Range Report Magnetospeed question

Matt15598

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Minuteman
Jan 29, 2018
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Buffalo NY
Can anyone tell me the actual difference between the V3 and the sporter? I have a standard chronology but was hoping to upgrade to something that might be more accurate and easy to use. I don't want to spend a ton of money for features that I won't use. Primarily using it on a rem varmint contour bbl. And an .875 diameter ar.
 
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If youre only ever going to use it for barrels under 1" theres not much to be gained by the v3. That said the v3 will allow you to remember multiple strings of data, the sporter only shows the current string, the record data for another rifle separately you have to delete the first.

That said the xfr adaptor makes it possible link a sporter to yuor phone and it looks much nicer than the sporters sparse screen.
I take the sd card out of the v3 and can put it into the computer and run graphs etc on the data in excel, the sporter you would have to enter that crap in manually. The v3 is just over all a more convenient product. but its 2x the price.
 
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The V3 has stainless steel blast shield on the bayonet. The strap system is beefier. The V3 unit has more capability in it's menu and has a better built housing.

I have the sporter. I am definitely disappointed in the apparent sturdiness and build quality for the price. But, it works. It does everything I want it to do. The housing of the electronics is held together with rubber bands, but it is still working.
 
The electronics are also much faster on the V3. The Sporter needs a lot more time (10 seconds?) between shots before it is ready to record the next round. I've never timed how long is needed but I have missed capturing data because I fired before the Sporter was ready.
 
I have the sporter and its perfect for my needs = load workup and simple verification of muzzle velocity

I use the XFR cable and app = THIS MAKES IT MUCH NICER TO USE

I screen shot info out of the app and Save it in folders on my phone

Lastly, and a big deal to me ........after hearing rumors I can confirm that the sporter WILL WORK on a suppressor of you run no spacer on bayonet
 

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I have the sporter and its perfect for my needs = load workup and simple verification of muzzle velocity

I use the XFR cable and app = THIS MAKES IT MUCH NICER TO USE

I screen shot info out of the app and Save it in folders on my phone

Lastly, and a big deal to me ........after hearing rumors I can confirm that the sporter WILL WORK on a suppressor of you run no spacer on bayonet


I have a 3 .1" muzzle brake....will that sporter work?
 
I bought a sporter, took it out for a range session (I also bought the XFR) and promptly returned it to the store and bought the V3. Its just so much better in so many ways and much more user friendly all around.

You can always buy the one the fits the budget now, and upgrade it bit by bit later. You can also buy all the components off Magnetospeeds website and mix and match parts, which I had considered at first. I thought about buying the sporter bayonet and the V3 brain, but ultimately decided to just buy the whole thing in one shot. Im glad I did.
 
Don't want to derail from the main topic, but have you considered a LabRadar? Not that much more at all AND you won't mess up live-testing by having something attached to your barrel.

Carry on!
 
Don't want to derail from the main topic, but have you considered a LabRadar?

JMHO,
While I know there are some diehard fans on both sides of the “best chrono” debate, each system has its positive and negative aspects so it depends on where, when and how you use them. I have both the V3 and the Lab but I find the V3 is much easier to haul around and the Magnetospeed is basically a single purchase for all you need. With the Lab, purchasing the unit is just the start. If you want a case to carry it in, a tripod to hold it up, and an extra battery for a prolonged session, these things are all extra. Sometimes I use the V3 and other times I use the Lab. They both give accurate results so it just comes down to individual preferences for the most part.
 
JMHO,
While I know there are some diehard fans on both sides of the “best chrono” debate, each system has its positive and negative aspects so it depends on where, when and how you use them. I have both the V3 and the Lab but I find the V3 is much easier to haul around and the Magnetospeed is basically a single purchase for all you need. With the Lab, purchasing the unit is just the start. If you want a case to carry it in, a tripod to hold it up, and an extra battery for a prolonged session, these things are all extra. Sometimes I use the V3 and other times I use the Lab. They both give accurate results so it just comes down to individual preferences for the most part.

I totally agree there. If I just want to know velocity I will grab my V3. If I am group testing, the LabRadar is coming along. The amount of money and time saved in not having to load double the ammunition in order to test both velocity and effective group size will quickly pay for itself with the LabRadar.

Like you said though, there is a lot of extra cost associated with the LabRadar setup though. Without something strapped to the barrel you can really knock a OCW/grouping test out quick!

If someone could only afford one of them, one might almost consider the V3 to be a "factory ammo shooter's" choice. Not like they can do anything about the results anyhow, except switch to a different manufacturer.
 
Sporter has served me well so far, MTU barrel and heavy sporter. The strap and screw knob work great on the MTU but I find I need some tape on the sporter profile barrels to assure consistent positioning. I always use a data book on each rifle so shot storage is not an issue. I find it much easier to access data from a log book vs a digital display. I wish I could afford a LabRadar or find someone to split the cost with!
 
I bought a sporter, took it out for a range session (I also bought the XFR) and promptly returned it to the store and bought the V3. Its just so much better in so many ways and much more user friendly all around.

You can always buy the one the fits the budget now, and upgrade it bit by bit later. You can also buy all the components off Magnetospeeds website and mix and match parts, which I had considered at first. I thought about buying the sporter bayonet and the V3 brain, but ultimately decided to just buy the whole thing in one shot. Im glad I did.

Magnetospeed has an upgrade program, as well.

I totally agree there. If I just want to know velocity I will grab my V3. If I am group testing, the LabRadar is coming along. The amount of money and time saved in not having to load double the ammunition in order to test both velocity and effective group size will quickly pay for itself with the LabRadar.

Like you said though, there is a lot of extra cost associated with the LabRadar setup though. Without something strapped to the barrel you can really knock a OCW/grouping test out quick!

If someone could only afford one of them, one might almost consider the V3 to be a "factory ammo shooter's" choice. Not like they can do anything about the results anyhow, except switch to a different manufacturer.

It depends on how you do load development. I'm doing development for SD and ES before anything else, so I do 90% of my LD with the Magnetospeed attached. Once I find a charge weight with a low SD and ES, then I worry about groups on paper, and only tweak seating depth if needed. For the way I do load development, the LabRadar doesn't really gain me anything.
 
I used the V3 alot in a week long class and loved it. I bought a Sporter, because i am a cheap bastard, and for what I do it works just fine. I have never noticed a different in the speed of the electronics and have never had it miss a speed due to rate of fire with a bolt gun. The V3 is a little more user friendly with the three buttons and multiple string but for load development at my house the sporter works great. I have very little if any POI shifts with it on or off.