Chronogaph

45 Fan · August 17, 1999, 12:23 PM

Hi guys:
I am thinking about purchasing a chronograph and would like any input from the group. I primarily load for pistol and was wondering if a chrono is as useful for pistol as it is for rifle? Can anyone recommend a decent brand? I have been looking at the Pact and CED Millenium. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.......45 Fan

swifter... · August 17, 1999, 06:36 PM

45 Fan,
I have two, the one I use is a PACT Professional. It works well, and I have had good luck with their customer service.

The one I don't use is a Chrony. I paid my buddy for it after I shot it, he gave it to me for Xmas - on a "Trophy mount". It hangs on my wall...
Lesson: Avoid chronographs with their brains in front of the muzzle!

------------------
The Bill of Rights, and the Golden Rule are enough for civilized behavior. The rest is window dressing. Shoot carefully, swifter...

Patrick Graham · August 17, 1999, 08:03 PM

F1 Crony.. $69 at Midway.. Works great.

bfoster · August 18, 1999, 07:14 AM

It really depends on your objective in purchasing a chronograph. If the instrument is for occasional use, I'd see little reason to invest a lot of cash. The PACT unit mentioned above or the cheaper PACT unit work pretty well (they are a bit sensitive to the position of the sun- sometimes shooting at 90 degrees to your first setup will help). If you are going to use the unit a lot perhaps the Oehler 35 would be a better value. The screens on this model are the best I have seen on the non-industrial market. If you want to check pressure as well as velocity, the Oehler 43 works amazingly well, and the ability to store all of your data on the computer has really helped me. The 43's new software allows transfer of data to Excel and other spreadsheets for further analysis.

Paul B. · August 18, 1999, 03:09 PM

I have the F-1 Chrony. Works real good, but is very sun sensitive. The sunshades are a must, although they don't hold up worth a damn. Mine have gobs of masking tape holding them together. Still all in all, I like it.
Paul B.

Clint Tickler · August 19, 1999, 10:03 AM

I have the Chrony Master Beta which stores 3 strings of 10 shots each and uses a remote display. I've been using it steady for a yeay+ now and have had o problems.Paid about 130 so pretty good value I'd say. Has option for computer interface but haven't used it.
I try real hard not to shoot the dang thing and so far no problem but set up about 8' away. Maybe the guy who shot his was trying to see velocity downrange further? I haven't had to add any tape to the sunscreens that come with it either.

Clint Tickler · August 19, 1999, 10:04 AM

Correction. The master beta chrony stores 6 strings of 10shots each. Not 3 as I mistakingly said.

Grayfox · August 19, 1999, 08:33 PM

I use the plain Pact Model 1. Not real expensive and works very well. Gives all the info I can possibly use. If you watch Midway, they occasionally put them on sale throwing in the skyscreen mounting bar free.

I don't like the Chrony. A friend has one and its real bad about giving "ERROR" readings. He'd get rid off it if he could, nobody's interested.

**Mal H** · August 19, 1999, 10:07 PM

I'm with Grayfox on the Pact Model 1. I bought the deal from Midway he talked about and have been very satisfied with it. I don't do a lot of chronographing so I don't really miss the bells and whistles that are on the higher priced models. Perhaps a printer would be nice, but I learned to write with pencil and paper a long time ago and it hasn't failed me yet. A couple of days ago I even chrono'ed an air pistol (actually CO2). The pellet speed was 5 fps off what the manufacturer said it should be with a fresh cartridge, not bad for accuracy.

GreybeardB · August 20, 1999, 08:11 PM

If cost is not a problem then get an Ohler or PACT. For anything less than industrial use,a Chrony Delta works fine,costs less & service is ok too. It stores up to 30 shots,reads out Hi&Lo shots & averages the string whether 2 or 30. And the read-out sits on your bench on a 25 ft.cord. The timming sensors of course, sit under the sky screens & are vulnerable to any"shot below the knees". A 3/8 in. piece of plate steel is good insurance against a bad shot. I know, I destroyed my F-1 with a 12ga. low blow. Sent it to Chrony & they made me a super exchange deal on the Delta.
I leave it set up & stored with the light defusers in but, had to glue them in place...they will get knocked loose.

------------------
Ralph in In.

Big Bunny · August 24, 1999, 10:48 PM

Agree over the basic F1 Chrony and feel it is an excellent unit capable of upgrading to top specs, but costs $155AUD here in OZ (!) I use drinking straws on an overcast day and no screens, as an insurance against rod damage!
No problem with the "self-disassembling screens" as I always pack them up into the carry-box when finished (two sized..shotgun/rifle screens supplied here as standard equipment.)
Be careful you are back the required distance, as muzzle blast is not bullet velocity(Neither is wad speed).

------------------
***Big Bunny***

August 17, 1999, 12:23 PM	#1
45 Fan Member Join Date: August 14, 1999 Posts: 27	Hi guys: I am thinking about purchasing a chronograph and would like any input from the group. I primarily load for pistol and was wondering if a chrono is as useful for pistol as it is for rifle? Can anyone recommend a decent brand? I have been looking at the Pact and CED Millenium. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.......45 Fan

August 17, 1999, 06:36 PM	#2
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	45 Fan, I have two, the one I use is a PACT Professional. It works well, and I have had good luck with their customer service. The one I don't use is a Chrony. I paid my buddy for it after I shot it, he gave it to me for Xmas - on a "Trophy mount". It hangs on my wall... Lesson: Avoid chronographs with their brains in front of the muzzle! ------------------ The Bill of Rights, and the Golden Rule are enough for civilized behavior. The rest is window dressing. Shoot carefully, swifter...

August 17, 1999, 08:03 PM	#3
Patrick Graham Junior member Join Date: January 18, 1999 Location: Kokomo, Indiana USA Posts: 674	F1 Crony.. $69 at Midway.. Works great.

August 18, 1999, 07:14 AM	#4
bfoster Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: N. of Fords Switch, OK, USA Posts: 297	It really depends on your objective in purchasing a chronograph. If the instrument is for occasional use, I'd see little reason to invest a lot of cash. The PACT unit mentioned above or the cheaper PACT unit work pretty well (they are a bit sensitive to the position of the sun- sometimes shooting at 90 degrees to your first setup will help). If you are going to use the unit a lot perhaps the Oehler 35 would be a better value. The screens on this model are the best I have seen on the non-industrial market. If you want to check pressure as well as velocity, the Oehler 43 works amazingly well, and the ability to store all of your data on the computer has really helped me. The 43's new software allows transfer of data to Excel and other spreadsheets for further analysis.

August 18, 1999, 03:09 PM	#5
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	I have the F-1 Chrony. Works real good, but is very sun sensitive. The sunshades are a must, although they don't hold up worth a damn. Mine have gobs of masking tape holding them together. Still all in all, I like it. Paul B.

August 19, 1999, 10:03 AM	#6
Clint Tickler Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 1999 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 184	I have the Chrony Master Beta which stores 3 strings of 10 shots each and uses a remote display. I've been using it steady for a yeay+ now and have had o problems.Paid about 130 so pretty good value I'd say. Has option for computer interface but haven't used it. I try real hard not to shoot the dang thing and so far no problem but set up about 8' away. Maybe the guy who shot his was trying to see velocity downrange further? I haven't had to add any tape to the sunscreens that come with it either.

August 19, 1999, 10:04 AM	#7
Clint Tickler Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 1999 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 184	Correction. The master beta chrony stores 6 strings of 10shots each. Not 3 as I mistakingly said.

August 19, 1999, 08:33 PM	#8
Grayfox Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Posts: 1,885	I use the plain Pact Model 1. Not real expensive and works very well. Gives all the info I can possibly use. If you watch Midway, they occasionally put them on sale throwing in the skyscreen mounting bar free. I don't like the Chrony. A friend has one and its real bad about giving "ERROR" readings. He'd get rid off it if he could, nobody's interested.

August 19, 1999, 10:07 PM	#9
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	I'm with Grayfox on the Pact Model 1. I bought the deal from Midway he talked about and have been very satisfied with it. I don't do a lot of chronographing so I don't really miss the bells and whistles that are on the higher priced models. Perhaps a printer would be nice, but I learned to write with pencil and paper a long time ago and it hasn't failed me yet. A couple of days ago I even chrono'ed an air pistol (actually CO2). The pellet speed was 5 fps off what the manufacturer said it should be with a fresh cartridge, not bad for accuracy.

August 20, 1999, 08:11 PM	#10
GreybeardB Member Join Date: June 23, 1999 Posts: 58	If cost is not a problem then get an Ohler or PACT. For anything less than industrial use,a Chrony Delta works fine,costs less & service is ok too. It stores up to 30 shots,reads out Hi&Lo shots & averages the string whether 2 or 30. And the read-out sits on your bench on a 25 ft.cord. The timming sensors of course, sit under the sky screens & are vulnerable to any"shot below the knees". A 3/8 in. piece of plate steel is good insurance against a bad shot. I know, I destroyed my F-1 with a 12ga. low blow. Sent it to Chrony & they made me a super exchange deal on the Delta. I leave it set up & stored with the light defusers in but, had to glue them in place...they will get knocked loose. ------------------ Ralph in In.

August 24, 1999, 10:48 PM	#11
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	Agree over the basic F1 Chrony and feel it is an excellent unit capable of upgrading to top specs, but costs $155AUD here in OZ (!) I use drinking straws on an overcast day and no screens, as an insurance against rod damage! No problem with the "self-disassembling screens" as I always pack them up into the carry-box when finished (two sized..shotgun/rifle screens supplied here as standard equipment.) Be careful you are back the required distance, as muzzle blast is not bullet velocity(Neither is wad speed). ------------------ *Big Bunny*