chronograph,,, I need a new one

Recommendations for a new chronograph. Thinking either Labrador or magneto speed. Both have draw backs. either set up or price.
Any other options out there?

Check out the new garmin xero c1 pro. There was a thread in here recently all about them. The cost was high for me but some thought it a great deal. It is small, simple to set up and simple to operate. Mine seems very consistent. The thing I like best is that I can shoot targets with it and it records every shot, no screwing around trying to shoot between wires or screens etc. check it out on you tube as well.
Per your original question, some guys have new units and are willing to sell their old ones, I’ve noticed a few more of them on the market

It’s seems most people have jumped on the Garmin train.

The only reason I would recommend a magnetospeed is if having the smallest package is your number one concern.

Garmin is the way to go. Get it. You’ll be glad you did!
Bruce

I,ve owned all three, all work great all have drawbacks
That being said I have a almost new Magneto Speed for sale

100% get the garmin. There’s nothing others can do that the Garmin can’t. But the others have their own individual limitations that the Garmin doesn’t.

I bought my LabRadar about 6 months before the Garmin was released, poor timing for me, so I don’t own a Garmin. By countless accounts, the Garmin is fast and fool proof to setup/aim. The LabRadar can be finicky to get aimed just right. The LabRadar can also be finicky to trigger shot recorders, where the Garmin seems to be money for picking up about every shot fired regardless of conditions. The magnetospeed has to be attached to the barrel (though there are some elaborate contraptions that allow rail mounting with arms to put the magneto back in front of the barrel), so it can’t be used whenever you are shooting for groups, distance etc. Traditional chronos have to be setup in the line of fire, so that’s a big enough downside to toss them to the side of the list unless cost is a factor for you.

My thoughts only. I own a Magneto speed. It works well but is a bit of a pain to set up. I will probably end up with a Garmin. That being said, what's your usage plan? Once or twice a year to check your speeds? Or weekly as you work up new loads and tune your rifles? If it's the former, you might wanna watch for a good used one as guys buy the new Garmin and let go of their Magneto speeds and LabRadars at bargain prices.
Just my thoughts.
Jody

Mostly to check speeds on my loads. I generally work up a load and not worry about speeds until I find the accuracy I like. For my 375 I worked up at 100 yards, and verified at 300 yards. Thinking that was about as far as I was going to shoot it. By the drop it should be about 2500fps. I just want to make sure I have enough for a Buffalo.
For my 30cals I work my load up at max range. for instance my 300wm and such I typically shoot 700 yards. Once I get a load there I put out targets every 100 yards and verify drops, Yep I like to shoot and am blessed with the area I can go out past 1000 yards if i want to .

Labradar has worked well for me.

TucsonFX4 said:

100% get the garmin. There’s nothing others can do that the Garmin can’t. But the others have their own individual limitations that the Garmin doesn’t.

I bought my LabRadar about 6 months before the Garmin was released, poor timing for me, so I don’t own a Garmin. By countless accounts, the Garmin is fast and fool proof to setup/aim. The LabRadar can be finicky to get aimed just right. The LabRadar can also be finicky to trigger shot recorders, where the Garmin seems to be money for picking up about every shot fired regardless of conditions. The magnetospeed has to be attached to the barrel (though there are some elaborate contraptions that allow rail mounting with arms to put the magneto back in front of the barrel), so it can’t be used whenever you are shooting for groups, distance etc. Traditional chronos have to be setup in the line of fire, so that’s a big enough downside to toss them to the side of the list unless cost is a factor for you.

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The only thing the Labradar has over the Garmin is being able to measure velocities at multiple distances. I’ve found it useful for calculating true ballistic coefficients. That has been helpful in longer range applications and selecting the best bullet for the job… I also wish I had the garmin for ease of use and compactness when doing load development. The Labradar does not easily pick up small fast 22 cal bullets at distance. Suppressed, the labradar can be finicky to get readings.

Now for the story part…

I was dead set on a 1 rifle 375 safari last time and having the ability to measure B.C out to 200 yards changed my choice of bullet. I was all ready to take a bunch of 275/300 gr CEB raptors but when I saw how slow they were moving out that far, I was not impressed or confident that this bullet was the right choice if a serious PG opportunity presented itself past 100yards.

I started testing the 299gr Shock Hammer as a back up and it was clear there was greater potential for terminal performance at distance. I was satisfied making the switch and it paid off on an old Sable.

Anyway, I’ve learned the finickyness of my labradar and will stick with it. You can’t go wrong with the Garmin if that’s your choice.

Garmin, It is not finicky and will set there all day long waiting to register a shot. I have never missed a shot with the Garmin. The Garmin doesn’t record shots down range. The Garmin is not the best for dumping your shot strings to your computer.

LabRadar, can be somewhat finicky with alignment, has a arming timer so you will need to get your shot off within the timing window. I have missed shots with the LabRadar for unknown reasons. The LabReadar will measure velocities down range up to 100yds, if everything is lined up properly. The LabRadar records data onto a SD card and allows you to dump all your data onto your computer.

I prefer the Garmin. I don’t care about dumping all my data at once onto my computer. My LabRadar has been sent to a drawer as a backup, just in case.

Racer00 said:

My thoughts only. I own a Magneto speed. It works well but is a bit of a pain to set up. I will probably end up with a Garmin. That being said, what's your usage plan? Once or twice a year to check your speeds? Or weekly as you work up new loads and tune your rifles? If it's the former, you might wanna watch for a good used one as guys buy the new Garmin and let go of their Magneto speeds and LabRadars at bargain prices.
Just my thoughts.
Jody

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Because the Garmin is so easy to use, it will be used more often. Why not you own it, use it. You can learn a lot about your rifle by tracking speeds.

Garmin all the way, I sold all of my other chronographs

Sporter magnetospeed and maybe add a labradar down the road if they ever are available or go down in price, not sure if they are worth the cost over the sporter but i’ve not used one.

My Garmin is incredibly easy to use and super portable. The convenience was worth the price to me.

I just looked and see Oehler is still selling the 35p for $595. I can’t imagine anyone buying one nowadays when the radar units are so much easier. I doubt mine will ever come out of the case again

Bowandarrowman said:

Sporter magnetospeed and maybe add a labradar down the road if they ever are available or go down in price, not sure if they are worth the cost over the sporter but i’ve not used one.

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LabRadar is incredibly easy to find, new or used. Due to the Garmin release, used LabRadars can be found dirt cheap

Moved from a MagnetoSpeed v3 to a Garmin. I'm out on the range once a week, sometimes more, and setting up the Garmin is an afterthought. If I was out monthly or less, then I'd stick with the MagnetoSpeed.

Puddle said:

Moved from a MagnetoSpeed v3 to a Garmin. I'm out on the range once a week, sometimes more, and setting up the Garmin is an afterthought. If I was out monthly or less, then I'd stick with the MagnetoSpeed.

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I don't agree with this, when the Garmin is used it is not attached to the barrel. You actually measure groups and not worried about if they will fall apart when you remove the MagnetoSpeed. For anyone serious about shooting the Garmin is the way to go IMHO.

Nobody is switching from the Garmin to a Lab Radar... the trend to the Garmin is occurring for a reason. Just bite the bullet and get the Garmin.

dchamp said:

LabRadar, can be somewhat finicky with alignment

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Alignment on the LabRadar is not "somewhat finicky;" it is finicky. There are a couple of companies that sell aftermarket "sights" which attach to the unit and which make the alignment much easier. Frankly, it should come from the factory that way. I do appreciate the ability to take downrange velocity readings, as well as the conversions to kinetic energy, etc. when the data is downloaded to the computer. And as mentioned, you are able to shoot for accuracy and take readings simultaneously because nothing is in contact with the firearm (specifically the barrel) which also makes it more versatile for my own personal use.

Haven't had any experience with the new LabRadar LX nor the Garmin, but I'm thinking you can't go far wrong with any of them.

62flint said:

Mostly to check speeds on my loads. I generally work up a load and not worry about speeds until I find the accuracy I like.

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Sometimes the ability to check speeds can help with working up the loads. Perhaps not specific to your use case, but I personally find it useful when working up loads to regulate (and be accurate) in my double. It is good to have options!