Ok, help me out on this subject gentleman. Looking to purchase my first after using them just a little bit on loan from others, but really don't know much about them beyond that. I've been a long time reloader and definitely see the value now of having one, but I'm not entirely sure where to start. I searched the site and found one thread a year ago with just a couple of posts recommending the F1, RCBS Ammomaster, Caldwell, and Competition Electronics - but not a lot on the site beyond that. So figured I'd start a new thread to see if y'all can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!
Eric
Hello Eric, I bought the CHRONY F1 Master with the remote display which uses a 20' telephone cord to connect to the unit.
This allows me to have the display next to me as I place shots over the sensors down range. The unit can be sensitive to muzzle blast if you are too close to the sensors, inside 8'. This is why you need the unit about 10' to 15' ahead of the muzzle.
I picked mine up on sale for $79 from MidwayUSA. Later I built a momentary switch on a 1/8" stereo jack to access all of the functions of the display. CHRONY does offer a wired switch and a small printer unit at an extra cost.
The unit does need good light and battery for best readings as it sees the bullet as a shadow that starts and stops the timing sequences.
This is my unit with expendable sky screens using bamboo skewers and plastic water jug diffusers mounted on a repurposed ironing board free from the curb.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0568.jpg)
This is the function switch I made with parts from Radio Shack the top one is soldered and finished.
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0009.jpg)
F1 Shooting Chrony
Here's the deal.. You can buy an F1 Shooting Chrony for only $79 on sale but to "access" all the cool features like Hi, Lo, Average Dev, Standard Dev, extreme spread, etc you need to buy a "remote" or printer that plugs into the "FU" jack.. I thought it was funny that they called it an "F-U" jack since it's such a simple device to exponentially increase the usability of the device - FU obviously means "function"
On a 1/8 inch stereo headphone jack there are three poles - the tip, the middle, and the "base". Even though it is a two pole connection, the Chrony uses the middle and base connections on the plug. All you need to do is solder a length of speaker wire to the above mentioned poles of the plug and put a momentary contact switch at the other end!
Please note that the "tip" connection on the jack's plug is NOT used. I'm hoping that sharing this information will nudge few of my fellow loaders into plunking down for a Chrony now that all of the features can be accessed without purchasing expensive "Extras".
Radio Shack parts
SPST 0.5-Amp Momentary Switch (2-Pack)
Model: 275-1571 | Catalog #: 275-1571
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062546&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032230 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062546&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032230)
1/8" / 3.5mm Stereo Phone Plug (2-Pack)
Model: 274-284 | Catalog #: 274-284
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104061&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032231 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104061&znt_campaign=Category_CMS&znt_source=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032231)
Switch in the Function jack of the remote display
http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0011.jpg
I also have a piece of cold roll steel plate that I lay on the front to protect the unit from a low shot
(http://i1086.photobucket.com/albums/j441/_The_Shadow/IMG_0383.jpg)
The ironing provides a fst to setup, stable platform, adjust to different heights, lays flat to transport, setup.
Is it the best maybe not but it works! ;D
Maybe I just suck...But I found it was WHEN i shot my Chronograph, not if. Couldn't believe it when it happened.
Here is how it goes. Under ideal range conditions, all is fine. Then, one day you are out in the desert just plinking, and you stumble into a box in the ammo bag of loads you meant to test, but haven't. You have your Chrony too, but not a good stable shooting platform, or a good place to put the chronograph. So, you improvise, with some rocks, etc. And for extra measure you put a hole in your chrony.
Mine still works fine. I just grazed it. But, having a dedicated rig like the Shadow stops you from doing dumb stuff like using rocks and twigs to support the gun and chrony.
QuoteHere's the deal.. You can buy an F1 Shooting Chrony for only $79 on sale but to "access" all the cool features like Hi, Lo, Average Dev, Standard Dev, extreme spread, etc you need to buy a "remote" or printer that plugs into the "FU" jack.. I thought it was funny that they called it an "F-U" jack since it's such a simple device to exponentially increase the usability of the device - FU obviously means "function"
On a 1/8 inch stereo headphone jack there are three poles - the tip, the middle, and the "base". Even though it is a two pole connection, the Chrony uses the middle and base connections on the plug. All you need to do is solder a length of speaker wire to the above mentioned poles of the plug and put a momentary contact switch at the other end!
Please note that the "tip" connection on the jack's plug is NOT used. I'm hoping that sharing this information will nudge few of my fellow loaders into plunking down for a Chrony now that all of the features can be accessed without purchasing expensive "Extras".
The FU jack? Thanks for the good chuckle, I surely needed that the way this day is going! Thanks also for your suggestions on the DIY remote. I enjoy a little electronics tinkering myself, so that's something that's certainly of interest to me. Any opinions on the ProChrono Digital by Competition Electronics? I've had a few friends recommend that one as well, but again don't have enough of a knowledge on the subject to do much by way of comparison. I mean what is it really that I should be looking for at chronographs of comparable price, or are there not really that many differences anyway?
I've been using the ProChrono Digital. No issues with it to date. I use it with a netbook I had laying around. Makes operation and recording/saving data much easier.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y216/habs21/000303ac-aca0-4cbe-870b-97906f25dc31_zpslfyh0ipz.jpg) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/habs21/media/000303ac-aca0-4cbe-870b-97906f25dc31_zpslfyh0ipz.jpg.html)
This video is a little long but it gives you an idea of how to use it with the computer.
Its not available yet, and I'm not going to be first, but this thing re-invents the wheel. If it will work as advertised, I'm interested.
http://mylabradar.com/ (http://mylabradar.com/)
Greg
Quote from: Geeman on March 05 2015 04:35:29 AM MST
Its not available yet, and I'm not going to be first, but this thing re-invents the wheel. If it will work as advertised, I'm interested.
http://mylabradar.com/ (http://mylabradar.com/)
Greg
WOW! Interested!!
Would hate to put a round through that. Not like I've ever shot...
close... to mine before or anything. ;) :)) :o
I just bought the ProChrono Digital and the USB adapter for PC remote, but haven't gotten a chance to use it yet... Amazon Prime shipping on it made my decision for me! Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get a chance to test it out.
Well I think I've narrowed it down to the ProChrono Digital and Competition Electronics F1 after these and several other recommendations. Any reason you'd opt for one over the other if the prices are comparable?
Very timely as I am looking in to getting a chrony