Chronograph

[Aberhan]

After all these years and I still don’t own a chronograph. Does anyone have experience with the Magneto Speed? Thoughts and opinions welcome. I looked at the old style Caldwell but nobody says anything good about them. Here in Canada a Garmin is $750. All advice appreciated.
Thanks, Abe…

 

[RL338]

I used a Magnetospeed Sporter before getting a Garmin. The only gripe I have with it is no matter how tight you get it ,it will slide on heavier recoiling rifles. I still use it time from time.

 

[JD338]

I picked up a Garmin a couple years ago and it’s made life much easier. I rarely shoot with out it. It’s definitely worth the price.

JD338

 

[TackDriver284]

Garmin Xero took me 30 seconds to set it up compared to my old P-35 Oehler which average about 10-15 mins to set up and line up with the barrel to the target. Garmin Xero is definitely worth it without the hassle.

 

[NYDAN]

The Garmin (and Athlon Rangecraft) are definitely make life easier. It was worth it for me to spend full price for the Garmin that I bought. Not one moment of buyer's remorse.

 

[Guy Miner]

Athlon Rangecraft is a less expensive alternative to the Garmin and works pretty much the same. I've used them both and have no preference between them. Here's my setup for testing handun loads at the indoor range. You can see how small the Athlon unit is in the lower left of the photo. It's actually a little larger than the Garmin I think. The range doesn't allow folks to set up conventional chronographs because they have to be forward of the firing line, but putting one of these little rascals on the bench is super-easy. I keep the notebook handy and jot down readings, but the chronograph remembers each shot anyway so I don't need to do that.

 

[DrMike]

Guy, despite the presence of a Garmin (or a LabRadar or an Oehler), I keep my notebook on the bench with me. I suppose that makes me "old school."

 

[jimbires]

Guy, despite the presence of a Garmin (or a LabRadar or an Oehler), I keep my notebook on the bench with me. I suppose that makes me "old school."

Me too

 

[RL338]

I keep the notebook handy and jot down readings

I’m guilty of still using pen and paper at the bench.

 

[TackDriver284]

I’m guilty of still using pen and paper at the bench.

You aren't alone, a few times I had forgotten to bring a pen that I would type in the readings on my phone.

 

[Slimfinn]

I have the magneto and haven't had any issues, it was my first chrono. Can take a little getting used to, and remembering how to navigate through the display, dont forget the instruction sheet at home. It was nice for checking velocities and looking for a node, but always took it off for groups,, did I have too, not sure but I did anyway.
But like alot of the others I have switched over to the garmin and really like it.
If you were on this side of the border I'd give you a good deal on the magneto.

 

[Wolfshead]

I also have the Athlon Rangecraft.
It’s my first and only chronograph, and I like it very much. I’ve never used any other so I can’t comment on what is best, but with Guy’s experience I’ll go with his.
It was around the $400ish range if I remember correctly and I paid for it in installments. I can’t imagine it being much more than that, even in Canada.

 

[Blkram]

I too went with the Garmin after years of using a Chrony. Best investment I have made in shooting in a long time. Love it!

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

OR you could go out all the way and buy the rangecraft, velociradar, x-zero & fx like i did and not use any till this date (1 year from when last 1 arrived).

 

[FOTIS]

I recently own an Athlon Rangecraft, an FX True Ballistic (my Fave), a chrony Beta, and and a Competition Electronics DLX.
I have had the Labradar and several Oehlers.
I always shoot with one when working up a load and yes the paper and pencil is always on the bench next to it.

 

[JD338]

OR you could go out all the way and buy the rangecraft, velociradar, x-zero & fx like i did and not use any till this date (1 year from when last 1 arrived).

You need to do something about that.

JD338

 

[TEXASforLIFE]

You need to do something about that.

JD338

I truly do! I need to mow before range time, but equipment burned up march '24 in the fires. Awaiting for my compensation/loss to come in.

 

[DocCoffee]

Over the years I've had 3 Oehler, a MagnetoSpeed and now a GARMIN (purchased before ATLON was available). Nephew has a LabRadar. As mentioned the Oehler were a bit of a pain to get set up and aligned and don't like bullet strikes
LabRadar seemed awful fussy about alignment, not an issue if the only one shooting but if multiple shooters adjacent we always seemed to get "false readings". likely operator error.
MagnetoSpeed slip slides around, accurate as long as it's in place. There used to be a couple guys that made an actual clamp mount of some sort, never got hold of one before the Garmin came out and I expect sales tanked a bit due to how many MS hit the 2nd market when it did.
I think ATHLON APP is maybe a little more intuitive than Garmins but both are easy, seem accurate and will blue tooth to phone or tablet which gives you a printable doc that goes into the notebook.
My experience, maybe worth 1/2 what it cost ya!

 

[grry10]

I love my Garmin and don't miss the old days of setting up sky screens, they made work out of going to the range. I tried a MagnetoSpeed before getting the Garmin but it was a pain to keep in-place. I used it sparingly to check velocity and then removed it to shoot groups.

 

[JN270]

I bought a Caldwell a few years ago to record data. It worked ok. Problem is setting it up. At the public range I hate messing with it. I found myself leaving it at home most of the time.

I was looking at the Garmin last week. I noticed the Athlon for less. After reeding up on it and talking to the person at the counter I bought the Athlon. Only used it once but love it. I have two friends who like the Garmin. They are so easy to use.

I still keep a notebook and pen to record stuff.