I shot my Alpha Chrony Master

Rodger Peterson · January 16, 2005, 10:50 PM

Ok, now that you are done laughing. I have some questions. Will they fix it?
I'm guessing since I have the Master, I shot the inexpensive part. Anyone have any experience with this? Is it worth fixing or should I just replace it. Ok, it was a 45 colt 250 grain cast 946.7 fps bottom left corner. Don't know how I did it, everything was going great. By the way, plastic tripod blew up too.

Kyote · January 16, 2005, 10:53 PM

Nope, not done yet!

I've had mine about 6 months and I was wondering about that too.

I don't think they will "fix" it for free but with enough $, anything is possible!

Good luck!

Jim Watson · January 16, 2005, 10:56 PM

I think they charge around $35 for a bullet hole, call 'em up.

Lower left corner?
You anticipated the recoil, heeled the gun and yanked the trigger.

Nnobby45 · January 16, 2005, 11:24 PM

When I had the Pro Tach by Competition Electronics, the unit plugged into the sensor with a long cord. Any damage was to the sensor mounted on the tri pod, and not the control box, and they readily replaced it for me at a reasonable price. With hot .22 centerfires like the 22-250, I was constantly aiming as low as possible to get close to the sensor, or the velocity wouldn't always register. Pistol or big bore rifles were never a problem. I put a bullet thru the 1st sensor on a couple of occasions with my 22-250.

Now, I've upgraded to their Pro Chrono digital, which is an all in one unit. A low bullet here would be fatal to the entire unit. The good news is that this model is far more sensitive, and I can aim plenty high, get accurate readings, and not endanger the unit--even with Varmint rifles. I'm not familiar with the Alpha Chrony Master, so I don't know how bad your damage is. I think they might help you out as best they can. Competition Electronics is certainly a pleasant Company to do business with, and the Pro Chrono Digital is very small and accurate. They even gave me credit for sending in my old unit.

Rodger Peterson · January 16, 2005, 11:42 PM

Nnobby45 you are right on target. I was aimimg low, as I have only had the unit out twice prior to this. Both times with an 06, no problems shooting about in the middle. This time I took a 22 with me to get it adjusted, unless I shot about 4" off the sensors I would get errors. Just after I shot it with the 45, I put 2 and 2 together. On the way back to the house, all I could think about was my wife saying I told you you would shoot it.

Doug242ti · January 17, 2005, 01:01 AM

Rodger, to be honest, I wouldn't feel bad. Im sure there are plenty of "shot" chrono's out there... kind of like the time I filled my dodge diesel with 55 bucks worth the premium... then pulled out into traffic

lol

**** happens, try not to beat yourself up over it.

(the best part of that diesel story is, once I got a buddy of mine to pull my truck out of traffic, I had to jump over the tow strap. When I did, my pants split (already had a tear in it) at the crotch and lost an entire pant leg.

in traffic. rush hour )

Robert M Boren Sr · January 17, 2005, 01:11 AM

Yes you can send them in and have them replaced. In the back of your manual it has the instructions on how to do it. You send it to a place in New York state, and then they fix it. I believe it's cheaper than buying a new one so it's worth checking out.

MTMilitiaman · January 17, 2005, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Yes you can send them in and have them replaced. In the back of your manual it has the instructions on how to do it. You send it to a place in New York state, and then they fix it. I believe it's cheaper than buying a new one so it's worth checking out.

Sounds like you're talking from experience

Robert M Boren Sr · January 17, 2005, 01:30 AM

yup

steveno · January 17, 2005, 05:59 AM

at least with an Oehler all you have to worry about shooting is a screen. I have an extra that has never been needed

Thirties · January 17, 2005, 08:18 AM

In the PACT chronographs, the brains are not in the firing range. The most you can do is shoot the "eyes" which are about $5 each and replaceble with the aid of a phillips screwdriver.

griz · January 17, 2005, 10:19 AM

You can check with them at their website.
I got them to replace all the electronics on mine and as I remember it was only about $40.

Rottweiler · January 17, 2005, 11:02 AM

Welcome to the club.

Several chronos have died while I was in the vicinity. An AR 's sights are quite a bit higher than the bore than I thought and my little brother has a pretty good flinch with his .44. Since the last one died someone here recommended that I(or you tape a target to the rear sky screen and shoot the target. I havent seen one die since I started doing this

Guy B. Meredith · January 17, 2005, 12:50 PM

A few months ago I received a new bottom end to replace the Gamma I nailed. I do not have the receipt but believe it was under $40.

Funny thing is that the thing kept tracking after a bullet smashed the front panel and another took out the upright pieces. (.38 spl 158 gr. WCB, 5.2 gr Win 231, Win small pistol primers, tracking at 900 fps.)

Oldphart · January 17, 2005, 02:26 PM

I went through that once too. They don't even bother to repair your unit. They just send a new box and screens. I talked to them before I sent mine in and they told me to not bother sending the old one. I think it cost me $40 or so... and a certain amount of embarassment, of course.

sleeping dog · January 17, 2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

I filled my dodge diesel with 55 bucks worth the premium... then pulled out into traffic

So, it cost more to fill the tank than it'll cost to fix the chrony.

Doug, what was the damage to the vehicle?

Regards.

JNewell · January 17, 2005, 05:30 PM

Quote:

the brains are not in the firing range

Same for the Chrony Master series like the Alpha Master that R. Peterson is asking about -- only the screens and sensors. The non-Master ones have the whole ball of wax downrange, more expensive to replace if/when they are hit.

Doug242ti · January 17, 2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Doug, what was the damage to the vehicle?

depends on the dealers... stealership you go to

The one I ALWAYS use (which is about an hour away) once I finally got the truck towed up there charged me 150 dollars. Drain the tank, replace the filters, refill with diesel. My local stealership wanted to charge me 2500 dollars, claiming that the lift pump was "destroyed". Tip, that much preminum will let your diesel run just long enough to pull into traffic before dying... about 30 seconds.

I felt better though, my service guy said everytime he gets a new lot attendent, they do the same damn thing. Dan even calls me to give me a bad time everytime they get one in with gas in it

lol... makes me feel better

Poygan · January 17, 2005, 07:51 PM

I've shot two chronys to date...you aren't even trying. BTW, fortunately, the second one is still functioning.

Rodger Peterson · January 17, 2005, 10:09 PM

I called them today and they are sending me a new chrony housing for about 40 bucks. They didn't want me to send the old one. Next time someone asks me if I save alot of money reloading, well........ I will say this, the chronograph in my opionion is a must for me. If you remember my posts of protruding primers, it proved with the assistance of headspace guages that my Lee dies were creating the problem as many of you said. I was able to rule out hot loads, and light loads. Problem was solved $15.00 headspace guages, $107.00 Chrony, $40.00 shot chrony. For what I spent to solve problem I could have bought 12 boxes of factory ammo which I am tring to recreate. Amazing how much enjoyment can cost. I still enjoy the hobbie.

30Cal · January 18, 2005, 12:48 PM

cheap replacable screens are a big selling point IMO. It's only a matter of time...

Ty

Dusty Miller · January 18, 2005, 04:03 PM

Words I DON'T want to hear at the range, "Hey buddy, can I shoot a couple of rounds over your chronograph?". I've got my "Nope" all ready to roll off my tongue!

Poodleshooter · January 18, 2005, 04:34 PM

Flinching has cost me one chrony, a misjudgement high scope mounted AR cost me another.
The Chrony folks are pretty good about replacements.

JNewell · January 18, 2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

I've got my "Nope" all ready to roll off my tongue!

Well, either that or "OK, but it cost me $xxx and I really need to have a cash deposit to cover the possibility that it's accidentally shot and destroyed."

Robert M Boren Sr · January 18, 2005, 11:34 PM

Just say okay but I do the shooting.

January 16, 2005, 10:50 PM	#1
Rodger Peterson Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 93	I shot my Alpha Chrony Master Ok, now that you are done laughing. I have some questions. Will they fix it? I'm guessing since I have the Master, I shot the inexpensive part. Anyone have any experience with this? Is it worth fixing or should I just replace it. Ok, it was a 45 colt 250 grain cast 946.7 fps bottom left corner. Don't know how I did it, everything was going great. By the way, plastic tripod blew up too.

January 16, 2005, 10:53 PM	#2
Kyote Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 183	Nope, not done yet! I've had mine about 6 months and I was wondering about that too. I don't think they will "fix" it for free but with enough $, anything is possible! Good luck! __________________ An armed society is a polite society.

January 16, 2005, 11:24 PM	#4
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Oops When I had the Pro Tach by Competition Electronics, the unit plugged into the sensor with a long cord. Any damage was to the sensor mounted on the tri pod, and not the control box, and they readily replaced it for me at a reasonable price. With hot .22 centerfires like the 22-250, I was constantly aiming as low as possible to get close to the sensor, or the velocity wouldn't always register. Pistol or big bore rifles were never a problem. I put a bullet thru the 1st sensor on a couple of occasions with my 22-250. Now, I've upgraded to their Pro Chrono digital, which is an all in one unit. A low bullet here would be fatal to the entire unit. The good news is that this model is far more sensitive, and I can aim plenty high, get accurate readings, and not endanger the unit--even with Varmint rifles. I'm not familiar with the Alpha Chrony Master, so I don't know how bad your damage is. I think they might help you out as best they can. Competition Electronics is certainly a pleasant Company to do business with, and the Pro Chrono Digital is very small and accurate. They even gave me credit for sending in my old unit.

January 17, 2005, 01:01 AM	#6
Doug242ti Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 316	Rodger, to be honest, I wouldn't feel bad. Im sure there are plenty of "shot" chrono's out there... kind of like the time I filled my dodge diesel with 55 bucks worth the premium... then pulled out into traffic lol ** happens, try not to beat yourself up over it. (the best part of that diesel story is, once I got a buddy of mine to pull my truck out of traffic, I had to jump over the tow strap. When I did, my pants split (already had a tear in it) at the crotch and lost an entire pant leg. in traffic. rush hour** ) __________________ www.pbase.com/dkauer744 NRA Member

January 17, 2005, 11:02 AM	#13
Rottweiler Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 391	Welcome to the club. Several chronos have died while I was in the vicinity. An AR 's sights are quite a bit higher than the bore than I thought and my little brother has a pretty good flinch with his .44. Since the last one died someone here recommended that I(or you tape a target to the rear sky screen and shoot the target. I havent seen one die since I started doing this __________________ Texas - envied by lesser states since 1845

January 16, 2005, 10:56 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	I think they charge around $35 for a bullet hole, call 'em up. Lower left corner? You anticipated the recoil, heeled the gun and yanked the trigger.

January 16, 2005, 11:42 PM	#5
Rodger Peterson Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 93	Nnobby45 you are right on target. I was aimimg low, as I have only had the unit out twice prior to this. Both times with an 06, no problems shooting about in the middle. This time I took a 22 with me to get it adjusted, unless I shot about 4" off the sensors I would get errors. Just after I shot it with the 45, I put 2 and 2 together. On the way back to the house, all I could think about was my wife saying I told you you would shoot it.

January 17, 2005, 01:11 AM	#7
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	Yes you can send them in and have them replaced. In the back of your manual it has the instructions on how to do it. You send it to a place in New York state, and then they fix it. I believe it's cheaper than buying a new one so it's worth checking out.

January 17, 2005, 01:30 AM	#9
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	yup

January 17, 2005, 05:59 AM	#10
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,407	at least with an Oehler all you have to worry about shooting is a screen. I have an extra that has never been needed

January 17, 2005, 08:18 AM	#11
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	In the PACT chronographs, the brains are not in the firing range. The most you can do is shoot the "eyes" which are about $5 each and replaceble with the aid of a phillips screwdriver.

January 17, 2005, 10:19 AM	#12
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	You can check with them at their website. I got them to replace all the electronics on mine and as I remember it was only about $40.

January 17, 2005, 12:50 PM	#14
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	A few months ago I received a new bottom end to replace the Gamma I nailed. I do not have the receipt but believe it was under $40. Funny thing is that the thing kept tracking after a bullet smashed the front panel and another took out the upright pieces. (.38 spl 158 gr. WCB, 5.2 gr Win 231, Win small pistol primers, tracking at 900 fps.)

January 17, 2005, 02:26 PM	#15
Oldphart Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Posts: 375	Dead Chrony I went through that once too. They don't even bother to repair your unit. They just send a new box and screens. I talked to them before I sent mine in and they told me to not bother sending the old one. I think it cost me $40 or so... and a certain amount of embarassment, of course.

January 17, 2005, 07:51 PM	#19
Poygan Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2004 Posts: 125	I've shot two chronys to date...you aren't even trying. BTW, fortunately, the second one is still functioning.

January 17, 2005, 10:09 PM	#20
Rodger Peterson Member Join Date: December 18, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 93	I called them today and they are sending me a new chrony housing for about 40 bucks. They didn't want me to send the old one. Next time someone asks me if I save alot of money reloading, well........ I will say this, the chronograph in my opionion is a must for me. If you remember my posts of protruding primers, it proved with the assistance of headspace guages that my Lee dies were creating the problem as many of you said. I was able to rule out hot loads, and light loads. Problem was solved $15.00 headspace guages, $107.00 Chrony, $40.00 shot chrony. For what I spent to solve problem I could have bought 12 boxes of factory ammo which I am tring to recreate. Amazing how much enjoyment can cost. I still enjoy the hobbie.

January 18, 2005, 12:48 PM	#21
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	cheap replacable screens are a big selling point IMO. It's only a matter of time... Ty

January 18, 2005, 04:03 PM	#22
Dusty Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 262	Words I DON'T want to hear at the range, "Hey buddy, can I shoot a couple of rounds over your chronograph?". I've got my "Nope" all ready to roll off my tongue! __________________ The difference between a stumbling block and a stepping stone is the height to which one raises one's foot.

January 18, 2005, 04:34 PM	#23
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Flinching has cost me one chrony, a misjudgement high scope mounted AR cost me another. The Chrony folks are pretty good about replacements.

January 18, 2005, 11:34 PM	#25
Robert M Boren Sr Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 269	Just say okay but I do the shooting.