Re: Thoughts/Opinions on Chronographs
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JimGnitecki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's just my opinion, and my specific circumstances, but for me, the Pro Chrono Digital might not be a good solution, despite its small, handy size and low price. here's why:
This unit consists of one small piece, about 4" x 4" x 16" long, that mounts on a bench or camera tripod, and the diffuser screens simply "plug" into holes in the unit. Very nice. $120 plsu shippnig so far.
But, the unit does NOT include a printer. That's optional, costs $150, and is a thermal type printer, so sues VERY expensive thermal paper, that also fades very quickly. Not so good.
The unit also does not include a remote control. That's an extra $90. That's really an essential at virtually any public range, as you are not allowed to step across the firing line each time you want to end a string, review data, remove an indivudal shot, etc.
So, now we are at $360 and we still have a thermal printer.
But, here's the factor that, I think, eliminates it for me as a solution: The rnage I shoot at calls a "cease fire" only about once every 90 to 120 minutes. At each such "cease fire", a rnage employee goes out on the 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 yard ranges on a utility vehicle and changes, repairs, resets all the targets. So, an individual shooter's access to a chronograph without remote would be limited to once every 90 to 120 minutes. That makes the unit virtually unsuable without the remote, as the box needs to be at least 15 feet from the firing line to prevent muzzle blast from creating problems, and that's too far to see the display from. There is also no way to stop and review one string and start another, from the firing line, without that remote.
Finally, this unit has the same problem as the Chrony: If your setup is off, you can shoot the unit itself and destroy it. This problem applies even WITH the remote.
The Oehler unit puts ONLY the skyscreens in danger. The unit itself is right by your side. No "remote" is needed, and you have access to all string and review funcitons all the time. The printer is built-in. And, the printer is NOT a thermal paper unit. It uses real, normal paper. For me, this is the only solution that would work at the range I shoot at.
My only gripe (beyond the obvious one - price) is that it takes literally a rifle-sized case to house everything that the Oehler comes with and needs to function. It uses a 4 foot rail versus the short setups the other chronographs have, so that it can have TWO measurements ( a "proof channel" capability) to eliminate bad readings. That also enables it to be configured to do two separate readings on one bulelt, at 2 different points, to determine Cd. It needs cables to connect the unit to the skyscreens, and it needs TWO cable sets since it uses 2 channels. A rifle-sized case is BIG, and I'm not sure I want to deal with that.
If I had a vehicle with a large trunk (I do not), and plenty of storage room at home (I do not), it would be a no-brainer for me to get the Oehler at some point when the money outlay would not be a burden. But, given my concerns about the sheer size of the unit, I'm not ready to do it. I keep hoping for a better solution, but since one has not appeared in several years, I may have to figure out how to accommodate that Oehler rifle case if I want my own chronograph.
I've seriosuly considered just paying someone else who HAS a chronogrpah to chrono my laods for me from time to time, but I suspect that finding someone who both has a chronograph AND is at the rnage right when I want to test some loads, might be less than easy.
I guess I should try to figure out how to get that Oehler package into a smaller storage footprint somehow. That probably means buying one sometime and THEN figuring how to get it into a smaller box.
Jim G </div></div>
Unfortunately I've had 2 Chrony's and the Pro chrono.
Total waist of money in initial investment, expended components and time trying to make heads or tales of inconsistent data, if you even get any data IMO. I wish I had bought the 35P to begin with a lomg time ago. It's worth every penny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ever since I bought a 35P the dope on my rifles correlates with the ballistic program and reality.
Mine came in a plastic rifle case. You don't have room for that? Buy one, you'll be so glad you did!
