GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Air Guns And Related Accessories Review Gates => Topic started by: eeler1 on December 27, 2023, 02:52:20 PM
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I did a search here, but the posts are from 10+ years ago, and I don't know how to sort search results by date.
Anyway, I typically shoot in my garage over the blue Beta Chrony that I've had for decades, using a light kit. Mostly for pcp tuning and adjustment or the see if velocities of the springers and pumpers and Co2 guns are up to snuff. But lately I get more 'error' readings than I do readable shots, and the beta chrony printer that I have only works when it's in the mood (not often). So, I'm thinking that there must be better options available today. I love the MagnetoSpeed, but it's not airgun friendly due to the mounting system. Which leaves me with chrony's similar to mine or that use radar. Ideally, I would like to NOT write down each shot to keep a record. And reliable without so many error readings. So, what's the best choice nowadays?
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I use the Acetech AC5000.
It compact, and there's nothing to set up.
Just turn it on, set the information to what you are shooting and shoot away.
I have nothing to compare it to but I believe it's fairly accurate.
It's also inexpensive.
Ron
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P.A.C.T X 3
Model I
Model IV
Professional
I had a nice shooting Chrony but I gave it to someone here on the GTA..
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Folks seem to like the FX chrony that delivers the data to their phones.
I use this one, which os very affordabe but requires writing down the 35 shots it stores but then deletes if you turn it off.
https://www.amazon.com/Ballistic-Precision-Chronograph-Slingshot-Velocity/dp/B0B5ZY8M4V/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=chronograph&qid=1703711458&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d977788f-1483-4f76-90a3-786e4cdc8f10
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I ended up with one of those Caldwell upside down new edition chronographs. Works flawlessly, easy bluetooth connection. Stupid design: heavy, bulky, all of the assembly joints need to be taped because if you pick it up by anything other than the bottom, they just fall apart. I also don’t see what the value is of turning it upside down when the most common natural light source is coming from up above. So you have to have the lights on all the time for this thing to work i am pretty sure. It seems to have all of the flaws of the older kind plus a whole bunch of new ones, maybe this thing was designed by a committee…
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I have been using the ProChrono Digital with light kit indoors and outdoors for the last six years. It stores nine strings up to 99 shots per string until you delete them. This means you can shoot your strings and then take it to your comfy spot to call up the shots one by one later on. I like the easily accessible buttons up front for each function like giving you the extreme spread, each shot velocity, and S/D, etc. You can even delete one shot while shooting if you messed up during a string so you can save the rest of the shots in the string and continue with the string. It has a spare 9-volt storage compartment and the 9-volt in use lasts a very long time. There is an optional accessory you can get for it if you want it to communicate with a phone via Bluetooth I believe. I want to get a second one so I can get my true BCs.
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I started with one of the cheap $30 chronies off Amazon it clamps on the barrel but I didn't. use it that way I sat it on a 4x4 and rested the barrel on it. Worked fine but you had to copy the shots down later before you turned it off or you lost them. Recently bought a ProChrono DLX which has the BT module built in. I use my iPad mini and it records the shots and calls out the fps. I store the shot information on the iPad so I clear it each time I start it or when I get close to 99 shots, the app shot string will record more than 99 shots. The 2 are independent of each other but you can clear the shot from the DLX if it isn't close. I haven't had it very long but have shot maybe 800 shots thru it so far. Any miss shots have been my fault, forgot to plug in the lights or I wasn't aligned right. I have been very happy with it. I shoot inside currently because of the weather so I purchased the light kit too, a must for indoor shooting I think. You can export the shot group as a csv for import into a spreadsheet, pdf file, txt file. The app has a graph of the shots that can be exported too. All in all I have been very happy with mine for the short times I have had it.
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ProChrono Digital with the light kit and bluetooth to my android tablet running DLX. This is my second one. The first one got knocked over on the tripod and quit working.
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An old F1.
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ProChrono Digital with the light kit and bluetooth to my android tablet running DLX. This is my second one. The first one got knocked over on the tripod and quit working.
Pro chrono DLX here as well. Send that one back. CE has always had top notch CS, even way back when our RC batteries were something called NiCad. The youngsters won’t know about those LOL.
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ProChrono Digital with the light kit and bluetooth to my android tablet running DLX. This is my second one. The first one got knocked over on the tripod and quit working.
Pro chrono DLX here as well. Send that one back. CE has always had top notch CS, even way back when our RC batteries were something called NiCad. The youngsters won’t know about those LOL.
Yeah, I already contacted them. I got a loose quote of $75 plus the cost of shipping it to them. I appreciate their CS but I wasn't ready to invest that into something I already have.
BTW I have an adapter that converts it from the 9v to 6 AAA batteries, they last ALOT longer. I only paid a couple bucks for it on the bay. I just use a velcro strap to attach it to the underside of the chrono.
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The old Beta has had a rough life and I'm ashamed to admit somebody has hit it with a pellet once or twice, display is cracked etc, may be part of the reason it has become unreliable. Thanks for all the responses, narrowed the field somewhat. Now I've got some research to do.
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I use this one:
It’s super light and small and clamps on a suppressor.
I do wonder how accurate it is though. It would be nice to compare it to a high end chronograph.
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I use this one:
It’s super light and small and clamps on a suppressor.
I do wonder how accurate it is though. It would be nice to compare it to a high end chronograph.
I have had a few F1 Chrony's, the green ones. On a good day, with perfect light they are awesome. Most of the time, they are less than awesome and I imagine they get shot on purpose more than by accident.
I have tried a few 60 dollar airsoft models with 3D printed bushings to mount securely to an LDC, they are cheap but they do work for my needs.
I decided to try one of these CHEAP clamp on models from amazon like the one listed above. It works well, most importantly it works every time. I am also unsure of it's real world accuracy but it is good enough to see what kinds of changes "tuning" is causing. For 30 dollars, I will not cry if it gets lost, broken, or destroyed.
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I use this one:
It’s super light and small and clamps on a suppressor.
I do wonder how accurate it is though. It would be nice to compare it to a high end chronograph.
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I decided to try one of these CHEAP clamp on models from amazon like the one listed above. It works well, most importantly it works every time. I am also unsure of it's real world accuracy but it is good enough to see what kinds of changes "tuning" is causing. For 30 dollars, I will not cry if it gets lost, broken, or destroyed.
That is what I use too. But I have to attach it to the suppressor. Tried shooting freestyle through the thing and got a ton of errors, but other guys can do that without errors. Maybe the suppressor raises it too high or something when just laid on the clamp tops.
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The "U" bolt that goes over a LDC works perfect on my DFL tantos. <<SHameless plug.... the TANTO is perfect for sub 30fpe airguns.>> My new cheap chrony locks down firm and has been really cheaply consistent. It's limited, but seems to work fine. It does need to mount at the very front to ensure the projectile passes over BOTH the LED's unobstructed. Good luck !!
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Phone books used to be the thing to determine BB gun power, rare thing now, but U Line will send you a ton of catalogues if you get on their mailing list.
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Phone books used to be the thing to determine BB gun power, rare thing now, but U Line will send you a ton of catalogues if you get on their mailing list.
Ain't that the truth... McMaster Carr is another and VERY thick.
I have a Caldwell Pro... very reliable with the LED sun shades and tripod included.
Still haven't tried connecting it to my Android device but it's capable.
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I have been using the ProChrono Digital with light kit indoors and outdoors for the last six years. It stores nine strings up to 99 shots per string until you delete them. This means you can shoot your strings and then take it to your comfy spot to call up the shots one by one later on. I like the easily accessible buttons up front for each function like giving you the extreme spread, each shot velocity, and S/D, etc. You can even delete one shot while shooting if you messed up during a string so you can save the rest of the shots in the string and continue with the string. It has a spare 9-volt storage compartment and the 9-volt in use lasts a very long time. There is an optional accessory you can get for it if you want it to communicate with a phone via Bluetooth I believe. I want to get a second one so I can get my true BCs.
I also like my ProChrono with the optional light kit............
(https://i.imgur.com/vXuoH5E.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/TNmnkBF.jpg)
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One thing I will say about the ProChono, and it may be that it's the same with other chronos but this is the only chrono I've ever owned.
In my experience, I need to shoot every shot over the chrono exactly the same way. If I shoot one shot over the unit at one side and the next right down the center I will get a slight different result. So when I chrony a gun I pick a point down range and shoot every shot at that point.
YMMV
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I've had a Caldwell for years and its done the job pretty well for the most part. I did get tired of having to have the right lighting and setup and still sometimes get misreading or no reading. So I recently just picked up the new fx pocket chrony v2, its been great so far. Very compact and requires no lighting and if saving profiles and shot strings is something you need, it does that well.
Something to note, it doesn't work too great (or maybe at all) with springers. Not sure why, but I couldn't get a single reading with my hw50.
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I ended up ordering the prochrony dlx with a light kit. The ability to download data was a big factor, and reviews indicated it's not so sensitive to other lights when using the light kit indoors. The old beta chrony wasn't happy unless ALL other lights in the garage were off, which made it hard to write down the readings, load pellets headfirst, that kind of thing.
And, feeling flush after selling off some old Crosmans, I also sprung for one of those little Vikka units, like 'mattcohen787' mentioned. If it's reasonably accurate, seemed like it would be a light, easy chrony to use outdoors without having to do any set up. We'll see.
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I used this one today.
It is also a timer and beeps each shot..
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I ended up ordering the prochrony dlx with a light kit. The ability to download data was a big factor, and reviews indicated it's not so sensitive to other lights when using the light kit indoors. The old beta chrony wasn't happy unless ALL other lights in the garage were off, which made it hard to write down the readings, load pellets headfirst, that kind of thing.
And, feeling flush after selling off some old Crosmans, I also sprung for one of those little Vikka units, like 'mattcohen787' mentioned. If it's reasonably accurate, seemed like it would be a light, easy chrony to use outdoors without having to do any set up. We'll see.
I've got one of the Vikka $30 chronies from Amazon too. Outside the angle of the sun had an effect on it. I 3D printed a shade as well as a guard/tripod mount for it. Now it works without a hitch. Search Vikka on Printables for the files.
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I ended up ordering the prochrony dlx with a light kit. The ability to download data was a big factor, and reviews indicated it's not so sensitive to other lights when using the light kit indoors. The old beta chrony wasn't happy unless ALL other lights in the garage were off, which made it hard to write down the readings, load pellets headfirst, that kind of thing.
And, feeling flush after selling off some old Crosmans, I also sprung for one of those little Vikka units, like 'mattcohen787' mentioned. If it's reasonably accurate, seemed like it would be a light, easy chrony to use outdoors without having to do any set up. We'll see.
I think you will like the ProChrono. It's not perfect for every shooting scenario possible but works well when the shooting setup caters to it. There is some setup involved. I use a tripod so I can adjust the height and the tilt angle for benchrest shooting outdoors from a portable table. I shoot paper targets at 50-yards from a high deck. I set the gun(s) up for the paper target first and then I setup the chrono to align with the shots that will be taken, allowing for movement of the muzzle between the light or diffuser supports for the entire target area. I typically place the chrono about 3 feet away from the muzzle using a yardstick as the reference. This way all of my shots when tuning and testing are consistent with the chrono distance. It is hard to shoot the chrono itself when setup this way. They say you can have issues with florescent lights because they flicker. I have never really had an issue, but I believe I was using LED lighting now that I think about it when shooting inside my shed. I typically shoot my .357 Slayer inside the shed when tuning and testing it to help with the sound and close neighbors. The ProChrono is great for tuning.
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I know this chrony issue has come up before. I do think this thread has been very informative. This technology changes quickly so current opinions do matter, I read all of these and am grateful to have such a resource available. I do watch youtube reviews but put little stock in those, I do trust the aggregate of the forums mostly... more than youtube anyway.
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Appreciate all the suggestions and discussion here. Thought I'd post how things turned out. And after playing around a bit with the ProChrono DLX and the little Vikka ($31 at Amazon) unit suggested by Matt Cohen, I'm impressed by both. Really like the functionality of the DLX with bluetooth.
And shooting CP's through my Marauder SemiAuto, the Vikka averaged 841 fps for 10 shots, while the DLX averaged 835 fps. And no error messages from either. Just because, I also shot thru the old ShootingChrony and got 841 fps over 7 shots ( the other 3 were errors!). So the Vikka, without any function other than to record shot strings, appears to measure fps pretty reliably, at least indoors.
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Appreciate all the suggestions and discussion here. Thought I'd post how things turned out. And after playing around a bit with the ProChrono DLX and the little Vikka ($31 at Amazon) unit suggested by Matt Cohen, I'm impressed by both. Really like the functionality of the DLX with bluetooth.
And shooting CP's through my Marauder SemiAuto, the Vikka averaged 841 fps for 10 shots, while the DLX averaged 835 fps. And no error messages from either. Just because, I also shot thru the old ShootingChrony and got 841 fps over 7 shots ( the other 3 were errors!). So the Vikka, without any function other than to record shot strings, appears to measure fps pretty reliably, at least indoors.
Thanks for the update, Jon, Cross checking the chroneys is helpful, particularly for those who use the $31 joints.
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Appreciate all the suggestions and discussion here. Thought I'd post how things turned out. And after playing around a bit with the ProChrono DLX and the little Vikka ($31 at Amazon) unit suggested by Matt Cohen, I'm impressed by both. Really like the functionality of the DLX with bluetooth.
And shooting CP's through my Marauder SemiAuto, the Vikka averaged 841 fps for 10 shots, while the DLX averaged 835 fps. And no error messages from either. Just because, I also shot thru the old ShootingChrony and got 841 fps over 7 shots ( the other 3 were errors!). So the Vikka, without any function other than to record shot strings, appears to measure fps pretty reliably, at least indoors.
I've been meaning to compare my $31 crony & the DLX. Glad. to see they are so close, at least yours are.
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Good to read. I am thinking that some of the differences between the velocities could possibly be distance to chrono related. I would trust the DLX more.
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Good point, that could account for the 6 fps difference.
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One More shooter using the Pro Chrono DLX and it works great. Previously purchased the FX chrono but I could not get any reliable readouts and it didn't work well no matter how it was set up. So I sent it back for refund. Tried an Amazon cheapy chrono which broke on second usage so returned that one for refund before I bought the Pro Chrono DLX.
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Pro chrono here too and got a Garmin Xero...very simple to setup/use.
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MagnetoSpeed V3.
Does change the POI, but it is consistent enough I just use the accordingly hash on the reticule.
Never misses a shot. I like having the data right next to me, no need for phone or app. All the data can then be imported as a CVS into a spread sheet.
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For the cheap Chinese kind that clamps to the end of the barrel, I find mine works more reliably if I rotate it to point the bottom side toward the sun.
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I've been using a Caldwell chrono for some time now. I found if you take the scope off and just ami it over the speed screens I don't get the dreaded error 3.
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I did a search here, but the posts are from 10+ years ago, and I don't know how to sort search results by date.
---snip---
Lots of great chrony suggestions, but about the search, if you type whatever into the Search box up at the top right of the page, it will return results in some useless order.
But if you press the Search button (either top right of page or in that string of buttons just below that, "Home About Help...) without typing anything, and then look under the Search For field to press "Advanced Search". Advanced Search will let you toggle the Search order to "Most recent topics first."
Enjoy!
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Pro Chrono DLX for over a year with no problems at all.
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As of today, I am using the GARMIN XERO C1.
WOW.
I will probably give away two of my PACT chronographs.
But I will not pay shipping..
If you want to stop by they are yours.
Note: You can make a high speed pass through Jelly Belly..
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I've been using a Hante HT-X3006 with good success. You can buy a version that has voice call out which is nice, but still have to manually transfer the shot string to a computer. Probably not super accurate but fits my budget. I design and 3d print adapters so the chrono slides onto the end of the barrel which allows me to target shoot and listen to the call outs.....
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I have one of these and love it for air rifles. In my estimation that’s all it should be used for though. Maybe a 22 LR.
It’s within one fps of my LabRadar chrono. I got this little one because it’s so easy to set up on an air rifle.
I use this one:
It’s super light and small and clamps on a suppressor.
I do wonder how accurate it is though. It would be nice to compare it to a high end chronograph.
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I have one of these and love it for air rifles. In my estimation that’s all it should be used for though. Maybe a 22 LR.
Any "optical" (non-radar or non-magnetic) device will need to be 1m/3-4ft from the sensors when using powder, too close & the burnt propellant will coat the sensors & give you no end of grief & "odd" behaviour.
They may register a shot or two - but cant be reliable for powder unfortunately.
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I have one of these and love it for air rifles. In my estimation that’s all it should be used for though. Maybe a 22 LR.
It’s within one fps of my LabRadar chrono. I got this little one because it’s so easy to set up on an air rifle.
I use this one:
It’s super light and small and clamps on a suppressor.
I do wonder how accurate it is though. It would be nice to compare it to a high end chronograph.
I got one of these as well. The Loop fits perfectly over the Moderator I use. Really handy and simple to use.
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I use the $30 Amazon specials. They clamp on to the Buck Rogers looking sleeve on my Valiant and the more normal round Benjamin shroud. I have found they have a finite lifespan on the magnum break barrels, kind of like scopes. LOL
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I guess. LOL I have shot so many pellets over a crony with various guns, I can get a feel for how fast an air rifle is shooting by the time it take to hit the target at a said distance. I do confirm with a real one but I can get pretty close ;)
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I guess. LOL I have shot so many pellets over a crony with various guns, I can get a feel for how fast an air rifle is shooting by the time it take to hit the target at a said distance. I do confirm with a real one but I can get pretty close ;)
That's how I know to get mine out and check. I can pick out a notably late hit, then grab the chrony to verify. Also recoil and sound are good indicators Then it's checking seals, etc.. I do like the chrony for spotting small trends, though, like checking new pellets and seals.
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(full disclosure I make Chronographs)
A note on CO2 stuff... treat it like powder burners, anything that is stored as a liquid (some airsoft stuff too) & expands may produce clouds of vapour, this can interfere with the transmitters & receivers of the "light based" devices (non-radar, non-magnetic).
So with CO2 - always give it 2-3ft of distance.
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I have used in the past the FX pocket chrono and it has been awesome!
I also have now the more highend chrono from FX.
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I didn't have any issues using a ProChrono DLX
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+1