New FX Chronograph - My take on it...

[2L8]

New FX Chronograph = Out of the Box Disappointment. That is what I have to say at this point, but I am optimistic.

• Back-story: Benjamin Marauder G2 .22 looking to put JSB 18.13 in <2” @ 100yd (it is possible!)
Added a new Huma, Tim Hill hammer w/255 and 262 option spring and PEEK with .160 TP. 
I was making some adjustments to the Bar @ 120-130-150-145… and wanted to log my progress.


• Replaced my Caldwell Chrono with a fancy new FX Radar Chrono!! Sweet!
Did exactly what FX says to do for setup (1-2-3-) and it worked great…for 2 strings.


• Problem: No consistent connection (error=no shot log, or not seen) or readings. Just plane wacko.
Question: Is it software or hardware...Or me? I’m sure it is…


I cannot get the Bluetooth on my Samsung Note5 (Samsung S5 tested as well with the same results) to consistently recognize the FX chrono.
I do get a BT connection error of “Pairing rejected by FxChr20”,odd, and when that happens it is a no go for sure. Used Cleaning APPS to uninstall and rid the phone of any bits left and re-installed over and over. Try a new sequence of install and boot parameters. Log results…No consistency.
Email to FX has been sent with questions.
The sequence that FX states to connect your APP to the chrono is important. My phone never connects the same way twice. I will get a string, do some adjustments, reconnect and try a new string and the chrono reads “0” on the next few shots of the string and not work again. Hmmm.
I am shooting indoors at short range. Some (lots) of computers and some metal stuff and fans, but nothing totally out of the ordinary (for me) I would say.
I’m talking 50fps adjustments so I’m not out of the range of 800-900-920fps of the chrono. I have spent 15+ hours with a flow chart of combinations with boot sequence, APP configurations and adjustments to the placement of the chrono Ad nauseam, and, I bought a second FX chrono just to make sure the first one wasn’t bad.


• Results: Same for both. Nada. Bummer.
They could be (are, I think) from the same lot batch?


Finicky? Um, yea. This is not necessary.
If it is broken, I know FX will fix it. Soon I hope with the new update.


Believe me, Software is always playing catch-up to Hardware. It takes time when a new product is developed (re-developed, iykwim).


But, I will not dismiss that it could be the classic “user.exe” that is the problem here. LOL

What am I missing here? This is not complicated.
I am laughing my butt off as I think there is a simple solution that I just don’t see.

P

Mod Edit: Moved to Other Parts, Accessories and Equipment forum

 

[fiske]

Did you go to your phone bluetooth settings and tried to pair it there? Thats wrong place, you only start the app and connect. If you did pair it in settings then you may have to unpair.

 

[2L8]

Thanks fiske, good point. I will say, I have been answering the question as a "yes" when my phone asks me if I want to "pair the device?" The App does not ask that question, it just says "paired" after you select connect and that could be conflicting with it being "paired" to the phone. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[BarryW]

Thanks for your post. I am on the fence waiting for FX to get it right. I just don't understand releasing a product before they have it right. Barry

 

[viperjoe]

I have one and it works flawless but I am using an Apple device. 

 

[idoc]

I have one too and really like it. I too was tuning a modified Marauder (.177) and shot about 200 rounds over it one afternoon. My Caldwell chrony would never have picked up even a fraction of those shots because the light/shadows constantly change on my shooting range. It was very frustrating but now I can gather a lot of data in a short time. I have a Galaxy S7 and have no problems with connecting to the unit. The software leaves a lot to be desired but I know that it will be updated so that is not a big concern. 

BTW, I don't know how everyone is saving their strings but this is what I do. At the end of the string, I hit "save" then open a Google Sheets document on another screen. I click the top cell of the column I want to save to and simply paste the data there. Here is my spreadsheet 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15sV46XqFoox2gw7TxmPjoxS1eV-L5xpNuHv07Fp_JAk/edit?usp=sharing

I copied each string to the columns on page 1 out on the range then I copied each one to succeeding pages in which I did the ballistic calculations (see tabs at the bottom). I have the formulas for calculating ft/lbs, ES ect., so if anyone wants to copy the spreadsheet, they are welcome.

 

[2L8]

Well… Here is some great news.

I posted in “various other locations” to get feedback from all who have these pocket size wonders. Thank you Fiske!!

All those ITTT parameters were on my flow chart but it was still giving me “0”, Zero, nada, zilch returns…Frustrating.

Then the Miracle discovery happened!!

What had happened is early on in my testing I had my smart phone about 2’ away from the FX and all was good. Moved my testing setup for some adjustments to my Marauder, put it all back into test mode setup and had the smart phone closer (6”) to the FX this time and got random readings, or none. That’s when I started micro moving the FX around and re-configuring the software ad nauseam.

I then moved the phone 6’ away to another table and it worked for EVERY shot. WHAT???

Who-da-thunk you could have your phone to close to the FX chrono to get a reading?

Problem solved.

I have the FX chrono 2” back under my barrel and ½” below it. Perfect.

Conclusion: Move your phone around.

I would definitely call this “user.exe” error. My bad.

All is good again in FX land. What a nice little gadget it is.

 

[2L8]

Thanks for the SS idoc.

 

[Orchidman]

With my I phone 8, no problem 18" from radar. Working perfectly. Maybe mine is from a newer batch, I couldn't be happier, but only had it for 2 days