Cheap ($25) Chinese Chronoscope Accuracy Testing Using Lab Standard Equipment

I thought I would try one of these $25 Chinese chronos from eBay. Initial impressions were not good since some of the display elements would flicker in use, this was due to lack of solder on two of the display pins After fixing this however I became quite impressed with the basic unit except for the fiddly clamp arrangement, I have since replaced this with a purpose made V block and clamp.

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Which just leaves the accuracy. Many years ago when I was designing and building my own air rifles I needed a very accurate chrono, rather than taking the usual route I made a sensor unit with 2 IR detector units placed exactly 6” apart which with some simple interface circuitry would display on my Gould 400 digital storage scope which can time events down to 0.5 microseconds with an accuracy of +/- 0.01%.

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It is however slow to use, you have to capture each shot then move the cursor to the gap between the first and second pulses and then calculate the speed. In the case of the image above the the time between the two sensors is 1.240 ms which equates to a speed of 403.226 ft/sec. Hence the need for something more simple for day to day use. In the plot below there are about 100 shots using a variety of pellet weights and both an HW45 (at both power settings) and an HW77. As you can see the linearity is excellent with R^2 value of 0.999. The average calibration error shows the Chinese chrono reading 0.58% high which I think is outstanding value for money.

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You can see it in action in bright sunlight (with the addition of a sunshade) in the video below.





https://youtu.be/YKdfW5mdXFA




 
I just got mine from the mail today. No English instructions (not a surprise). Is there a to change from m/s to f/s? There seems to be a way to change the grams of the the projectile. Must be for FPE, or Joules. How and when is the energy displayed. 

I had 3 chronos gave one away to my nephew. Still have 2 but got this one for quick adjust indoors, the price is right. Before I had to make adjustments then reattach the stock to shoot semi-accurately over one of my other chronos outdoors.




 
Here is a copy of the manual, only metric i'm afraid:



Light Curtain Type Bullet Speed Detector (portable model)

Multifunctional High Precision Speed Measuring Device

Operating voltage: DC3.7v (built in polymer lithium battery)

Accuracy: test error less than l%.

Dimensions: 100*60*110mm (length * width * height)

Machine weight: 200g

Speed measurement range: 1 - 999 m/sec

Energy measurement range: 0-800J

Bullet weight setting range: 0-10 grams

Display Dwell Time Setting Range: 1-10 seconds (default 5 seconds)

Speed recording: 40 groups

Energy recording: 40 groups

Working environment temperature: -10C ~ +60C

Panel Introduction

The panel consists of the digital display, a function button, and a LED indicator light.

The function button has three types of input:

A: “Short Press": Push and release within a second.

B: “Medium Press”: Push and release within 2 seconds. The indicator light flashes green twice.

C: “Long Press”: Push and release after 3 seconds. The indicator light flashes green three times.

The LED indicator is divided into 2 colors. A: If the color of the light is red, the digital display is in joules.

B: If the color of the light is green, the digital display is meters per second.

Digital display

Display " --" or " - - " is ready for testing. Display "E" is an error.

Switching Machine and Test Status Description:

1: Power on: “Short press" the function button while unit is in the power off state so “on,” will be displayed and unit will boot.

2: Shutdown: “OFF” will be displayed after a “long press" of the function button. The shutdown is now completed.

3: Display " --" or "=" is the test ready status. Display "E" is an error.

Test Speed Instructions (no need to set weight, unit boots into this mode)

1: Keep the speedometer in a stable place.

2: Do not use in a strong environment with sunlight.

3: Start when stable, after indications are ready to be tested (the display panel shows a stable "- -" force to be tested). Start the speed measurement.

4: The measured projectile is measured parallel through the two sensing areas from front to back.

5: When testing an object that pushes the projectile by airflow, please take the test 4 centimeters away from the speedometer. This should effectively prevent the interference of dust entrained in the airflow.

Kinetic Energy Test Instructions: (projectile weight input needed)

1: Additional speed

energy measurement mode: When the power is turned on, while the display indicates - SU, “short press” the function button and 0.0 (g)will be displayed. Each “short press” increases weight by 1 gram. "Medium press" the function button again so the green indicator light blinks twice will reduce the number by 0.1 gram.

For example, to input 1.6 grams: first input 2 grams, then reduce the second digit 0.4 grams, completing the input of 1.6 grams.

After the input is completed, "long press " the function key for 3 seconds to

Save and exit. The indicator panel LED red light prompts that the save completed successfully.

The result displayed directly after measurement is in meters per second. At this point, you can “short press" the function button to switch between speed and energy modes. Do not operate or "long press" function button or it will directly enter the test state again.

Set the Display Duration:

After the measurement is completed, the panel will display the measured data.

This data will be saved automatically, but after a few seconds it will enter the next test state.

The display time defaults to 5 seconds. The setting method is as follows: Turn on power and when the digital readout is at 444.4 press and hold the function button until 999.9 displays and the indicator light emits a long green light.

Release the function key and you enter the display time setting interface.

1: Each “short press" will increase time duration by 1 second.

2: To decrease time duration, “medium press” the function button and the indicator light blinks twice, the time will be decreased to 1 second. Use step one to increase delay.

3: “Long press" to save and exit.

View The Record: In the test interface (display "--" or "- -") "short press" the function button once to enter the record status.

1: Each "short press" of the function button displays the next record request.

2: “Medium press" and the indicator light blinks twice and the previous number will be displayed. “Long press” to return to test mode.

3: All the records are cleared and returned to the factory state after

shutdown. (This is not due to a failure of incorrect settings)

Charging Instructions:

A: The speedometer must be in the off state before it can be charged.

B: You must use the optional lithium battery smart charging cable, otherwise it will damage the battery and the speedometer!

C: There is a status indicator on the USB plug - in of the smart charging cable.

1: The indicator light is red to indicate that it is charging.

2: The indicator light is green to indicate that the charging is completed.

Precautions:

1: This product is of the infrared radiation type and has an integrated light source. The device and does not require a n external light source. Please try to avoid strong light directly on the sensor on the main unit. Try not to use it under direct sunlight.

2: If you are not using the unit for a long time, please charge and discharge it every 2 months or so.

This is good for the battery.

3: If the battery is too low, there may be a leak and it will not turn on. It will return to normal after charging.

4: When measuring the speed of the projectile at a higher speed, please take appropriate protective measures to prevent the bullet from hitting the machine and rebounding causing damage.

5: When testing items that rely on airflow to push the speed of the projectile, in order to prevent dust interference in the airflow, don't get too close to the speedometer unit during test. It is recommended to test at a distance of 4 cm from the speedometer
 
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Thanks for the translation. I have one of these and have found it to be very reliable and accurate but have only been able to figure out the mps speed and string functions. I haven't experienced any mounting issues apart from light from the display obscuring the scope view on one of my riffle scope combinations. It can be remedied by canting the unit to 45 degrees. Another cool feature is that because of the IR sensors, it works in low light and possibly even in the dark. Reading in mps instead of fps isn't an issue for me, it's easy to convert. You certainly can't complain about the price. I've spent more on batteries for my Combro Chronoscope than what I paid for this.
 
Thanks for the English instructions. I don't understand what Speed recording: 40 groups Energy recording: 40 groups means. It seems to only know about the last shot taken. Entering the grains and using the Joules output seem to be a waste of time given that the settings are forgotten after a power off. That said it works very well for what I use it for. An easy to use chrono that has it own light source and is accurate and consistent. I compared it to my Labradar and it matches it very well. The Labradar doesn't work at close ranges or indoors very well and my old fashioned light based one need sunlight or a light system. This one works indoors and outdoors and is super easy to setup. Of course you only get one reading and no statistics.

Given its design I doubt if it would work with a powder burner. The muzzle gas pressure are a lot higher and is likely to blow it apart into pieces of plastic. 



I didn't like the mounting system I made a wooden one that just slips on the barrel. It also makes it easy to mount the microphone for the Labradar, which must be mounted in front of the muzzle 

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When you press the button for replay does it start from shot 1 to the last shot and then recycle, if so what is the timeout between button presses to tell the differences between requesting the next shot, or staring again from the beginning. There isn't any indication of what the shot number is, or the total number of shots taken. I assume after 40 shots it either stops working or erases the oldest data first.


 
I haven't used mine for a while but I think that you short press for the previous reading and then keep short pressing to work back. The readings will all be numbered. It should record all the readings automatically. After each shot the speed will show for about five seconds and then switch to ready for the next shot. It should be possible to change the readable time duration from 5 to ten seconds in 1 second increments. It's pretty basic, I was able to work it out without English instructions. I don't know what happens after reaching 40 shots I assume that it deletes the oldest ones. I had no idea how to set the weight and energy feature but might try now I have the translation. I'm not sure whether that setting stays after shut down or not. That shouldn't change unless you want to re-enter a different weight. If it has to be re-entered every time, I won't bother with it. It would be nice if you could download the data to a laptop or phone but for the money, I think that it might be expecting a bit much. The rechargeable battery is a nice feature and seems to be of good quality. Mine is a couple of years old and only gets used seldomly. Every time I pull the device out, the battery is always fully charged.
 
I just got mine today. Thanks for the English translation. I read that this is not meant to use with airguns, so there's no input for pellet weight, etc. Just meters per second. 

I paid $26 bucks plus $1.99 shipping from a USA seller. Great deal, IMO.

I tried my Hatsan .177 AT-44 three times and got

252, 249, 248, which is 826, 816, and 813 fps, so it seems that would be pretty good. I was shooting 16.2 grain slugs.

I then used the 10.65 LSB's and got 246, 243, and 241, so basically the same.

I have a Huma regulator in mine. I am almost out of air, too, so I was just testing it. I will see if it changes after a fill up. 

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Just tried my unregulated stock .177 Hatsan Nova Star 5 shots also with .177 JSB Exact Beast Diabolo 16.2 gr and got 279 or 915 fps on all shots. Pretty happy with that ! Definitely worth $25 !!!
 
You can input pellet weight in grams and it will calculate and display muzzle energy. Here it is in the instructions :

Kinetic Energy Test Instructions: (projectile weight input needed)

1: Additional speed

energy measurement mode: When the power is turned on, while the display indicates – SU, “short press” the function button and 0.0 (g)will be displayed. Each “short press” increases weight by 1 gram. "Medium press" the function button again so the green indicator light blinks twice will reduce the number by 0.1 gram.

For example, to input 1.6 grams: first input 2 grams, then reduce the second digit 0.4 grams, completing the input of 1.6 grams.

After the input is completed, "long press " the function key for 3 seconds to

Save and exit. The indicator panel LED red light prompts that the save completed successfully.

The result displayed directly after measurement is in meters per second. At this point, you can “short press" the function button to switch between speed and energy modes. Do not operate or "long press" function button or it will directly enter the test state again.


 
You can input pellet weight in grams and it will calculate and display muzzle energy. Here it is in the instructions :

Kinetic Energy Test Instructions: (projectile weight input needed)

1: Additional speed

energy measurement mode: When the power is turned on, while the display indicates – SU, “short press” the function button and 0.0 (g)will be displayed. Each “short press” increases weight by 1 gram. "Medium press" the function button again so the green indicator light blinks twice will reduce the number by 0.1 gram.

For example, to input 1.6 grams: first input 2 grams, then reduce the second digit 0.4 grams, completing the input of 1.6 grams.

After the input is completed, "long press " the function key for 3 seconds to

Save and exit. The indicator panel LED red light prompts that the save completed successfully.

The result displayed directly after measurement is in meters per second. At this point, you can “short press" the function button to switch between speed and energy modes. Do not operate or "long press" function button or it will directly enter the test state again.


Oh that is so cool !!! It works. Best $25 spent !!!! Thanks so much !