MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SHOOTING CHRONY BETA MODEL CHRONOGRAPH
SELECTION DECISION
I based my decision to buy the Shooting Chrony on price, features, portability, popularity, and did I mention price again?
ADVANTAGES
- Price: I found the Beta Model to be widely available. It lists for $99 and it is discounted by many mail order firms.
- Features: The Beta model can store 60 shots in non-volatile (permanent) memory. I find this a convenient feature because I can avoid the need to record by hand every chronographed shot.
- Portability: The Shooting Chrony Chronographs are very portable. It folds up into a small lightweight box. It can be mounted on a camera tripod.
- Popularity: Shooting Chronograph claims to have built more chronographs than any other manufacturer. This could be an advantage over less popular brands (i.e. parts availability in the future).
DISADVANTAGES
- Shooting over an all-in-one unit has its obvious disadvantages. One could argue that if you can’t keep your bullets in a 5 inch circle at point blank range, then some non-chronograph shooting practice might be necessary. The danger of destroying the diffuser/sensor assembly exists with all brands of chronographs, although the replacement cost of this item should be less than shot-up electronics.
- It can be difficult to read the display at a distance. I find that under the lighting conditions that chronographs prefer, I can still read the display up to 15 feet away (may have to squint a bit).
- In addition, if you need to change shot strings or clear memories, operating the front panel switches could be very inconvenient on a formal range. There is however a remote control option which eliminates the need to operate the chronograph from the front panel. The chrony will continue to display each subsequent shot after a shot string has been filled.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOOTING CHRONY BETA MODEL
The metal housing measures 3 7/8″ wide by 2 1/2″ high by 14 1/2″ long (7 1/2″ long folded up). It contains a 9 volt battery rated at 24 hours of continuous use. The LCD display consists of 4 digits (1/2″ tall) and the unit can measure between 30.0 fps to 5000 fps (.1 fps resolution on velocities up to 999.9 fps).
There are two buttons on the front panel. This model can store 60 shots in EEPROM (nonvolatile memory) as 6 strings of 10 shots. I have reconfigured this to a more convenient 10 strings of 6 shots (for 5 shot rifle and 6 shot revolver groups).
The left button on the front panel reviews the individual shot velocities in a shot string along with the associated statistics (Low, High, Avg,. Spread, and Std. Dev.). The right button selects which shot string is to be displayed or to be used for storing shots.
The left button also controls the advanced functions and reconfiguration commands. These are invoked by holding down the button for several seconds until a cryptic sub menu appears and begins to flash on the display. Other somewhat non intuitive sequences are required at this point to proceed with the reconfiguration. If you become befuddled at any point in this confusing procedure, the changes will be cancelled. It is an awkward process but it is difficult to change anything inadvertently and it is only rarely required (except for clearing permanent memories). I find it difficult to reprogram the unit without having to re-read the programming instructions.
This unit also contains a standard stereo receptacle for the remote control interface for the two front panel buttons. It also doubles as a computer connection (serial port) for download and PC control mode operation. The remote control is an additional $19 for this model. One could be easily built but you would not be saving much money here.
The two sensors are mounted in the front and rear of the unit. Four metal rods push in near the corners and two diffusers (if sun or light source is directly overhead) can then be mounted over each sensor. I have not needed the diffusers outdoors yet. Chrony suggests shooting 4 inches above the housing to just below the ends of the wire rod tips. Without diffusers, I tend to shoot at the same level as the ends of the rods just to be on the safe side. Chrony warns that if you hit a metal rod, damage to the sensor housing where the rod is inserted may occur. Expendable 1/8 or 3/32 wooden rods or plastic straws can be used as shooting guides when not using the diffusers. I have on one occasion clipped the tip of an expendable rear rod when I did not carefully line up my shot through the chrony (obviously I need more non-chronograph shooting practice).
THE SHOOTING CHRONY IN USE
The first thing I did when I acquired the BETA model was to immediately chrono the air pistol indoors. I was completely unsuccessful (error messages) so I had to stop and resort to reading the instructions. See Emil’s comments about fluorescent lights and proper lighting. After following the instructions, the chrono measurements reading were very consistent, believable and not surprisingly, lower than the air pistol manufacturer’s claims.
Over the next months the unit made many trips to shooting ranges and I have chronographed a variety of firearms with velocities which spanned between 800fps to over 3000fps. It generally performed well although I would get occasional erratic readings and error messages (due to muzzle blast or bad lighting conditions according to the instructions). Finally on one of my trips to the range, the unit began to report many erratic and inconsistent measurements. The problem grew progressively worse until most readings were just error messages.
I called the factory and was advised to send it in (it has a two year warranty). About a month later I received the chronograph back with the message: Replaced all electronics, tested O.K. It is now functioning correctly now. Perhaps I initially got a lemon. I would like to think this was an isolated incident but I have heard from another guy who has encountered a similiar problem. His chrony was also promptly repaired. The good news is that the company does stand behind their products and hopefully they have solved this possible reliability issue.
SUMMARY
For less than $100, I find the Shooting Chrony Beta to be a very good value. If you find the optional IBM PC interface useful, it would be cheaper to buy the GAMMA model which includes the hardware and software to use this option. Since I like to frequent both regular and primitive shooting ranges, I find the portability aspect and permanent memories to be very desirable features.
If you are a fairly serious reloader, then a chronograph should be considered mandatory. The Shooting Chrony basic model chronographs offers an economical alternative to more expensive chronographs that have features you may not need. Now if I can find an electronic scale for under $100.