I have new Chrony Beta Master. Tried to use it once. Got some readings, but mostly errors. I think it is the fact that the light isn't "right" in my indoor range environment.
It is pretty dark and I am sanding 8 ft back at most, because I can't place it too far from the booth.
Question 1 - anyone have the LED light setup; does it work well (reviews where good on Midway USA for this piece)
Question 2 - is this all worth it. I am going to have over $300 in this pretty quickly here. Wondering if it will all work out
Got the Chrony because I had Cabela points mostly.
Are you using the diffusers when you test?
I have the indoor light set up for my Chrony and it works fine.
I bought it a lot of years ago and haven't used it enough to make it worth the cost. My indoor range was really too busy a lot of the time to use it.
Out doors is the way to go for me any way.
A couple of things you need to do or can do:
- High muzzle blast you need distance to prevent error readings. At least 10' away from the unit at a minimum.
- You can paint the bullets black with a marker to see if that improves the readings.
- Possibly add some light to the area above the Chrony without spending a bunch of money.
Do you find the errors are worse when shooting something with muzzle blast? I set up with a .22LR pistol and use it as a control. If you find it's blast related you may have to make something up to shoot through with an opening.
yes was using diffusers. What is minimum distance you need to be back to avoid muzzle blast. 10 feet or is it less?
Living in a metro area (chicago) makes outdoor ranges hard since I don't know of any that aren't far away.
There is an old shotgun only (Clays) field in a nearby state park but no pistol allowed. Houses are now to close for pistol anyway. Most of old ranges are now shotgun only.
I do not know what the light is like in your indoor range, but I was never able to get any correct readings without the light setup indoors with my chrony.
The minimum distance for I use is 8', but with higher muzzle blast, I get back 10' for 10mm/357/44 and back to 15' most centerfire rifles.
There is a whole section about using the artificial lighting for indoor use, the bullet is seen as a shadow passing over the sensors to start and stop timing circuits. Some fluorescent and incandescent lighting will strobe at the 60hz of the AC electric source current. Having a steady source like an IR and LED can help out.
I have the CHRONY F1 Master, with the separate readout unit on 20' of cable. I built a switch to take advantage of the other data.
The switch is a 3.5mm RCA stereo jack and a momentary push button switch, that is normally open (NO) this is connected across the common and the middle connectors and the Tip has NO Connection.
Radio Shack parts
SPST 0.5-Amp Momentary Switch (2-Pack)
Model: 275-1571 | Catalog #: 275-1571
1/8" / 3.5mm Stereo Phone Plug (2-Pack)
Model: 274-284 | Catalog #: 274-284
This is what the switch and plug looks like put together at the top, the bottom is the extra switch and plug before.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0009.jpg)
Here is the unit with the switch in the function port...
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0011.jpg)
Retrieve Information: Anytime you wish, you may view the data you have produced. To do this, simply press the button, identify the information you are about to receive, release button and read the information. Repeat this process for each piece if information shown below:
Press Button Release Button
Sn String number
Lo Lowest velocity
Hi Highest velocity
Av Average velocity
ES Extreme Spread or Hi velocity minus Lo velocity
Sd Standard Deviation
To Total number of shots recorded since Chrony was turned on
10 Velocity of 10th shot
9 Velocity of 9th shot
Repeat process to view each subsequent shot
Here is the unit mounted on an repurposed (free to the curb ironing board) adjustable height folds flat to 1 1/2" about 5 1/2" with the unit mounted to it. The rods have been replaced with bamboo skewers, and gallon water jug strips as diffusers, all disposable stuff in the event they get struck.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0567.jpg)
With the remote display I lay a piece of 3/16ths" plate in front for protection.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0383.jpg)
Added pictures of the CHRONY Setup as mounted. :D
I love your setup.
Really need to find cheaper solution. I project chrony will be over 400 with light kit, software, battery etc.
Looking at Caldwell premium kit for 150. Anyone have this? Kinda seems fresh off the presses to me.
Quote from: sstewart on March 22 2014 11:35:42 PM MDT
Question 2 - is this all worth it. I am going to have over $300 in this pretty quickly here. Wondering if it will all work out
You're asking the right question.
IMHO, no, it's not worth that cost at all. Look at the Competition Electronics units. Mine is the $100-ish Pro-Chrono Digital, but they make some higher $$ versions too. Mine works 100 times better than my Shooting Chrony ever did; I'll personally never buy another Shooting Chrony, now that I've used a more modern setup. The Shooting Chrony brand is pretty finicky about light, and generally temperamental, not to mention the buttons that don't make much sense. Seems like 1980's technology at best?
The Pro-Chrono I have also works with arrows and shotshells.
Yes I like the competition electronics stuff on paper. Still looks like $250 when I am done. (better than 400+)
I like the idea of plugging in my iphone to the caldwell chrono to capture shot data. I really like the price with light kit.
I returned my beta master chrony to Cabelas today. Don't know my next move yet.