Chronograph, what’s your opinion?

[crowski]

I’ve been tuning a few rifles and have approx. 15 spring sets to install now. I’m not satisfied with my crony. I’m using the Caldwell. The FX was not working for me. I would like to get a good quality chronograph. I heard mention of a Garmin Zero and I’ve seen an orange one that looked serious. I don’t want one that’s complicated but simple to use and accurate.
I would really appreciate some suggestions.
‘Crow

 

[Hal4son]

Garmin Xero is the way to go. Loving mine.

 

[Spartan]

I went back to my Caldwell after getting mixed results with the radar-style chronos. Caldwell is very consistent and reliable so long as the lighting is good. I use light bars for that and don't have any issues. It was nice to not have to aim through a certain spot with the radar chronos, and the bluetooth readouts were also handy....but the readings need to be accurate and consistent, or there is really no point in doing it in the first place, so it was back to the Caldwell for me. I may try the Labradar at some point (that's probably the orange one you mentioned), but I've heard mixed reviews about those as well.

 

[Kgphotos]

It might seem plain and boring but the Competition Electronics Pro Chrono DLX works great for me. Especially with their light kit. They have a great app that saves info to your phone. Nothing fancy but it works really well.

Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph

The next generation of the ProChrono model based on a time proven design that has been measuring “almost anything that shoots” since 1985!...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[crowski]

Garmin Xero is the way to go. Loving mine.

Do you need lighting? Do you shoot near it , or through wires? Does it miss many shots? Crow

I went back to my Caldwell after getting mixed results with the radar-style chronos. Caldwell is very consistent and reliable so long as the lighting is good. I use light bars for that and don't have any issues. It was nice to not have to aim through a certain spot with the radar chronos, and the bluetooth readouts were also handy....but the readings need to be accurate and consistent, or there is really no point in doing it in the first place, so it was back to the Caldwell for me. I may try the Labradar at some point (that's probably the orange one you mentioned), but I've heard mixed reviews about those as well.

I find the Caldwell too moody with lighting. Crow

 

[Rob_in_NC]

It might seem plain and boring but the Competition Electronics Pro Chrono DLX works great for me. Especially with their light kit. They have a great app that saves info to your phone. Nothing fancy but it works really well.

Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph

The next generation of the ProChrono model based on a time proven design that has been measuring “almost anything that shoots” since 1985!...

www.midwayusa.com

I second this. I've had multiple of the Shooting Chrony brand and went through 3 Caldwells that all died within two years ...and a number of cheapie ebay units (which actually worked pretty well). Picked up a Pro Chrono several years back and it's been rock solid. Outside, it performs flawlessly and indoors I use the light kit. If it were to die tomorrow, I'd have another on order tomorrow night.

 

[Spartan]

I find the Caldwell too moody with lighting. Crow

Try it with the light bar kit. Makes all the difference.

 

[bdzjlz]

The Caldwell Ballistic Precision Chronograph is hands down the best I have owned to date. Works great with my phone. I have a Chrony Pro and have had a Labradar.

 

[Hal4son]

Do you need lighting? Do you shoot near it , or through wires? Does it miss many shots? Crow

No light, I think you could use this in the dark if you wanted to. Set about a foot to the side and maybe 5 inches back from the muzzle...doesn't seem overly position sensitive. No wires. No missed shots so far. Have chronographed pellets, shotgun and rifle going over 3,500 fps.

 

[SteveP-52]

It might seem plain and boring but the Competition Electronics Pro Chrono DLX works great for me. Especially with their light kit. They have a great app that saves info to your phone. Nothing fancy but it works really well.

Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX Bluetooth Chronograph

The next generation of the ProChrono model based on a time proven design that has been measuring “almost anything that shoots” since 1985!...

www.midwayusa.com

I have an older version of this that the Bluetooth was an add-on and not built in like they are nowadays and it's never given me any issues. Take that with a grain of salt since I only use mine outdoors having no place to shoot indoors so I never bought the light kit.
Phone app is also a nice deal since I can email myself the shot strings and save them to my computer. Simple to use and only one 9 volt battery which took 5 years of use to finally need to replace.

 

[zer0dev]

Depends on your environment. I'll third the ProChrono + light kit. I use it in my basement for basic tuning; accurate, consistent, no misses. At the range and matches I use the Garmin Xero.

 

[wahoowad]

Where to get the light kit for the Pro Chronograph? On the fence between this and the FX. Ready to bash my Shooting Chrony with a pipe

 

[MMCM13]

You can get the light kit at Midway. I have one, it is rare to have an unread shot, indoors or out.

 

[SteveP-52]

Don't know if they still do, but Midway used to give 1st time buyers a 10% discount and why I bought my Pro Chrono from them.
Just whatever you do, DO NOT buy pellets from them...just don't...ever...never ever.....

 

[jarmstrong]

my Caldwell broke in a short time of use, the power plug in broke internally
Competition Pro chrony just keeps going , no problems, I am an indoor user mostly with the light kit
the kit is 120 volt for the lights, but the chrony is 9 v battery, goes a long time and has room for an extra battery storage, for field use
I know,,,,, I am just another satisfied customer,,, giggle snort, I use the tripod from the Caldwell, it is , well, it is little duty but it works

 

[Gramps]

I just picked up the ProChrono DLX with a light kit only used it inside and have no complaints they have apps for Windows, MacOS, iOS & Android. Very satisfied with mine.

 

[crowski]

Thanks to all for responding. The ProChrono sounds like a winner. Only problem is I’m trying to get lazy and don’t want a lot of set-up like the Caldwell. I don’t want to have to light it up. My setup is under a covered porch which is probably part of my problem. I will crony several guns in same session. Last thing I want is the hassles I’ve had. I thought the FX was the answer.
I’m leaning towards the Garmin. Have to research a little more. If not, it will be the ProChrono. Don’t hear much about Pro Lab.

Where to get the light kit for the Pro Chronograph? On the fence between this and the FX. Ready to bash my Shooting Chrony with a pipe

The FX I had ate batteries like nothing else. Sounds like the ProChrono is the one. Good luck. Again thanks Crow
I’m still willing to hear any input.

 

[Joedirt199]

If you shoot at a range with other shooters, watch out for the popularity of the doplar style chronos. Read where a guy was getting errors as there were 4 or 5 other shooters using the same type of chronos on the line and they could not figure out who's readings were who's.

 

[Hateful McNasty]

Ya, that comp elet. With Bluetooth is nice and not near the compliment you see with cadwells especially on apps not working..lol

Me I just use a cheap bolt on barrel china one .. shows mps at the muzzle , and at my accepted fps goal and a 10 shot string with a tight +/- of that fps goal it's good . Or good enough for me..

Anyway if I had to buy different it would be the comp electric with Bluetooth .

 

[farmerjoe99]

If you have the cash and really want a simple never miss a shot all in a nice package chronograph that also has BC capabilities the FX true ballistics is the best but I've also heard nothing but good things about the Garmin and that lets you stick to just the basic chronograph and offers a nice savings and in a nice size package as well.

For conventional chronographs I've found the Caldwell G2 works best for me and that's over ~5 years of use in daylight and in the shop over 1,000's and 1,000's of pellets if you are aligned with the sensors I've had almost no issues with getting good readings that said its not nearly as easy to transport and setup wherever as the radar based units. It beats the original Caldwell hands down, the inverted setup with a rechargeable battery for the lights makes a huge difference and the form factory is much nicer and quick and easy to assemble and disassemble but its still bulky and a hassle to get setup in front of the rifle compared to a radar unit.

I didn't have much success with the FX pocket chronograph but didn't play with it for to long to trouble shoot.