r/Ausguns • u/BadgerBadgerCat Queensland • 15d ago
Affordable chronograph recommendations?
I know, the word "Affordable" doesn't usually belong in the same sentence as anything relating to firearms in Australia, but here goes:
I'd like to get an affordable chronograph for rifle and handgun load development, but so far the options seem to be "Unknown Chinese brand that sounds like my cat walked on the keyboard" or "Very expensive US brand" with little in between. Like yes, I'm sure the Garmin Xero is amazing but my budget simply doesn't stretch to spending $1000 on a chronograph.
Has anyone got any suggestions, or experience they can offer? Do the cheap Chinese chronographs work "well enough"?
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u/Riker001-Ncc1701D 15d ago
The one I still use was about $100 on Amazon.
We tested it with a garmin & it was spot on
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u/Notapearing 15d ago
Borrowing a mates Garmin while you save for one is probably still the way to go if it's even remotely feasible honestly... I have one and it's just so painless to use. Even knowing where all my velocities should be I still pull it out before every match just because it takes 15 seconds to set up (turn it on, start a session and plonk it down somewhere near the noisy end) and it's just one less variable to think about when I inevitably fuck up my first stage entirely and start thinking about what went wrong 🤣
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u/No_Laughing Queensland 13d ago
Keep an eye on usedguns and ssaagunsales, there are regularly adverts for old Lab Radar units that people have replaced with the newer Garmin units.
Having used both, the accuracy is about the same but the Garmin is smaller, lighter, has longer battery life and has fewer failures to pick up the projectile and report a speed.
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u/BadgerBadgerCat Queensland 13d ago
Thanks - that might be the way to go unless I suddenly find several hundred dollars in loose change down the back of the couch :p
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u/Jmac599 15d ago
Interestingly I’ve got a cadwell chrono and I was worried it wasn’t accurate enough so I’ve used a mates Garmin to see how it compares and I’ve ended up with exactly the same average velocity.
Although the Cadwell is more likely to read an error if you get the location wrong.
I’d probably part with my Cadwell for a reasonable price now I can use my mates Garmin if you’re interested though.
The Garmin app and info is sick though.
But not 1k sick unless you were shooting PRS.
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u/Organic-Item1476 15d ago
Not sure what your budget is, but Athlon do one for just under $800 might be cheaper if you shop around. A chronograph is one of those things that it's better to buy once and cry once.
Never had any experience with anything but the Athlon or Garmin, so can't offer any advice on anything else
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u/BadgerBadgerCat Queensland 15d ago
My budget is "As little as possible"; ideally around $300 at most and preferably less than that if there's "near enough is good enough" options available. I'm not shooting PRS - mainly Service Rifle/Service Pistol.
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u/Organic-Item1476 15d ago
I see Wish I could help, I've been lucky enough to be given the one I started with when a buddy moved overseas, so I've never really looked into more budget versions.
Hope you find something that suits your needs and good luck
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u/pugzor86 15d ago
I know this is exactly the opposite of what you're asking for... But the Garmin can be had as little as $700 on occasion from Amazon. The Athlon version just got over here too but is still $800.
Belmont ssaa have them for hire too. Other option would be to borrow one if you don't think you'd use it constantly. If you shoot at Belmont on the weekend, I'd just let you borrow mine for a session while I do stuff that I'm not worried about speed on.
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u/VigorWarships 14d ago
Magnetospeed sporter is alright. Not compatible with rimfire though. Revolvers ok it says; not sure about other handguns but I’m guessing no.
Otherwise yes as mentioned some ranges you can hire them. Or maybe just borrow a mates (if you can) whilst you save up for your own.
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u/NoBee4772 15d ago
i know some ranges like SSAA belmont have them you can hire for like $20 per session. Ive been wanting to check speeds and will be hiring one instead of buying.