Range Gear, Chronographs: Garmin Radar vs. Caldwell Velociradar

[GunnyGene]

In depth head to head comparison of the Garmin Xero C1 Pro and the Caldwell Velociradar. Different feature sets and technology.


https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/garmi ... omparison/

[Headhog]

Interesting read, but for my use I can't justify the cost of either. I'm not a hunter so knowing terminal velocity of a bullet is of little use. I have my old optical chronograph and that serves me just fine. Sure it requires more setup, plus I have to pay attention to place my round in-between the screens and make sure lighting is good, but for the price difference, I'll live with these limitations. I say if any of the radar chronographs fit your needs, go for it.

Paul

[GunnyGene]

Interesting read, but for my use I can't justify the cost of either. I'm not a hunter so knowing terminal velocity of a bullet is of little use. I have my old optical chronograph and that serves me just fine. Sure it requires more setup, plus I have to pay attention to place my round in-between the screens and make sure lighting is good, but for the price difference, I'll live with these limitations. I say if any of the radar chronographs fit your needs, go for it.

Paul

This kind of hi-tech is aimed mostly at reloaders/competition rifle shooters trying squeeze that last .2% of accuracy and precision from their rifle. I'm neither so don't foresee buying one, but like to keep up on the technology.

I know one guy who's into ELR competition, who has a Garmin, and he'll probably buy a Caldwell also. He can easily afford whatever he wants.

[5shot]

I've had chrono's for years. Started out with the cheap little Chrony which worked quite well. Over the years I have had three of them and all died tragic deaths. I got the first one with a .270 and the next two met their ends with that familiar question...."Can I run a shot over that thing?" The most recent Chrony death was my fault. I let a "buddy" shoot his 10mm pistol over it and I could see he was flinching badly. He centered it. I don't think they're even making them any more.
The next one was a CED brand which I absolutely despised. It required stretching out cables to the start and stop sensors and those cables behave like coiled springs in cold weather. Once in a while the wicked contraption gave me a complete string of readings but there were a lot of ERR's too. I think it's down in the basement somewhere...
Then I got the Garmin. It ain't cheap but what a pleasant and simple thing it is. Takes a few seconds to set up and works all the time. Glad I got it because I just gotta have numbers.

[GunnyGene]

I've had chrono's for years. Started out with the cheap little Chrony which worked quite well. Over the years I have had three of them and all died tragic deaths. I got the first one with a .270 and the next two met their ends with that familiar question...."Can I run a shot over that thing?" The most recent Chrony death was my fault. I let a "buddy" shoot his 10mm pistol over it and I could see he was flinching badly. He centered it. I don't think they're even making them any more.
The next one was a CED brand which I absolutely despised. It required stretching out cables to the start and stop sensors and those cables behave like coiled springs in cold weather. Once in a while the wicked contraption gave me a complete string of readings but there were a lot of ERR's too. I think it's down in the basement somewhere...
Then I got the Garmin. It ain't cheap but what a pleasant and simple thing it is. Takes a few seconds to set up and works all the time. Glad I got it because I just gotta have numbers.

I'd bet you buy the Caldwell within 12 months. - More numbers.

[rickhem]

I have a PACT Model 1 that I got in either late 80s, or early 90s. I used the heck out of it way back then, mostly for pistol and .22lr ammo. Put it away for years and years, but have been using it again these past couple years. Had to relearn a lot, and getting to know the little quirks for setting it up and getting reliable results was frustrating at times, but I'm back to liking it again. The PIA is setting it up, and the new radar based chrono units are great in that aspect. They sit right on your bench, or on the ground next to you, and have minimal set-up time. No need to go forward of the firing line like the older styles. No cables to connect and no sky-screens to align with your target, I've gone through all the things that 5shot posted, and had my sensors get shot a couple times over the years, some of which were my shots, so no judgements there. You won't shoot the new radar based units, and they can tell you what velocity you still have at distance, and can calculate energy, which is good to know for a hunter.

Like GunnyGene mentioned, I'm looking for data that I can use for assessing my reloading consistency, and to help judge which powders help give me the best performance with hunting loads. I don't use it every time I shoot, but once I have a load I like, I get that extra data. It was a big help when loading for my .357 BBS, finding how much more I am able to get loading with Lil Gun over W296.

[5shot]

[/quote]

I'd bet you buy the Caldwell within 12 months. - More numbers.
[/quote]

Well Gene, I'm prettty sure I have all the numbers I can afford for now. Besides that I think the Garmin is made in a better part of China.....Taiwan.

[GunnyGene]

I have a PACT Model 1 that I got in either late 80s, or early 90s. I used the heck out of it way back then, mostly for pistol and .22lr ammo. Put it away for years and years, but have been using it again these past couple years. Had to relearn a lot, and getting to know the little quirks for setting it up and getting reliable results was frustrating at times, but I'm back to liking it again. The PIA is setting it up, and the new radar based chrono units are great in that aspect. They sit right on your bench, or on the ground next to you, and have minimal set-up time. No need to go forward of the firing line like the older styles. No cables to connect and no sky-screens to align with your target, I've gone through all the things that 5shot posted, and had my sensors get shot a couple times over the years, some of which were my shots, so no judgements there. You won't shoot the new radar based units, and they can tell you what velocity you still have at distance, and can calculate energy, which is good to know for a hunter.

Like GunnyGene mentioned, I'm looking for data that I can use for assessing my reloading consistency, and to help judge which powders help give me the best performance with hunting loads. I don't use it every time I shoot, but once I have a load I like, I get that extra data. It was a big help when loading for my .357 BBS, finding how much more I am able to get loading with Lil Gun over W296.

Targeting systems for rifles ( I hesitate to call them scopes or optics) these days are in the realm of Sci-Fi. One such is the SMASH system by Smart-Shooter. It's an automatic targeting and firing system for small arms, that you may have heard about.

https://www.smart-shooter.com/

So, once you've built your perfect rifle, and developed your perfect load using the latest and greatest chrono, stick the latest and greatest automatic targeting and firing system on the rail and go to work. Hey, it only takes $$$$$.

[fortyshooter]

I have had the Magneto Speed unit for several years and very happy with how well it works. No need to worry about sun and sky conditions and simple to set up. I use it on revolvers with 4 3/4 plus barrel lengths and of course rifles.