Another Chronograph Thread

[ezman604]

Not many of these around so I thought I'd start one.
I have had a Shooting Chrony F1 Master and ballistic printer for a few years now. And only shot it once. 
Missed the sensors though, thank goodness. Still works well. But this weekend my printer decided to quit. I tore it down, being the tinkerer I am and 35+ years in electronics, to see if I could revive it. I would say I was 50% successful, the keypad works MUCH better now. But it's not receiving info from the Chrony. I have ordered a replacement data cable, that is the cheapest part to replace before going for a whole unit. I'm lazy? Even though the unit is still working great, I don't like having a pen and paper handy to write the strings down. I prefer having a printer calculating and spitting out a hard copy of my shot string. I write info on top of each printout for date, airgun, caliber and ammo used. I keep these for records, especially if it involves an airgun I'm in the process of working on or tuning.
Now I'm shopping and looking at different options. Right now I'm trying to convince myself not to go for the Shooting Chrony Gamma Master with printer. At just under $200 it's a pretty good investment. My F1 still works fine, I just like the printer. And a Shooting Chrony Ballistic Printer is around $100 alone. If I buy a new printer, I'm going the extra mile for a whole new system.
I've also looked at the CED models and like the idea of it including a printer and software (as well as a USB port) to download the session to a computer. I have assembled a laptop and actually built an interface box to use my Shooting Chrony to download data but never actually finished it to test it. Another one of "those" projects.
Anyway, I also took a look at the Oehler 35P system. Those aren't in production any longer? When they were, the cost was around $575. WOW!!!! Must be excellent stuff. In looking at all options, brands and models, I see mixed reviews on all of them. The CED is touted as being an excellent system by some but see some lousy reviews also. Some say they are the most accurate while others say muzzle blast, even set out as far as the cables will allow, causes many false readings.
If I buy a new system, I want it portable, accurate, have a printer and computer interface capable. If I'm going to upgrade, I might as well get something with the bells and whistles.
So I toss this out to you fine folks and ask for your input. Tell me what chrony system you use, what you like about it, what you dislike about it and if you could do it over, would you buy it again.
If we gather enough info, this could become a sticky.
Thanks all AOT (ahead of time)!!!!
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

[robert w]

DEZ , before I shot my red crony I came up with a way to keep it safe. I attach a 2x4 upright on my shooting table with 2 c clamps. then I set the crony behind the 2x4. I leave nuff room from the edge where I can read the readout. after 3 years it hasn't had a shot to hit it

[Geoff]

I have been happy with my green chrony.  I would buy one with the remote if this one died however I would not necessarily look to another brand, though i would do some googling before i bought.

[cwlongshot]

I have the same one as you do. But no printer. Just ever bought one.

We are not going to talk about shooting it. I will not risk the jinx.

I like it. Only issues is lighting indoors... It refuses to work inside.

CW

[Sfttailrdr46]

  Chrony on my Christmas wish list and I will be watching closely since I hate to waste my wifes money on things I won't like and never use that causes much grief a couple of months down the road. Therefore all you guys with chrony feed back hurry up and help me and Dave out

[ezman604]

I have the same one as you do. But no printer. Just ever bought one.

We are not going to talk about shooting it. I will not risk the jinx.

I like it. Only issues is lighting indoors... It refuses to work inside.

CW

I can take pictures of my setup. But what I assembled was two switchable nightlights and added 20 watt candle style bulbs to instead of the supplied 4 watt bulbs. I had to cut the end of the diffuser so the bulbs would fit. I tie wrapped these to the shades and used a double extension cord to plug them into. They work great indoors, hardly ever get an error reading. And they don't seen to interfere with outside shooting sessions with normal daylight. I have also bought some 40 watt LED puck lights to try instead. Just another one of "those" projects.

[Geoff]

I can use those oval LED lights harbor freight sells (as do others) and use rubber bands to hold them onto the light shields.  Seems to work well.

I mostly use 2 of those metal reflectors with 60 watt bulbs though as batteries begin to fade and i have to dig out more.  The lights work well and I almost never (knocks on wood) get an err from either setup

[Dockey 454]

Dave, I got the Beta Master, about 18 months ago. Not a bad unit for the money. Like the remote, this lets me place a piece of plywood in front of it. This works well because I shot it 3 times and never put a scratch on it. Oh yea it helps if you put a piece of thin foam on the back side of the plywood to absorb some of the energy when hit.  I don't have the printer, maybe some day. One nice feature is when you disconnect the remote, you can plug in a 9V battery, and retrieve your data without having to use the whole machine.
Tom

[cwlongshot]

I have tried lighting in the past without sucess. I will have to try again as I haven't tested some of my rifles and with the Mrod coming I will need to know what's happening to get optimal preformance.

CW

[Bob H.]

I can use those oval LED lights harbor freight sells (as do others) and use rubber bands to hold them onto the light shields.  Seems to work well.


Geoffrey,

Thanks for the tip, I'll be at HF today.  I have a thing about cords.

BobH.

[Sqrl Klr]

I got a F1 with Norm's switch to operate it and it works fine with push lights placed on top of the diffusers but the sensors are finicky where it's easy for them to miss a shot if you're not lined up exactly centered in both of them or are too high above them. This is not an issue if you keep the setup in place since it will work every time from not being moved, but if you set it up every time you use it then expect a few errors before you get it lined up right. No big deal as long as you keep everything lined up right once you're setup.

If I could do it over again though I'd probably try a pro chrono since I've heard their sensors are more forgiving where they read pellets better.

[breakfastchef]

I would skip the whole printer option and go with the application Chrono Connect. The app allows you to pair your chronograph with a PC and capture all the data to a csv file. From there, you can manipulate the data anyway you want. The application contains an extensive pellet and airgun database; you can submit data for pellets/guns not in the database; the website will produce shot string graphs on the fly; and more. Being an electronics wonk, it would be easy for you to make up a USB patch cable to connect your devices.

[aack73]

i have the CED M2 DEz. all in all i like it. i got it with the infrared lighting and it works well under the flourscent lights. however it is modular and requires assembly. good it can be packed away. but a bit tedious to setup sometimes. also has lots of cables. 1 for each sensor back to the display keypad. and 2 more that y into a power cord if you use the infrared lighting. the wiring can get busy when setup too. it's also a little pricey. but otherwise i like it. it works well. i do get the occasional false reading when shooting too close. especially with powder guns. they need a little more distance.

[ezman604]

I would skip the whole printer option and go with the application Chrono Connect. The app allows you to pair your chronograph with a PC and capture all the data to a csv file. From there, you can manipulate the data anyway you want. The application contains an extensive pellet and airgun database; you can submit data for pellets/guns not in the database; the website will produce shot string graphs on the fly; and more. Being an electronics wonk, it would be easy for you to make up a USB patch cable to connect your devices.

Are you talking the Chrony Ballistics software? That was my plan. I have built a USB interface box and built up a laptop in anticipation of putting this all together. I'd surely save $100 by not rebuying a ballistics printer, I could print directly to my network printers from the laptop. I would love to get my hands on a copy of the software to see just what it can do. I have been told the F1 will not work with this software but I believe they are wrong. If I can connect my infterface box to the printer port, I can capture the same data that goes to the printer to calculate. But getting a copy of the software would settle that for me.
Like a lot of things I've done, I feel like I toss money out there to experiment. I'm getting more frugal I guess, asking for opinions and thoughs in an effort to keep from throwing away hard earned money needlessly. I DO appreciate all input!!!
And if anyone has a copy of Chrony Ballistic Software II they can loan me for a few days, I sure would appreciate that.

[maripaul]

Not many of these around so I thought I'd start one.
I have had a Shooting Chrony F1 Master and ballistic printer for a few years now. And only shot it once. 
Missed the sensors though, thank goodness. Still works well. But this weekend my printer decided to quit. I tore it down, being the tinkerer I am and 35+ years in electronics, to see if I could revive it. I would say I was 50% successful, the keypad works MUCH better now. But it's not receiving info from the Chrony. I have ordered a replacement data cable, that is the cheapest part to replace before going for a whole unit. I'm lazy? Even though the unit is still working great, I don't like having a pen and paper handy to write the strings down. I prefer having a printer calculating and spitting out a hard copy of my shot string. I write info on top of each printout for date, airgun, caliber and ammo used. I keep these for records, especially if it involves an airgun I'm in the process of working on or tuning.
Now I'm shopping and looking at different options. Right now I'm trying to convince myself not to go for the Shooting Chrony Gamma Master with printer. At just under $200 it's a pretty good investment. My F1 still works fine, I just like the printer. And a Shooting Chrony Ballistic Printer is around $100 alone. If I buy a new printer, I'm going the extra mile for a whole new system.
I've also looked at the CED models and like the idea of it including a printer and software (as well as a USB port) to download the session to a computer. I have assembled a laptop and actually built an interface box to use my Shooting Chrony to download data but never actually finished it to test it. Another one of "those" projects.
Anyway, I also took a look at the Oehler 35P system. Those aren't in production any longer? When they were, the cost was around $575. WOW!!!! Must be excellent stuff. In looking at all options, brands and models, I see mixed reviews on all of them. The CED is touted as being an excellent system by some but see some lousy reviews also. Some say they are the most accurate while others say muzzle blast, even set out as far as the cables will allow, causes many false readings.
If I buy a new system, I want it portable, accurate, have a printer and computer interface capable. If I'm going to upgrade, I might as well get something with the bells and whistles.
So I toss this out to you fine folks and ask for your input. Tell me what chrony system you use, what you like about it, what you dislike about it and if you could do it over, would you buy it again.
If we gather enough info, this could become a sticky.
Thanks all AOT (ahead of time)!!!!
SAFE & Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
 

I have the Chrony with the remote display and the printer. I finally like it and trust it, and know how to get repeatable results, I killed one sensor (the rear one), and I was pleased to learn that they were still in business and for $85 sent me a replacement unit. It took a while to get an understanding of the need for lots of lights. It also has taken a fair amount of time to learn the thing, even though I still have a lot to learn about the entire capability.

For my money, I'd stay with the Chrony system you already have , know, and understand, plus you will have extras to back it up.

Below are a few photos of the setup I use for evaluating pellets on multiple airguns. I live in rainy Oregon, so being able to have protection from the rain is important, plus these 76+ year old eyes are getting to be like the sensors on the Chrony - they need lots of light. Harbor Freight is my friend for kludging up setups.

 

[ezman604]

Awesome setup Paul, I'm jealous.
All weather testing setup for sure. I see it's a green machine Chrony but it's not the F1, too maky buttons. Which model is that? Looks like it says Gamma.

[breakfastchef]

Go to http://www.chronoconnect.com

[maripaul]

Awesome setup Paul, I'm jealous.
All weather testing setup for sure. I see it's a green machine Chrony but it's not the F1, too maky buttons. Which model is that? Looks like it says Gamma.

Below is a little closer view of the remote display - it is a Gamma. I don't pretend to understand their model names and numbers. I do like the fact that the buttons on the remote are duplicates of those on the printer. The rod you see in the photo is what I use to clear out the barrel when there are too many pellets trying to get into the chamber, etc. I also use it to kick the aiming rods on the Chrony into alignment when they shift.

I really like having the printer available to get a hard copy of the results. I usually try to shoot in 10 round volleys so I get consistent data. There are so many combinations of pellets and weapons that I need a hard copy record of performance of the several pellet types on multiple airguns. The image below shows how I keep pellets available for testing. All I use is a devilled egg carrier to hold the pellets. In addition the pellet pens are really handy for loading the various pellets in the various airguns.

When the airguns are not outside, I keep them out of the elements in what the wife has called the "Man Cave." The Lazy Susan gun rack from Amazon is a real space saver, holding 12 air rifles, while the handgun racks hold 8.

[Bob H.]

I can use those oval LED lights harbor freight sells (as do others) and use rubber bands to hold them onto the light shields.  Seems to work well.

I mostly use 2 of those metal reflectors with 60 watt bulbs though as batteries begin to fade and i have to dig out more.  The lights work well and I almost never (knocks on wood) get an err from either setup

Geoffrey,

Are you using those blue oval LEDs?  How are you mounting then? are they on top or below the translucent plastic things?

Thanks

BobH.

[ezman604]

Oh well, after unsuccessful repair attempt of my Ballistic Printer, I went ahead and ordered the Shooting Chrony Gamma Master set. Merry Christmas to me.

Guess my F1 Master will go up for sale.