Chronographs

Tex S · May 27, 2009, 11:34 PM

Which one do you have? Do you like it?

Which ones have you had, but got rid of because it didn't work well/wasn't accurate?

They seem affordable, but I figured I would get some input before I buy.

Thanks!!!

Prince55 · May 28, 2009, 01:20 AM

Good questions. I've been looking at them also and wondered what
the difference is in the Chrony F1 and the Master and if you can
mount them on a regular tripod ?

Thanks

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · May 28, 2009, 03:32 AM

G'day. I have a Chrony Beta Master. You can get several different models from Chrony. Each Chrony model can be upgraded (for a fee) if you need more functions. The Master has a remote read out, you can put it on the bench next to you while the main unit is in front of the gun. You can get a timer in one model to time between shots as well (e.g. 10 shots in 4 seconds). I found the Chrony a little confusing to use, but that might just be me.

kiwi56 · May 28, 2009, 03:45 AM

I use a Pact, It is very user friendly and very reliable.

rwilson452 · May 28, 2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Good questions. I've been looking at them also and wondered what
the difference is in the Chrony F1 and the Master and if you can
mount them on a regular tripod ?

Thanks

Yes you can mount them on a regular tripod. I have a small tabletop model to mount the master part of the Chrony master, and a regular tripod to mount the part with the sensors.

314EPW · May 28, 2009, 06:35 AM

I have a Pact that sits on a reg tripod.The readout box sits next to me on the bench.i love it.
Ed

gun44 · May 28, 2009, 06:44 AM

I have a ProChrono, and other than a missed reading once in a while, it is pretty dependable. It will give you a shot spread, number of shots, hi and low rounds,velocity, and average velocity of a group of rounds. It also has a feature for downloading your info to a computer (cable extra)!

hornady · May 28, 2009, 06:54 AM

My vote goes out to the Chrony Beta Master also. One suggestion I got off another form. Replace the diffuser rods with plastic straws. A guy on there said he hit the steel rod with a 44 round which broke the photo cell and, destroyed the unit

gun44 · May 28, 2009, 07:06 AM

that IS a good idea. My brother shot one of my steel rods, but it didn't seem to harm the chrony. BTW he shot the top of my chrony case once , splitting it open. Sent it to the company, and they replaced the case for free, but allowed as how I should limit my brother's shooting over it!

Dingoboyx · May 28, 2009, 07:25 AM

Yup, works well, accurate, remote read out...... haven't shot it yet (aim high, young man, aim high)

Don't let anyone shoot a scoped rifle thru a chrony unless you are watching them like a hawk, I watched a guy shoot his chrony fair in the guts with a scoped rifle (coz the muzzle is way lower than the sight) Believe me, it wasn't a purdy sight to see

Glad it wasn't mine

Xwrench3 · May 28, 2009, 07:35 AM

i have a "Chrony". it seems to work well enough. the only problem i have had with it is shooting one of the sky screen rods. they are an odd ball size. so you either have to order replacement parts from the factory, or have a replacement rod made up. my brother is a machinist, so he just turned down a peice of brass rod for me. whatever you decide on, i learned a trick to save you from shooting the chronograph in the "guts". use a laser bore sighing tool and a blank peice of paper. slide the bore sighter in the end of the barrel, turn it on, and use the peice of paper to "aim" the bullet path. when i shot the rod out of mine, i was using a handgun, and just wasn't paying close enough attention. a rod is way better than the guts!

RamSlammer · May 28, 2009, 07:39 AM

Have the F1 (regular) . . . works very well, but would probably buy the Beta Chrony if doing it over again.

HJ857 · May 28, 2009, 08:21 AM

I have the F1 Master, with the detached LED panel, which I think is a required feature unless you can walk up to the chrony after every shot to get the reading.

At the range I normally shoot at I have the chrony on a basic photo tripod about 17 feet away. If I didn't have the detached LED I'd be waiting 15 minutes for a target check to get a shot reading. Per shot.

The remote is a must have too, it gives you the ability to scroll through the shots and gives you the average, standard deviation and extreme spread plus high and low velocities. Without the remote you cannot access those numbers.

GeauxTide · May 28, 2009, 09:59 AM

Oehler 33 Chronotach.

RidgwayCO · May 28, 2009, 10:13 AM

CED Millenium M1 (I think they're selling the M2 now). More expensive, but the infrared light option is well worth it. No false readings due to the position of the sun, and works great indoors as well.

olmossbak · May 28, 2009, 10:31 AM

I have the Oehler 35P Proof chronograph. Its the one with three sky screens to do a check on each shot. I have mine on a 2 foot rod so I can use it on a camera tripod. It has remote (wired) digital display with printer and does all the statistical calculations. It operates on one 9 volt battery.

I finally found ink cartredges for it at a OfficeMax although I am still using the original after 5 years. I spoke with Oehler when looking for them and that's where he told me to look.

I assume that the company still sells chronographs although I haven't seen any ads for them in quite a while. They are really good and reliable pieces of equipment although a bit more pricier than the Chrony or Pact. I am very satisfied with the Oehler.

PCJim · May 28, 2009, 11:31 AM

Chrony Beta Master on an aluminum camera tripod.

RedHawk357 · May 28, 2009, 04:24 PM

Pact 1. It's old school I think. Bought off Ebay. Easy to use gives speeds of 20 shots, AVE HI, LOW, SD, AD and ES. Catches just about everything I have shot at it. Didn't come with a owners manual called Pact and they sent me one in about five days (if only my bullet orders shipped that fast). The guy on the phone offered me a trade in allowance if I wanted to update. Thinking if I do update it will be that M2 mentioned above. Everything I read about sez it's the "Bees Knees" or "Cat's Meow" I think it has a significant shooting area for those who are trying to fill their Chrony tag

Uncle H · May 28, 2009, 07:03 PM

Competition Electronics Pro-chrono (something like that). Had it since 1998 and have pretty much destroyed the metal rods holding the diffusers up with handguns. :>)

I e-mailed Comp. Elec. last week. They responded right away and sent me new diffusers/rods for 12.00 - no shipping, etc.

It wasn't expensive but it works like a champ.

Nnobby45 · May 28, 2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Don't let anyone shoot a scoped rifle thru a chrony unless you are watching them like a hawk.......

I know a moron who shot the sensor on his chrono with a scoped rifle. I've been watching myself like a hawk ever
since

.

I have the Competition Electronics Pro Digital. Works fine. I once got caught in a hail storm and headed for cover without my chrono. Hail got into the sensors, melted into the unit, and it quit working---thought it was history. Was easy to take apart, dry out, and put back into service.

An earlier model Competition Electronics was a little fussy. Especially with .22 centerfires--small bullets at high velocities. Sun position had to be just right for proper readings. That problem has been corrected with their latests models for some time now.

Tex S · May 28, 2009, 08:07 PM

Is shooting a chrony really as big of a problem as this thread makes it out to be?

The only thing that I can think of is sometimes folks might forget that their scope is an inch or two above the bore. Even then, most chronies I have seen have a decent size shooting window.

What gives?

Bike Effects · May 29, 2009, 01:44 AM

I thought I was the only one with an Oehler 33!

gun44 · May 29, 2009, 05:51 AM

when my brother shot my chrony, we were adjusting his scope to bring the point of impact down, and weren't paying much attention to the chrony, and the last shot hit it right on top of the case. Pure negligence on our part. Got the scope zero'ed though!

rwilson452 · May 29, 2009, 06:01 AM

I own a Chrony Chronograph. If you read the manual you will note where the sweet spot is. I replaced the metal rods for the screens with wooden dowels. I then marked the dowels for the center, high point and low point of the sweet spot. Using a scoped rifle, my point of aim is the upper limit of the sweet spot. this ensures I don't hit the sensor unit and the bullet passes within the sweet spot. I have come to the conclusion that the rod holes are metric in size so I reamed the holes in the eye cases to accept the dowels I chose. I would not suggest you do this unless you really understand what your doing. the dowels I chose were as close to the metal rod diameter that I could find. 1/8" if I remember correctly but I'm not sure. So get out you calipers and measure for yourself then convert the decimal to a fraction. Thus far I have only broken one dowel and that was not by shooting it. I got some PVC to store the dowels in. That solved my breakage problem. I have never shot a rod or dowel and I don't intend to. If you don't want to do the dowel thing I suggest you use something like electrical tape to mark the spots on the metal rods.

Skooter · May 29, 2009, 06:12 AM

Competition Electronics Pro-Chrono, because a shooting buddy had one and liked it, and because it had a bigger shooting window. With straws I guess the shooting window size doesn't matter as much. I never thought I needed one until I got into air rifles pretty seriously this past winter and also started reloading for a model 53 .22 Jet.

May 27, 2009, 11:34 PM	#1
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Chronographs Which one do you have? Do you like it? Which ones have you had, but got rid of because it didn't work well/wasn't accurate? They seem affordable, but I figured I would get some input before I buy. Thanks!!!

May 28, 2009, 03:32 AM	#3
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. I have a Chrony Beta Master. You can get several different models from Chrony. Each Chrony model can be upgraded (for a fee) if you need more functions. The Master has a remote read out, you can put it on the bench next to you while the main unit is in front of the gun. You can get a timer in one model to time between shots as well (e.g. 10 shots in 4 seconds). I found the Chrony a little confusing to use, but that might just be me. __________________ If you're not confused, you're not trying hard enough! When you're confused, I'll try to use smaller words!!!

May 28, 2009, 03:45 AM	#4
kiwi56 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: Auckland NewZealand Posts: 350	Chronograph I use a Pact, It is very user friendly and very reliable.

May 28, 2009, 06:35 AM	#6
314EPW Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2007 Posts: 108	pact I have a Pact that sits on a reg tripod.The readout box sits next to me on the bench.i love it. Ed

May 28, 2009, 06:44 AM	#7
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	Hello.......... I have a ProChrono, and other than a missed reading once in a while, it is pretty dependable. It will give you a shot spread, number of shots, hi and low rounds,velocity, and average velocity of a group of rounds. It also has a feature for downloading your info to a computer (cable extra)!

May 28, 2009, 01:20 AM	#2
Prince55 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Posts: 472	Good questions. I've been looking at them also and wondered what the difference is in the Chrony F1 and the Master and if you can mount them on a regular tripod ? Thanks

May 28, 2009, 06:54 AM	#8
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	My vote goes out to the Chrony Beta Master also. One suggestion I got off another form. Replace the diffuser rods with plastic straws. A guy on there said he hit the steel rod with a 44 round which broke the photo cell and, destroyed the unit

May 28, 2009, 07:06 AM	#9
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	Hornady.......... that IS a good idea. My brother shot one of my steel rods, but it didn't seem to harm the chrony. BTW he shot the top of my chrony case once , splitting it open. Sent it to the company, and they replaced the case for free, but allowed as how I should limit my brother's shooting over it!

May 28, 2009, 07:25 AM	#10
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	Chrony Master F1 Yup, works well, accurate, remote read out...... haven't shot it yet (aim high, young man, aim high) Don't let anyone shoot a scoped rifle thru a chrony unless you are watching them like a hawk, I watched a guy shoot his chrony fair in the guts with a scoped rifle (coz the muzzle is way lower than the sight) Believe me, it wasn't a purdy sight to see Glad it wasn't mine __________________ Muzza If you cant blind them with brilliance, Baffle them with BS Be alert...... there is a shortage of LERTs

May 28, 2009, 07:35 AM	#11
Xwrench3 Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Posts: 90	i have a "Chrony". it seems to work well enough. the only problem i have had with it is shooting one of the sky screen rods. they are an odd ball size. so you either have to order replacement parts from the factory, or have a replacement rod made up. my brother is a machinist, so he just turned down a peice of brass rod for me. whatever you decide on, i learned a trick to save you from shooting the chronograph in the "guts". use a laser bore sighing tool and a blank peice of paper. slide the bore sighter in the end of the barrel, turn it on, and use the peice of paper to "aim" the bullet path. when i shot the rod out of mine, i was using a handgun, and just wasn't paying close enough attention. a rod is way better than the guts!

May 28, 2009, 07:39 AM	#12
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	Have the F1 (regular) . . . works very well, but would probably buy the Beta Chrony if doing it over again.

May 28, 2009, 08:21 AM	#13
HJ857 Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Posts: 447	I have the F1 Master, with the detached LED panel, which I think is a required feature unless you can walk up to the chrony after every shot to get the reading. At the range I normally shoot at I have the chrony on a basic photo tripod about 17 feet away. If I didn't have the detached LED I'd be waiting 15 minutes for a target check to get a shot reading. Per shot. The remote is a must have too, it gives you the ability to scroll through the shots and gives you the average, standard deviation and extreme spread plus high and low velocities. Without the remote you cannot access those numbers.

May 28, 2009, 09:59 AM	#14
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Oehler 33 Chronotach.

May 28, 2009, 10:13 AM	#15
RidgwayCO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2008 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 244	CED Millenium M1 (I think they're selling the M2 now). More expensive, but the infrared light option is well worth it. No false readings due to the position of the sun, and works great indoors as well.

May 28, 2009, 10:31 AM	#16
olmossbak Member Join Date: May 19, 2009 Location: NE Tenn Posts: 22	I have the Oehler 35P Proof chronograph. Its the one with three sky screens to do a check on each shot. I have mine on a 2 foot rod so I can use it on a camera tripod. It has remote (wired) digital display with printer and does all the statistical calculations. It operates on one 9 volt battery. I finally found ink cartredges for it at a OfficeMax although I am still using the original after 5 years. I spoke with Oehler when looking for them and that's where he told me to look. I assume that the company still sells chronographs although I haven't seen any ads for them in quite a while. They are really good and reliable pieces of equipment although a bit more pricier than the Chrony or Pact. I am very satisfied with the Oehler.

May 28, 2009, 11:31 AM	#17
PCJim Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Location: FL Posts: 570	Chrony Beta Master on an aluminum camera tripod.

May 28, 2009, 04:24 PM	#18
RedHawk357 Member Join Date: September 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorad Posts: 63	Pact 1. It's old school I think. Bought off Ebay. Easy to use gives speeds of 20 shots, AVE HI, LOW, SD, AD and ES. Catches just about everything I have shot at it. Didn't come with a owners manual called Pact and they sent me one in about five days (if only my bullet orders shipped that fast). The guy on the phone offered me a trade in allowance if I wanted to update. Thinking if I do update it will be that M2 mentioned above. Everything I read about sez it's the "Bees Knees" or "Cat's Meow" I think it has a significant shooting area for those who are trying to fill their Chrony tag

May 28, 2009, 07:03 PM	#19
Uncle H Senior Member Join Date: July 7, 2008 Location: Bristol, TN Posts: 102	Competition Electronics Pro-chrono (something like that). Had it since 1998 and have pretty much destroyed the metal rods holding the diffusers up with handguns. :>) I e-mailed Comp. Elec. last week. They responded right away and sent me new diffusers/rods for 12.00 - no shipping, etc. It wasn't expensive but it works like a champ.

May 28, 2009, 08:07 PM	#21
Tex S Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, TEXAS Posts: 909	Is shooting a chrony really as big of a problem as this thread makes it out to be? The only thing that I can think of is sometimes folks might forget that their scope is an inch or two above the bore. Even then, most chronies I have seen have a decent size shooting window. What gives?

May 29, 2009, 01:44 AM	#22
Bike Effects Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Napa, CA USA Posts: 32	I thought I was the only one with an Oehler 33!

May 29, 2009, 05:51 AM	#23
gun44 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 125	In my case.......... when my brother shot my chrony, we were adjusting his scope to bring the point of impact down, and weren't paying much attention to the chrony, and the last shot hit it right on top of the case. Pure negligence on our part. Got the scope zero'ed though!

May 29, 2009, 06:01 AM	#24
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	I own a Chrony Chronograph. If you read the manual you will note where the sweet spot is. I replaced the metal rods for the screens with wooden dowels. I then marked the dowels for the center, high point and low point of the sweet spot. Using a scoped rifle, my point of aim is the upper limit of the sweet spot. this ensures I don't hit the sensor unit and the bullet passes within the sweet spot. I have come to the conclusion that the rod holes are metric in size so I reamed the holes in the eye cases to accept the dowels I chose. I would not suggest you do this unless you really understand what your doing. the dowels I chose were as close to the metal rod diameter that I could find. 1/8" if I remember correctly but I'm not sure. So get out you calipers and measure for yourself then convert the decimal to a fraction. Thus far I have only broken one dowel and that was not by shooting it. I got some PVC to store the dowels in. That solved my breakage problem. I have never shot a rod or dowel and I don't intend to. If you don't want to do the dowel thing I suggest you use something like electrical tape to mark the spots on the metal rods. __________________ USNRET '61-'81

May 29, 2009, 06:12 AM	#25
Skooter Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 18	Competition Electronics Pro-Chrono, because a shooting buddy had one and liked it, and because it had a bigger shooting window. With straws I guess the shooting window size doesn't matter as much. I never thought I needed one until I got into air rifles pretty seriously this past winter and also started reloading for a model 53 .22 Jet.