LabRadar Chronograph

L

ligonierbill

New member
I received my new chrono 2 days ago and got it out to the range yesterday. This unit uses doppler radar to measure velocity. Bottom line is I like it, and it's worth the high price ($600!) to me. Here's a comparison from my experience.

I have been using a PACT 1-XP for years. The thing I like about it is, if (OK, when) you hit the screen, you can replace just that front end. It's accurate; .22 match ammo reads as specified. Of course, setup is a pain, and if the light isn't right you're out of luck.

For the last couple years, I have been using a Magnetospeed. It's a lot harder to hit (but you can), and setup is easier, no fiddling around down range. Haven't checked it with .22 match, but it jibes with the PACT. No sunlight issues. I have not personally observed any effect on groups, but one always wonders. Biggest downside is you can't attach it to your bottom feeder pistol, short barreled revolver, or a lot of military rifles.

Now, the LabRadar. Setup takes me less time than setting up my spotting scope. Once it's in place, you can shoot what you brung. I tested a couple loads for my 9 mm at 20 yards, then picked up the AR and ran some of those at 100. Before that I tested it in my backyard with a pellet gun. The software takes a little getting used to, but this thing is versatile and convenient. I do need to run some match .22 to verify its accuracy, but I think my other chronographs are retired.

Worth the price? It is to me. I load lots of different calibers, and I'm always fooling with new loads. But I don't think it's going to replace the existing technology. Oh, it's made in America, North America that is. It comes from our friends in the great white north.
 
More details, please. If you have the time, it would be good to see side-by-sides with your optical chronograph set to the same ranges that you've selected on the display.

I looked at this awhile back and got on early purchaser mailing list, but got discouraged when some of their literature said its multiple range readout was "not for determining ballistic coefficients". I don't know why? I thought perhaps the slight offset angle made it less accurate at closer distances, but the current software apparently has a compensating adjustment for that. But that's why I'm asking. Determining ballistic coefficients was one of my main objectives. So, even though I don't expect it to match the optical chronograph perfectly, it would be interesting to see if they tend to track.
 
Good old Crony does well, you can hit it still but it takes some effort.

I actually managed to crease mine with 1/4 of a bullet, sort of gives it ambience!

I mean how good a shot am I that I can crease it like that and not wreck it!

I am even more carefully now of course!

Not sure if there was a slip at the time or what, but they are reliable, the remote readout control is a must.

I used my old trip pod so that didn't cost me anything.

I did glue the sky screens together as they kept flying apart (between the pins with 2 loose connections on each end and those in the middle and ......

I have an old small plastic box I keep it all in and it works well, don't fold it up, easy to find all the parts etc.

I do sometimes get a false reading from one side of the bench, oddly it can be a normal gun, muzzle brakes sometimes make it nuts and sometimes not.

Easy figured out and ignore the reading.
 
I suspect the reason they don't recommend it for BC determination is the limited range for downrange velocity. They claim 100 yards with a .308 projectile, less for smaller calibers. When I get some time, I will set up the optical at a measured distance equal to one of the LabRadar measurement points and try a round for which I have a lot of data.
 
I have a Lab Radar on order. Company says it will be at least June until they catch up. If it does not live up to the hype, its going back. We will see, if they ever get it to me.
 
Woolecox, I hope you're not disappointed. I give this thing top marks for convenience and ease of use, but other than the downrange velocity, the LabRadar doesn't do anything standard units don't.

I'm going to set my old PACT at several distances and see if the readings jibe, as Unclenick suggests. (Right now I'm working off a 6-month backlog of load workups that I was saving for the new wonder.) But I won't usually take advantage of the downrange capability. The convenience is important to me. This week I took 4 handguns and 5 load workups out and had a nice no hassle workout.

I'm very happy with mine and don't regret the price. But I am trying to "de-hype" it. I'm afraid more than a few folks are going to be unhappy when they figure out it's still just a chronograph.
 
I give this thing top marks for convenience and ease of use, but other than the downrange velocity, the LabRadar doesn't do anything standard units don't.
Click to expand...

Well, yes it does, as long a it works as advertised when it gets here.

My shooting buddies and I have used several brands/models over the years. Here is my take.

- Easy to set up and use at the range. Can be set up on the bench without the need to go down range during cease fires. I ordered the bench mount and the case.

- Will measure anything, rifles, pistols, shotguns, arrows, air rifles, etc.

- Nothing required to be strapped to the end of the barrel like the Magnetopeed models that spoil accuracy. No shims to fiddle with.

- No danger of shooting it (unless you are a really bad shot).

- No missed shots due to lighting conditions.

- Doppler radar is extremely accurate.

- What else?

I am not sure what the value of having down range velocities out to 100 yards is. That is probably not far enough to get a good reading on unknown BC’s etc. Besides that, everything that I load and shoot has a given BC, usually G7 for the rifle stuff.

All of the ballistic programs I use (mostly Shooter in the field) only have one input for velocity anyway. So maybe some one could shed some light on that feature for me.

If this thing is quality gear made in the USA that works as advertised, I am going to be ecstatic! I have already sold my Magnetospeed to my buddy and my Oehler Research 3 screen wonder sits in my shop mostly because it is such a production to move and get setup.

Thanks,
Woolly

oehler2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Won't dispute that doppler radar can be more accurate than other systems but at quite a premium for what most need.

I have a Pact infra-red with printer that does all I need. I work up loads a lot differently than many. First test charge weights and seating depth for best accuracy and NO Chronograph.

Only when I have the load that hits the same place on the target, shot after shot, do I bring out the chronograph. Then, rather than chrono'ing a bunch of loads that are essentially worthless, I shoot 20 or more of my accurate load across the chrono and get meaningful data rather than a lot of data that is either from too small a sample size or won't be used at all.

The Pact setup cost me a whole lot less and does all I need.

For those that want their Doppler Radar setup, go for it. I'll just put the extra money in components, maybe even my next barrel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top