Re: How usefull is a Chronograph?
There's not much you can do with a chrono that you can't do without one, it's just that it takes <span style="text-decoration: underline">a lot</span> more bullets to do it, and you have to have the math skills and/or computer skills to calculate MV and/or BC from your field data. After all, they figured out the same stuff using a slide rule for hundreds of years before the electronic chronograph was invented. However, a chrono substantially speeds up the process, makes it possible for semi-literate hillbillies like me to do it and, IMHO, also makes shooting reloads safer.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...The only thing I have against the all in one units like the older CED chronographs is that one mis placed bullet and the whole unit is toast. But I have been told that their customer service is really good....</div></div>
The current model CED (the M2) <span style="text-decoration: underline">is not</span> an all-in-one. Neither was its predecessor (the Millennium).
First, CAG55, you should know that you're also going to need to buy a tripod to mount the chrono on. Just wanted you to know a chrono and batteries ain't the end of it.
I have a CED M2 and a Shooting Chrony Beta Master. I bought the CED when the Beta Master had to make its third trip back for repairs <span style="text-decoration: underline">this year</span>. I much prefer the CED and have tested the two together and confirmed it also is the more accurate. IMHO, Shooting Chrony isn't a brand, <span style="font-style: italic">it's a warning label</span>. I see more sob stories and reviews complaining of major problems with Shooting Chronys than with any of the other three consumer-level chronos on the market. I keep my Beta Master for a backup but I pray I never have to depend on it.
Of the four consumer brands currently on the market, the one with the fewest reported problems is the Competition Electronics ProChrono. They're about $120. They're nothing fancy, just a basic chrono. It has two downsides: 1) it's an all-on-one unit (just don't shoot it and you're golden), and 2) it's only one foot between the screens.
The problem with all-in-ones is three-fold. First, you're putting a lot of expensive electronics in the line of fire. Second, you have to read the LCD display from 10 feet away (or however far downrange you placed it). Depending on your eyesight and the lighting conditions (they don't like strong sunlight), that can be problematic. Third, you have to get up and go to the downrange unit to turn it on or off or change any settings or the battery.
Units that don't put it all downrange use a remote control head with both the readout and all the control buttons on it. They also have one minor drawback. They are connected by wires to the downrange unit. Depending on where you shoot (and how clumsy the people you shoot with are), that could be a problem.
As for the distance between the screens, the further apart the screens are, the less any timing error will affect the calculated velocity. That means that if the timing circuitry in two chronos is the same, the one with the screens further apart will be the more accurate.
More distance = better accuracy.
Shooting Chrony makes several models, all the way from units <$100 specific to arrows or paint balls to high dollar units with built-in printers and infrared lighting. Any SC model with "Master" in its name has a remote control head (with the computer inside) that sits on the bench with you. That costs extra, naturally, and any existing SC model can be converted to a "Master" (for a fee) so you can buy a regular model now and upgrade to "Master" later. The battery in a "Master" is still in the downrange unit, which can complicate changes if it dies when you're shooting at a public range. As I see it, SCs have three downsides: 1) the less expensive models (anything without "Master" in the name) is an all-in-one, 2) regardless of the model, the screens are just 1 foot apart 3) if you have to send it back for repair or upgrade, the company is in Canada with a PO box in New York that they check only every Wednesday, which increases the turn-around by at least a week.
Regarding those "Master" models, both sensors are still in the one box and they don't sell spare parts so if you shoot it (or it breaks), your choices are 1) send it back to Canada for repair or 2) buy a replacement. Replacement is more expensive than with a non-all-in-one because you're buying both sensors and associated connections and a metal housing.
CED only has one model, the M2, which is $199. Its screens are two feet apart. The screens of the previous CED was adjustable out to eight feet. The new model isn't adjustable but they claim improved circuitry makes the extra distance unnecessary. Dunno how that would work. It uses a remote control head that contains the battery and has buttons for lots of statistical functions (fastest round, extreme spread, standard deviation, etc.) It uses two separate downrange sensors so if you shoot or damage one, it's relatively inexpensive to replace (~$37) and you can be back in operation as soon as Midway or Cabela's can send you a replacement. But you do have to contend with those wires running from the sensors (which are downrange) to the control head.
The PACT is pretty similar to the CED. You don't find much written about it on the Internet and the only complaint I see with any regularity concerns the built-in printer (BHD!). It uses 2-foot screens and costs about $240, $40 more than the CED. But considering it has a built-in printer, that seems reasonable. Like the CED, it does all manner of pointy-headed calculations for you on the spot, and then some (like max point blank range, BC and Taylor Knockdown Factor). It uses two separate sensors that are individually replaceable for about $27.
If you stretch the definition of a "consumer" model, probably the highest-regarded chronograph ever built was the
Oehler 35. They were discontinued several years ago and used models were bringing more than their cost when new on eBay. I mention them because Oehler picked up on the price they were fetching on eBay so they've gone back into production. They have three screens which are adjustable to a maximum of 15 feet, so you can see how it would be extremely accurate. The downside: They're $595, shipping included, which actually is the same price as they sold for before being discontinued.
