RCBS Chargemaster or Chargemaster Lite?

[Johnson184]

Trying to decide if I want another Chargemaster. I found one available in new condition for $260... but is the Lite version better?

 

[Bacarrat]

I have both. The CM1500 is reprogrammed and runs way faster then the Lite. The Lite is faster to read the drop but is way slower to final trickle in. Both are accurate enough for me as most of my loads are under 5FPS in SD.

 

[Johnson184]

So no real difference in performance? Saw a quick video on youtube where it showed both of them finishing at almost the same time on weighing charges.

 

[Sendit6.5]

I can't tell you which one is better, although I'd lean towards the 1500 rather than the Lite model. But I did want to interject that I've been having some issues with my CM1500s and after borrowing a Lyman Gen 6 while my CM was off for replacement, I found the Lyman threw WAY more accurately and consistently (checked on my Gempro250) than my CM - even the brand new replacement unit RCBS sent me. When I can afford to add a second unit to my bench, I'm going to add a Lyman instead of a CM. Just figured I'd throw it out there.


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[Downtown]

This caught my attention. I was about to purchase my first Chargemaster, after years of manually throwing charges. I never gave a thought to other options in that price range, as I just assumed the Chargemaster was the standard. I guess it's time for more research. Thank you.

 

[parshal]

I have had the 1500 for quite some time and have played with the settings to get it to drop faster. The online video I watched shows the Lite nearly as fast as a 'tuned' 1500. It would be nice to have one that fast without monkeying with the settings. If I were buying one now I'd look at the Lite model for the smaller footprint. However, I've been using my 1500 at the range and like the wind cover since it's nearly always windy where I shoot. I see the Lite model doesn't have a windscreen.

 

[GhengisAhn175]

They both should perform the same. This has been addressed several times in the forums.

basically the CM has a load cell that has a wider range (part of higher cost) as well as overall features. The lite has a small
window for measurements (part of cost reduction) as well as the apparent features missing from the CM.

Both will read out fine for the reloaders purpose

 

[Sig Marine]

This caught my attention. I was about to purchase my first Chargemaster, after years of manually throwing charges. I never gave a thought to other options in that price range, as I just assumed the Chargemaster was the standard. I guess it's time for more research. Thank you.

I've had the opportunity over the last month or so, to see the performance of 5 different Chargemaster 1500's and the ammunition loaded by 5 "new" reloaders. All of them have ESs under 20 and SDs under 10. The ONLY modifications to each of the 1500's were the instillation of the David Moore's brass sleeve and insert, i.e. no program modifications. Re-programming might speed things up but at the risk of overthrows, especially if using David's inserts.