The FX Wireless Chronograph

I was fortunate to be in possession of this little marvel of technology for about 2 weeks now during which I tested thoroughly. It is extremely accurate and I truly believe this is a must-have in any airgun bag/case. It is extremely portable and fits in the palm of your hand.

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Mod Edit: Moved to Other Parts, Accessories, & Equipment forum
 
There is some confusion here in the uk regarding the availability of these units, some fire arms dealers have been told that FX are only selling via their web site, while other dealers have be told to expect their order soon?

its a shame there is no display on the unit so that there is no need for the I phone 



Bb

What’s a shame is the “price gouge” on the unit. The thing can’t be worth more than $50 US, yet they want $200 plus tax... it will be eventually cloned...
 
Price gouging is accurate. This device is not new. It’s been around for some time in a different variation and it’s called DR CHRONOGRAPH. It’s used for testing paintball gun velocities with a max velocity of 500 FPS. It was selling for $120. 

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The inventor or at least the software designer also makes other apps for these devices - just look at the App Store. 

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I believe FX just licensed this product and retuned the electronics to allow for a max FPS of 1300 vs the 500 the older paintball unit measured and now charges $200 for it.


 
Idk why fx don't just sell these kit. They know people want them yet they only give to people they know and not the public. I called and was put on hold and wait over 30 mins just to tell me they do not sell it. Wtf. Just mass produce it and sell to people who wants it. My impact is cap at 850 on heavy. Smh

Utah Airguns is taking pre-orders
 
I own the carbon chrono that is the same as those pictured above, it uses the drchrono app. 

the fx app connects but the drchrono firmware is not correct.

However. The drchrono only allows for fps up to 600fps range and does not seem to have nearly the same functionality. The fx app looks to expand significantly on the usability of that same chrono.

I would imagine this was in part due to extensive R and D on the part of FX as well. 

While there may be a good argument that the price could belower, it's completely incorrect to equate what fx is doing with the same unit, to what is doable with the less expensive version of the same hardware with different firmware. 

I am certain, since I own the damn thing.

I just wish fx would let there app upgrade my existing unit to use there firmware for the cost difference...

It would save me money, and make them some too... there are plenty of people doing airsoft who would likely love to expand on that functionality as well, come on fx...
 
I'm gonna buy the FX radar unit when it isn't on backorder. I'm not gonna cry about the price, the company has every right to make a profit on the money they've invested, and I can choose whether it's worth it to me or not. I can spend dang near this amount on a conventional chronograph that takes ten or fifteen minutes to take out, set up, and line up, or just put this on the table and I'm ready to go. That's huge for me.
 
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I'm gonna buy the FX radar unit when it isn't on backorder. I'm not gonna cry about the price, the company has every right to make a profit on the money they've invested, and I can choose whether it's worth it to me or not. I can spend dang near this amount on a conventional chronograph that takes ten or fifteen minutes to take out, set up, and line up, or just put this on the table and I'm ready to go. That's huge for me.

Agreed. I believe the price is around $200. Not bad considering a Caldwell with tripod, lights, and all the other crap it takes to make it work is $125 or more, the Doppler Radar unit that needs a couple AAA batteries for $200 isn't all that bad. UAG said they'd start shipping Monday, so I may go down on the 5th and see if they held any back for walk in customers. Store is 45 minutes away, so it's a good excuse to go shopping. Besides, I need some pellets.

It looks like FX just took an existing product and modified it for airguns, so I have high hopes for the accuracy and more features over time. It'd be nice to have features like the pellet speed in 1 meter intervals, and at the target, so you could figure Ballistic coefficient. Products like this could really put technology in the hands of the little guys.
 
Right now the airgun world is pretty much a Free Market... goods and services are worth only as much as consumers are willing to pay. FX set their price where they think consumers will consider the value of the chrono to be worth the cost. Either FX is right and will make a profit, or they're not and will have to revisit the marketing decisions surrounding the units. In today's world of virtual social connections it is easier than ever for consumers to give feedback to a manufacturer or provider, positive or negative, in real time. Some consumers do this through reviews, some through complaints, most through activity (or lack there-of) at the cash register. Just don't ask me to get on board with any scheme to have centralized price controls and oversight of market interactions. That way lies madness and despair (looking at you, Venezuela).
 
I am planning to buy one.

The Dr Chrono (Carbon Chrono) for $119 maxed out at around 530fps. Albeit it works great with .177 pellets. The limitation was not in the phone app, but either in the unit's bandwidth-envelope design (most likely), or the unit's firmware (easy fix). The bandwidth of the original unit was probably not designed for reading higher frequencies that are required at the higher pellet velocities of the PCPs. So they most likely had to redesign some of the internals to allow for faster reading of the returning signals. The redesigned electronic parts are negligible costs themselves, and the firmware update is not that involved either. But since FX is not a design/software company they had to pay for those services probably with a good markup. My estimate that the unit itself from China costs about $30 to manufacture in large quantities. On Aliexpress they would sell them for around $69-79 if they would be available. Profit is probably around $60 for FX, with around $40 for the dealers with worldwide shipping costs, customs/taxes account for the rest of the $199. But these are my wild guesses only, I do not have any insight into the real costs.

In my opinion, it's worth the $199 price considering the lack of other alternatives providing the same convenience and accuracy. The only unit that may come close in velocity envelope is the X-Radar (Blue) Field radar designed for airsoft use. This is about the same size and goes up to 900fps, but only displays on a built-in LCD screen. There is no voice readout and bluetooth. It was discontinued 2 years ago, but still can be found between $149 and $250 online from various paintball dealers.

An inherent limitation of the FX Chrono design that you will not be able calculate BC like with the Labradar. The internal antenna does not have a horn, thus it's not directional for being able to measure at longer ranges. It has a wider angle (weaker signal) for the convenience of being able to position it fairly easily near the muzzle without having to have it aligned and aimed like the Labradar. The accurate measuring range is just not that much, my guess is maybe 1-2 meters from the muzzle maximum. So deriving an accurate BC through the entire shooting distance is not possible with the current design.

In my opinion FX would benefit from making the accompanying Phone app open source, or at least make a version of it open source. This would allow for the development of features that FX just does not have the time, expertise, or the funds to invest in. There is minimal danger for FX here because the firmware that resides on the unit itself and is locked. A feature rich phone app would keep customers more involved, interested, and may allow for innovations for further interface to other hardware or software application. For example, linking the FX chrono Phone app readings to the Strelok Pro or Chairgun app could provide an automatic shooting solution without manual entry except for the distance. Also, working together with ATN (computer optics/scopes) the FX Chrono could supply the velocity input for ATN scopes that already have a bluetooth distance measurement add-on (ABL). 

For now, a simple and helpful addition would be the use of a bluetooth earbud (linked to the phone you are using with the FX Chrono) would announce the velocity in your ear directly instead of having to use the phone's speakerphone. This helps in noisy environments, and also helps to keep your eyes on the target, There is such bluetooth wireless earbud on Ebay for about $2 from China and $4 from the U.S. Comes with the USB charger cable.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Mini+Wireless+Bluetooth+Headphone+In-Ear+Earbud+&_sacat=0&_sop=15&LH_PrefLoc=1&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1



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Yes, it does record shot strings and it can export them as well. More updates are coming including a calibration option. FX are watching these threads and will include more options users want in future app apdates. So please, speak up if you have other ideas. Next app update will be in 10 days or so.

If they could make it record muzzle and a set distance velocity, say 20yards. Easy bc calculations and these would sale even better, then you could get the avg velocity and avg bc of 10 shots and really dial in your ballistic calculator. 
 
Ability to record shot string, end short group, summary and save of short group to include name option, extreme spread of group, high and low, group average. Integrated metadata to save to group ie position, time, temp, baro pressure - link to Bluetooth kestrel for this, phone or manual entry. Excel format ability for export. Lithium charge battery pack and or ability to run from mains or better yet external 5v usb charge port