I am curious if there have been any improvements in durability of the LR or any updates to either unit? I am considering a Chronograph purchase but really dont know which direction to go. My concern with the MS is I need to use it on several short barrel guns where no barrel extends beyond the handguard. How would you then attach it? Simiarly I have concerns about the LR when shooting braked guns and suppressed guns and getting reliable results without the muzzle blast blowing the devise over or simply blasting it.
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Range Report Labradar
- Thread starter CBO Actual
- Start date
You put a braked muzzle 3-6 inches in front of the LabRadar. Blast doesn't really touch the unit. Unbraked muzzles are set even with the front of the unit.
While a software update came out a couple of months ago to allow control through a Bluetooth/phone interface, I doubt there have been any internal changes to the Labradar.
I read Frank's report of how easily his Labradar was damaged. That does raise some flags for people who need a "field-ready" device that could get banged around some, but my unit sits on the bench or on the ground next to me; it stays in its case if there's high wind or anything else that could tip it over.
I think I posted somewhere in this thread, certainly in other threads, that there is definitely a learning curve to using a Labradar. Frankly, if you need something that works primarily on indoor, short, or cluttered ranges, you had best try one out in your environment before buying one. The vast majority of the time I use mine, it's on a wide flat firing line where it's 100 yards to the nearest berm. I have no problem getting consistent readings (that is, the unit is triggered by the discharge,"sees" the bullet, and reports/records velocity). Late last week, I used it on a different range where there was a 50-yard berm just a few feet to the left of bullet path to my 100-yard target. Apparently the 50-yard berm being that close to the bullet path and radar beam caused some interference as I had a few rounds that didn't trigger/track. I moved to a bench 15 feet to my right, putting the 50-yard berm well away from bullet/beam path, and every single round triggered and tracked. Like I said, there's a learning curve.
I can't speak to MS quirks because I've never owned one. The instructor in a class I took used one and it's safe to say the MS has quirks of its own.
Hope this helps.
I have both. The Lab Radar pisses me off when I forget to arm it. It is not as user friendly as the MS. I miss more shots with the LR. The base is cheap and should come with the unit instead of being sold separate. Battery life sucks unless you get the separate battery pack, then it is awesome. But I bought it because it is guaranteed not to effect group size or position. I use it most of the time. During load development every single shot get chrono'd
If you get Panasonic eneloop pro NiMH AA 2550 mAh rechargeable batteries, the internal battery life is even better than the optional LabRadar 10,000 mAh external USB battery pack. The internal battery life sucks only when you use sucky batteries.
Are they rechargeable? The one that every one sells for the LR is, and it is only like $25. It is more than sufficient. And rechargeable.
I have a Caldwell Chrono, a V2 Magnetospeed and a LabRadar. I have done the firmware flash for the LR that turns the Bluetooth on. The Android app works great, Can disarm/rearm without getting off the gun. I use a Mophie cellphone external batterypack most of the time. As long as the radar is positioned correctly triggering is very consistent, shooting a RPR 6.5CM with a SilencerCo Harvester can. A SCAR 17s with an Omega 300 can triggers well also. I have had no problems with using my LR fairly close to another shooter also running a LR, even on the same channel. Normally though one or the other of us will index up or down 3 or 4 channels, just because.... One interesting thing i discovered was that if you have an Escort radar detector in your truck and drive up close to the firing line, you will expect to find every LEO in the county there. Only when the LR was armed though. Never had mine do a 'blow-over'. I use either the LR baseplate with a brick on it, or a Slik tripod with the legs fully splayed. The only conplaints I have is that battery life on the double A's suck, and the thing needs something better than the v-notch for aiming. I'm using a piece of McDonalds soda straw. The times I did a side by side test with the MS and the LR they generally agreed within +/- 3 fps. That was on a .223 Wylde in a 24" tube.
I have a 10000mAH battery I use, used it last sat for 5 hrs, used about 25% but not 50% (has 4 LED’s in 25% increments that show its charge and 3 were lit).
I ran mine with a suppressor with no problems and had an AR15 beside me shooting and not interfering.
I ran a ladder test, shot for groups plus got great data, I love mine.
I ran mine with a suppressor with no problems and had an AR15 beside me shooting and not interfering.
I ran a ladder test, shot for groups plus got great data, I love mine.
Run my lab radar off of a 10,000 mAh usb charger and have had no issues with it. I use it for 4-5 range sessions each approximately 1 hr. I normally will go ahead and charge it after that.
I've had the Magnetospeed as well and while it was simpler to use, setup time was always a pain.
I would say if you like to chrono multiple guns, get a Lab Radar. If you are usually only doing one, the Magneto works great.
I've had the Magnetospeed as well and while it was simpler to use, setup time was always a pain.
I would say if you like to chrono multiple guns, get a Lab Radar. If you are usually only doing one, the Magneto works great.
Has anyone used the accessory mic on the LR for suppressors? That's my only annoyance so far with the unit. It DOES NOT pick up my shots. Yes, I've tried to position the suppressor different ways as suggested on the forum. This alone makes me want to buy a Magnetospeed again.
Yes, I have the microphone. It works fine. There is a learning curve. I use mine for .22 rimfire. The mic has to be, literally, within an inch of bullet path just in front of the muzzle with quiet subsonic ammunition. Be prepared to tinker with the mic and the unit until you figure out the "combination" of muzzle placement, trigger level, etc. If this sort of thing is annoying for you personally, maybe a Magnetospeed is a better choice (I know nothing about the care&feeding of a MS).
I also have the mic. I've not observed having to be so picky with muzzle placement. Then again I'm chronographing a 308 with trash panda, not a 22 rimfire.
I'll have to do some testing with my rimfire suppressor and see what comes from it.
A buddy of mine has had the same experience with his .22. The mic has to be nearly touching the muzzle to get a trigger (trigger level 1, handgun velocity range setting). Once you find the position that works, operation is consistent.
While a lot of people use LRs at my "home range," I've never seen anyone use one with a suppressed .22. Based on the experience my buddy and I have had with unsuppressed, subsonic .22, I'm curious as to how well a LR will work with suppressed .22 and how the mic would have to be placed.
I’m suppressing a 6.5 so hopefully I won’t have to mess with it that much to get a good reading with the mic. Works fine with and without a brake. I shoot almost 100% suppressed so it was frustrating not being able to get a reading at all on a day I set aside to collect some data.
I had the same experience initially when shooting suppressed. I went to collect data and got nothing. After purchasing the mic, I have had good results collecting data both suppressed and unsuppressed.
I will note, I had no issue collecting data without mic on another suppressor. Just another data point.
I’m using an Ultra 7 and it would not pick up a shot period. Might have been different with the Harvester because of the anchor brake. Trigger setting 1 is what I should be using right? I did RTFM and 1 is most sensitive.
My Q trash panda would not get a reading but the Palmetto State Defense one I had I could get readings on. I'll have to check my lab radar but I don't think changed the settings very sensitive after gettting air rifle mic.
Thanks. I’ll mess with it once it comes in. I’ll test the settings with some firing forming rounds.
Sorry, what meant to say is it wouldn’t pick up my Omega without the mic. It will pick up the sniper without the mic though. However when I attach the mic wind noise will trigger the radar.
I'll play with the sensitivity levels later this week when I get the mic and if it's windy.
The magnetto will move your poi
I like the labradar a lot better, nothing on the bbl or the stupid screens down range
I like the labradar a lot better, nothing on the bbl or the stupid screens down range
I officially have a love/hate relationship with the LR. Got the mic in yesterday and tried it out today. While it triggers, it's WAYYY too sensitive. Other shooters are triggering my LR and giving it errors. If I decrease sensitivity it stops triggering even with the can right near the mic.
Looks like load developing will be a two step process for me. Once I get a load down, I'll remove myself from the general population at the 100 yard line and go to 200 or up. People don't shoot there as often.
Looks like load developing will be a two step process for me. Once I get a load down, I'll remove myself from the general population at the 100 yard line and go to 200 or up. People don't shoot there as often.
The more I read the more convinced the magnetospeed is the direction I need to go. Not only is it significantly cheaper it seems to be a whole lot less finicky. Several companies now also make mounting solutions that address some of the concerns I had initially. I do think the radar is a slicker and more attractive solution but IMHO the technology just isn’t there yet, from aiming to mics to fragility, there are reoccurring issues that hopefully will be worked out in a follow up version but since the manufacturer doesn’t seem to have any inclination to release a new and improved unit, I guess that leaves me without much choice. Hopefully mid January.
After considerable research (online) pitting the LR vs the MS, I came to the exact same conclusion. The MS V3 has worked very well for me. I got an MK Machining rail mount for it. Though, I'm not completely convinced it totally eliminates any effect on the POI and grouping. In any case, the MS V3 works flawlessly in terms of recording muzzle velocities.
I think they are both great products with their own pros/cons... just need to choose what fits your situation the best.
I've never had any problems what so ever with my LabRadar...even when there are a bunch of shooters at the range, it doesn't actually register their shots, since it's pointed at my target
The LabRadar is fantastic with and without a brake but I shoot 100% suppressed so it's really finicky and frustrating. Having owned a V3 in the past, it definitely has it's pros. I won't be getting rid of my LR any time soon but I might end up getting a V3 again especially with the advent of the arca type mounts.
I have both a V3 and a LabRadar. Just got a mount for the V3 from MKM which is making it worthwhile to hang on to. That said, if i had to pick one to use solely, it would be still be the LabRadar.
Snuck in a range session before the rain hit in my area this AM. I separated myself from the other shooters and had about 4 benches between myself and the other guy who was shooting an AR10 (308). Only got 5 rounds in before it started to drizzle. I had to put up the LabRadar. Anyway I only received one error when it picked up the sound from the other rifle. I had the can about an inch to the side and back from the mic. Picked up the 5 rounds with no issues.
So about the v3 ms.
How much does the bayonet weigh?
I watch guys doing load development and run entire strings of charges on them.
So poi being off is a given, ok.
But will that also effect group size, how could it not.
Changed from a can adapter to a muzzle brake and thought the brake was bad,
No just had to change my load to get back to group size.
Didn't think the weight would be that dramatic but it was.
Begining to think I might just go ocw and estimate mv, then true it up in app.
Expensive and finicky or cheaper and mess up groups?
Kind of like slim pickins at last call.
How much does the bayonet weigh?
I watch guys doing load development and run entire strings of charges on them.
So poi being off is a given, ok.
But will that also effect group size, how could it not.
Changed from a can adapter to a muzzle brake and thought the brake was bad,
No just had to change my load to get back to group size.
Didn't think the weight would be that dramatic but it was.
Begining to think I might just go ocw and estimate mv, then true it up in app.
Expensive and finicky or cheaper and mess up groups?
Kind of like slim pickins at last call.
Brownell's has the LabRadars at the same $499 as everyone else right now. Code FN3 gives any additional 10% off your entire order and free S&H.
I just picked up a LabRadar, the air gun adapter, and a bullet comparator shipped to my house for $497.
I just picked up a LabRadar, the air gun adapter, and a bullet comparator shipped to my house for $497.
How CLOSE were the other shooters to you? At my local rifle range, I normally have shooters to each side of me, maybe 4 - 6 feet away. How far away do the other shooters need to be for the labradar to function without errors? The targets are even closer together.... maybe two feet between the proximate edges.
One of the guys we shoot with builds an external sensor that just plugs into the 1/8" jack on the LR. On the end of the cable is a small block (1"x3/4"x1/2"), use a small 1/2" piece of Velcro on the side of the chassis. It allows the LR to pickup every shot, suppressed and 22lr because it triggers the LR from the recoil of the rifle. Very slick device. A bunch of us use them.
We have separate benches... maybe 6-10 feet apart? We aren't right on top of each other, and usually the range isn't full.
I think the bigger issue is the separate between targets. If mine picks up another shooters muzzle blast, it will display "could not track projectile". With targets that close, it may actually pick up the other guys bullet...
That's what I figured, and it was one of my main concerns when deciding between LR and MagnetoSpeed. So, I ended up with the MS.
I really wanted to go with the "high tech" approach of LR. But, the more I read about it, the more it seemed I would end up frustrated with it, given the typical situation at my local range.
Here's a pic of my buddy and me at the local range. This is a typical spacing of shooters there.
Same range on the 300-yard line on a particularly busy day. My gun position is the empty one between the two shooters you see here.
Here's a zoomed in pic of the target stands. Sorry it's a bit pixelated at this magnification, but it should give you an idea how the targets are spaced.
The line isn't always that crowded. But, I'm curious.... from what you see here... LabRadar going to work consistently? Honest question. How challenging would it be to align the LR with my target in this situation? Even if I could get it aligned, would the LR be picking up the other shooters' shots? I'd hate to drop $500+ on a LR set-up only to have it not work here. My choice of outdoor range within reasonable driving distance is this one... or this one.
In other words... just this one. Thanks for your comments! I'm a new member here... enjoying this forum quite a bit!
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The LR is useless at my range. The wooden benches are separated by a plywood wall and the next guy's muzzle is about 3-4 ft away depending how you're positioned. A high percentage of the time a neighbor's shot will trigger my LR but won't pick up the speed because it's not aimed at the other target. This is where the MS shines for pure data collection. Yes I know POI can shift with the MS but for pure data (velocity) collection the MS wins.
If I want to chronograph I have to remove myself from that range and go down to the 300 yard section where hardly anyone is there.
Photo I grabbed online of my range at the 100 yard line..
If I want to chronograph I have to remove myself from that range and go down to the 300 yard section where hardly anyone is there.
Photo I grabbed online of my range at the 100 yard line..
I shoot at a similar range only it has concrete benches and no barriers between benches, I set the labradar sensitivity to 3 and it works fine.
Sometimes it will pickup an erroneous blast but for the most part it works.
The sensor is inside of the little block. It senses the recoil of the rifle when the shot is fired and it triggers the LR to pickup the bullet. Similar to the microphone but no false reading from other people shooting. The sensor is probably some sort of accelerometer I would imagine. I just know that a bunch of us use them and they work very well.
If this is ever produced for sale put me down for one. I'd buy one.
We've told him that he needs to sell them but he didn't seem to interested in pursuing that. Maybe if enough people wanted them he'd be motivated to build more. They are a slick little doodad. Much more reliable than using sound.
Well I just updated mine to allow bluetooth, which I wanted to wait until all the bugs are out of it.
What should I expect this weekend using a iphone?
really need to get some good data on my new BRA.
What should I expect this weekend using a iphone?
really need to get some good data on my new BRA.
Just update to the latest firmware and you should be good to go. There's nothing to turn on in the LabRadar settings.
just download the latest firmware files and unzip the, on the SD card and turn on the labradar and thats it.
