Garmin Chronograph

948 Views
Last Post 02 July 2024

CBA Member

pat i posted this 19 June 2024

After months of trying to control myself I couldn't take it anymore and ordered a Garmin chronograph. Silly I know and something I don't really need but I'm a gadget junky, plus it was 95 degrees and too hot to do much else so compulsive buys was the order of the day. It's supposed to arrive tomorrow. The downside to that is I'm planning a range trip in the morning to beat the heat and it won't be here in time to try it out. I will try it with one of my springer air guns in the yard though to see if it's as good as everything I've read. Next real range trip I'll take it along and report on its performance here

Attached Files

Liked by
and 1 others

16 Comments

Order By: Standard | Newest | Votes

CBA Member

Wm Cook posted this 19 June 2024

Congratulations! It’s on my “like to have” list. Still getting by on a 25/30 year old Chrony and off and on use of a Magneto bayonet thing. Let me know how user friendly it is. My club has one for us to use, just never bothered. Bench is pretty crowded. One of the guys I used to shoot BR with used it during matches. Have fun, winds should be obliging that early in the morning. Bill C

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Member

Pentz posted this 19 June 2024

I now know why Labradars can't be given away...

Match Director

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Member

davemarkowitz posted this 20 June 2024

I got a Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph in the other day. My previous experience with chronographs has been with Shooting Chronys and Caldwells, both of which use sky screens. I took the Garmin out today for the first time and what a difference!

It simply works. No futzing around with setup or being in front of the firing line. I ran 50 rounds over it with no errors. The ShotView app installed on my iPhone syncs easily with the device. It's small and light enough that I'll keep it in my range bag.

That tiny thing on the tripod is the entire unit.

I shot on the 25 yard line because the unit needs to track the bullet to at least 20 yards to measure velocity. It uses Doppler RADAR.

One improvement I'd like to see is on the ShotView app. It allows you to export sessions (e.g., a 10 shot string) to a .csv file and either save it or send it via email or text, but you have to do them one at a time. I'd like to be able to export multiple files at the same time. Also, Garmin should include a good case with it. I had to buy one separately.

Overall it's amazingly convenient to use. I'm looking forward to trying it with many other loads, including black powder guns. I'm curious to see if the patch separating from a round ball or a lubed felt wad used in a cap and ball revolver cause problems measuring velocity.

--- Dave Markowitz

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Regional Director

Tom Acheson posted this 20 June 2024

Good to see this new thread.

I briefly used a friend's Garmin at a match. Just (10) rounds. Before the first shot, it was hard to read anything on the display. Under the range cover, it is a bit short of lighting. After the shot the numbers lit up. Very easy to read.

I too am "biding time" deciding to buy one. We'll see...

Tom

Attached Files

CBA Member

pat i posted this 20 June 2024

I received my Garmin today. To say this thing is tiny is an understatement. I bought the Apache 1800 hard sided case from Harbor Freight for 13 bucks. The foam is cut into little squares you can pull right out so making a recess for the chrono was a breeze. Its a little thicker than I think needed but too much protection is better than too little. Can't wait to try out

Attached Files

CBA Regional Director

Tom Acheson posted this 20 June 2024

Pat,

That's a great update. You are really torturing us!

If I get one I'm saving your new post for the case. There is a HF 1.5-miles away.

Tom

Attached Files

CBA Member

pat i posted this 20 June 2024

Just set the thing up on the deck railing and set it to airgun to see if it would work with my Daisy 853 pellet rifle and aimed it at at the target. It picked up all 10 shots so I call that a win. I wish they would include detailed instructions with things nowadays. I hate having to go to a website to read them. There's a fast instruction guide included but I have a lot to learn about getting the most out of this thing.

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Member

pat i posted this 22 June 2024

This little thing so far hasn't failed to amaze me. Tried it out with a pellet pistol today and it didn't skip a beat. Set it on "airgun" from the choices on the proper screen and away you go. I won't argue the fact that it's an expensive little toy but for ease of use and as far as I know accurate results it can't be beat.

Attached Files

Match Director

linoww posted this 22 June 2024

Bill Anderson bought one and at the last match said is just amazing. If guys like you and Bill like them (not usually new gadget types) they must be good!

"if it was easy we'd let women do it" don't tell my wife I said that!

Attached Files

Liked by

Standard Member

9.3X62AL posted this 24 June 2024

You guys are going to cost me money.

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Member

sluggo posted this 24 June 2024

Oh well, so much for the idea of getting a new lawn mower.

Attached Files

Liked by

CBA Board

mhice posted this 27 June 2024

Yep, my finicky LabRadar is going to be for sale after seeing one in person from Will and Nate from Open Range Solutions.

-Michael

Attached Files

CBA Member

Premod70 posted this 27 June 2024

Correct me if I am wrong but Labradar displays the velocity at intervals all the way to the target and can be used as a test of range conditions, a very important aspect of accurate shooting. To know the affects of berms, streams of water and other physical objects to a bullets flight are worthwhile, jmho.

Dale Flinchum

Attached Files

CBA Member

fc60 posted this 27 June 2024

Greetings,

I have a LabRadar with over 500 ten shot groups fired, thus far. Very few missed shots. I do, however, shoot pistol in 22lr up to 45.

Data transfer with the LabRadar is fairly simple. Remove the memory card, plug it into the laptop, and download the latest file/data.

The Garmin I have witnessed definitely is easier to set up and get running. It also seems to record the shots with few errors. Data transfer is a pain. Garmin uses a proprietary *.fit file and if you do not have a compatible SmartPhone ($$$) downloading the data is difficult.

I do not know if the Garmin stores multiple strings. With the LabRadar, I press the button to start a new string and fire away. As I mentioned above, I have over 500 strings stored on the memory card.

I did get a remote battery pack with the LabRadar and fully charged it lasts quite a while. Enough power to record 50+ strings.

Now, if you only care for "how fast is my ammo" the Garmin is likely the best choice.

Cheers,

Dave

Attached Files

Standard Member

Wilderness posted this 28 June 2024

I have owned an Oehler 33 since 1980 and try to chronograph every shot I fire when testing. I am used to writing down my velocities and if necessary reworking the statistics. Screens are at 10 and 15 feet (average 12.5).

Our Club has a True Ballistics radar type chronograph (unit sits on the bench like the Gamin), which I borrow when it is there, in preference to setting up the screens for the Oehler. It records velocity at muzzle (?) plus 25, 50, 75 & 100 yards. This one I'm told was a couple of hundred dollars more than a Gamin.

A friend has a Gamin, which I have also used. If my Oehler were to die before I do, I'd definitely get a Gamin. Life without a chronograph would be unthinkable.

The first time I used the TB I set it up to run the same shots as the Oehler. Load was 175 gn cast bullet in .30-30 with 33 gns LeveRevolution powder. The missed shot was because the TB turned itself off while I was waiting for the wind to drop. Results are close to agreement despite the different points of read (12.5' vs muzzle). Results herewith:

Shot Oehler TB

1 2253 2255

2 2238 2242

3 2267 2269

4 2271 Missed

5 2265 2266

Mean 4 2256 2258

I did the same thing with the Gamin versus the Oehler, but missed too many shots with the Oehler (it was playing up that day) so can't be sure of what I thought I was seeing.

You are only as good as your library.

Attached Files

Liked by

Standard Member

Silver_Is_Money posted this 02 July 2024

Has anyone tried using the Garmin Xero C1 Pro Chronograph to measure shotshell velocities? Down to the range of #7.5 to #9 shot... If so, how well did it work?

Garmin Chronograph

Categories

Search

Popular Tags

This Weeks High Earners

Hot Topics