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LabRadar Chronograph Review

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I was pretty excited to test this new bad boy of the chronograph world out, so I asked Rhian Mantha, AKA "BignGreen," to come along and help. I mean if a guy is going to go shoot, he might just as well have company right? Besides, this will set the stage for those that read this review to get two opinions from two long range guys. Read More...
This is a thread for discussion of the article, LabRadar Chronograph Review, By Jeff Brozovich. Here you can ask questions or make comments about the article.
 
LabRadar does have a certain appeal to me. There are several questions I'd like answered before I invest in another chrono.
1. Did you ever apply the new firmware update and if so what are the result for the smaller size bullet?
2. How about a comparison to the Oehlerchronograph? That one seems to be the most accurate.
3. What about using this during a practice competition for 1000 yard match. Will other shooters trigger LabRadar.
4. How does the software interface with the computer?

I can see how I would benefit from using this chrono.
Setup is by far easier.
Certainly won't shoot the chrono when ladder testing to different targets.
 
There are others testing this unit and all have similar and other issues with it.
Although I do have one on order with Len, neither the test that the two guys on this site did or on sniper hide did are good enough to purchase it at this time. If and when they get it figured out I will buy it. Until then my Oehler p-35. is the answer for me.
 
LabRadar does have a certain appeal to me. There are several questions I'd like answered before I invest in another chrono.
1. Did you ever apply the new firmware update and if so what are the result for the smaller size bullet?
2. How about a comparison to the Oehlerchronograph? That one seems to be the most accurate.
3. What about using this during a practice competition for 1000 yard match. Will other shooters trigger LabRadar.
4. How does the software interface with the computer?

I can see how I would benefit from using this chrono.
Setup is by far easier.
Certainly won't shoot the chrono when ladder testing to different targets.

We did not have the update for the review but I believe Len has installed it after it was sent back and I'm sure we'll see more. I know Litz had a similar issue and it was resolved.

We were not able to compare the LabRadar directly to an Oelher, no one has an Oelher left because they've all been sold of after getting Magnetospeeds which have proven themselves to be accurate in every condition. We did shoot the Magneto and LabRadar side by side and the velocities were over lapping within a few fps and they tracked very close. Bryan Litz has done more extensive testing against other units. I have absolutely no desire to go back to an Oelher or anything similar, there is not a single advantage to that type of unit, especially if you shoot with wind. I used to have to pick windows of weather to try to get some good velocity data and it was kind of a production to get all set up to get good info but now days, roll out and get it done.

In a match I think you could set it up to not catch the other shooters because benches are usually far enough apart, I know Litz set one up at a match and it worked well. With our larger guns with brakes set up close it would catch both of us shooting but we were equal distances from the unit so it would have no chance of sorting that out.
 
If the velocities between LabRadar and Magnetospeed were over lapping ,then
why spend the money for the LabRadar,when the Magnetospeed is half the
price and can go anywhere.
 
If the velocities between LabRadar and Magnetospeed were over lapping ,then
why spend the money for the LabRadar,when the Magnetospeed is half the
price and can go anywhere.

For me its about getting data w/o the risk of POI shift & groups opening up. If and when I finally see a LabRadar, I'm likely going to set it up whenever I shoot. I'm interested in tracking velocity changes due to temp., barrel fouling, barrel aging and general hand load changes. If I could be positive that the Magnetospeed never affected POI & groups then I wouldn't bother with the LabRadar.
 
I didn't buy the magnetospeed because my friend has one and it does change poi and group size. I believe that the LabRader will be the way to go but not for a while.They should have taken care of that before it came to the public. Another words
They needed to test, then sell.
 
The POI change is the main reason most will buy a LabRadar, it is interesting to see the velocities 120 yards down range and there are a couple other features that are interesting but the main thing is being able to get clean data from both the target and the chronograph with minimal set up issues.
I have a Magnetospeed but I have about worn out the bayo, when it finally cuts through I don't know what I'll do.
All products have a working out period, I have not seen anything that did not need something addressed once in the end users hands, these days everything comes down to software which is easily updated.
 
Hang on to your money because there are two other companies that will have similar
products out within a year. Testing is going on now and hopefully when they come out they will have less issues to the end user. My point was LabRadar needed a lot more testing before release but then they most likely know there soon to be competitors
are fast approaching.
 
Hang on to your money because there are two other companies that will have similar
products out within a year. Testing is going on now and hopefully when they come out they will have less issues to the end user. My point was LabRadar needed a lot more testing before release but then they most likely know there soon to be competitors
are fast approaching.

Can you tell us the names of the other companies?
 
I don't really see that many issues with this initial release for testing, really for me it has zero issues cause it very accurately reads every bullet size I'm interested in but a minor software change is hardly anything to act like the sky is falling over. I can tell you that had I not had an accurate chronograph already that LabRadar would not have left MT!!

I recently had to let some engineers down gently after a release of a 150,000 dollar machine, it had over three years of in field trials and re engineering and prototyping with millions invested. First year roll out and there is a major issue after they got into real world conditions and ran by non professional operators but in a commercial capacity. How the company deals with the changes needed will tell if their worthy of the dollars!
 
When and if i get more info about it I will post it. I like the fact that you may have other to pick from. Most anything built today when it first comes out will need a tune up but but more testing needs to be done on the builder than the consumer end.Let them spend the money on ammunition and whatever else needs to be spent
Not us.
 
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