Oehler 35P Chrono

jdillon · October 22, 2011, 11:05 AM

Any folks out there have experience with this unit?

**Unclenick** · October 22, 2011, 11:44 AM

Yes. I own one. Works well, but is an older design. My less expensive CED chronograph tracks the Oehler very well, if you want a less costly alternative with more modern computer features. At other extreme is the slightly more expensive German-made PVM-21 with still more fully featured software.

mehavey · October 22, 2011, 11:45 AM

I have had the 35 (everything but the printer) for seven years now. It has been utterly reliable (discounting a spider buiding a funnel web in the start sensor well) even under the lowest of light conditions -- even light drizzle. When things warrant/conditions match I'll take the orange shades off and just let it look at the sky w/o any problem.

There are two key things required to make it a no-brainer:

(a) A good tripod which is rock solid but easily 3D adjustable w/ minimum fooling around.

(Manfrotto 390Jr in my case)

(b) A short/wide gun case that allows you to keep the sensors/support rod assembled/in one piece, and accepts the tripod/shades and computer unit together inside it as well. (I think it comes in such a case now when bought new.)

It is 1990s technology (the computer housing could be smaller), but it's bomb-proof, does all the usual computations for Hi/Low/ES/SD/Ave etc required and the the size of the bullet window is a godsend.

steveno · October 22, 2011, 12:44 PM

I bought an Oehler 33 way back when it was the only game in town and I think I paid around $300 or so. it still works great. if I was to buy a chronograph for the first time today I'm not sure what I buy. if you can afford the Oehler 35P buy it and don't look back. the average shooter can probably get buy with something a little less expensive as the 35P is pretty much lab quality.

jdillon · October 23, 2011, 11:51 PM

Thanks for the info and ordered a 35P.

Peter M. Eick · October 29, 2011, 02:42 PM

Love mine. I have been debating buying a second one as a spare!

steveno · October 29, 2011, 02:52 PM

the only spares you need is maybe an extra screen just in case you blow up one up.

swmike · October 30, 2011, 12:37 PM

It's an excellent Chronograph. You pay for it twice though, first in money and then in size.

I have a PACT XP Pro IR that costs less than $300, is about half the size, and all readings correlate with the performance predicted in my Ballistics computer. In the end, that's all that matters.

Does the average shooter really need "Lab Grade" results?

October 22, 2011, 11:05 AM	#1
jdillon Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 141	Oehler 35P Chrono Any folks out there have experience with this unit? __________________ "Emergencies have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded" - F.A. Hayek

October 22, 2011, 11:44 AM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,129	Yes. I own one. Works well, but is an older design. My less expensive CED chronograph tracks the Oehler very well, if you want a less costly alternative with more modern computer features. At other extreme is the slightly more expensive German-made PVM-21 with still more fully featured software. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member Last edited by Unclenick; October 22, 2011 at 11:49 AM.

October 23, 2011, 11:51 PM	#5
jdillon Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2011 Location: Southern NM Posts: 141	Thanks for the info and ordered a 35P. __________________ "Emergencies have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded" - F.A. Hayek

October 29, 2011, 02:42 PM	#6
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,566	Love mine. I have been debating buying a second one as a spare! __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

October 30, 2011, 12:37 PM	#8
swmike Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 638	It's an excellent Chronograph. You pay for it twice though, first in money and then in size. I have a PACT XP Pro IR that costs less than $300, is about half the size, and all readings correlate with the performance predicted in my Ballistics computer. In the end, that's all that matters. Does the average shooter really need "Lab Grade" results? __________________ My definition of Gun Control--- A steady grip and hitting your target. "In God we trust, all others are suspects." "If I shoot all the ammo I am carrying, either I won't need any more, or more won't be of any help". ____________________________________________

October 22, 2011, 11:45 AM	#3
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Posts: 1,974	I have had the 35 (everything but the printer) for seven years now. It has been utterly reliable (discounting a spider buiding a funnel web in the start sensor well) even under the lowest of light conditions -- even light drizzle. When things warrant/conditions match I'll take the orange shades off and just let it look at the sky w/o any problem. There are two key things required to make it a no-brainer: (a) A good tripod which is rock solid but easily 3D adjustable w/ minimum fooling around. (Manfrotto 390Jr in my case) (b) A short/wide gun case that allows you to keep the sensors/support rod assembled/in one piece, and accepts the tripod/shades and computer unit together inside it as well. (I think it comes in such a case now when bought new.) It is 1990s technology (the computer housing could be smaller), but it's bomb-proof, does all the usual computations for Hi/Low/ES/SD/Ave etc required and the the size of the bullet window is a godsend.

October 22, 2011, 12:44 PM	#4
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,189	I bought an Oehler 33 way back when it was the only game in town and I think I paid around $300 or so. it still works great. if I was to buy a chronograph for the first time today I'm not sure what I buy. if you can afford the Oehler 35P buy it and don't look back. the average shooter can probably get buy with something a little less expensive as the 35P is pretty much lab quality.

October 29, 2011, 02:52 PM	#7
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,189	the only spares you need is maybe an extra screen just in case you blow up one up.