What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
A decent affordable chronograph
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Crystal timebase controlled electronic watches are VERY accurate and don't have to cost a lot unless you want a fancy case and face neither of which contributes to the time keeping ability.
Mechanical watches which meet the chronograph standard are expensive.
Mechanical watches which meet the chronograph standard are expensive.
In this section, I assumed the OP was asking about shooting chronographs...which measure bullet velocity...
I don't own one, yet, but I think that's where he was going...
Otherwise, I would say, you can't go wrong with a Seiko...
I don't own one, yet, but I think that's where he was going...
Otherwise, I would say, you can't go wrong with a Seiko...
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If you dont care about look the Casio G-shock have a lot of functions and can be pretty tough. Or do you want a classic appearing quartz steel watch? Or Self winding no battery?
For something nice to have forever, How bout a used TissotPRC200?
For something nice to have forever, How bout a used TissotPRC200?
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
If you dont care about look the Casio G-shock have a lot of functions and can be pretty tough. Or do you want a classic appearing quartz steel watch? Or Self winding no battery?
For something nice to have forever, How bout a used TissotPRC200?
You're going to have mad skills to use one of those to calculate bullet velocity.
If you dont care about look the Casio G-shock have a lot of functions and can be pretty tough. Or do you want a classic appearing quartz steel watch? Or Self winding no battery?
For something nice to have forever, How bout a used TissotPRC200?
You're going to have mad skills to use one of those to calculate bullet velocity.
COSC-certified chronometres are going to set you back a lot of coin, even if used. They also require periodic maintenance that's arduous and expensive. Interestingly, some higher end watches are not COSC-certified but may actually beat the COSC requirement. Omega, for example, has tighter requirements for accuracy than COSC-certified timepieces.
Most off-the-shelf quartz watches are accurate enough for practical purposes and require next to no maintenance.
Most off-the-shelf quartz watches are accurate enough for practical purposes and require next to no maintenance.
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
I'm thinking my next watch will be a chronograph, been thinking about a Speedmaster for a while now.
But for shooting, I have a Caldwell model. I've only used it indoors with air rifles so far (4-700 fps range). Initially, I had some trouble, likely due to lighting issues (fluorescent and too dim). I put on a couple strips of 12V LED lighting and have had no issues. I bet if I was outdoors with any reasonable amount of light, it would work fine. They sell a light kit for $40.
The ability to connect it to your phone for data capture and to use as a remote screen is fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-720001-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph/dp/B00HTN5DTE
Like the guys said above, watch out if you're shooting a shot gun, and also watch out if you're shooting a rifle relatively close through a scope with a high mount. Aim high.
But for shooting, I have a Caldwell model. I've only used it indoors with air rifles so far (4-700 fps range). Initially, I had some trouble, likely due to lighting issues (fluorescent and too dim). I put on a couple strips of 12V LED lighting and have had no issues. I bet if I was outdoors with any reasonable amount of light, it would work fine. They sell a light kit for $40.
The ability to connect it to your phone for data capture and to use as a remote screen is fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-720001-Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph/dp/B00HTN5DTE
Like the guys said above, watch out if you're shooting a shot gun, and also watch out if you're shooting a rifle relatively close through a scope with a high mount. Aim high.
Originally Posted By: totegoat
I don't own one, but friends do. Be careful if you chronograph shotgun shells. One friend was a little too far back.
There are 2 types of chronograph owners. Those who have shot them, and those who will. It is why if you talk to most who have done the first, they will advise not spending over $100.00 on them. Chronographs are not like rifles. More money won't buy you more accuracy.
I don't own one, but friends do. Be careful if you chronograph shotgun shells. One friend was a little too far back.
There are 2 types of chronograph owners. Those who have shot them, and those who will. It is why if you talk to most who have done the first, they will advise not spending over $100.00 on them. Chronographs are not like rifles. More money won't buy you more accuracy.
For the guys with the watch jokes.
Device used to check the space/time continuum of anti-matter while traversing a black hole. Otherwise known as velocity of a projectile/bullet.
Device used to check the space/time continuum of anti-matter while traversing a black hole. Otherwise known as velocity of a projectile/bullet.
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
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Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: totegoat
I don't own one, but friends do. Be careful if you chronograph shotgun shells. One friend was a little too far back.
There are 2 types of chronograph owners. Those who have shot them, and those who will. It is why if you talk to most who have done the first, they will advise not spending over $100.00 on them. Chronographs are not like rifles. More money won't buy you more accuracy.
This was my thinking as well. I can see these things getting shot, doesn't make sense to buy a $300 unit.
Originally Posted By: totegoat
I don't own one, but friends do. Be careful if you chronograph shotgun shells. One friend was a little too far back.
There are 2 types of chronograph owners. Those who have shot them, and those who will. It is why if you talk to most who have done the first, they will advise not spending over $100.00 on them. Chronographs are not like rifles. More money won't buy you more accuracy.
This was my thinking as well. I can see these things getting shot, doesn't make sense to buy a $300 unit.
I am a watchmaker and am familiar with both types of chronograph(one of them fairly intimately) but I'm assuming that since this is in the firearms section the OP is asking about the type you shoot bullets over
I have the low end Shooting Chrony brand Alpha. This one doesn't have very many features and the LCD display is fixed to the front. I bought mine ~2 years ago, and it was about $90 off the shelf at Cabelas. I bought the warranty on it, but before doing so specifically asked them if it covered shooting the chronograph. The lady laughed and thought I was joking, but after I explained what it was for she understood I was serious, made some calls, and found out that it WAS in fact covered.
If I had if to do over, I'd probably opt for one with a remote display. To me, the averaging and standard deviation features aren't that important-I'd rather record the numbers on a legal pad and do my number crunching in Excel.
Also, take heed of the the suggested distances-I believe it's usually 10 feet for handguns and 15 feet for rifles. Get too close and you will get crazy readings-I recall once getting a reading of about 4500 fps from a 357 magnum-I suspect that I was simply too close and was measuring the speed of unburned powder out of the muzzle. It WAS a hot load in a long barrel(8 3/8" S&W model 27) with a(book) value of 1400 fps, and I think that when I finally got it "dialed in" on the chrono I was recording a realistic 1550 fps or so(btw, this is also a "holy [censored] what was that?" at the range load).
The shooting chrony-and I assume other brands-includes two-piece metal rods for the sun shades with brass bands that show the optimum height. I "nicked" one of the brass bands the first time I had it out(fortunately with a ~750 fps 38 special hollow base wadcutter). I've since bought dowel rods and cut them to length, and use those in place of the metal rods. I painted marks on them for the correct height. I also carry spares with me. There are a LOT of advantages to doing this, not the least of which is that you can carry replacements. Most importantly, though, if you shoot one of the rods it will break rather than(possibly) tearing up your chrono along with it.
A couple of other things-you should always use the rods even if it's overcast and you're not using the sun shades. They give you a guide to shoot over. The Shooting Chrony brand folds in half(one reason I like it) but you need to be absolutely sure you have it folded out flat or your readings will be incorrect. I'd suggest also tucking a spare 9V battery down in the chrono. Getting the chrono out is usually a big deal for me-i.e. I do a lot of prep work to segregate loads and the like before going to the range-and I hate to have the day ruined by a dead battery. Also, you need a tripod but it doesn't need to be particularly stable and I suggest not spending a lot-again going back to the fact that there's a chance of shooting it. I bought a cheap "collapsible" tripod from Wal-Mart-it's about 8" long when folded up, but expands to ~5' when fully unfolded. It's flimsy as all get out and is useless for photography, but ideal for a chrono.
If you handload, you are going at it blindly if you don't have a chrono. I handloaded for a long time before buying one, but after buying I don't know how I managed without it. It makes working up a load a LOT easier and can help you find the "sweet spot" for a particular bullet/powder combination(which is usually under max). It also allows you to spot things like positional sensitivity, which can be a bigger deal than people realize with light loads in big cases. I saw a nearly 100fps variation using the standard 2.7gr Bullseye/158gr SWC depending on if I tilted the gun forward or backward after the shot. I've since switched to 4.7gr Unique for this load, although Titegroup does perform well(2.7gr Bullseye under a flush seated 148gr wadcutter is fine, just like it has been for the past 100 years). Most dramatic was when I tried using 2400 in 32-20(handgun/Winchester 73 loads)-something that Lyman actually lists in the book, but gave me a 500 fps variation! That load has a big red line through it now in my Lyman book
I have the low end Shooting Chrony brand Alpha. This one doesn't have very many features and the LCD display is fixed to the front. I bought mine ~2 years ago, and it was about $90 off the shelf at Cabelas. I bought the warranty on it, but before doing so specifically asked them if it covered shooting the chronograph. The lady laughed and thought I was joking, but after I explained what it was for she understood I was serious, made some calls, and found out that it WAS in fact covered.
If I had if to do over, I'd probably opt for one with a remote display. To me, the averaging and standard deviation features aren't that important-I'd rather record the numbers on a legal pad and do my number crunching in Excel.
Also, take heed of the the suggested distances-I believe it's usually 10 feet for handguns and 15 feet for rifles. Get too close and you will get crazy readings-I recall once getting a reading of about 4500 fps from a 357 magnum-I suspect that I was simply too close and was measuring the speed of unburned powder out of the muzzle. It WAS a hot load in a long barrel(8 3/8" S&W model 27) with a(book) value of 1400 fps, and I think that when I finally got it "dialed in" on the chrono I was recording a realistic 1550 fps or so(btw, this is also a "holy [censored] what was that?" at the range load).
The shooting chrony-and I assume other brands-includes two-piece metal rods for the sun shades with brass bands that show the optimum height. I "nicked" one of the brass bands the first time I had it out(fortunately with a ~750 fps 38 special hollow base wadcutter). I've since bought dowel rods and cut them to length, and use those in place of the metal rods. I painted marks on them for the correct height. I also carry spares with me. There are a LOT of advantages to doing this, not the least of which is that you can carry replacements. Most importantly, though, if you shoot one of the rods it will break rather than(possibly) tearing up your chrono along with it.
A couple of other things-you should always use the rods even if it's overcast and you're not using the sun shades. They give you a guide to shoot over. The Shooting Chrony brand folds in half(one reason I like it) but you need to be absolutely sure you have it folded out flat or your readings will be incorrect. I'd suggest also tucking a spare 9V battery down in the chrono. Getting the chrono out is usually a big deal for me-i.e. I do a lot of prep work to segregate loads and the like before going to the range-and I hate to have the day ruined by a dead battery. Also, you need a tripod but it doesn't need to be particularly stable and I suggest not spending a lot-again going back to the fact that there's a chance of shooting it. I bought a cheap "collapsible" tripod from Wal-Mart-it's about 8" long when folded up, but expands to ~5' when fully unfolded. It's flimsy as all get out and is useless for photography, but ideal for a chrono.
If you handload, you are going at it blindly if you don't have a chrono. I handloaded for a long time before buying one, but after buying I don't know how I managed without it. It makes working up a load a LOT easier and can help you find the "sweet spot" for a particular bullet/powder combination(which is usually under max). It also allows you to spot things like positional sensitivity, which can be a bigger deal than people realize with light loads in big cases. I saw a nearly 100fps variation using the standard 2.7gr Bullseye/158gr SWC depending on if I tilted the gun forward or backward after the shot. I've since switched to 4.7gr Unique for this load, although Titegroup does perform well(2.7gr Bullseye under a flush seated 148gr wadcutter is fine, just like it has been for the past 100 years). Most dramatic was when I tried using 2400 in 32-20(handgun/Winchester 73 loads)-something that Lyman actually lists in the book, but gave me a 500 fps variation! That load has a big red line through it now in my Lyman book
I have had a Chrony Beta Master for a couple years. Works on everything from a .177 pellet gun to the 300. Very few misses/no reads. I like to set up the chrono 20 ft downrange and have the readout on the bench with me.
I gave away a 3 screen Ohler Pro with a printer 15 years ago to my best friend. Little did I know Ohler would stop making them for a long while when I tried to get another.
I gave away a 3 screen Ohler Pro with a printer 15 years ago to my best friend. Little did I know Ohler would stop making them for a long while when I tried to get another.
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
I have the same one, going on 10+ years, no issues. I use a cheap camera tripod from Wally World.
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
I have the same one, going on 10+ years, no issues. I use a cheap camera tripod from Wally World.
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
That is the exact same unit I have. It's a nice unit that's really easy to set up and use. You'll be happy with it.
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
What do you guys recommend for a decent affordable chronograph? I see the pro chrono brand and a couple others for around $100 shipped. Are these any count?
I have the Pro Chrono Digital and it is a very nice unit. It gives you a much larger "Sky Screen" setup to shoot over than the "Shooting Chony" models. And it works well in direct Sunlight, or overcast. I paid around $100.00 for mine about 10 years ago, and it's still going strong. In fact, I'm only on my second 9 Volt battery. And I use it a lot because it's so easy to set up. No wires, etc. That's something to think about if you shoot on a crowded public range.
I just bolt mine to a camera tripod, set it out there, and I'm good to go. Having a chronograph is a bit like having a microwave oven. Once you have it, you'll wonder how the he!! you lived without it for so long. They are invaluable to a handloader.
This is the answer I was looking for. Thabks! I just ordered this one off of Amazon. Is it the same as yours? I have a friend who runs a videography business so I just get an old unused tripod from him.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HYQ39G0...XY6XVKKN15FM1SD
That is the exact same unit I have. It's a nice unit that's really easy to set up and use. You'll be happy with it.
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