what is the most accurate and durable trouble free chronograph?

[timeless61]

as the title implies, what is the most trouble free least finicky, trouble free, durable chronograph? I have a CED Millenium 2, it worked okay for the first say 5 times of use, and today, would not work at all, kept getting sensor errors. I called and left a message for them and will be calling back, but now this pushes me back another 1-2 weeks for my load development.

so for the future, what would be my best bet for a chronograph? thanks

 

[liltank]

Don't have anything for ya, but want to here some answers.

Tank

 

[Trickymissfit]

about fifteen years ago a buddy of mine and myself bought chronographs. He had a little more money than I did and bought an Ohler 35 with the three sky screen. I bought a PACT. Just the midline model without the printer (mistake). Doug spent well over $340 dollars with a dealer's discount, and I spent almost a hundred dollars less without a discount. I opted for the square tubed mounting bracket, and Doug used the recommended piece of electrical conduit. The readings were virtually identical (within 2 or 3 fps most everytime). I could set mine up and be running in less than 15 minutes (including alignment), and I have seen Doug fiddle with his for 45 minutes and longer. That was in 1993, and neither one has ever had the slightest problem. Now I'm going to finally buy a new chronograph this winter (With a printer!), and of course it will be a PACT even though I can buy the Ohler for the same $340 price tag. That's a lot of beer for me!
gary

 

[Whitesheep]

My hunting partner and I use a CED Millenium Chronograph form Dillon precision. This my first chronograph, so I am not an expert. It does have large opening sky screens so it is easier not to hit them. The processor is a little slow, but it gets the job done. It stores 100 strings and gives you the typical statistics. It also has a non-volatile memory so it "remembers" your strings even if the battery goes dead. It will transfer data to a PC, but I have mostly used pen and paper. It costs $200 so it seems pretty inexpensive compared to others. Replacement parts are inexpensive too. We carry a spare set of sky screens just in case. Haven't needed them yet.

 

[Trickymissfit]

My hunting partner and I use a CED Millenium Chronograph form Dillon precision. This my first chronograph, so I am not an expert. It does have large opening sky screens so it is easier not to hit them. The processor is a little slow, but it gets the job done. It stores 100 strings and gives you the typical statistics. It also has a non-volatile memory so it "remembers" your strings even if the battery goes dead. It will transfer data to a PC, but I have mostly used pen and paper. It costs $200 so it seems pretty inexpensive compared to others. Replacement parts are inexpensive too. We carry a spare set of sky screens just in case. Haven't needed them yet.

the PACT with a printer sells for $219
gary

 

[J E Custom]

as the title implies, what is the most trouble free least finicky, trouble free, durable chronograph? I have a CED Millenium 2, it worked okay for the first say 5 times of use, and today, would not work at all, kept getting sensor errors. I called and left a message for them and will be calling back, but now this pushes me back another 1-2 weeks for my load development.

so for the future, what would be my best bet for a chronograph? thanks

I still think that the Oehler 35P is the best and most accurate.

I know that there are other good chronographs available , but with all of the features and
dependability Plus a customer service that is second to none , it is the best bang for your
buck.

I have an original Oehler 33 that is almost 40 years old and still works perfect. in fact I just
bough a new 35p and tested the old 33 against it and it read withen 5 feet per second
of the new unit.

The 35p sums, calculates SDs,ESs,Highest velocity, lowest velocity,and with the proof channel
verifies velocity. Plus it prints all the data out for later use and evaluation.

Like everything else you get what you pay for.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Moman]

I've been using a Pact that my dad gave me about 20 years ago. I'm always reminded how old it is because everytime I turn it on it flashes the software date of 1991. It still works but is starting to get very temperamental and if conditions aren't perfect, it either doesn't read anything or the numbers are way off. After reading all of the reviews of the 35P, and hearing people rave about them for years, I went ahead and ordered one in the beginning of September. It wont be here until December but I am looking forward to it. It should last a lifetime and then some.

 

[Moosetracker]

I have a CED Millinium II with the infra-red option and it doesn't miss a beat. I started with the basic CED and occasionally got errors depending on lighting conditions. Also speed readings were not always consistent from one session to another. The infra-red option solved all of that. Today I would not use a chrono without the infra-red screens.

 

[B23]

Have a CED M2 but I don't have the infra-red screens. As of yet, I haven't had any issues but maybe I've just been lucky. Sounds like I need to pick up some infra-red screens for mine.

I'm not sure if this is a CED M2 issue overall or if it's just my CED issue but it does seem to read slower FPS on the average versus other, non CED M2, units.

 

[Moosetracker]

Have a CED M2 but I don't have the infra-red screens. As of yet, I haven't had any issues but maybe I've just been lucky. Sounds like I need to pick up some infra-red screens for mine.

I'm not sure if this is a CED M2 issue overall or if it's just my CED issue but it does seem to read slower FPS on the average versus other, non CED M2, units.

If I use My CED infra-red unit without connecting the batteries (i.e like a basic CED), I get about 130 fps less than when connected. Here are some results from last week with my 338 Edge and 250grs Nosler Accubonds:

Infra-red not connected

3001 fps
2996 fps

Infra-red connected

3123 fps
3140 fps
3135 fps
3143 fps

 

[Trickymissfit]

I still think that the Oehler 35P is the best and most accurate.

I know that there are other good chronographs available , but with all of the features and
dependability Plus a customer service that is second to none , it is the best bang for your
buck.

I have an original Oehler 33 that is almost 40 years old and still works perfect. in fact I just
bough a new 35p and tested the old 33 against it and it read withen 5 feet per second
of the new unit.

The 35p sums, calculates SDs,ESs,Highest velocity, lowest velocity,and with the proof channel
verifies velocity. Plus it prints all the data out for later use and evaluation.

Like everything else you get what you pay for.

Just my opinion.

J E CUSTOM

my old Pact calculates all that as well, and the new one is PC friendly. You can even hook it up directly to a note book PC as you shoot. They are supposed to be able to hook it up with a Palm hand held unit. I don't see any difference in the accuracey, but i do see setup time and a big wad of cash involved. Guess it's to each his own
gary

 

[Pdvdh]

I run an old Oehler 33, an older PACT, and a brand new Oehler 35P concurrently. All sky screens are mounted to a single skyscreen rail. This way they all set up at the range equally quickly - or tediously - whichever way you prefer to consider it.

They all seem to work well in sufficient lighting conditions. The PACT is the first of the three to fail to give readings in fading light conditions. So I give the Oehler's the edge in reliability in poorer lighting conditions.

Having used chronographs extensively for several years now, it's clear that Oehler knows the business of chronographs inside and out. That becomes evident while reading their owner's manual, and should one ever need customer assistance to sort out any issues in the proper operation of their units. Their 35P provides the proof channel, which is invaluable IMO, if you really want to have some confidence that your chronograph data is accurate. Without two different chronographs run concurrently, or one Oehler 35P, I contend there is no way to know if your chrono data is valid.

Here's a link to a photo of my skyscreen setup: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/new-oehler-35p-new-skyscreen-rail-first-test-data-60778/

My skyscreen rail does require transport of a 6' 8" long skyscreen rail within a vehicle from the house to the shooting location.

I wouldn't give up on your CED until you talk with their Tech staff and see if you can't sort out the issue. From what I've read in other owner's Posts on this Forum, they seem to be a decent unit - once the owner's get the operational quirks worked out.

 

[Pdvdh]

If I use My CED infra-red unit without connecting the batteries (i.e like a basic CED), I get about 130 fps less than when connected. Here are some results from last week with my 338 Edge and 250grs Nosler Accubonds:

Infra-red not connected

3001 fps
2996 fps

Infra-red connected

3123 fps
3140 fps
3135 fps
3143 fps

Interesting. This would be concerning to me. Have you discussed this with the manufacturer's tech staff? If so, what observations & comments did they offer?

 

[timeless61]

Interesting. This would be concerning to me. Have you discussed this with the manufacturer's tech staff? If so, what observations & comments did they offer?

me too, considering I am shooting my 338 hart, so 338-300 rum right now without infrared at around 2950 with 300 smk... It has a 34" barrel, so thats where the extra velocity comes with but that is still interesting.

I talked with them today, did a few tests that I kind of did in the field also, and it seems the one sensor is bad, I am going to see what they can do for me at this same time to maybe upgrade to the infrared screens.