[Southpaw]

I'm looking to buy a chronograph and need some advice.  I hear a lot of talk about the Chrony chronograph.  My problem is that I live in the East and sometimes we have several days in a row of overcast weather.  Also, not being a sun worshipper, I want to be able to set up in the shade.  Finally, I tend to shoot early in the morning, the sun not over the trees before I start.  I'd like to hear some experiences with low light shooting.  Also, has anyone heard of the CED Millenium chronograph (the same company makes the Dillion digital scale)?  It has an ifrared sensor option that they say can be used in total darkness (you know, for late at night when you wake up with the urge to shoot, but don't want to turn the light on in the bedroom and wake you wife!!!).  It's about &#36150 more, but comes with some nice options.  Bottom line, I really do need low light capability.  Thanks in advance.

God bless,

 

[Jack Monteith]

Hi, Southpaw:
  My Chrony is 11 years old, so the new ones might be different, but mine needs a fair amount of light. Actually, an overcast sky is brighter than a clear blue sky. You can prove that with a camera with a light meter readout. The diffusers that all chronographs have are there to simulate an overcast sky.  Take them off if it's overcast and getting a bit dark.

  Being in the shade is O.K., as long as there's a clear view of the sky straight up. Getting sunlight between the diffusers and the sensors is a no-no, because the glint from the shiny bullets can fool any chronograph. If you want real problems, shoot when the sun's coming through the tree tops, especially on a windy day.

Bye
Jack      


(Edited by Jack Monteith at 1<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->8 pm on June 5, 2001)

 

[DOK]

Southpaw,

"sometimes we have several days in a row of overcast weather" is an understatement of the weather we've had in Iowa this spring and my Chrony with diffusers in place has worked well each time. In fact, most of the time, the Chrony is positioned under the roof of the range (but open to the sun light) and as indicated, has not been a problem. I usually shoot around 7<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://beartoothbullets.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->0 to 7:30 in the morning and the sun is just coming over the trees.

The only consideration I've given to getting another chronograph is the Oehler with redundant checking for verification.

And I suspect your wife wouldn't be surprised if you did wake her up that way some day -- particulary with a new gun that you can't wait to shoot.

 

[Bill Lester]

Sothpaw,

Actually it is usually better to chronograph under somewhat cloudy conditions than in brightest sunlight. I know my own PACT Model 1 falses sometimes in cloudless summer conditions, yet works fine even to the edge of dusk.

 

[BrianK]

Southpaw, if you want low light useage to be guaranteed the CED Millenium is the way to go. Yes, it can be used in sun with the standard skyscreens, but with the add-on IR screens it can even be used in full darkness. The IR screens also make  for more accurate readings since the wavelength of the light doing the measuring is controlled. Dark clouds passing over have no effect. Hot summer days and tiny bullets (.17) combine to limit velocity readings to 4200 fps instead of the 5000fps it's regularly capable of (so the literature says), but that's fast enough for most folks. The IR screens can use 6v battery power or 110 v AC with the adapter.

BTW, I've used one for 3 (?) years now, the only negative thing I've found is that it's not a good idea to shoot a skyscreen.

CED has a website for more info..
http://www.cedhk.com/

 

[Southpaw]

Thanks everyone. I've been leaning toward the CED, but I didn't know of anyone using one, especially 3 or so years.  I guess the quality's there.  And I'll try to follow your advice on the skyscreens, BrianK. (smile!)

God bless and thanks again,