Caldwell Velociradar

[rjthehunter]

I'm in the market for a new chronograph. I was going to buy the garmin, but saw Caldwell came out with this velociradar.

VELOCIRADAR | Caldwell

VELOCIRADAR

www.caldwellshooting.com

This reads speeds at different ranges out to 100 yards. It'll give you the BC of a bullet at the speed you're shooting at. With the BC of a bullet changes with the speed it's being fired at, this really peaked my interest.

Not sure if anyone has their hands on one yet, but I figured it's worth a shot!

 

[kodiakisland]

Have not seen one in action but if it doe as as advertised it would certainly have a leg up on the Garmin.

My ProChrono still works great, but if I’m lucky enough to shoot it one day, the Velociradar may be my choice to replace it.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Does it do anything else better than the garmin other than the BC function? That adds near zero value to me.

 

[rjthehunter]

Does it do anything else better than the garmin other than the BC function? That adds near zero value to me.

It gives actual ballistic solutions based on a shot out to 100 yards. Figures BC, velocity etc.

"With a single shot, the VelociRadar creates a custom bullet drop chart showing the actual elevation adjustments needed for shots at longer ranges."

Having it calculate the BC would be great. Manufacturers publish the BC of bullets, but velocity affects the BC of a bullet.

 

[MThuntr]

I can't say I've heard of anyone using one but would love to hear. They've been out of stock every time I look but have a Garmin so probably wouldn't buy one anyway.

 

[rjthehunter]

I can't say I've heard of anyone using one but would love to hear. They've been out of stock every time I look but have a Garmin so probably wouldn't buy one anyway.

They are brand new, supposed to have gone on sale on Nov 1st i thought, not sure what the holdup is!

 

[Wind Gypsy]

It gives actual ballistic solutions based on a shot out to 100 yards. Figures BC, velocity etc.

"With a single shot, the VelociRadar creates a custom bullet drop chart showing the actual elevation adjustments needed for shots at longer ranges."

Having it calculate the BC would be great. Manufacturers publish the BC of bullets, but velocity affects the BC of a bullet.

Applied ballistics already did that for tons of bullets and has custom ballistic curves accounting for bc change over a much larger velocity range. Getting a tailored bc from the first 100 yards isn’t that helpful unless mfr data is awful and applied ballistics hasn’t measured it.

Ive had a labradar from the first pre-order when they came to market. I’ve not once used the differing velocities to calculate bc because good bc info already exists for lots of bullets.

 

[Chingon]

+1 for "calculated BC's" being nearly worthless compared to ponying up for Applied Ballistics custom curves. Here's my rationale:

1. You can always just use muzzle velocity and measured drop out to distance to fit your BC to empirical data. You should be doing this anyway. I'd trust measured actual drop over sub-100yd estimates any day.
2. First time using Applied Ballistics custom curves I was blown away. Input standard parameters and muzzle velocity, select custom curve. First round impact at 785 yds. Wow.
3. I'd also say that using the Applied Ballistics solutions will account for environmentals at the time of shooting, not a static BC generated the day you shot.
4. For anything under 600yds, this probably is in the noise and selection of a chronograph should prioritize accuracy, reliability and ease of use. Nothing comes remotely close to the Garmin as of today. If you can afford it.

Just my rant.

 

[rjthehunter]

This is far beyond the Labradar.

It's a chirp radar that tracks the bullet the whole way. It'll create a ballistic profile for your load based on the first 100 yards. Same way you can shoot a bow, get an average speed, then select the appropriate sight tape out to 100 yards.

I don't really care about the BC of a bullet at a wide range of velocities. Only what my load is shooting.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Oh, it’s a chirp radar? Really? Wow!

Still gonna stick with AB and validate the actual drops.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

This is far beyond the Labradar.

It's a chirp radar that tracks the bullet the whole way. It'll create a ballistic profile for your load based on the first 100 yards. Same way you can shoot a bow, get an average speed, then select the appropriate sight tape out to 100 yards.

I don't really care about the BC of a bullet at a wide range of velocities. Only what my load is shooting.

Bullets continue to slow down after 100 yards and thus their bc continues to change.

i can see some possible uses for that function though even if i wouldn’t expect to use it. Competition is good!

 

[rjthehunter]

Oh, it’s a chirp radar? Really? Wow!

Still gonna stick with AB and validate the actual drops.

Oh yeah, I still validate the actual drops. Regardless of what a new chrono tells me! Still have to practice at range to be efficient!