Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I am in the market for a new speed monitoring device and am considering these two units. Which one should I go with?

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I have not used the Radarchron personally, but have not heard very favorable things from anyone that's tried it. I'd opt for a real chrono (and did). ;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I've had mine for the last two years and have not had any problems, the Radarchron (Arrowspeed). My buddy who owns a Pro shop also bought one the same time as I did, the only problem he has had with his is with the batteries. As you would imagine, his takes a beating at the shop. I've seen it 'dropped' many a time and it continues to work.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I too have not heard very favorable reviews on the Radarchron. I would opt for the real chrono. You may want to look at Shooting Chrony as well. Got their Archery Master chrony for Christmas and I really like it. Here is a link to their website.

http://www.chrony.ca

Good luck in the search.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I own a Pro Chrono and use it both for handloading and arrow velocity, very versatile and consistant, great product for the money.
BD

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Thanks for the tips guys. I was sort of torn. I would like another conventional chrono but feel that I need to buy the light kit if I go that route in order to use it any time that I want...indoors or out. If I do that then I have to add another $40 to the cost. I know...I know...:)

The radarchron seemed to solve that problem as it does not rely on light in order to work...plus it probably is alot handier to setup and use considering how it mounts in your stabilizer hole. The only downside is the accuracy percentage is + - 2 % which means 6 fps on a 300 fps bow. That is a bit large in my opinion...especially for the tinkering that I do.

I will keep all suggestions in mind as I debate how to get this one past the wife. ;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Hi, I ordered a radarchron because it sounded portable and handy. Noticed the plus or minus spec but figured I wouldn't mind just shooting a string of shots, say 10, and averaging them to get a fairly accurate number. Also figured I would chrony my bow at a shop to see what the diff was, and could adjust the radarchron the percentage and be fine. What happened was I discovered the radarchron was 1 fps off the shop chrony, and it was consistently plus or minus about 1 fps readout. In other words, it was virtually perfect. Haven't fooled with it with other bows, and think it may need to be adjusted height wise to read correctly on diff bows. To be fair I have read of others who have had the same experience as me, and some who claim awful results. Don't know how to explain that. But I love mine. Thought I would let you know what I experienced.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

P.S. Forgot to say I was only doing 240, haven't shot a faster bow with it.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I have the shooting chrony F-1 and it works well for me. It is as accurate as your standing position. As long as you are 3 feet back from the chrony as it says to be it is always consistant to within 1.5 fps shot after shot. Mine works great in my basement with the lighting kit. The chrony was $80 thru cabelas and I believe $30 for the lighting kit. Radarchrons are around $100. I say for $10 go for the chronograph.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I've had a Shooting Chrony for about 12 years and it's been "almost" bullet proof. I've shot everything through it from .17 Remington to 338 Winchester mag and from black powder guns to sling shots with great results. I've even nicked the guide rods with some big black powder slugs and it still keeps registering speeds accurately. I can take a known bow/arrow combination and it's speed and go out 2 months later and get the same speed. Get the Chrony!!!!;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Now I am really torn. Positive testimonials on both sides. :( Would it not be nice if I could shoot both side by side to see how they compared in readings to one another?

Argghhh[:@]...decisions...decisions.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I have a pro chrony and compared my results to other chronies around the area and they were within 3-4 fps of each other. When I tried the Radarchron with the same set up it was about 15 fps slower than any of the other 4 chronies. I doozn't likes it.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

That's what I've heard about the Radarchron- not to bash the product, but all complaints I've heard are about innaccurate readings and not very good consistency from shot to shot.

You can get a Chroney Archery Chronograph w/ light kit for $105 on the interent. Ok, so it's not an Oehler, but it is very reasonable in price, comes with the lighting kit so you can use it indoors or outdoors. I have this unit and it does give decent readings and consistency. One thing I have noticed is that you need to be careful on very bright, sunny days that the sun doesn't go directly into either gate sensor area. Other than that, it has been a great tool for the money.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Cabelas takes returns... :)

I've got the Chrony Alpha with remote read out. Instead of springing for the light kit, I called Chrony and asked them what to use. They said as long as one hung a 40 watt frosted bulb around 6" above each diffuser, it works perfectly. I did, it does :)

Radarchron has limited applications for the same jack. I love multi-tasking :)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I have the radarchron and it gives me consistant (1 -3 fps) readings.

it is very handy as you can bring it anywhere.

I have not shot it side by side with other units so I cannot say if it is accurate.

But from all the speeds I read here I would guess it is either on the low side or others are jacking numbers:D

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

As far as the light kit.... I went to the hardware store and bought 2 light sockets (about $1.00 each), wired them to an extension cord ($3.00) and used electrical tape to tape them to the two diffusers. Works perfect.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Just as an update....

..as per some advice above I went to the local Cabelas. They did not have the Pro Chrono in stock but did have the Radarchron. So, to sort of split the difference I bought the Radarchron and also bought the light kit for the Pro Chrono.(which they did have in stock...go figure). I planned on using the light kit with my current chrono...chrono tech model....to see if it would work indoors thus possibly eliminating temperature as a variable in my previous readings.

Well, to make a long story short the light kit did not work with my chrono. It fit nicely but the chrono would not work indoors. I just get a constant reading of 122 regardless of whether I am shooting through it or not.

The Radarchron, on the other hand, seems to work fine....though it seems to be on the slow side based on my estimations. Very consistant from shot to shot but not very accurate unless my estimates are way off. It would appear to be about 10 fps slower than what I would guess for any of the bows I shot through it (3...two bowtechs and a hoyt).

So, now I am left with a dilemna. Do I shoot some more through my normal chrono tomorrow to see how far its readings are off of the Radarchron and then decide to either keep or return the Radarchron? Or, do I just order the pro chrono now and use it to compare against both my old chrono and the Radarchron?

If the Pro Chrono gives me the same speed as the Radarchron then I may be tempted to keep the Radarchron considering its size and portability.

Thoughts?

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Buy the best/most accurate chrono you can afford. Sounds like the RadarChron is not too accurate (as we discussed in our email).

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Frank.

I have played around with the radarcon and was not happy with the results.

Get the Pro crono and dont look back.
You can do so much more with the Pro crono ie get arrow speeds at different yardages.

Just dont do what I done to mine;)
Perfect double lung heart shot:D

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Frank,
The results you got are pretty much in line with what I've heard on other forums.. Seems the Radarchron is pretty consistent--consistently slow by about 10fps. Now, is that 10fps going to be consistent or is it going to be a percentage of error?
Hey Frank, you only got readings of 122 ???? Typical Bowtech. Get a faster bow.

Barry

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

I'll second JeffB's recomendations and also add that you should buy the chrono that gives the highest readings;)[8D]:D:eek:[&:]!!!!????>>---->

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Nice comments guys....;)

Jeff,

It appears that you were correct...at least in my case. Like I said, very consistant from arrow to arrow...and it showed an expected difference from one bow to the next but it was much slower than I anticipated. How much slower you ask? Well, at a 30.25 inch draw length and a 70 lb draw weight with a 430 grain Beman ICS arrow and my typical loop setup and peep (tubeless) on the string I was only getting speeds in the 263-264 fps range from the Liberty....and only around 275 fps with the same setup on the MM....;)

Ausie,

I promise I won't shoot it. :) I don't have your fascination with speeds down range...:D

BG,

Exactly. I would not feel too confident not knowing which.

Oh, and that 122 was with both the Bowtechs and a Hoyt....;)....now where can I find a Mathews just to make it a clean sweep all around....;)

WWAG,

It is funny you should mention that...:D. How many chronos should I go through before I am happy with the speed results? [8D]

On a related note I tried the Radarchron at different distances from the front of the bow via some different stabilizer combos and the various slots on the adjustment bar that comes with the unit (even put it out at farther than 3 feet with an X7 target stabilizer I had laying around) but the reading pretty much stayed the same from shot to shot and bow to bow.

Well, I ordered a pro chrono and had it overnighted so I should have some more to tell on Thursday....;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Frank

I want to do some down range testing with my BK can I borrow the Crono [8D]:D:D:D

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

You can borrow my old one if you like....but you pay the shipping this time....;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Some numbers on the Radarchron Frank...........maybe it'll help you decide.

Birth certificate on the Patriot said 311fps with 350G arrow at 70#, 29"d/l.

Radarchron gave the following numbers to me:

301, 301, 297, & 300 for an average of 299.75fps

I shot the following specs:
• 363G arrow
• 73#, 29" d/l
• the four string/cable squid that came with the bow
• the accelerator buttons that came with the bow

Fritz

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Fritz,

Thanks for the numbers. Those would be consistant with what I was finding....about 10 fps off of the expected numbers.

Your arrow is a bit over IBO weight but then your draw weight is a bit above the IBO standard as well.

You using a peep sight? That would also slow the speed down by a little bit.

I am going to shoot arrows through all three speed measuring devices tomorrow after work to see how they compare to one another. I will post my findings later.

Thanks.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Woops......forgot the peep sight. - Tru-Peep.

What would you expect given this setup?

PS: Get back to work you slacker! ;)

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Look whose talking...."Paper tune appt. at 3:00"....I thought you worked till 3:30....;)

If you are consistantly using that 363 grain arrow then I would expect the following.....

Starting with that 311 speed on the birth certificate...

- subtract 2-3 fps for the slightly heavier arrow weight
- add roughly 5-6 fps for the slightly heavier draw weight
- subtract 3-4 fps for the peep sight


That would bring your speed to about 308-309 fps by my usual estimates.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

New numbers as of tonight:

• Took off the string squids until I can get some string leeches.
• Shot 387G arrow at same draw and poundage (added 25G to the tip since I want to practice 3D with my hunting arrow)
• Everything else is the same
• 292, 292, 291, 294, 294 = 292.2 fps average

Used that Radarchron again out back. I hope you're right in that this thing measures slow cause I wouldn't mind breaking that mystical "archery sound barrier" of 300fps.

I didn't shorten the draw length since he said it would take a couple weeks to get 1/2" modules. I think I may just stick with the length I've got and if anything, I'll start by taking the extra 3/16" I have in my string loop. The length seems to be very close and the slapping isn't chronic. As expected, it usually only happens with larger clothing.

Have a good one,

Fritz

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Throwing another 25 grains onto your arrow weight would bring my speed estimate down by about 5 more fps...which should put you right at 303-304 fps...give or take a fps or two.

Anytime after tomorrow we should get together and have you fire a few through the new chrono to see what speeds it gives you. Heck, I should have you fire a few through my Radarchron to see how it compares to Lonnies.

You might just be a bit overdrawn....half inch or so. Shortening the loop might help but shortening the draw length itself is probably the better solution. Give it a whirl when the time comes.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Sounds good..........are both of your chronos portable? I ask because I'll be at Ontelaunee Friday night. I'm also heading up to Nis Hollow on Sunday if all goes as planned.

Now that you mention it, Lonnie was a bit surprised at the speed he got on his 62#? XTec. At a 27" d/l I think he was getting around 250-255fps. Not real sure of his numbers so don't quote me.

Lemme know,

Fritz

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Actually, all three are relatively easy to move. I have a tripod and light kit for the one coming tomorrow so I should be able to use it during the evening hours.

I won't be heading to any 3D shoots this Sunday as I am going to the Sports show in H-burg.

I have an Xtec in my posession though it is not set up at the moment. I could fire a couple through the chrono with it as well to get a feel for how it performs in comparison.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Now why do we get the idea that you will pronounce the fastest one the most accurate? LOL Just kidding. Sounds like a fun test, interested in what you come up with.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

Isn't that how it is done in the industry?

:D

Actually, I am going to shoot through all three chronos at the same time to try to determine which is the most accurate.

RE: Pro Chrono or Radarchron???
 

LOL Yep, that seems to be how its done. I like what Bowtech does with their birth certificates. But I can just imagine a big shop with a load of them, and guys going through all the bows looking for the birth certificate that reads 1 fps faster than the others. Thats just guys being guys. Now the girls go through all of them looking for the prettiest finish.