Competition Electronics chronograph readings

[elkeater2]

I have owned and used the Digital model for a couple years, and glad to have it. The only issue I've had with it has been the number of shots which are shown as "dup" for duplicate immediately after the shot. I mentally have just been crossing those off and deleting them as some kind of error and move on, partly because of the statistical improbability of having two shots in a row with a velocity of 3122 fps, for example.
It got to bugging me a little more yesterday, and wrote to their customer service explaining. I got a quick reply from Jim B. which made sense. I was asking why I got identical numbers displayed (like 3122 but never a 3123) and why I got the "duplicate" reading semi-frequently. Rather than put my twist on it, here is the quote from Jim at CE:
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"Depending upon what velocity you are measuring, there is a "gap" between displayed readings. Above 1,500FPS the unit will begin incrementing by 2FPS.

The "gap" between velocity readings increases with speed. For instance, at 3,000FPS the chronograph has a gap of 6-7FPS for each count of the internal clock. So if you are getting duplicates at 3,000FPS then your loads are likely within +/- 7FPS of each other. Part of this is due to "rounding of the internal calculations. This translates to about a maximum of .2% error which is part of our 1% accuracy spec."
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I put into bold the eye-opener for me. A dup message and reading are within a tolerance range. If an initial shot is at 3122 and displayed as such followed by one at 3128 then the shot #2 will display as a "dup" and be recorded at 3122. It also means to me that ES and SD numbers are only within a range as well, so strings should be long if the ES and SD are to be meaningful.
I chased shooting forums looking for similar posts, and never saw this information displayed! Hope it helps somebody before they loose all their hair over it....too late for me!
Knowing this I'm actually more content with the unit as I will no longer ignore the "dup" shots, I'll just pat myself on the back for consistent loading. :lol:
EE2

 

[Oldtrader3]

That electronic gap would not make me happy because of he impact on statistics and the inherent error in such an increment as +/-7 fps. The sum of the squares for calculation perposes will be usless.

 

[FOTIS]

Me neither, but I am spoiled by the Oehler 35P

 

[DrMike]

That is sufficient to steer me away from this particular chronograph. I'm with others on really appreciating the Oehler 35 system.

 

[elkeater2]

I'm wondering if the others like Pact and Chrony do this, or if it is unique to CE chronographs. There's a ton of shooting equip that is pure top of the line with prices to match. My station in life dictates that I compromise between functionality, quality, accuracy, etc. on everything and look for the best products for my needs. Right now, that doesn't include Oehler, Chargemaster combos, Redding bushing sizers for eveything, 15 station case prep powerized centers, or only premium controlled expansion bullets in my inventory

Knowing what I posted, this unit works fine for my needs today.
EE2

 

[DrMike]

You make an excellent point, and everybody starts with the same compromises you name--functionality, quality, accuracy. Obviously, the CE works, and that is what is important to keep in mind. As opportunities allow, you will make adjustments to suit those same criteria that are most vital to you. I used a Alpha Chrony for quite some time before moving up to a Beta Chrony. Only recently, as the work load increased and as demands for precision were increasing, did I move to an Oehler. Similarly, if I were not loading for a rather large variety of cartridges, I would never be able to maintain the bullet/powder/primer stock I am compelled to maintain. It works to my advantage, but there will come a day when necessity dictates a change. It is much easier to go up the ladder than to come back down. I certainly did not intend to dismiss your equipment, nor would I do so.

As an aside, the shop was out of Redding and RCBS dies for a particular cartridge yesterday. There was one set of used Lyman dies in stock. I was asked if I could make them work. The answer was, "Of course one can make excellent ammunition with Lyman dies (or a CE chronograph, or a Rock Chucker press, or... well, you get the idea)." It is easy to become an equipment snob; but that doesn't mean one turns out a better product. I'm actually with you EE2, though I am grateful for the situation in which I find myself in my dotage.

 

[elkeater2]

DrMike,
Why aren't you out hunting?
Thanks for your gracious and thoughtful reply - standard from you! If you find something to 'move up' to from that Oehler, let me know :wink:

I have since the last posting determined to play with the CE a little. It's cute that it does it's own SD's, ES's, averages, etc. for a string. It will hold 99 shots/string and 9 strings. Why I don't know. Maybe for the AR guys :roll: .... I'm going to change strings for each shot and see what the readings look like then. I'm not pressed for time and usually have the range to myself anyway, and can calculate the SD's and ER's if I can't sleep later. I'll let you and the gang here know how that works out :lol:
EE2

 

[DrMike]

Well, inertia has taken hold. I'm terribly fatigued today, and slept in. I'm thinking that I'll be heading out for an evening hunt, however. It is -6 and bright for the moment, though more wet snow is coming.

 

[DrMike]

Okay, EE2, I was suffering from an advanced case of weekend lethargy. I'm not speaking this Sunday, and I've seldom felt so languid. However, I just walked out to my truck, picked up my Nosler hat (the one that usually has an elk wafer pinned to it), inhaled the delectable aroma of fall, curled my lip and immediately felt energized. My wife is less ecstatic about that smell (likely because it appears as competition), so I have opted to dig out my rifle and ammunition, my kit and snow gear, and head out to see if there is an elk with my name printed on its side.

 

[elkeater2]

Okay, EE2, I was suffering from an advanced case of weekend lethargy. I'm not speaking this Sunday, and I've seldom felt so languid. However, I just walked out to my truck, picked up my Nosler hat (the one that usually has an elk wafer pinned to it), inhaled the delectable aroma of fall, curled my lip and immediately felt energized. My wife is less ecstatic about that smell (likely because it appears as competition), so I have opted to dig out my rifle and ammunition, my kit and snow gear, and head out to see if there is an elk with my name printed on its side.

Good on ya' Doc! I don't have a regular hunting partner, and sometimes the fire's hard to build and the excuses come easy. Then, when all seems right the weather changes and the wind howls, telling me I was foolish to put off what I love to do. Go get 'em whenever you can. :arrow:

 

[DrMike]

Okay, no elk this afternoon, but I did take a nice little whitetail buck. I was only a mile from the truck, so I'll only be slightly fatigued tomorrow. :mrgreen:

 

[350JR]

Okay, no elk this afternoon, but I did take a nice little whitetail buck. I was only a mile from the truck, so I'll only be slightly fatigued tomorrow. :mrgreen:

A..........MILE?

I often forget how spoiled us flatland whitetailers are!

I'd not a common occasion for us to have to drag a deer more than 100 yards, more often than not I can drive right up to mine.

Sitting out a bit hunting more of the edges, and away from the "crowds" I'm betting most I get cracks at will be in a picked bean or cornfield, or just inside the edge of the woods from one.

A ........MILE??????? Praise the Lord it's cold there. If I was hunting the deer would be properly aged OR FROZEN before I got it out!

It isnt a mile from my truck to the stands I hunt and back to the truck......even if I COULDNT drive out there. ROFL!

More power to you and a tip of my old camo hat as well!

Wish me luck. The 350JR is the first round I've gotten where I even THOUGHT of buying a chronograph. Obviously I'm not in the class of shooters most here are.

Using one is going be be ANOTHER first for me. I MIGHT NEED HELP,lol.
God Bless
Steve

 

[elkeater2]

I guess people looking for chronograph stuff might feel the thread took a funny turn. Since I'm the original poster, I apologize for the confusion but have to say I don't mind a bit.

So congrats to DrMike and I agree - A MILE means all day to me if I have a whitetail buck to return to the vehicle!! So glad you got out Doc. Did you take him with the Brenneke?
EE2

 

[DrMike]

The Brenneke dropped him. I had it because I was anticipating an elk. Truthfully, I only drug this fine little whitetail a couple of score yards--he fell in a convenient place. My walk through the snow was a mile. I was travelling light, sans extraneous gear. Consequently, I had left my cell phone and knives in the truck. A friend heard the shot and came looking for me. We managed to get a truck reasonably close which facilitated getting him out of the bush. I gave more detail here: http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20939&start=30. Yup, it's a typical Nosler thread hijacking; I confess, I'm one of the worst. Now, about those Competition Electronics chronographs?