Lets talk Chronographs....

kilotanker22 · January 16, 2019, 11:54 AM

OK,

So My old Chronograph is broken. I am buying a new one in the next couple of weeks. I really want a Lab Radar. I have also been seeing a lot of positive things about the Magnetospeed v3.

Anyone here have experience with both? The Lab Radar is about $250 more than the Magnetospeed. The obvious benefit of the lab radar I guess is being able to track actual velocity downrange. 100 yards I think. Although I don't know if 100 yards is enough to use the Data to calculate actual BC of the bullet.

What does the wisdom of this forum say about the value of each?

LeverGunFan · January 16, 2019, 03:16 PM

I have the Labradar, but not the Magnetospeed. I selected the Labradar because it can easily be used with a variety of firearms, regardless of their configuration. The Magnetospeed on the other hand is generally attached to the end of the barrel, which can be problematic with some designs such as auto pistols. If the firearms you will be using are easily compatible with the Magnetospeed method of mounting, then it could be the ticket for you.

ligonierbill · January 16, 2019, 06:53 PM

I have both. The magneto speed is great for most rifles and long barrel revolvers. Bottom feeders and snubs, not so much. I use the LabRadar exclusively now. If you get one, get an external battery pack. Is it worth the price? For me, yes, but you may be perfectly pleased with the strap on unit.

mehavey · January 16, 2019, 07:03 PM

I second (third

) the LabRadar.
Get this external battery pack.
Run it off the 1 Amp port. Makes all the difference in dependable/loooooog-lasting
functionality under muzzle blast conditions

std7mag · January 16, 2019, 09:58 PM

I'm financially challenged, so i got a Chrony Beta Master.
As long as the batterys are fresh it does what i need it to do.
I would love to have a Lab Radar.
And the RSI Pressure Trace.

I'm against the Magneto Speed, as it straps to the barrel. Often times i'm shooting groups, while using the chrono.
I don't use the chrono for my ladder tests. I'd rather focus on what my most accurate charge is. I'll chrono it afterwards.

Hanshi · January 17, 2019, 04:03 PM

I have a 25 year old Oehler. A friend has a Chrony that works just fine.

RC20 · January 17, 2019, 08:22 PM

While I am also financially challenged, I will buy what works best vs something else.

My chrono quit working and I hated the setup thing and time delays anyway.

I get another one it will be the Lab.

std7mag · January 17, 2019, 09:50 PM

Good points.
I wonder, how is the setup with the Labradar vs a Beta Master?
Would be nice not having to tape measure off distance for muzzle blast, and stringing a cable back to the bench.
Then there is the old chrono saying...
Those that have shot a chrono, and those that will..

MoArk Willy · January 17, 2019, 10:50 PM

I bought my brother in law a chrony for Christmas / birthday one year.
I'm also the one who shot through the front of it one day.
They really need to make the front of those a bit sturdier.....like 1/4" steel.

mehavey · January 17, 2019, 10:55 PM

Any modern "deer" rifle would go through 1/4" steel like butter.

RC20 · January 18, 2019, 12:27 PM

Yep, RHA (rolled homogeneous armor!)

I ticked mine, kept working, about as bare a hit as you can get and still not wreck it.

The LAB sets up on a table (plate) or a tripod to the side of the gun.

You can use your tripod of buy make the plate with a camera bracket on it.

Either way its easy.

The only miner downside is I did like the Chonry remote display, numbers on the LAB are big enough, but if you need to manipulate it and on a trip pod its not easy.

The plate seems the better way to go. On the bench and accessible.

mehavey · January 18, 2019, 05:05 PM

Quote:

The plate seems the better way to go.
On the bench and accessible.

Yup.
Clamp the plate to the bench with two spring clamps.
Bomb proof.
(you also Velcro the external battery onto that plate)

mehavey · January 18, 2019, 05:33 PM

Works just fine w/ Patched-Ball/(real)BP too (even with following patches in the flightpath)

44-LePageDueling/RCBS_0.435"ball/21gr/3FgGoEX/1cc-CornMeal/0.010"TwillSpitPatch
Cut-downFunnel to ensure powder goes into patent breech channel/846±09fps/25yds

kilotanker22 · January 21, 2019, 12:01 PM

Pretty sure I am gonna buy the Lab Radar... When purchasing the plate to go with it. It is $220 more than the full setup for the magnetospeed v3. Plus I can still group test with it while testing velocities. Without worrying about the Magnetospeed causing point of impact changes from shot to shot.

kilotanker22 · January 28, 2019, 10:58 AM

The Magneto speed is the winner I guess. I didnt realize that the sporter version was only $180..

Also My wife reminded me that the $400 saved from the Lab Radar could be used for another gun or loading supplies.... She is always trying to talk some sense into me. Glad I married that woman!!!!!

Anyway, the sporter version will fill My needs. (I likely will not ever own a rifle with muzzle diameter greater than 1 inch)

RC20 · January 28, 2019, 11:15 AM

That is always the dilemma, where the money goes and gets how much of what.

Let us know how you like it.

LeverGunFan · January 28, 2019, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the update, it should be a good choice for you. The testing I have read on the Magnetospeed shows that it is very accurate, and it does not affect accuracy as some of us had thought. After you have some experience with it, let us know how you like it.

kilotanker22 · January 28, 2019, 12:21 PM

I am gonna order it this week

Brutus · February 7, 2019, 06:56 PM

I have a Chrony Beta and a competition electronics.
Both work really well but the comp electronics has an edge in that it works with a tablet or cell phone and easily downloads data to a spread sheet., big plus. Alas both are a pain to setup and the Lab radar is supposed to be easy to use at an indoor range. Been thinking of popping for one but I'd like more feedback on the indoor range thing before shelling out that much money.

kilotanker22 · February 8, 2019, 01:06 AM

I ended up with the Magnetospeed. Works great. I am definitely happy with it.

January 16, 2019, 11:54 AM	#1
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	Lets talk Chronographs.... OK, So My old Chronograph is broken. I am buying a new one in the next couple of weeks. I really want a Lab Radar. I have also been seeing a lot of positive things about the Magnetospeed v3. Anyone here have experience with both? The Lab Radar is about $250 more than the Magnetospeed. The obvious benefit of the lab radar I guess is being able to track actual velocity downrange. 100 yards I think. Although I don't know if 100 yards is enough to use the Data to calculate actual BC of the bullet. What does the wisdom of this forum say about the value of each?

January 16, 2019, 03:16 PM	#2
LeverGunFan Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 407	I have the Labradar, but not the Magnetospeed. I selected the Labradar because it can easily be used with a variety of firearms, regardless of their configuration. The Magnetospeed on the other hand is generally attached to the end of the barrel, which can be problematic with some designs such as auto pistols. If the firearms you will be using are easily compatible with the Magnetospeed method of mounting, then it could be the ticket for you. __________________ *Support the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition*

January 16, 2019, 09:58 PM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I'm financially challenged, so i got a Chrony Beta Master. As long as the batterys are fresh it does what i need it to do. I would love to have a Lab Radar. And the RSI Pressure Trace. I'm against the Magneto Speed, as it straps to the barrel. Often times i'm shooting groups, while using the chrono. I don't use the chrono for my ladder tests. I'd rather focus on what my most accurate charge is. I'll chrono it afterwards. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 17, 2019, 04:03 PM	#6
Hanshi Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2017 Posts: 239	I have a 25 year old Oehler. A friend has a Chrony that works just fine. __________________ Young guys should hang out with old guys; old guys know stuff.

January 17, 2019, 08:22 PM	#7
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	While I am also financially challenged, I will buy what works best vs something else. My chrono quit working and I hated the setup thing and time delays anyway. I get another one it will be the Lab. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

January 16, 2019, 06:53 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	I have both. The magneto speed is great for most rifles and long barrel revolvers. Bottom feeders and snubs, not so much. I use the LabRadar exclusively now. If you get one, get an external battery pack. Is it worth the price? For me, yes, but you may be perfectly pleased with the strap on unit.

January 16, 2019, 07:03 PM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,883	I second (third ) the LabRadar. Get this external battery pack. Run it off the 1 Amp port. Makes all the difference in dependable/loooooog-lasting functionality under muzzle blast conditions

January 17, 2019, 09:50 PM	#8
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Good points. I wonder, how is the setup with the Labradar vs a Beta Master? Would be nice not having to tape measure off distance for muzzle blast, and stringing a cable back to the bench. Then there is the old chrono saying... Those that have shot a chrono, and those that will.. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

January 17, 2019, 10:50 PM	#9
MoArk Willy Member Join Date: June 15, 2018 Posts: 93	I bought my brother in law a chrony for Christmas / birthday one year. I'm also the one who shot through the front of it one day. They really need to make the front of those a bit sturdier.....like 1/4" steel.

January 17, 2019, 10:55 PM	#10
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,883	Any modern "deer" rifle would go through 1/4" steel like butter.

January 18, 2019, 12:27 PM	#11
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	Yep, RHA (rolled homogeneous armor!) I ticked mine, kept working, about as bare a hit as you can get and still not wreck it. The LAB sets up on a table (plate) or a tripod to the side of the gun. You can use your tripod of buy make the plate with a camera bracket on it. Either way its easy. The only miner downside is I did like the Chonry remote display, numbers on the LAB are big enough, but if you need to manipulate it and on a trip pod its not easy. The plate seems the better way to go. On the bench and accessible. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

January 18, 2019, 05:33 PM	#13
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,883	Works just fine w/ Patched-Ball/(real)BP too (even with following patches in the flightpath) 44-LePageDueling/RCBS_0.435"ball/21gr/3FgGoEX/1cc-CornMeal/0.010"TwillSpitPatch Cut-downFunnel to ensure powder goes into patent breech channel/846±09fps/25yds Last edited by mehavey; January 18, 2019 at 09:12 PM.

January 21, 2019, 12:01 PM	#14
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	Pretty sure I am gonna buy the Lab Radar... When purchasing the plate to go with it. It is $220 more than the full setup for the magnetospeed v3. Plus I can still group test with it while testing velocities. Without worrying about the Magnetospeed causing point of impact changes from shot to shot.

January 28, 2019, 10:58 AM	#15
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	The Magneto speed is the winner I guess. I didnt realize that the sporter version was only $180.. Also My wife reminded me that the $400 saved from the Lab Radar could be used for another gun or loading supplies.... She is always trying to talk some sense into me. Glad I married that woman!!!!! Anyway, the sporter version will fill My needs. (I likely will not ever own a rifle with muzzle diameter greater than 1 inch)

January 28, 2019, 11:15 AM	#16
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	That is always the dilemma, where the money goes and gets how much of what. Let us know how you like it. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

January 28, 2019, 11:16 AM	#17
LeverGunFan Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 407	Thanks for the update, it should be a good choice for you. The testing I have read on the Magnetospeed shows that it is very accurate, and it does not affect accuracy as some of us had thought. After you have some experience with it, let us know how you like it. __________________ *Support the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition*

January 28, 2019, 12:21 PM	#18
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I am gonna order it this week

February 7, 2019, 06:56 PM	#19
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	I have a Chrony Beta and a competition electronics. Both work really well but the comp electronics has an edge in that it works with a tablet or cell phone and easily downloads data to a spread sheet., big plus. Alas both are a pain to setup and the Lab radar is supposed to be easy to use at an indoor range. Been thinking of popping for one but I'd like more feedback on the indoor range thing before shelling out that much money. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

February 8, 2019, 01:06 AM	#20
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I ended up with the Magnetospeed. Works great. I am definitely happy with it.

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