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Ballistic chronograph.

Danger Mouse

Danger Mouse

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Has anyone used one of the cheap chronos from Ali? Similar to the pics (below).
I would like one, but it needs to work indoors under artificial light (Neon, Halogen, etc? I have no idea what lighting is in our range but it's a modern indoor facility).
Plus, of course, it needs to be capable of 'seeing' a .177 pellet passing through.
Or...make a recommendation (but must not be too dear, as that will start the wifely 'grumble meter').
Thanks.
Chrono2.webp

Chrono1.webp
 
Loads of people have the top one and they work well in most light conditions ... worth clamping a bit of pipe in the v block to stop you shooting the LEDs :

20230124_115128.webp

Can't comment on the bottom unit as not seen one, but similar operation to the top I assume with LEDs in the upper section ?
 
If lighting is a concern then I would risk the ‘Wifey Grumble Meter’ and by an FX v2 chrono as they are not light fussy because they work on radar.
 
They are OK. If you muzzle mount firmly using the bits supplied there is no risk of damaging the opto bits.
 
they seem incredibly cheap on Ali, it would be interesting to see them compared the readings from something like an FX which i have and its working really well
 
I bought the lower one, works fine and reads same as my old ced millenium. Only reads fps or metres/sec, doesn't do strings or averages (unless I'm using it wrong).
 
I've had one of those in the top image for a few years, mainly because it was about a tenner.😆 I seldom use it but whenever I have it has been there and thereabouts with my LMBR & Skan. It only reads in m/s but the later ones may do FPS too?

They are fine for ensuring legality but for tuning you'd want something at a different price point.
 
There's been a few of these reviewed - if they work & are accurate (depending on the one you get) they can be great.
But no support, no warranty, possible dud etc....

If you can up your budget to ~100 GBP you can get much more accurate & reliable units.
If you cant go above 50GBP - then find a seller that others from here have purchased from & cross your fingies
 
Hobhead said:
I bought the lower one, works fine and reads same as my old ced millenium. Only reads fps or metres/sec, doesn't do strings or averages (unless I'm using it wrong).
Click to expand...
It does store multiple readings-I've never tried more than15 or so tho'.
 
I have the top one, and it very closely matches my Chrony F1 and Caldwell Precision for accuracy. It contains its own light source (IR), so is not affected by ambient lighting.
 
Hobhead said:
Interesting, pray tell how?
Click to expand...
I set up for fps and shoot a full mag. There aren't many buttons to choose from. The instructions are somewhere I know not!
But as I remember it, you long press one of the buttons, and #1 comes up with the first reading. Then short presses get you to reading 2,3, etc. I could never figure out how to get back to the start, so having got the string data, I'd long press the OFF button then simply restart. I f I find the instructions, I'll send a PM.
 
I bought this one...
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007780459294.html
I like that I don't have to shoot through a hole (because I'd be sure to shoot an LED or two).
It will do what I want....give me a fps reading for 'x' pellet or 'y' pellet and I can play with the 9015 power to see what fps works best for what pellet.
So far I'm finding that my rifle likes H&N Match (best), H&N FTT, and then QYS Domed.

Chrono3.webp
 
Needed a replacement for my LMBR R2A which sadly has no service support either in the UK or Poland, the lower pic version should be here soon. wsvc_92 (seller) claim recordings of 40 velocity & kinetic energy data, awaits to be seen.
 
On the subject of BC's has anyone had issues with the LMBR R2A, buying one and obtaining replacement parts?
My R2A requires a replacement base circuit board, forward row of IR LED's damaged, seems the only option is to
do a component level repair, IR LED identifiers?
 
Target Popper said:
On the subject of BC's has anyone had issues with the LMBR R2A, buying one and obtaining replacement parts?
My R2A requires a replacement base circuit board, forward row of IR LED's damaged, seems the only option is to
do a component level repair, IR LED identifiers?
Click to expand...
Exactly why I made my own chrono. I read an article where one fool shot 3(expensive) chronos in one day.
With the best will in the world, everyone takes a short cut or makes a mistake and shoots the LEDs or opto sensor. I've shot mine at least 3 times now and repaired it each time. Unfortunately, LEDs have a (nearly) matching sensor at an overlapping wavelength. So any old replacement, even if it fits, might not work. And that assumes you'll get it the right way round!
The LEDS may be in series or parallel so may need to be fitted in alternate directions. So you need information from someone familiar with the insides of this beast.
My cheap chinese job that I use day to day has always been firmly fixed to a muzzle, so no probs with that.
 
Thank you the informative reply colinb, please to know I am not the only one massacring chrono's!
IR LED's. Assumed they would be selected to matched wavelengths, so without a component identifier
the selection requires an IR wavelength spectrum analyser or suck it & see method. I have enquired to
RS components to see whether or not they could be sent a working sample to identify the component
characteristics and then advise a similar stock replacement. More of this if you are interested?
 
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