Not sure this is the right place for this question, but I am to the point I need a chronograph. I'm just looking for one that is reliable and simple. Easy to set up and operate and yet gives accurate analysis. And just like most of us, I'd like to find one that doesn't cost a small fortune. Any ideas or experiences you could share ?
Depending upon what you mean by a small fortune the MagnetoSpeed is super easy to setup and accurate. I have stopped using my chrony altogether.
Cons would be cost
Plus would be ease of use and you can even use it in the dark as it requires no light to work. No stand to carry to the range to put it on and if setup correctly you can't accidentally shoot it.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 (New King James Version)
I want a magneto speed myself but just can't make myself part with the money. I was looking at the pro chronograph that was a bit over $100 for now..
I have a Shooting Chrony and a friend has a Pro Chrono. We tested them side by side and the results were well within the margin for error when we took turns shooting through each. I like his Pro Chrono better, but then it wasn't on the market when I bought the Shooting Chrony.
Magnetospeed. I gave all my other chronographs to people I don't like.
"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar
OK it looks like the Magentospeed is a no brainer. Is the S2 better than the S1 or do you just get a few extra gadgets?
The s2 is for guys that run brakes, suppressors... I'm gonna get the s2.
Magnetospeed!!! It is worth it. I started with a shooting chrony and it will work fine as long as you have the right lighting conditions. If the lighting isn't right it can be very aggravating.:Plus the Magnetospeed is very hard to shoot accidentally. I have considered shooting the shooting crony on purpose at times.
The ProChrono Digital is easily the best inexpensive chronograph on the market. No Shooting Chrony can come close to the PCD.
The PCD picks up virtually every shot whereas the SC doesn't even come close to picking up every shot.
Plenty of love for the Magnetospeed here but anything you attach to the end of your barrel is going to change your POI precluding the full range of load development. Doing a velocity workup AND THEN an accuracy workup doesn't appeal to me.
My magnetospeed does change my POI, but has not affected accuracy to any noticable degree.
I work on velocity and accuracy at the same time. Once I get a good repeatable load, I'll shoot it without the magnetospeed for scope adjustment.
"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar
I have a ProChronoDigital, and like it quite a bit. It has proven accurate and repeatable, though I do see some typical environmental-related reading errors.
I am thinking of selling to finance a Magnetospeed, however, due to all the reasons listed above.
The point of impact change is the one downside I have one the magneto speed. Same thing I want to be able to be doing my workups while having the same accuracy and point of impact.
Have you found that an accurate load worked up with the Magnetospeed can become less accurate when you drastically alter the barrel harmonics by removing the device?Originally Posted by geargrinder
I would think that this would be akin to doing your load development with a barrel with pressure point bedding but then free floating the barrel in field use.
I use an Oehler 35P with the 4 ft. rail. Set-up only takes a couple minutes. Seems pretty accurate (speeds correlate to JBM ballistic calculations at long distances, ie 600 & 1000 yards) I like having the printer print out velocities, ES & SD. Makes reviewing things at home easier.
-Rick
Unbiased AR15, Barnard, BAT, Borden, Browning, Kelbly, Marsh, Nesika Bay, Remington, Ruger, Savage, Ultralight Arms owner. I like 'em all.
I can speak for the ProChrono. I've had one for about ten years, with the only problem being that the sky screens eventually cracked in the middle. I just taped them up with freezer tape and it works great still. I have it set up on a cheap camera tripod. Biggest downside being that you have to go forward of the benches at the range to set it up and tweak it. But thats not a problem at our range, cause its almost never crowded. Other than that, once it's set up, it's good to go for hours without any attention. Has a fairly large "sweet spot". Seems to be pretty accurate, as my drop calculations have been very close out to 600 yds. In my opinion, it's a
great product for the money. And having a chronograph is very valuable for safe load development and knowledge of your handload's true potential. You'd be surprised how much your results will vary from the loading manuals' listed velocities. I can definitely say I've spent a hundred bucks on lots of items that have proven to be less useful than this.
+1 what Switchbbl said. Oehler. Had mine since the 80s. Also use the 4 foot spacing.
It easily measures .177 air gun pellets at 1500 fps.
The printer uses common ink pads and paper. Mine is so old, it used the metal sunshades. I was speaking with Dr. Ken one day and he asked if I had the 'new' orange ones. When I said no, he sent me a set no charge. Buy once, cry once.
ron
No question the Oehler 35P is the gold standard.
The only one I can think of which is better is the discontinued Oehler 43 PBL.
Only because it measures pressure as well as velocity.
read and then reread before buying a chronagraph.
NONE would be a better choice than chrony.
...for me i prefer the Chrony line, i use the Alpha master with the remote display .
Setup is very simple , its accurate , and it fits in my shooting box.. Me personally I wouldn't hang anything off the end of the barrel like some other chronograghs mentioned...
magneto speef hands down.
12 LRP .204, 200 .243 project rifle. (action), 116 SS action, 200 270
there was a discussion on the l r h site awhile back on this subject.
there is one guy there who owns an ohler 35 and bought a magneto
speed to compare. he later posted a long list of comparisons. both performed
at the same level. he found no issues other than the thing coming loose which
has been adressed from what i hear. ive owned several chronys over a span of
about 20 years. at best the information should be considered ballpark.
mine will give a wide range of information on the same loads on different days.
so will everybody elses i know who have them. i mostly use mine for velocity information
in order to prepare drop charts. i would be as well off getting information from a loading
manual or even guessing a number for a starting point. with this thing im tweeking numbers
in order to match actual shooting results. some of that would be normal anyway but this isnt even close.
buy a good one or buy none would be my advise.
I am on the fence on it.
Can the magneto speed upload data to computer?
How much is the poi change?
I was thinking about a chrony beta with the excel loader and led light. So I don't have the poi change so I can shoot my entire string and get my accuracy and velocities.
The ProChrono Digital with the USB connectivity kit is so monumentally better than any Shooting Chrony I've ever owned or tried ( A LOT of them) that the fact that they are similarly priced is astonishing.
Not bashing SC nor the people who own them merely relating my experiences.
should be noted i work up loads at 300 and do the speed test at 100 in the back yard.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 (New King James Version)
Magnetospeed comes with a micro-usb card and adapter.
When I shoot with the Magnetospeed, I'm usually working up a load so I'm shooting for velocity and group size. Doesn't matter much to me where the POI goes.
"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar
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