LabRadar Ballistic Velocity Doppler Radar Chronograph
- Thread starter Rick
- Start date
And for the Marlin try ML McPherson.
http://www.levergun.com
He has a pretty good reputation and does lots of work on Marlins.
http://www.levergun.com
He has a pretty good reputation and does lots of work on Marlins.
Depends on bullet size, 22 to about 80 yards, most rifle calibers is 100-120 yards & big stuff a bit further. The bullet base can effect the range, such as a boat tail which reduces the diameter of the bullet's base. But larger than 22 and that shouldn't be a factor. It's not a factor for me at any rate because I shoot cast bullets.
smokeywolf
Well-Known Member
Rick, if you're shooting a semi-auto or a DA revolver, does the radar unit require a momentary pause between shots to reset to collect its data or will it collect and store the individual data on each shot as fast as you can fire them?
Someone else asked a similar question. When I am using a chrono I am also shooting for groups and collecting data, can't imagine shooting as fast as I can or what could be the purpose of using a chrono while shooting as fast as you can. Oh well that's just me, I guess I am missing something. Please explain.
To answer your question yes, there is a 2 second pause between shots.
To answer your question yes, there is a 2 second pause between shots.
smokeywolf
Well-Known Member
Was just curious as to what the unit's cycle time was. Not looking to collect ballistics data from rapid fire.
You had to wait long enough for it. Twice I came close to buying an Oehler. Glad now that I didn't. I'll hold out for the LabRadar.
You had to wait long enough for it. Twice I came close to buying an Oehler. Glad now that I didn't. I'll hold out for the LabRadar.
Ian
Notorious member
I'm poor so I saved my pennies and upgraded from a traditional chronograph to a Magneto Speed. Rick is right, the features of not having anything in front of the bench and not having to worry one whit about light conditions is cooler than ice cream. For quick, easy, inexpensive, and light, I don't think the Magneto Speed can be beaten at this time, but it inherently lacks some of the capabilities of the Doppler system and I'm sure it isn't quite as accurate. For a hobby shooter, hunter, and general tinkerer like me it fills the bill wonderfully, though, and the whole thing including the foam-filled pistol case it comes in weighs less than two pounds. There's an economy version with fewer mounting pads out now that runs about $180 and fits into a plastic case exactly like the ones used for five pounds of stick welding electrodes.
So how much is a Magneto speed?
Considering I am only in the LabRadar $300 how do the two units compare in price?
Last September when I told John I had ordered the LabRadar before I even finished telling him he jumped in with I'll go in half on it. ??? Well ok says I, if you really want to. He must have wanted to because he sat down and wrote me a $300 check. I haven't deposited it yet because the unit was on back order but I guess I will now.
What John didn't know (but will now
) is that the only place I'm likely to use it is on his back yard 100 yard range. It will therefore live in his walk in safe anyways.
Ian, I will go in 50/50 for one with you. Anytime you need it stop by and grab it!
I can think of numerous times where I wanted to set up my chrony and didn't because the range was busy. I hate being "that guy" who ties the lne up while screwing around down range. This system eliminates that problem.
I can think of numerous times where I wanted to set up my chrony and didn't because the range was busy. I hate being "that guy" who ties the lne up while screwing around down range. This system eliminates that problem.
No down range screen set up is a huge plus but just as important is that the need for proper light conditions is completely eliminated. For me that is huge, John and I have built a really great 100 yard range right out the door of his loading room but it is a narrow path through heavy, large trees. With a heavy canopy over the shooting bench area plus the entire length of the range there would never be a day where sky screens would work worth a hoot.
Ian
Notorious member
Well I feel dumb. I paid $350 on sale for my "Delux" Magneto Speed, before the econo version (same important stuff, fewer accessories) came out a few months later for half the price. For some reason I was thinking the Labradar was somewhere into four figures and was wondering why on earth you and John didn't just go halves on it. Now I see.
I paid $350 on sale for my "Delux" Magneto Speed, before the econo version (same important stuff, fewer accessories) came out a few months later for half the price. For some reason I was thinking the Labradar was somewhere into four figures and was wondering why on earth you and John didn't just go halves on it. Now I see.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Rick,
That sounds really cool. I am just totally baffled by the apparent unwillingness or inability of
the maker to put out any significant number of these things. Seems pretty clear that if they
last 2 minutes on the shelf, that there is quite a substantial demand, yet they seem to produce
them in lots of 3 or 5 or something like that. Strange.
Any insight into their production philosophy or problems?
Ian, perhaps you missed that $300 was HALF of the cost of the machine.......
Bill
That sounds really cool. I am just totally baffled by the apparent unwillingness or inability of
the maker to put out any significant number of these things. Seems pretty clear that if they
last 2 minutes on the shelf, that there is quite a substantial demand, yet they seem to produce
them in lots of 3 or 5 or something like that. Strange.
Any insight into their production philosophy or problems?
Ian, perhaps you missed that $300 was HALF of the cost of the machine.......
Bill
Bill, near as I can tell the Mfg. is a defense contractor. No doubt these are a side line for them. All have sold out before they were received by the U.S. distributor, there was no 2 minutes on the shelf, they never made it to the shelf, receiving dock straight to the shipping dock. The serial numbers I believe started at number 1 and my unit is in the 1700's and that is since the August shipment. There were a few out before that which went to writers, police dept etc according to the distributor. It also appears to be about 2 months between shipments from the Mfg. I have no idea if or when that might change but logic would make ya think it should huh?
I have talked on the phone with the distributor a few times and I told him (before I bought) that one of my concerns was that if it's taking so many months to order and get one what happens if there is a problem and it has to be returned? Is it gonna be several months before you see it back? His answer was that no, he keeps a few on the shelf just for such a situation but that so far they aren't getting any back.
I have talked on the phone with the distributor a few times and I told him (before I bought) that one of my concerns was that if it's taking so many months to order and get one what happens if there is a problem and it has to be returned? Is it gonna be several months before you see it back? His answer was that no, he keeps a few on the shelf just for such a situation but that so far they aren't getting any back.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
Good that they seem reliable, and defense contractors typically have high standards to meet
in their military work, so hope that bleeds over to this product. Too bad they can't get more
of them out there.
Did I understand that maximum range is only 100yds? Not normally an issue, but one cool
thing about this sort of data is the ability to see how the velocity drops with distance. One
would hope for at least 300-500 yds capability, but perhaps that is unreasonable to expect.
in their military work, so hope that bleeds over to this product. Too bad they can't get more
of them out there.
Did I understand that maximum range is only 100yds? Not normally an issue, but one cool
thing about this sort of data is the ability to see how the velocity drops with distance. One
would hope for at least 300-500 yds capability, but perhaps that is unreasonable to expect.
Bill & Ian, here is a cut & paste from the owners manual on these three calibers for the unit reading distances.
.223 (5.56mm)
40-60 yards
.308 (7.62mm)
80-100 yards
.355 (9mm)
100-130 yards
In just scanning over the manual just now it I didn't see 45 listed, thought it was but . . .
.223 (5.56mm)
40-60 yards
.308 (7.62mm)
80-100 yards
.355 (9mm)
100-130 yards
In just scanning over the manual just now it I didn't see 45 listed, thought it was but . . .
No doubt somebody some time some place will try that but rest assured it won't be me. When you get one of these and see for yourself how they are set up you will understand. The bullet is the trigger that trips the unit, the bullet is within 6 inches of the unit. That's why it's set up next to the muzzle. But somebody will probably try it down range and try to put the bullets within 6 inches, maybe that's why the warranty is so adamant about not covering bullet hits on a unit that goes behind the muzzle.