The concept of this unit sure appeals to me. However, as a new product it seemed to have issues. There have been software updates to fix these problems, What do you think? Worth buying?
FX Chronograph-What’s the verdict!?
- Thread starter bluetail
- Start date
I'm with you on this one. I have been looking at them since they were announced. I have a Caldwell but do like the idea of the portability of the FX style. I'll be interested in hearing what other have to say about their experiences with the FX. Thanks for your post.
Upvote 0
I love my FX Radar and never had a single problem with it. A lot of the negativity, people balking, cancelling their orders and complaints came out around the time a video review was posted on AGN. Maybe I was lucky or maybe mine always happened to be positioned in the right place to work properly.... about 1-2" below the barrel and 4-5" behind the muzzle. The same or similar spot many people are mounting them on their guns these days! Even back then, I said mine worked great while everyone else was bashing the Radar. I don't know but I never had any of the purported problems and now that more people are using them and figuring them out, there are far fewer complaints, I'm wondering if at least some of the problems were user error? I use my radar with .22 cal. and .25 cal air rifles, someone suggested that the radar might work better with larger projectiles that it can "see" better. I don't know, because I've never used mine with .177 cal. I can say that it works great with .22 and .25 and I absolutely love mine, always have. Some have also complained about the price but in the big scheme of things, it's not much compared to the guns, air cylinders, scopes and other things we pay big bucks for in our sport. For $199, they have a lot of great features and the size makes me take and use the radar a lot more often than I would have used my others. It's just so convenient, easy to use and can be used under so many varying conditions(sunny, cloudy, bright, dark, etc.) without fail. Once you have the App. on your phone and it's set up correctly, it takes about 5 seconds to turn on at the range. I bought a cheap, $7 tripod so when it's time to shoot, I stand it up under my air gun's barrel, turn it on and turn on the App. on my phone. Viola, that's it, ready to go! I also love the feature that has a sexy British girls voice telling me the velocity of each shot so I never have to look at my phone(LOL). I know other chronographs probably have this feature, but none of mine did. It's handy not having to look up from the air gun while shooting to see the velocity. There has been a V1.2 update to the software that added a few features. Since I never had any of the problems that some others complained about, I can't speak to whether or not the software V1.2 helped with those problems. It did add a few new features though. I say give it a shot, for $199 I don't think you'll be disappointed, on the contrary, I think you'll be quite happy with it! I love that they work under almost any condition, are accurate, very convenient and easy to use with almost no set up time which make me use it a lot more often than my old chronographs. I hope this helps at least a little bit. Have a good one. Stoti
My FX Radar on a small, cheap tripod and my Radar positioned properly beneath one of my air guns at the range.
My FX Radar on a small, cheap tripod and my Radar positioned properly beneath one of my air guns at the range.
Upvote 0
Stoti,
You have what looks like a RAW HM1000x. Do you get 1 moa groups at 100 yds and if you do, would you share pellet/slug and velocity? I haven’t responded to our previous posts about my results but I hope to soon. Your posts are encouraging to me. Thanks
You have what looks like a RAW HM1000x. Do you get 1 moa groups at 100 yds and if you do, would you share pellet/slug and velocity? I haven’t responded to our previous posts about my results but I hope to soon. Your posts are encouraging to me. Thanks
Upvote 0
Thanks for your personal in depth review of the FX Chrono! The fact that you have used the device under a majority of conditions, without issues is convincing enough for me to order one. Thanks for your time!
Henry
Henry
Upvote 0
Stoti I’m glad to see your review. I’ve been wanting one of these and read so many negative reviews that I removed it from my cart. I would really like to test one, just the bad reviews put me off.
Upvote 0
It shoots everything well! I shoot the 33.95 gr JSBs at around 915fps with super accuracy. It is definitely a 1MOA gun at 100yds, without question. I've been shooting a lot of slugs lately, pellets on occasion. Testing many different slugs and my RAW really like them in the 29gr range again around 915-920fps. It likes the lighter slugs too, I think it will shoot most of them pretty well as long as they can be pushed over 900fps. That's why I like the 29gr, they shoot well at 920fps and I don't have to push the gun too hard.
I'm glad my reply had at least a little pull with you guys, I think its a great little rig. I think you'll like it.
Have a great evening guys. Stoti
Upvote 0
Thanks Stoti. Being new to airguns, I had been kind of “wandering in the dark” before I saw your posts. I appreciate your response to my questions and your report on the FX chronograph (ordered one Monday). Reading your experiences with your RAW and pellets/slugs encouraged me.
Blessings
Blessings
Upvote 0
I’m glad. This is a great forum. No matter what the question, someone will have an answer for you or can help steer you in the right direction.
Stoti
Stoti
Upvote 0
Thanks for the review , i am also on the fence. You shed some positive light for me to purchase one.
Upvote 0
Stoti,
Thanks for your advice. With my RAW 1000 and the FX radar chronograph today I shot my first 1 inch 5 shot group at 100 yds. NSA 33 gr 25 cal slug at 857 FPS.
Upvote 0
Initially I was also not happy with the results. I used a tripod approach as the MFG suggests and it was just not repeatable. Then I tried the rubber band and attached it directly to the barrel and all those concerns were gone. The setup is now very repeatable and I rarely get a 'no read' shot.
Some observations I made:
1. barrel to chrono alignment in the projectile direction is extremely important, both in the left/right and up/down direction. My assumption here is that the measurement sensitivity is similar to what a Yagi antenna profile looks like which is very sharp in one direction and looks like a bowling pin, so any misalignment and the Doppler can't accurately get a signal back.
2. The setback of the chrono from the muzzle can be different between different guns, why I can't explain but on my crown it works best about 2-3 in behind the muzzle. I have seen others that stated that they place the chrony ahead of the muzzle and others much farther back. Obviously placing the chrono ahead of the muzzle negates the ability to attach it to the barrel, but luckily in my case that didn't need to happen
The software also made good improvements and that is the nice thing, only the sky is the limit. So, as long as the hardware is solid the software can add features and improvements without you having to spend more money on a newer and better unit.
Some observations I made:
1. barrel to chrono alignment in the projectile direction is extremely important, both in the left/right and up/down direction. My assumption here is that the measurement sensitivity is similar to what a Yagi antenna profile looks like which is very sharp in one direction and looks like a bowling pin, so any misalignment and the Doppler can't accurately get a signal back.
2. The setback of the chrono from the muzzle can be different between different guns, why I can't explain but on my crown it works best about 2-3 in behind the muzzle. I have seen others that stated that they place the chrony ahead of the muzzle and others much farther back. Obviously placing the chrono ahead of the muzzle negates the ability to attach it to the barrel, but luckily in my case that didn't need to happen
The software also made good improvements and that is the nice thing, only the sky is the limit. So, as long as the hardware is solid the software can add features and improvements without you having to spend more money on a newer and better unit.
Upvote 0
I have one...it works...its picky as hell where you place it in relationship to the gun and every gun has been different....want to save some money...just go buy one made for paint ballers...the dont go as high on fps so make sure you find one that has enough
Upvote 0