OT: Chronographs, what's the best to buy & why?

[LeverBob]

Howdy Pards & Pardesses...

Need some definition from y'all about chronies. Been checking out the supplier reviews at midway...having a hard time deciding which!

Best to all...

LB

[Terry Murbach]

OEHLER.
I HAVE USED THREE OF 'EM, AS 10, A 33, AND A 35P, FOR OVER 40 YEARS NOW WITH NO PROBLEMS.
BOTH AMMO COMPANIES I WORKED FOR USED OEHLER SYSTEMS WITH NO PROBLEMS.
MY FRIENDS WHO DID NOT BUY OEHLER BUT WENT ON THE CHEAP PAID FOR IT LATER.
WHEN I 'VE SEEN THE WIND BLOW THEIR CHRONOGRAPH OFF THE BENCH AND MY OEHLER 33 NEVER MOVED I KNEW AND THEY KNEW YOU-GET-WHAT-YOU-PAY-FOR AND CHEAP IS TOO DARNED EXPENSIVE.

[awp101]

Let me state up front, I do not have a chrono nor have I ever used one. I suppose I've led a sheltered life...

My understanding is it is better (maybe more desirable is a more accurate term) to have the "head unit" separate from the part that holds the screens. It seems it's cheaper to replace the holders rather than a whole, one piece unit when they catch a stray round...

[LeverBob]

Is Oehler still making them...I know they discontinued the model with pressure trace equipment befor I could afford to buy.

What's the skinny Terry?

LB

[Terry Murbach]

IF I UNDERSTAND RIGHT THERE IS A WHOLE NEW BATCH OF OEHLER 35P CHRONOGRAPHS FOR SALE AS WE SPEAK.
BY THE WAY, I DISCONNECTED THE "P" ON MINE AS IT EATS BATTERIES FOR DINNER AND SUPPER. I WRITE DATA IN A JOURNAL AS IT WAS OBTAINED SO THE 'P' [ PRINTER ] WAS SUPERFLUOUS TO ME.

[LeverBob]

Terry,

Went over to the Oehler site & they are making a run of 35P's this summer...but, the model 43 is still in suspension. (Dang it!).

Went into the store section: the system is complete with tripods & case...$575.00 plus $25.00 delivery. Have to start now selling & saving...not going to miss this one.

Thanks much pard,

LB

[AJMD429]

BY THE WAY, I DISCONNECTED THE "P" ON MINE AS IT EATS BATTERIES FOR DINNER AND SUPPER. I WRITE DATA IN A JOURNAL AS IT WAS OBTAINED SO THE 'P' [ PRINTER ] WAS SUPERFLUOUS TO ME.

Yep. Unless you have a computer-interface unit and software to import the data to a fancy ballistcs program, the good old pencil-and-paper seems to do a fine job, plus makes it easy to eliminate ballistic 'flyer' rounds and such.

My understanding is it is better (maybe more desirable is a more accurate term) to have the "head unit" separate from the part that holds the screens. It seems it's cheaper to replace the holders rather than a whole, one piece unit when they catch a stray round...

Here's a SIMPLE FIX FOR THAT. . .

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I bought a ProChrono from Competition Electronics. Oehler had stopped selling their stuff to mere pleabs like myself so there was little choice there. I'm happy with the unit but I also have the remote control. Without the remote, it would be substantially less user friendly. It will only interface to one long discontinued HP thermal printer so that feature is pretty useless. However, if you have the remote, it also has a serial port on it and will allow you to interface to your laptop that way if you so desire.

I would rather have a unit where the display separates from the unit and can remain on the bench. But you can't have everything. From what I've read, the ProChrono is supposed to be very accurate. I have had zero problems with it since I got it years ago.

[Peter M. Eick]

Another vote for the 35P. I love mine and use it reasonably often. I will probably buy another just to have a spare around. I personally need the paper print out so I can log all of my shooting notes on it. I think it works great for that.

[20cows]

I have a Chrony I aquired used 15 years ago. It still workslike it's supposed to and I don't have much money tied up in it.

[Old Ironsights]

Best thing I like about Chrony brand is that they warrantee against when their units go rabid and you are forced to shoot them...

Does Ohler have a similar program?

[jd45]

I also have a ProChrono from Competion Electronics. My brother gave it as a Christmas present a few years ago. Hundred bucks, & works well. They're made not far from me, too, in Rockford, Illinois. I got a flyer recently from Oehler. Sure would like one of theirs, but I'm afraid I couldn't afford it. jd45

[Leverluver]

I have a 35P (BTW, the P stands for "proof channel", meaning it has three sky screens) and M43. Never had a problem with either, indoors or outdoors. If one broke, I'd buy one of the new ones in a heart beat.

[KWK]

Mine from Competition Electronics works fine.

If you want to be more certain of each reading, buy two cheapies of different makes and line them up on a 2x4. You get much of the redundancy of the Oehler -- but with less than half the convenience. The Oehler remains the king.

I don't load hot, so I can be satisfied firing multiple rounds over one unit.

[DPris]

I've used the Oehler 35 for many years, and it's always been my understanding the base model is the Model 35 & with attached printer it's the Model 35P (for printer, not for proof channel).
Both versions have the three-screen proof channel, I originally bought my M35 without the printer because I saw no need for one. Extra money, extra batteries, extra paper, either separate printout paper storage or toss it in the can after transfering it to a notebook.
I've always just written results in a big spiral notebook for later reference.

I prefer having the control unit completely separate from the screens & behind the firing line. Screens/frames are much cheaper to replace. I borrowed a screens-on-top chronograph unit many years ago & promptly shot a hole through the electronics.

Denis

[Leverluver]

Stand corrected...P for printer.

[DPris]

It's a confusing world.
Denis

[LeverBob]

Much obliged pards for all the replies. Money is a factor out here & if I can't put enough together for the Oehler I prolly will go with a Pact.

No offense to anyone & your choices...

LB

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Nice looking units. If those were around when I bought mine I probably would have gone that way myself.

http://pact.com/index.php?page=shop.bro ... t&Itemid=1