Lab Radar or Magneto Speed?

[shooterrdy]

Any feed back from those that have used both would be appreciated. I am sick of fighting with the Chronograph. Is either one better than the other? ease of use?
I want to try a Lab Radar but no one close has one. Shooting 3 Gun AR's and 6 Creedmoore with brake, .338 LM with Brake, .308 with Brake etc.

Thanks

 

[hondo1312]

I've had both. I like the LabRadar better because I don't have to worry about the bayonet affecting my bullet impact data on paper during load development. However, the LabRadar has missed more shots (especially suppressed before I figured out the best way to position it). I never compared either of my units side-by-side so I can't attest to the differences in accuracy either one.

 

[Eznutz]

I can't speak to the lab radar because i haven't used one. But my magneto speed is awesome. My only beef with it is that it does shift my POI and affects my grouping. So I use it after i've done load development to see MV and SD to then confirm my drops at distance.

 

[vh20]

I have both. There are DAYS worth of reading comparing the two on this forum if you search. Bottom line for me, shooting unsuppressed and in a controlled environment, I'll take the Labradar, hands-down. It's only disadvantages compared with the MS V3 are 1) higher cost, 2) more fragile, and 3) can be finicky picking up suppressed shots (but that can be overcome with technique). Experience here has shown that if the wind blows it over on a tripod, it will probably break, so be forewarned. I use mine prone off the flat base mount they make for it, so never an issue for me. I have shot both side by side and noted about an average 4-5fps difference between the two, shot-to-shot, that stayed consistent (i.e. one was consistently 4-5 fps higher than the other, but I forget which it was). ES and SD were identical.

Oops, forgot: 4) can accidentally trigger off of other peoples shots if shooting at a public range. I always forget that one because I have my own range.

 

[Sogan]

I have both. There are DAYS worth of reading comparing the two on this forum if you search. Bottom line for me, shooting unsuppressed and in a controlled environment, Labradar hands-down. It's only disadvantages compared with the MS V3 are 1) higher cost, 2) more fragile, and 3) can be finicky picking up suppressed shots (but that can be overcome with technique). Experience here has shown that if the wind blows it over on a tripod, it will probably break, so be forewarned. I use mine prone off the flat base mount they make for it, so never an issue for me. I have shot both side by side and noted about an average 4-5fps difference between the two, shot-to-shot, that stayed consistent (i.e. one was consistently 4-5 fps higher than the other, but I forget which it was). ES and SD were identical.

Oops, forgot: 4) can accidentally trigger off of other peoples shots if shooting at a public range. I always forget that one because I have my own range.

This is on par with everything that I have read about the two on this site

 

[jakhamr81]

I have used both and also prefer the Labradar over the Magneto. It is much simpler to use so it actually does get used. I use the flat base and picked up the padded case. As mentioned it's great for load development because your not strapping anything extra to the barrel and wondering if that affects your POI.

 

[NOMAD]

I am a big fan of the magnetospeed.

 

[sjoliat]

I like my magnetospeed as well. Very small package to transport and setup is very easy, at least without a brake or suppressor. That said, there is the issue of POI shift. At some point I plan to get a Labradar, but I doubt I will get rid of my MS when I do.

 

[devldogs55]

I have to say I have NEVER had my Labradar miss a suppressed shot. I test my 300 blackout often, and it's all subsonic. It has literally never missed a subsonic suppressed shot, and I returned the air gun microphone attachment because it's not needed.

Also, I don't shoot anything unsuppressed - ever. If the Labradar gave me any trouble with suppressed shots, I'd have dumped it a long time ago. The one complaint I have was that my public range requires me to tweak the sensitivity. The good news was that I don't have to change it back when I'm shooting on my own.. I just leave the sensitivity a bit lower, and it still picks up my 300 blackout subs suppressed.

Only way I would ever consider a Magnetospeed is if there was a version made that didn't have to be attached to my freakin rifle. If you want to only test velocities on a rifle.. Magnetospeed is ok. What about an AR15 with a free floating hand guard with a length that takes it out too close to the muzzle that you can't strap it on? Do the Magnetospeeds even work with pencil barrels? I'm not sure honestly.. Do you want to put a ridiculous attachment on your semi-auto pistol just to test velocity? Can you attach it to a wheel gun?

 

[Steel+Killer]

Only way I would ever consider a Magnetospeed is if there was a version made that didn't have to be attached to my freakin rifle. If you want to only test velocities on a rifle.. Magnetospeed is ok. What about an AR15 with a free floating hand guard with a length that takes it out too close to the muzzle that you can't strap it on? Do the Magnetospeeds even work with pencil barrels? I'm not sure honestly.. Do you want to put a ridiculous attachment on your semi-auto pistol just to test velocity? Can you attach it to a wheel gun?

 

[devldogs55]

That would still do me no good since I don't run pic rails on my hand guards.

 

[vh20]

I have to say I have NEVER had my Labradar miss a suppressed shot. I test my 300 blackout often, and it's all subsonic. It has literally never missed a subsonic suppressed shot, and I returned the air gun microphone attachment because it's not needed.

Also, I don't shoot anything unsuppressed - ever. If the Labradar gave me any trouble with suppressed shots, I'd have dumped it a long time ago. The one complaint I have was that my public range requires me to tweak the sensitivity. The good news was that I don't have to change it back when I'm shooting on my own.. I just leave the sensitivity a bit lower, and it still picks up my 300 blackout subs suppressed.

Only way I would ever consider a Magnetospeed is if there was a version made that didn't have to be attached to my freakin rifle. If you want to only test velocities on a rifle.. Magnetospeed is ok. What about an AR15 with a free floating hand guard with a length that takes it out too close to the muzzle that you can't strap it on? Do the Magnetospeeds even work with pencil barrels? I'm not sure honestly.. Do you want to put a ridiculous attachment on your semi-auto pistol just to test velocity? Can you attach it to a wheel gun?

I've got close to 1000 rounds past my Labradar, with only one shot I can remember that malfunctioned (showed >6000 fps). But I have never shot suppressed over it. I should have a suppressor in hand very shortly (getting close!). Can you share your technique for setting up LR with suppressors?

I take that back - someone with a suppressor DID shoot over my LR a couple times where I had it set up for shooting a braked magnum (LR on bench just in front of the action and a couple inches to the side). It did not pick those shots up, but I really wasn't surprised...

 

[devldogs55]

Yeah I have a feeling it didn't pick those shots up because the action isn't supposed to be next to the LR. Like you said, not surprised.

As as far as picking up suppressed shots, I set things up just like the manual says. Things I see people forget to do are not setting the firearm type (handgun/rifle) since it does make a difference. And if you're going to chrono some subs out of a rifle - you still select handgun. I also see people not aiming the unit well. You really do need to aim it, and it's a weak point of the LR since they don't make it very easy to aim.

Positioning for me hasn't been too difficult. For suppressors, I just keep the muzzle flush with the down range side of the LR, and within 6" of the side of the LR.

 

[vh20]

Yeah I have a feeling it didn't pick those shots up because the action isn't supposed to be next to the LR. Like you said, not surprised.

Just to be clear, I was shooting a braked magnum, and that IS where they recommend placing the unit for that application, to keep it out of the blast area. But it is definitely NOT where they say to put it for suppressed rifles, so I can't fault the unit for failing to pick up those shots. I use the flat plate mount, didn't have a tripod, and we were on a bench, so there was no way to position it like they recommend for a suppressor without a tripod.

Do you find it inconvenient with the unit out of arm's reach when needing to manipulate the controls to arm, review, etc.?

 

[devldogs55]

Ahh I see. Yesterday was my first time letting someone test the rifle with a braked Savage .338, and we just set the brake about 8" forward of the LR since I didn't know exactly what to do and didn't have my manual out there with me. He only fired 6 shots, but it picked them all up. I also make sure to change the barrel offset each time I change positions like that, but I have a feeling that is just to help with calculations.

I guess it's slightly inconvenient, but it's not been an issue for me. I have an external battery pack, so I changed the timer for the arm time to stay on much longer. I don't really need to manipulate the controls until I'm done firing.

 

[vh20]

Got it.

As far as the positioning for brakes, I'm not sure if it's covered in the manual. I called their tech support and asked what they recommended (which tells me maybe it wasn't covered in the manual because I read al of it when I first bought it). They recommended to place it just in front of the action, a couple inches clearance between the side of the unit and the rifle, and use the 6 in. Offset in the program. They said that was where Applied Ballistics was placing their unit and finding it to work best. That's where I place it with my .338 Norma and it has been perfect. It's also an ideal location to utilize their flat plate mount whether prone or on a bench, with no tripod to tip over and break the unit like Frank has experienced (twice).

 

[devldogs55]

Yeah that thread Frank started definitely concerned me with the fragility of the unit. I actually received a broken one with a piece rattling around inside the unit when I opened the box.. I haven't had any issues with the new one, but I think it's a bit more likely that the LR would break over the MS. I keep mine on a good quality tripod, and I don't worry about it blowing over, but I do worry about dropping it.

 

[Griz44Mag]

I can't speak to the lab radar because i haven't used one. But my magneto speed is awesome. My only beef with it is that it does shift my POI and affects my grouping. So I use it after i've done load development to see MV and SD to then confirm my drops at distance.

Ditto on the Magnetospeed. I do just the opposite, When I run a ladder test, I load 10 of each powder weight. I shoot 5 of each consecutively through the magneto at a single target and record all the data. Then I shoot the other 5 of each loading at individual targets so I can run them through the ONTARGET scanner at the end of the day. That makes it a lot quicker than installing and removing the bayonet for each load.

I have no personal experience with the LAB RADAR, but at least one guy I see at the range that uses one swears by it. There is a cost delta, so whatever you can afford, go for it.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I don't have a chrono right now. My Chrony Beta crapped the bed after getting mugged by a passing sun shower.

i probably need to replace it. Looking at the choice between the two, I have to conclude that the Lab Radar is just too much technology for my own modest needs. I'll be going with the Magneto speed when the time comes.

That being said, my recent visit to the SW LR Nats was a massive showcase for Lab Radar. They were lined up alongside each other on the firing line.

I gotta wonder whether so many of them so close together might have posed an opportunity for EM Interference. As I see it, that shouldn't happen with the Magneto Speed, and may not happen either with the Lab Radar.

Greg

 

[JS624]

Masterpiece arms has come out with an adapter that attaches to the spigot mount on there chassis so the magnetospeed doesn't contact the barrel.
it looks pretty cool. I've seen a few guys make there own as well