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Chronograph/App/Range Finder Recommendations

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IcySwan1

Member
Jul 26, 2019
76
4
AK, United States
There is way more to this sport than I guessed when I bought a PCP rifle. Now I have a HPA compressor and will soon get at CF tank. Pellet ballistics still challenge me. I see references to some apps that calculate a variety of things and can communicate via Bluetooth with a chrony. Any recommendations for a solid chrony that will work with an app and also a recommendation for the app? It looks like I should have a range finder to make it all work properly so any input on a solid range finder is appreciated.

Thanks for your consideration.

Mike
 
New to all of this too, but I want on a hunch and bought the FX radar chronograph. App is still a little buggy, but they are making improvements.

Things to consider: Some chronographs use two sets of sensors with lights that when the pellet passes through it gets a measurement of time between which then calculates the velocity. These types can be had for as little as $50, but have the disadvantage of needing the light to work. This can mean in really sunny or dark conditions they may not be 100% reliable. Some of them attach to the end of the barrel, which don't have the light issue because they are fully contained, but I don't believe they are as accurate as others (the distance between the two sensors is really short and therefore the accuracy of the time between them is heavily affected). The other disadvantage of the stand alone ones is that you need to shoot your pellet through the sensor range which exposes it to getting actually shot. Obviously the closer you have it to the muzzle the better but if you wanted to know velocities closer to the target you would have to place it there. The ones that come with BT apps are maybe a little more expensive ~100.

Then there are the Doppler chronys like the FX and the much higher grade LabRadar. These use as indicated the Doppler effect to measure speed. These don't have the above disadvantage of the light, but again their price point is higher too. FX's version is 200 an the LabRadar is about 560. The LabRadar has the added benefit of being able to do lots of ballistic math and can actually track the pellet much further out than the FX which allows it to be used for BC calculations. The FX is a bit finicky when it comes to placement and most now attach it directly to the end of the barrel or moderator as that appears to give the most accurate results. You cannot place this down range for two obvious reasons, one the BT connection would't work farther away that 30 ft and you would need to shoot the pellet only fractions of an inch above the sensor which puts it for sure in harms way.

For the question of a range finder, any finder will do. I got mine at Amazon for around 90 bucks and it has an accuracy of about +/-0.5 yards which I confirmed with a digital Bosch tape measure. Lastly I would download Hawke's chairgun app on your phone or PC and play around with ballistic drop at certain ranges, so that you know your POA to your POI. These are free.

References:

LabRadar : https://mylabradar.com/

FX Chrony : https://fxairguns.com/accessories/pocket-chronograph/

Other Chronies : https://www.amazon.com/shooting-chronograph/s?k=shooting+chronograph

Range finders: https://www.amazon.com/Laser-Rangefinders/b?ie=UTF8&node=162019011

Hawke Chairgun : https://www.hawkeoptics.com/chairgun-and-x-act-end-of-life.html




 
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There are a few range finders that can be mounted on top of the scope with extension picatinny rings, but they add weight of course. If you needed something that was quick in getting a reading without having to pull out a hand held unit, that is another option.

https://www.amazon.com/LaserWorks-Rangefinder-Hunting-Bow-700yard-mountable/dp/B07C98XMD9

There are a few discussions on the FX chrony as some of us experienced early on issues with accuracy and repeatability, but I think we are on the right track now which is mostly do to good placement. There is apparently also a newer updated version coming out sometimes in October, so if you haven't bought one yet, it might be good to wait another few weeks until the new unit arrives on shelves. Not sure what the changes are, but Huma's website refers to the 'updated version'.

https://www.huma-air.com/FX-Wireless-Radar-Pocket-Chrono-Chronograph-With-Bluetooth-For-Airguns


 
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One additional reference I would like to add is the use of the app 'Range Buddy' (this is Android, but I am sure this app exists in iOS as well). The app is free on Android and lets you take a picture of the target and your shot group, then through linear approximation allows you to measure your group, including MOA reference.

The video is not from me, but gives a really good explanation on how to use it. I would say this software is a must have if you don't have calibers on to physically measure your groups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ9oiE96Eyw


 
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