quit. If you try my suggestions and it still is not working then you have a lemon of a chronograph. I would recommend a Caldwell over a FX radar because it is the more consistent of the two. YMMV
Upvote 0
try shoting more in the middle upper of the chrony to low will do that iv had many caldwell always worke great with screens on no light kit
Upvote 0
P
pdxFrank
Guest
i had one for a while, but it was such a hassle.
it didn't take long to come to the conclusion that i really didn't need a chrony for #backyardplinking and sold it.
it didn't take long to come to the conclusion that i really didn't need a chrony for #backyardplinking and sold it.
Upvote 0
Here is a string from my Caldwell. No issues with this string. Works like a champ.
Set: 3
Created: 05/20/17 14:50
Description: Pulsar HP
Notes 1: 25.39
Notes 2: LP
Distance to Chrono(FT): 3.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.031
Bullet Weight(gr): 25.39
Temp: 81 °F
BP: 28.30 inHg
Altitude: 645.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
120 783 34.57 19.88
119 785 34.75 19.93
118 784 34.66 19.91
117 791 35.28 20.08
116 785 34.75 19.93
115 792 35.37 20.11
114 787 34.92 19.98
113 783 34.57 19.88
112 786 34.84 19.96
111 786 34.84 19.96
110 780 34.31 19.80
109 781 34.39 19.83
108 783 34.57 19.88
107 786 34.84 19.96
106 781 34.39 19.83
105 782 34.48 19.85
104 786 34.84 19.96
103 782 34.48 19.85
102 791 35.28 20.08
101 786 34.84 19.96
100 785 34.75 19.93
99 783 34.57 19.88
98 787 34.92 19.98
97 783 34.57 19.88
96 784 34.66 19.91
95 785 34.75 19.93
94 785 34.75 19.93
93 785 34.75 19.93
92 787 34.92 19.98
91 797 35.82 20.24
90 783 34.57 19.88
89 787 34.92 19.98
88 785 34.75 19.93
87 782 34.48 19.85
86 787 34.92 19.98
85 787 34.92 19.98
84 783 34.57 19.88
83 790 35.19 20.06
82 788 35.01 20.01
81 782 34.48 19.85
80 786 34.84 19.96
79 789 35.10 20.03
78 780 34.31 19.80
77 790 35.19 20.06
76 785 34.75 19.93
75 785 34.75 19.93
74 783 34.57 19.88
73 790 35.19 20.06
72 785 34.75 19.93
71 786 34.84 19.96
70 783 34.57 19.88
69 785 34.75 19.93
68 782 34.48 19.85
67 783 34.57 19.88
66 783 34.57 19.88
65 785 34.75 19.93
64 781 34.39 19.83
63 787 34.92 19.98
62 784 34.66 19.91
61 780 34.31 19.80
60 782 34.48 19.85
59 780 34.31 19.80
58 787 34.92 19.98
57 779 34.22 19.78
56 787 34.92 19.98
55 782 34.48 19.85
54 783 34.57 19.88
53 782 34.48 19.85
52 783 34.57 19.88
51 775 33.87 19.68
50 775 33.87 19.68
49 778 34.13 19.75
48 775 33.87 19.68
47 775 33.87 19.68
46 779 34.22 19.78
45 780 34.31 19.80
44 778 34.13 19.75
43 782 34.48 19.85
42 784 34.66 19.91
41 776 33.95 19.70
40 777 34.04 19.73
39 780 34.31 19.80
38 780 34.31 19.80
37 779 34.22 19.78
36 781 34.39 19.83
35 781 34.39 19.83
34 779 34.22 19.78
33 780 34.31 19.80
32 782 34.48 19.85
31 781 34.39 19.83
30 783 34.57 19.88
29 781 34.39 19.83
28 779 34.22 19.78
27 777 34.04 19.73
26 785 34.75 19.93
25 782 34.48 19.85
24 780 34.31 19.80
23 778 34.13 19.75
22 783 34.57 19.88
21 779 34.22 19.78
20 781 34.39 19.83
19 780 34.31 19.80
18 778 34.13 19.75
17 779 34.22 19.78
16 781 34.39 19.83
15 782 34.48 19.85
14 780 34.31 19.80
13 777 34.04 19.73
12 782 34.48 19.85
11 778 34.13 19.75
10 778 34.13 19.75
9 779 34.22 19.78
8 777 34.04 19.73
7 781 34.39 19.83
6 777 34.04 19.73
5 780 34.31 19.80
4 784 34.66 19.91
3 786 34.84 19.96
2 786 34.84 19.96
1 786 34.84 19.96
Average: 782.7 FPS
SD: 3.9 FPS
Min: 775 FPS
Max: 797 FPS
Spread: 22 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 789 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00
Set: 3
Created: 05/20/17 14:50
Description: Pulsar HP
Notes 1: 25.39
Notes 2: LP
Distance to Chrono(FT): 3.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.031
Bullet Weight(gr): 25.39
Temp: 81 °F
BP: 28.30 inHg
Altitude: 645.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
120 783 34.57 19.88
119 785 34.75 19.93
118 784 34.66 19.91
117 791 35.28 20.08
116 785 34.75 19.93
115 792 35.37 20.11
114 787 34.92 19.98
113 783 34.57 19.88
112 786 34.84 19.96
111 786 34.84 19.96
110 780 34.31 19.80
109 781 34.39 19.83
108 783 34.57 19.88
107 786 34.84 19.96
106 781 34.39 19.83
105 782 34.48 19.85
104 786 34.84 19.96
103 782 34.48 19.85
102 791 35.28 20.08
101 786 34.84 19.96
100 785 34.75 19.93
99 783 34.57 19.88
98 787 34.92 19.98
97 783 34.57 19.88
96 784 34.66 19.91
95 785 34.75 19.93
94 785 34.75 19.93
93 785 34.75 19.93
92 787 34.92 19.98
91 797 35.82 20.24
90 783 34.57 19.88
89 787 34.92 19.98
88 785 34.75 19.93
87 782 34.48 19.85
86 787 34.92 19.98
85 787 34.92 19.98
84 783 34.57 19.88
83 790 35.19 20.06
82 788 35.01 20.01
81 782 34.48 19.85
80 786 34.84 19.96
79 789 35.10 20.03
78 780 34.31 19.80
77 790 35.19 20.06
76 785 34.75 19.93
75 785 34.75 19.93
74 783 34.57 19.88
73 790 35.19 20.06
72 785 34.75 19.93
71 786 34.84 19.96
70 783 34.57 19.88
69 785 34.75 19.93
68 782 34.48 19.85
67 783 34.57 19.88
66 783 34.57 19.88
65 785 34.75 19.93
64 781 34.39 19.83
63 787 34.92 19.98
62 784 34.66 19.91
61 780 34.31 19.80
60 782 34.48 19.85
59 780 34.31 19.80
58 787 34.92 19.98
57 779 34.22 19.78
56 787 34.92 19.98
55 782 34.48 19.85
54 783 34.57 19.88
53 782 34.48 19.85
52 783 34.57 19.88
51 775 33.87 19.68
50 775 33.87 19.68
49 778 34.13 19.75
48 775 33.87 19.68
47 775 33.87 19.68
46 779 34.22 19.78
45 780 34.31 19.80
44 778 34.13 19.75
43 782 34.48 19.85
42 784 34.66 19.91
41 776 33.95 19.70
40 777 34.04 19.73
39 780 34.31 19.80
38 780 34.31 19.80
37 779 34.22 19.78
36 781 34.39 19.83
35 781 34.39 19.83
34 779 34.22 19.78
33 780 34.31 19.80
32 782 34.48 19.85
31 781 34.39 19.83
30 783 34.57 19.88
29 781 34.39 19.83
28 779 34.22 19.78
27 777 34.04 19.73
26 785 34.75 19.93
25 782 34.48 19.85
24 780 34.31 19.80
23 778 34.13 19.75
22 783 34.57 19.88
21 779 34.22 19.78
20 781 34.39 19.83
19 780 34.31 19.80
18 778 34.13 19.75
17 779 34.22 19.78
16 781 34.39 19.83
15 782 34.48 19.85
14 780 34.31 19.80
13 777 34.04 19.73
12 782 34.48 19.85
11 778 34.13 19.75
10 778 34.13 19.75
9 779 34.22 19.78
8 777 34.04 19.73
7 781 34.39 19.83
6 777 34.04 19.73
5 780 34.31 19.80
4 784 34.66 19.91
3 786 34.84 19.96
2 786 34.84 19.96
1 786 34.84 19.96
Average: 782.7 FPS
SD: 3.9 FPS
Min: 775 FPS
Max: 797 FPS
Spread: 22 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 789 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00
Upvote 0
P
pdxFrank
Guest
Nice. How about a pic of the setup for those numbers?
Ideal circumstances, short distance, indoors, those help.
Upvote 0
I've had one for a few months. Records maybe 19 out of 20 shots no errors. Then it fell over on the tripod... Worked only 2 in 10 shots after that. Opened it up, saw no visible damage. Made sure the sensors were in square, 90 degrees to the projectile path. Put it all back together. Set up the screens with the LED's. Back to 19 in 20. Don't know what I fixed but opening it and putting it back together fixed it... somehow... 
Upvote 0
P
pdxFrank
Guest
well, in all fairness, $3k+ worth of gear and supported front AND back on a nice benchrest, i'd hope so!
Upvote 0
Well yeah... With that type of shot to shot MV consistency plus shooting slugs out of a high end PCP. It's better than match grade 10X brand 22LR ammo.
Upvote 0
Men and Boys the price of their toys!well, in all fairness, $3k+ worth of gear and supported front AND back on a nice benchrest, i'd hope so!
The Caldwell needs a consistent shot cycle across it's sensors regardless of funds. As long as the rifle and the chronograph are level the device returns good results. The phone app is not needed but is a very handy addition.
Upvote 0
Sorry to hear of all your troubles, I'm on my second Caldwell chrony, I gave my 20 year old one to my son and got a new one with the data port.
I'll give this one to him if they add the long promised bluetooth to the standard chrony. I'd buy one in a heartbeat but I won't buy the up-side-down mess they sell for $300.
I have a DC powered LED light strip, the self adhesive kind, stuck under the sky screens and I attach them to a battery pack I made and installed a 12V step-down transformer to power the chrony using a 9V snap connector so that nothing is molded on the chrony.
Why tell you all this? Two reasons:
1. The photocells are calibrated to use the light provided by the light kit or diffused light from incandescent lights or the sun. Indoor AC lights will cause all sorts of crazy readings so DC LEDs are important.
2. More light or less light than the calibration swath of illumination the photocells can register a passing projectile and you will get an error.
Tenting the chrony with the light kit on will give you better readings even outside. Having enough power to run the chrony will help keep errors at bay.
Final words of advice; put a plate (steel) in front of your chrony and use the wire to a cellphone or as I do, my Kindle and use the app.
I'll give this one to him if they add the long promised bluetooth to the standard chrony. I'd buy one in a heartbeat but I won't buy the up-side-down mess they sell for $300.
I have a DC powered LED light strip, the self adhesive kind, stuck under the sky screens and I attach them to a battery pack I made and installed a 12V step-down transformer to power the chrony using a 9V snap connector so that nothing is molded on the chrony.
Why tell you all this? Two reasons:
1. The photocells are calibrated to use the light provided by the light kit or diffused light from incandescent lights or the sun. Indoor AC lights will cause all sorts of crazy readings so DC LEDs are important.
2. More light or less light than the calibration swath of illumination the photocells can register a passing projectile and you will get an error.
Tenting the chrony with the light kit on will give you better readings even outside. Having enough power to run the chrony will help keep errors at bay.
Final words of advice; put a plate (steel) in front of your chrony and use the wire to a cellphone or as I do, my Kindle and use the app.
Upvote 0
Good point regarding 120 volt AC LED's. I have a 10m basement range and I set it up so that zero direct rays from the ceiling LED's go into the sensor slots. Indirect lighting from ceiling lights does not seem to be an issue for me.
Upvote 0
The AC may also be transformed into 12V DC inside your lights. The square waveform will not change even when reflected off the ceiling/walls.
Upvote 0
the lighting 'does' have to be in the zone it likes, when the suns low so theres lots of light but not reflections everywhere but the unit is in the shade with a clear view of the sky or a ceiling works best .. and use a fresh battery, the 2 year old turd out of your alarm clock wont cut it lol ..
Upvote 0
man,reading these replies makes me happy i dont have my caldwell anymore lol
and makes me love my FX chrono even more than i already did
and makes me love my FX chrono even more than i already did
Upvote 0