Lab Radar Chrony

[Geeman]

Geeman have you tested your labradar using any rifles with muzzle devices on them?  I've done some testing with mine. So far, it has worked with pistols and rifles but I am having problems with my AR pistol that has a flash hider on it. I am getting the low readings like you experienced in one string you posted.

I have fired with a 416 Rigby in an Encore pistol that has a brake on it, and it read it without a problem.  If you have a brake, try moving the muzzle 6-12 inches ahead of the Labradar.

There are three velocity ranges that they call arrow (66-738fps), pistol (246-1722fps), and rifle (982-3900fps).  If you are in the wrong range you will get bad readings or errors.  If you have a small caliber pushing small slugs at 4000+ fps , LabRadar won't work.

The final thing I heard about issues was bullet related.  The radar needs a flat bullet base to reflect the microwaves back to the unit.  Concave bases don't work well and give bad readings.  Some FMJ bullets have bullet bases shaped like this and I've heard they cause issues.

Greg

[Geeman]

Who knows what the future holds for these units, as they maybe even more compact and efficient. 

Oh yes.  This is Gen 1 as far as consumer units, and it would seem certain technology will improve.  Could it be built onto a rifle scope in the future?  This unit is ok as far as ease of use, but you had better have the manual present for the first range trips.  I'm sure there will be improvements.

Greg

[Geeman]

I've had this for awhile now, and I'm a believer. 

The unit sets off to the side, I usually set it a foot off the side of the barrel.  I can set it up on a hot range, nothing goes down range.  Nothing to shoot accidentally.  Early on, I experienced some difficulty with alignment of the unit, but half a MickieDee soda straw sitting in a v-notch makes the perfect peep sight.  Now its first time every time.  It is super quick to get up and running.

I've run it with high velocity .204 rounds, up to 416 Rigby.  It does all centerfire in my use without issues.  Changing strings is a snap.  You can delete a shot in real time, or later when you are digesting the data.  One word of warning, when you delete it, its gone.  No changing your mind.

Speed wise I think the time between shots may need to be slightly longer than a unit like an F1, but I believe its simply write time and calculating velocities back to the barrel.  There is a lot of data recorded for each and every shot.  There is enough that to get the full measure, you need to use an SD card.  A second or so seems to be enough time between shots, but I haven't pressed that limit.

The SD card can be removed from the unit and popped into the computer and data can be opened in excel format.  If there is anything questionable about a shot, it is possible to drill down and examine the data as the projectile proceeds down range, complete with signal to noise ratio.  Don't like the shot data, delete that shot in the unit and it recalculates the statistical information.  It is a geek's paradise.

I find myself using it every time out.  Its just so easy to get it set up.  I rarely set up a conventional chrony because the set-up/take-down hassle with the wires and alignment issues.  Change the target with the old way, the screen alignment also had to be modified, and the range had to go cold to accomplish that.  That operation with the LabRadar takes about two seconds and is done without bother to fellow shooters.

The problems I've heard of are picking up .223 FMJ ammo because there isn't a flat surface to reflect the radar back, and the power requirements make short use of the AA batteries needed for the unit.  I usually use a small car jump pack to power with a USB cable, which works like a charm.  I still have the original set of batteries and they are still good to go.

The last problem is a problem.  As it ships, the unit won't trigger without a measure of muzzle blast.  Standard velocity .22LR fired out of 1 16-1/4" barrel won't trigger it.  A pellet gun won't trigger it.  If you want to read those projectiles, its best to get a microphone attachment which is supposed to make the unit function, even with an arrow.  I don't have that yet, but plan on ordering it.

I'm certainly am the happy customer so far.

Greg

[Azrckcrawler]

Thanks for posting up the info.  My Lab Radar arrived last week and I took it out twice this last weekend. Can't be said enough, this thing chews thru batteries!  Haven't seen it mentioned but if you have RC vehicle lipo batteries lying around you can pick up a Lipo to USB adapter for under $20 on ebay and power the unit that way.  My small 3S 1800MAH lipo ran the unit for about 45 minutes.  I have a pair of hardcase 2S 5200mah lipos on the way (roughly $40 on ebay).  Cell count doesn't matter as the adapter drops the voltage to 5V so go for capacity if you go this route.  My goal is to get 3 hours of testing in the field.  That would get me from sunup to about 9am when the temps get close to 100 in the desert.

[Intercooler]

I think I will just stick with my F1. Same 9v battery for over a year now and still going! Only misses a shot if no clouds and failure to put the sky screens on. Takes about 10 minutes to totally set it up!

[Azrckcrawler]

Thanks for posting up the info.  My Lab Radar arrived last week and I took it out twice this last weekend. Can't be said enough, this thing chews thru batteries!  Haven't seen it mentioned but if you have RC vehicle lipo batteries lying around you can pick up a Lipo to USB adapter for under $20 on ebay and power the unit that way.  My small 3S 1800MAH lipo ran the unit for about 45 minutes.  I have a pair of hardcase 2S 5200mah lipos on the way (roughly $40 on ebay).  Cell count doesn't matter as the adapter drops the voltage to 5V so go for capacity if you go this route.  My goal is to get 3 hours of testing in the field.  That would get me from sunup to about 9am when the temps get close to 100 in the desert.

I've been using the Duracell rechargeables, 2500mAh. I think since I last charged them I have had it on and running for about 5-6 hours now.

My short runtime may have not been battery related.  Took the chrono out this morning and about 5 min in it just shut off. I could get it to come back on and would arm it only to have it fail to read the first shot, then a long pause on the second shot followed by a shutdown.  Did this with several of the battery packs I brought along.  I started messing with the settings and finally discovered that if I lowered the arm time to 20 seconds it functioned perfectly.  I had the arm time set up around 200 seconds figuring that gave me plenty of time to get thru a string. Wondering if this was too much draw on the batteries making the unit think they were getting low so it would save the file and shutdown?