Caldwell chronograph

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Mo-Ron said:
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 ..
Click to expand...
I tried this morning with my Daisy 880, .177cal and the cardboard cover it worked great, got a 10 shot group with just 11 shots. Had to build another pellet trap today so it was late in the day before I could try with my Hatsan 25cal. The only reading I got out of 20 shots was when I nicked the top of the chrony with a pellet. Kinda wish the pellet was 1" lower my problem would be solved. The only difference was this morning was bright sunshine and this evening was overcast and foggy. It seems like the chrony can't read the faster moving pellets out of the Hatsan.
 
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maxtrouble said:
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
Click to expand...
What caliber gun are you using. I have no problems with my Daisy's or Crosman 760 .177cal. It's my Hatsan 25cal that I can't seem to get a reading with. I make sure everything is level and shooting strait thru the middle above the sensors. I even tried moving the chrony up to get the pellet closer to the sensor still no good. Don't understand why it works so good with the slower shooting guns at 550 to 650 fps and no good at all with one that shoots over 800 fps.
 
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badger5th said:
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... :unsure:
Click to expand...
I might just try that tomorrow, because mine also fell over because of the cheap tripod they sent with it.
 
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Firewalker said:
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.
Click to expand...
I do all my shooting outdoors and the unit is all brand new shouldn't have problems with a weak battery yet.
 
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This cheap bolt on china one been the most issue free. I just need a string but not information overload or anything fancy , just a string and speed is all.. been satisfied with it . ( Notice the cardboard shade so i can watch the display as im shooting .. mostly my close in vision hurts on that anyway)..lol i dont think its let me down in the year or two ive used it . I dont bolt it on just table top rest the barrel on it as it should and shoot.. at the he time it was like 25$ at amazon shipped in the usa and arrived in 3 days .. no slow boat from china..👍

IMG_20210630_134934956.jpg
 
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I've found mine (Caldwell G2) to be consistent and accurate IF the chrony is fully charged/ new batteries/ placed three, to five feet in front and level. If it is placed too close OR too far in front of the rifle, it's inconsistent. In full sun conditions, I have to adjust the height, until it reads consistent. When the sun is in front or directly overhead, I have to shoot lower than center of the chrony, if the sun is behind or to one side then I shoot center or slightly higher. It In short, they have to be set up as to conditions, and can be a PITA at times. I haven't used the Fx chronograph but seems owners either love them or hate them, just like the Caldwell it's all in the setup/conditions. I haven't used it when it snows, I would think that in snowy conditions, the reflection from the snow will add to the PITA factor.
 
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john8 said:
I threatened to shoot my caldwell dead, bought a FX and gave the caldwell away, peace of mind.
Click to expand...
i did... and two competition electronics pos's. with the amount of money spent for "those three" and the "gadgets" to help with accuracy... not to forget time spent f*&%ing around to get a few good reads, i coulda/shoulda bought a "LabRadar" and been done with it. live and learn, i guess.
 
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SH95503 said:
How much are the fx chronographs. I'm giving this pos Caldwell one more chance if it don't work it's going in the incinerator.
Click to expand...


they are about 200,
but with all the problems ive had with other chronos,
it would be worth it at twice the price,seriously!

it doesnt miss shots,
lighting doesnt matter and i can chrono at night if i wish,
a nice female voice calls out the speeds of the shots so i dont have to look at the screen,
strings are saved and you can look at the numbers in a graph also (nice for finding your shot curve)
can save different gun/pellet combinations and it gives you the fpe also.
plus its small,
and with the picatinny mount i bought i just have to grab it out of the case,
slide it on a rail and get shooting,
no rubber banding it to the barrel :cool:

its really a breath of fresh air,
i found myself not using my other regular chronos,
because i didnt feel like lugging them out,
getting all the pieces together and sky screens on and setup on a tripod,etc..... ugh.

but with the fx i can go from it being in the case to being ready to shoot in less than 15 seconds.
 
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my caldwell broke at the plug in, threw it away, kept the cheap tripod, tightened up the screws and now my Competition Pro Chrono sits on it, had the Competition 4 years now, I am pleased with it, got a light kit on it for indoors, no problems, got blue tooth thing for it and never bothered to hook it up, I don't really have a need for it, but I got bluetooth, in a box on the shelf. I think the new ones are built in w/blue tooth. I am a Luddite, I just have a note pad and pen at hand, it is just a hobby for me, but if I was in the business end
USA

Competition Electronics Inc.

For over 40 years our products have made "The Winning Difference" for our customers. Competition Electronics products are quality craftsmanship and made in the USA.
competitionelectronics.com
 
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maxtrouble said:
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
Click to expand...
You shot a 120 shot group with no errors! I see that your gun is shooting below 800 fps, l have no problem with any of my other 5 guns shooting under 750 fps the trouble is just with my Hatsan moving at 810 + fps. This is if I shoot indoors or cover the chrony with cardboard outdoors. I dont have the room to shoot the Hatsan indoors. This is why it's so frustrating, why am I having so many problems with just this gun. According to the paper work the chrony is suppose to read speeds up to 9999 fps.
 
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starlingassn said:
they are about 200,
but with all the problems ive had with other chronos,
it would be worth it at twice the price,seriously!

it doesnt miss shots,
lighting doesnt matter and i can chrono at night if i wish,
a nice female voice calls out the speeds of the shots so i dont have to look at the screen,
strings are saved and you can look at the numbers in a graph also (nice for finding your shot curve)
can save different gun/pellet combinations and it gives you the fpe also.
plus its small,
and with the picatinny mount i bought i just have to grab it out of the case,
slide it on a rail and get shooting,
no rubber banding it to the barrel :cool:

its really a breath of fresh air,
i found myself not using my other regular chronos,
because i didnt feel like lugging them out,
getting all the pieces together and sky screens on and setup on a tripod,etc..... ugh.

but with the fx i can go from it being in the case to being ready to shoot in less than 15 seconds.
Click to expand...
Sounds like the fx is the chrony I should have bought instead of this pos caldwell.
 
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jarmstrong said:
my caldwell broke at the plug in, threw it away, kept the cheap tripod, tightened up the screws and now my Competition Pro Chrony sits on it, had the Competition 4 years now, I am pleased with it, got a light kit on it for indoors, no problems, got blue tooth thing for it and never bothered to hook it up, I don't really have a need for it, but I got bluetooth, in a box on the shelf. I think the new ones are built in w/blue tooth. I am a Luddite, I just have a note pad and pen at hand, it is just a hobby for me, but if I was in the business end
USA

Competition Electronics Inc.

For over 40 years our products have made "The Winning Difference" for our customers. Competition Electronics products are quality craftsmanship and made in the USA.
competitionelectronics.com
Click to expand...
Wish I would have talk to you before buying a chrony, it was a toss up between the Caldwell and Competition Pro Chrony looks like I choose the wrong one.
 
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SH95503 said:
You shot a 120 shot group with no errors! I see that your gun is shooting below 800 fps, l have no problem with any of my other 5 guns shooting under 750 fps the trouble is just with my Hatsan moving at 810 + fps. This is if I shoot indoors or cover the chrony with cardboard outdoors. I dont have the room to shoot the Hatsan indoors. This is why it's so frustrating, why am I having so many problems with just this gun. According to the paper work the chrony is suppose to read speeds up to 9999 fps.
Click to expand...
Here is another group with more speed.

Created: 04/18/19 13:07
Description: Pulsar HP
Notes 1: 25.39
Notes 2:
Distance to Chrono(FT): 1.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.031
Bullet Weight(gr): 25.39
Temp: 0 °F
BP: -0.70 inHg
Altitude: 645.00
# FPS FT-LBS PF
20 950 50.89 24.12
19 943 50.14 23.94
18 947 50.57 24.04
17 942 50.04 23.92
16 944 50.25 23.97
15 943 50.14 23.94
14 947 50.57 24.04
13 943 50.14 23.94
12 941 49.93 23.89
11 944 50.25 23.97
10 945 50.35 23.99
9 946 50.46 24.02
8 950 50.89 24.12
7 954 51.32 24.22
6 948 50.68 24.07
5 950 50.89 24.12
4 952 51.10 24.17
3 950 50.89 24.12
2 949 50.78 24.10
1 947 50.57 24.04
Average: 946.8 FPS
SD: 3.6 FPS
Min: 941 FPS
Max: 954 FPS
Spread: 13 FPS
Shot/sec: 0.1
True MV: 949 FPS
Group Size (in): 0.00
 
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starlingassn said:
when i had the caldwell,
i had better luck waiting for a cloudy day and shooting with the sky screens off.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, your suggestion worked almost perfect. Got a 10 shot recorded group and only fired 11 shots. The sun was burning the fog off on the next group I tried and only recorded 2 out of 5 shots so I stopped at that. Luckily I live 2 miles from the ocean and we get a lot of foggy mornings up until about 1 pm.
 
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