Chronograph on overcast day

Netzapper · November 26, 2009, 04:03 AM

I took my chronograph to the range today, but it was apparently too dark and grey for it. As I'm living in the Pacific Northwest, I can't see that changing until July.

I have a Chrony F-1 (the most basic model).

What are my remedies? Should I buy the lights? Do I have to use their light, or can I just mount a couple of flashlights on the diffusers?

jaguarxk120 · November 26, 2009, 09:24 AM

You can mount any light system for the chrony you want as long as it is not a flourecent lamp. Any steady light source will work for you. You may want to try the diffuser screens to even out the overhead light so the eye's can see the bullet shadow.

Field · November 26, 2009, 11:54 AM

oh jeez i lived up there until i moved out at 21, its not THAT bad

pax · November 26, 2009, 11:56 AM

NZ ~

We've had far better luck with our chrony on grey days than on sunny ones. Just pick a day with a higher ceiling and you're good to go. Finding a day with a higher ceiling shouldn't be difficult, since that's more the norm than the super-dark stormy days with a low ceiling.

pax

lcc123 · November 26, 2009, 11:58 AM

Assuming your chrony has a clear line of sight to the overcast sky, did you try it without the diffusers?

Creeper · November 26, 2009, 01:40 PM

Yeah... with lcc123 here, you might try losing the diffusers. I never use them indoors or on overcast days with my "econochrony".

C

Netzapper · November 26, 2009, 05:55 PM

I actually didn't even bother to put the diffusers on. I just stuck the wires on for guides. It had a kind of open view to the sky. But the part of the range where I set it up has beams built over it (with no roof, to stop misdirected fire), so that's probably causing some of my problems.

I'll try some lights, though.

Thirties · November 27, 2009, 09:36 AM

In the instructions for my PACT chronograph, they prefer overcast days -- deep blue sky is not preferred.

jmorris · November 27, 2009, 09:37 AM

I originally came up with this setup when I needed to chronograph some loads after the sun went down but it will work anytime natural lighting won’t cooperate.

Tex S · November 27, 2009, 02:34 PM

Would a chrony with infrared capabilities alleviate this problem? Not to hijack the thread, but I'm in the market for a chrony.

November 26, 2009, 04:03 AM	#1
Netzapper Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2005 Location: Gilpin county, CO Posts: 261	Chronograph on overcast day I took my chronograph to the range today, but it was apparently too dark and grey for it. As I'm living in the Pacific Northwest, I can't see that changing until July. I have a Chrony F-1 (the most basic model). What are my remedies? Should I buy the lights? Do I have to use their light, or can I just mount a couple of flashlights on the diffusers?

November 26, 2009, 11:54 AM	#3
Field Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 295	oh jeez i lived up there until i moved out at 21, its not THAT bad __________________ iPSC=A66009 iDPA=A38321 http://www.youtube.com/user/FieldBoy111

November 26, 2009, 11:56 AM	#4
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	NZ ~ We've had far better luck with our chrony on grey days than on sunny ones. Just pick a day with a higher ceiling and you're good to go. Finding a day with a higher ceiling shouldn't be difficult, since that's more the norm than the super-dark stormy days with a low ceiling. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

November 26, 2009, 01:40 PM	#6
Creeper Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: Woooooshington Posts: 1,797	Yeah... with lcc123 here, you might try losing the diffusers. I never use them indoors or on overcast days with my "econochrony". C __________________ Shoulder Drive Nicholson Club

November 26, 2009, 09:24 AM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	You can mount any light system for the chrony you want as long as it is not a flourecent lamp. Any steady light source will work for you. You may want to try the diffuser screens to even out the overhead light so the eye's can see the bullet shadow.

November 26, 2009, 11:58 AM	#5
lcc123 Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Posts: 5	Assuming your chrony has a clear line of sight to the overcast sky, did you try it without the diffusers?

November 26, 2009, 05:55 PM	#7
Netzapper Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2005 Location: Gilpin county, CO Posts: 261	I actually didn't even bother to put the diffusers on. I just stuck the wires on for guides. It had a kind of open view to the sky. But the part of the range where I set it up has beams built over it (with no roof, to stop misdirected fire), so that's probably causing some of my problems. I'll try some lights, though.

November 27, 2009, 09:36 AM	#8
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	In the instructions for my PACT chronograph, they prefer overcast days -- deep blue sky is not preferred.

November 27, 2009, 09:37 AM	#9
jmorris Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 3,077	I originally came up with this setup when I needed to chronograph some loads after the sun went down but it will work anytime natural lighting won’t cooperate.

November 27, 2009, 02:34 PM	#10
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Would a chrony with infrared capabilities alleviate this problem? Not to hijack the thread, but I'm in the market for a chrony.