Kind of need one for ballistic calculations and I am a newer to the sport so I have a list of things I need, this being one of them. Anyways I don't know if the cheap ones are any good or if I should just bite the bullet and buy one at AOA.
What is a good budget friendly chronograph?
- Thread starter Mr.Suave
- Start date
I use the Caldwell Chronograph, with the light bar. It's a good tough unit. It had been shot three different times before finally giving up the ghost this last time witn a 45 caliber slug.
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This cheap chinese chrony is only about $30. I use the hell out of it and it never lets me down. It's nothing fancy -- it tells me how fast my projectiles pass over the infrared sensors. It never misses a shot. It doesn't need special lighting. I can shoot a string of up to 40 shots and press the button to view the shot velocities one by one. If I want a hard-copy list of my velocities, I use a pen and a piece of paper to write them down before I turn it off and back on again to start another 40 shot string.
Here's an Amazon link to the cheap chinese chrony I use (this one does read out in feet per second if you choose when turning it on):
I highly recommend the cheap chinese chrony. If you don't like it and decide that you need a fancy expensive chrony, then buy a fancy expensive chrony and keep the cheap chinese chrony for a backup that you will probably need some day.
I have an FX Pocket radar chrony. It cost me $200. I don't trust it. It depends on too many weak links in the chain to all work. I DO NOT recommend the FX chronographs. FX does not know electronics. The FX radar pocket chrony has two circuit boards in it -- FX didn't even use standoffs between the boards! ! ! -- and alignment is critical because one of the boards is the transmitter/receiver. The two circuit boards are held together with a randomly slapped on piece of double-sided tape. They also didn't provide the 5V device with a 5V power source. Even if you modify it so that it gets the proper 5V power source, that will never make up for the rest of the crap design.
stovepipe
Here's an Amazon link to the cheap chinese chrony I use (this one does read out in feet per second if you choose when turning it on):
I highly recommend the cheap chinese chrony. If you don't like it and decide that you need a fancy expensive chrony, then buy a fancy expensive chrony and keep the cheap chinese chrony for a backup that you will probably need some day.
I have an FX Pocket radar chrony. It cost me $200. I don't trust it. It depends on too many weak links in the chain to all work. I DO NOT recommend the FX chronographs. FX does not know electronics. The FX radar pocket chrony has two circuit boards in it -- FX didn't even use standoffs between the boards! ! ! -- and alignment is critical because one of the boards is the transmitter/receiver. The two circuit boards are held together with a randomly slapped on piece of double-sided tape. They also didn't provide the 5V device with a 5V power source. Even if you modify it so that it gets the proper 5V power source, that will never make up for the rest of the crap design.
stovepipe
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I started with the Caldwell because it came with all the accoutrements needed. The tripod is surprisingly robust and holds it in place well. Loves to catch arrows.
Purchased an FX chronograph. Great idea, poor implementation. I must have dropped or banged it too many times. It now works intermittently and requires a weird angle to register shots. Like @stovepipe said, not recommended.
The inexpensive model looks bullet proof. Off to youtube.
Purchased an FX chronograph. Great idea, poor implementation. I must have dropped or banged it too many times. It now works intermittently and requires a weird angle to register shots. Like @stovepipe said, not recommended.
The inexpensive model looks bullet proof. Off to youtube.
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i have had several brands and personally tested the cheap china one against a Caldwell . exact same answers from both .
Stan in Ky .
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Mines a first grab and go shoot a string ..lol
To add like that naye chrome thing you better think on all your guns muzzles if it going to fit or be kinda useless ...lol.
My china bolt on takes up to my gamos bulky whisper fusion baffle thing .
Good luck with them others doing that ..
The dlx or Caldwell type are ok and you can set one up at ranges you want instead of just at the muzzle .
Also guys with cadeells seem to have app issues especially with Apple devices .
The cheap china .. turn it on shoot through it and get reading ..lol
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I rarely bolt mine on I just rest the muzzle in it's yoke .. lol i guess too lazy to turn 2 wing nuts
Mines older and don't do fps like the latest ones .
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The clamp on the cheap chinese chrony is too small for some moderators like my donnyfl ronin. I removed the clamp and just tape the chrony to the ronin using paper masking tape. One of these days I'll make some kind of quick on and off fitting for it.
stovepipe
stovepipe
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