chronograph issues

[wfjames22]

I got a CED M2 chronograph for Christmas and I have used it a few times, mostly with no problems. Then last Saturday I took it out and it read about 20 of the 150 shots that I sent over the sensors. It was sunny, but the chronograph was in slightly shaded sunlight half of the time and the other half in the sun. It was not reading, reading and giving error messages, reading extremely low, etc. There didnt seem to be any consistency to the problems either. Two Saturdays ago, it wouldnt read until I shaded the sensors with a really thin (1 ply) paper napkin taped to the uprights. Is this normal? Will direct (high angled) sunlight shining in the top of the sensor cause this? Never had this much trouble with my buddy's CED M1 chronograph. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: chronograph issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wfjames22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a CED M2 chronograph for Christmas and I have used it a few times, mostly with no problems. Then last Saturday I took it out and it read about 20 of the 150 shots that I sent over the sensors. It was sunny, but the chronograph was in slightly shaded sunlight half of the time and the other half in the sun. It was not reading, reading and giving error messages, reading extremely low, etc. There didnt seem to be any consistency to the problems either. Two Saturdays ago, it wouldnt read until I shaded the sensors with a really thin (1 ply) paper napkin taped to the uprights. Is this normal? Will direct (high angled) sunlight shining in the top of the sensor cause this? Never had this much trouble with my buddy's CED M1 chronograph. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank </div></div>

My buddy had to send his back last month. New unit, stopped reading and giving some error message.

Send it back, they'll send you a new one, or fix it.

Chris

 

[wfjames22]

Re: chronograph issues

I was afraid that this was going to be the answer.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: chronograph issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wfjames22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was afraid that this was going to be the answer. </div></div>

Call them first and see if they'll issue a call tag and sport shipping both ways.

He got his back quickly, FWIW.

Chris

 

[wfjames22]

Re: chronograph issues

It came from Midway. They are really good about returning things. Would you send it to them or CED?

 

[Enios]

Re: chronograph issues

I bought a Chrony Alpha Master from Midway a couple of years ago and about 7 months after I got it the front sensor quit picking up after my brother about rocked it off the tripods with his Ultra Mag. I sent an e-mail to Midway to get Chronys shipping instructions and they told me just to send it to them. I had a new one back in a week but I did pay shipping to them.

 

[Jumper]

Re: chronograph issues

I've never had an error like you describe with my CED Millenium. But I recall in CED's troubleshooting guide that bright sunlight directly on the sensors can cause them to "bloom".

I have had my CED for a few years and just recently went to using IR screens. My normal SD's now are much lower as is my extreme spread. I don't have to worry about having enough time and daylight and they register every shot. It seems to me that consistent, equal light across both sensors is a big factor in how well it works.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: chronograph issues

I meant to ask that question earlier, who has the IR screens and how big of a difference did they make? I have considered purchasing them, but with these odd errors, I didnt know if I had real problems with the equipment.

 

[dksd39]

Re: chronograph issues

I use the IR screens exclusively and have had no issues other than forgetting to charge the battery pack lol

 

[BHP9]

Re: chronograph issues

Frank:

What you are experiencing is normal with most, if not all chrono's.

Build yourself a chrono coffin and use IR sensors and the problem will be gone.

 

[Jumper]

Re: chronograph issues

In theory, using the IR screens you should be able to place an infrared filter over your sensor and you wouldnn't need the coffin box. The infrared filter will make it ignore the ambient light. I've done a little experimenting with this and haven't gotten it to work yet. Like I said, in theory...

 

[Enios]

Re: chronograph issues

Wow nice box but at nearly 60 all I can say is Cardboard box would have to work for me if I needed a shade.

 

[The Mechanic]

Re: chronograph issues

I think I need a bigger truck

 

[wfjames22]

Re: chronograph issues

Thanks for the ideas. Surely the "chrony coffin" works great, but Im trying to get to where I carry less shit to shoot!

 

[dan46n2]

Re: chronograph issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wfjames22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a CED M2 chronograph for Christmas and I have used it a few times, mostly with no problems. Then last Saturday I took it out and it read about 20 of the 150 shots that I sent over the sensors. It was sunny, but the chronograph was in slightly shaded sunlight half of the time and the other half in the sun. It was not reading, reading and giving error messages, reading extremely low, etc. There didnt seem to be any consistency to the problems either. Two Saturdays ago, it wouldnt read until I shaded the sensors with a really thin (1 ply) paper napkin taped to the uprights. Is this normal? Will direct (high angled) sunlight shining in the top of the sensor cause this? Never had this much trouble with my buddy's CED M1 chronograph. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank </div></div>

My buddy had to send his back last month. New unit, stopped reading and giving some error message.

Send it back, they'll send you a new one, or fix it.

Chris </div></div>

That sucks, I have a new M2 I haven't used yet, hope there's not a batch of these bad ones.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: chronograph issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dan46n2</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wfjames22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a CED M2 chronograph for Christmas and I have used it a few times, mostly with no problems. Then last Saturday I took it out and it read about 20 of the 150 shots that I sent over the sensors. It was sunny, but the chronograph was in slightly shaded sunlight half of the time and the other half in the sun. It was not reading, reading and giving error messages, reading extremely low, etc. There didnt seem to be any consistency to the problems either. Two Saturdays ago, it wouldnt read until I shaded the sensors with a really thin (1 ply) paper napkin taped to the uprights. Is this normal? Will direct (high angled) sunlight shining in the top of the sensor cause this? Never had this much trouble with my buddy's CED M1 chronograph. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Frank </div></div>

My buddy had to send his back last month. New unit, stopped reading and giving some error message.

Send it back, they'll send you a new one, or fix it.

Chris </div></div>

That sucks, I have a new M2 I haven't used yet, hope there's not a batch of these bad ones. </div></div>

Shit happens.

I have a ChargeMaster 1500 that works perfectly, but many had issues with their keypads crapping out on them and had to send them back for new units.

Maybe there's a bad batch with these units?

Chris

 

[2cants]

Re: chronograph issues

I'm having the same issues.

Clear day, but partial shaded at one end and either errors or bad readings. Move to shaded area - again errors. Having both start/stop in full sunshive - works. Trouble is, in the part of the year the sun is high in sky only for 2 hours!

Using mate Chrony in shade etc - no issues.

As for getting the CED M2 to work with my Toshiba laptop - 2 full days wasted and still no joy.

Am considering getting the UV light pack. Load developing .338 LM is expensive enough without re-shooting due to bad Chrono readings

 

[USMCj]

Re: chronograph issues

The first M2 I got would read 1 out of 20 shots, I sent it back to CED for a checkup, they sent me a new main unit stating my old one was defective. Call them, they are great to work with. They will only need the sensors and the main unit back for a checkup.

 

[RECKON SO]

Re: chronograph issues

Ive built something similar, but with PVC pipe and a small tarp strechted over it, it looks like chronograph tent. Its inconsistantly shady where I clock my loads and ever since the "tent" and using the infrared screens exclusively I have had no reading errors. I also have the peace of mind that the chrono is getting the same light conditions no matter rain, shine, cloudy or else.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: chronograph issues

I bought the IR screens and havent gotten a chance to try them out yet. I was also thinking about a tent of some sort with a tarp. Exactly how are you making the tent? Did you buy the battery pack for the screens? I guess I will since there is typically not 110V power in the cotton fields that I shoot in. I hate the idea of buying a $60 battery pack after dropping $80 on the IR screens. Anyone have an alternative solution?

 

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

Re: chronograph issues

I was worried about my chrono getting rained on so I bought a big plastic stoage box like this from Wally World:

I cut a hole in the lid shaped and sized so that it would get trapped between my chrono and the tripod. The the upside-down box would fit over the chrono. Then I cut the V-holes in the front and rear for the bullets to pass through. My 64-quart box turned out to be slightly too short for my chrono so I abandoned the project but I think the concept is workable. You could spraypaint the inside black, skip the skyscreen supports and mount your IR screens to the bottom of the box (which would be the top when you put it on top of the chrono). It wouldn't be as sturdy as the chrono coffin but it would be cheaper to buy, easier to construct and a lot less hassle to haul around.

But that was for -- pardon my French -- a Shooting Chrony, which only has 1-foot screens. The CED has 2-foot screens so it will be tougher to find a suitable box for.

 

[RECKON SO]

Re: chronograph issues

I used 1" pvc pipe I think it was, its whichever size that you can get 45degree angles for. I just made it like an a-frame house type deal, tall enough to sit on the ground and cover the chrono. I put the smallest tarp I could find on it, folded to fit like a roof and bungee corded it down. I bought the battery pack and bungee cord it the one of the frame rails of the chrono-tent. I dont know if one like this would be practical to haul around though cause its kinda big and clumsy once its big enough to cover the chrono and tripod, unless you made it to where you could take it apart in sections. The big plus is its cheap and if something happens to it, pvc pipe is easy to come by.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: chronograph issues

Dumb question to the OP - but how far are you placing the tripod from the muzzle? The reason I ask is because I was having serious issues with my CED M2, and getting only about every third shot to register properly with no errors.

Then someone suggested that I might be too close at only 9-10 feet away. So I moved it back to about 12-15 feet from the muzzle and I've been getting 100% ever since. And this has been in bright glaring NV sun. Just a thought....