How many people own a chronograph?

[FIDI_G]

Curious as to how many people own a chronograph? In new and wasnt planning on owning one but if I want to swap out amunition or try some slugs out this piece of equipment is a nescisity correct? No way to dial in your FPS with out one is there?

Is there a budget friendly chronograph that works?

 

[ghoststalker]

I bought a lab radar over a year ago, and haven't even used it yet.

 

[EPG]

Yep. This works extremely well.

Does both meters per second and feet per second.

Can clamp on either bare barrel or moderator via included hoop clamp.

Never misses a shot. Has rechargeable battery inside.

Inexpensive. Available on Amazon.

Eyes.sys High Precision Ballistic Shooting Chronograph Airsoft Bullet Arrow Velocity Meter Chargeable MPS/FPS Reading for Archery Hunting Prep https://a.co/d/cNhy8mt

 

[tcarlson777]

If you shoot a PCP, you really must have a chronograph. I use the Competition Electronics ProChrono DLX, and it works great. I think it cost $120.

 

[Scotay42]

Not a necessity, but it can help. I shoot all the time and have not owned a chronograph. I buy used often and previous owner may have a baseline to work off of. Even yet, it is still a guessing game at times to see what your gun likes the most.

 

[Motorhead]

3 here .... 1 to take out in the field, 1 that sits permanent against a capture box in the shop, 1 that is a remote readout with printer for those Neurotic times of doing bench work in nauseam

 

[Sqwirl57]

A chrono is an absolute must in this game if you do any tinkering so I'd imagine most people do

 

[kaylaindy]

You have to own one to tune PCP's. No need to spend over $100-$130. You can get Chono's for $40 now. Just Google it or look on AliExpress. The $40 ones work just as good (tested them against the Caldwell).

 

[jmohme]

I have two.
First one was a cheap Chinese clamp on. It worked well enough, but did not like it hanging off my barrel and having to move it from one gun to another.
Now I have Caldwell that I set up on a tripod and let it feed data to my iPad next to me on the shooting bench.

Both have been essential tools in getting the most out of my PCPs.

 

[Gerry52]

One of the 1st "peripherals" I got. A MUST have.

 

[UCChris]

Send me your address and I can send you my old Caldwell Ballistic Precision green chronograph for the cost of shipping. It's missing the battery compartment door, but it works and I'm pretty sure I still have the light diffusers. I upgraded to the FX Pocket Chrony which is amazing cause the light doesn't have to be perfect, but it's not what I would consider cheap.

 

[crazyhorse]

I bought one in 2008...Beta Model blue chrony for $80 . Works very good.

 

[Hawkeye51]

Curious minds want to know!

 

[WorriedMan]

FIDI,
I'd consider as essential diagnostic equipment for any PCP owner. Paid $60 for this but think EPG's suggestion is better. FX is coming out with a new model, announced at 2023 Shot Show, waiting to see if any deals show up in Classifieds for the FX Pocket Chrony. WM

 

[DNF]

Yep. This works extremely well.

Does both meters per second and feet per second.

Can clamp on either bare barrel or moderator via included hoop clamp.

Never misses a shot. Has rechargeable battery inside.

Inexpensive. Available on Amazon.

Eyes.sys High Precision Ballistic Shooting Chronograph Airsoft Bullet Arrow Velocity Meter Chargeable MPS/FPS Reading for Archery Hunting Prep https://a.co/d/cNhy8mt

Not my experience, just bought and returned one. Was looking for a more portable solution to my Caldwell. It is NOT accurate, fluctuated between 20-35 fps off always low. Not consistently off either.
I suppose if you’re only looking for spread…maybe but I freaked out thinking the new hammer I installed lost me 25 fps but when checked against ole faithful Caldwell it was right where it should be.
YMMV. Good luck!

 

[jphef]

3 here also, one came from late 80's to early 90's, the inverted caldwell w/bluetooth and the FX - most disappointed in the FX inconsistency and no readings. The one that is 30 - 40 years old runs circles around the FX chrono - just no bluetooth on that one.

 

[Jlowe]

Caldwell, Alpha and FX. I've had an Alpha since 2001. You can either buy one or be "that guy" on here with a M3 wanting to know what his reg setting should be at, and what fps will it be shooting for such and such pellet. lol

 

[douger]

must have tool

 

[AlanMcD]

I'll say that if you want to basically just use your PCP as a tool - that is, to shoot when needed but not mess with - then you really don't need one. You basically just live with what the gun gives you - try different ammo and shoot whatever shoots best. But do a test and make note of the drop at some given distances with that ammo (zero at a given distance - for example 20 yards - and then shoot at another like 40 yards and note the drop). Then you can repeat this if needed in the future to check the gun, and if nothing has changed a chrony would not tell you anything different.

But as others have said, it you want to do pretty much any kind of optimization or modifications to that gun, then you need the required tools to do so, and a chronograph is as needed as screwdrivers and wrenches . . . .

 

[Sqwirl57]

Lets be real too. Airguns are very finicky compared to powder. Accuracy goes south on a powder gun and you clean the barrel, put a few through it, and your back on track. PCPs and springers on the other hand can have a handful of things each that will cause issues. If I'm having trouble grouping a springer, a chrono will tell me pretty quickly if I'm the problem or if it's time for a tear down.