Spend my money on a chronograph

My current random number generator is a Caldwell but a Garmin is on my list once I decide to spend (once again) more $$$.
 
Looking at the Magneto Sporter, but not sure how I feel about it being strapped to the gun. Would prefer to not break the bank, but I get that measuring tools are money well spent.

3, 2, 1.... GO!
Went with that one myself. It has its limitations, as does my wallet. You aren’t going to accurize a load with it attached.
I shoot to get a good idea I’m not getting ready to hurt myself. Then figure out accuracy. Then it’s nice to verify later loads are in the slot.

There are ways to mount one to a front rest not the barrel. Probably saw it on YouTube.

It satisfies my curiosity and budget.
 
Run away from magnetospeed. Is pain in the *ss strapping to muzzle and dealing with all that goes along with that.

Go either garmin or the new small LabRadar (similar size to garmin).

If budget is tight look to pick up used LabRadar as every guy I know that has one is selling and picking up the garmin or new LR.
 
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Now that it’s been awhile, has anyone had any use of the newer smaller Labradar? Pretty much ready to go for the Garmin but wanted to see if there’s any opinions out there. Still might be too new.
 
Huh?
Chronographing shotguns??
Some people have way too much time on their hands. Not bashing. I don’t care if people chrono their ping pong serve, just hits me funny that there’s that many people chronographing shotguns. Why? Is there really such a pronounced difference between velocities to matter or is it a curiosity thing?
I know guys heavy into trap and skeet competition that do it.
 
Competition Electronics. USA owned and USA made. I own this one here and it gives an audible report after shot as well as Bluetooth (which triangulates in the software to record temp, barometric press). I’ve collected data on .270 Win, .308 Win, 30-06, .300 Win, 300WSM, .38spl, .357 Mag. As high as 3,400fps, low as 450fps. No trouble now after two years and $150.

 
What're you asking for it?
Joking - You should be saving for the Garmin. Full price is less than the LR was when I bought it. I had a short "sucks to be me" moment and got over it.

The Garmin came out not long after I bought the LR. I like the LR, but the newer tech is so easy to set up and use.
I have over 7 bills invested in the LR with all the toys.

When I need the new tech more than whatever else is on my wish list, I will get the Garmin.
 
Joking - You should be saving for the Garmin. Full price is less than the LR was when I bought it. I had a short "sucks to be me" moment and got over it.

The Garmin came out not long after I bought the LR. I like the LR, but the newer tech is so easy to set up and use.
I have over 7 bills invested in the LR with all the toys.

When I need the new tech more than whatever else is on my wish list, I will get the Garmin.
Yeah seems as though the new LR is still not as good as the Garmin. That's what I'll get, then.
 
Yeah seems as though the new LR is still not as good as the Garmin. That's what I'll get, then.
Good call. Similar to 44Hunter above - bought the Labradar a little over a year ago. Used a buddy’s Garmin a month or so ago and wish I’d have waited for the Garmin
 
I currently have a Labradar, a Magnetospeed Sporter and a Garmin. I like all of them and they all read within very few fps of one another. I would say, let your funds do the talking. Frankly, I agree with everyone who prefers the Garmin. However, I don't agree that it made all others obsolete. First, if you get a Magnetospeed, do yourself a favor and mount it on an old front rest or small tripod. There's no need to strap it to your barrel. Second, and more importantly, if money is tight but you want more features than the Magnetospeed, find a used Labradar. Good grief, they are the same quality today as they were a year ago. Like I said, I think the Garmin is better; but, you can get an excellent Labradar for $250 (one for sale locally right now for that price). No, they are not hard to use or set up just because the Garmin is simpler. Good luck in your quest.
 
I have had (and still do) have the strap on and the canopy style chronos.
I bought a Garmin Xero this year and would do it again in a heartbeat. I would sell a gun to get one if I had to!

So simple to use. So small and light.
It has never missed a reading. I take it out of the box, set it anywhere within 15" of the bore, press a couple of buttons and shoot.

It saves your sessions, your history, figures your extreme spread and avg automatically. Easy to use, easy to read.

I now use it every time I shoot.

I cannot recommend this little jewel enough.
 
I have the garmin and love it, fast to set up and having all the data link right to my phone is a huge plus
 
I had the chance to use the Garmin this past weekend. What a great tool! We had a firing line of 12 suppressed shooters and we'd set the Garmin between two shooters and not even attempt to align it with the target. We'd merely point it downrange and it wouldn't miss a shot from either shooter on the left or right. It was very easy to leapfrog down the line between strings so all shooters could get MV's.

No funky recoil trigger or aiming devices needed to make the Garmin work. User interface of the Garmin is simple and intuitive. It makes my LR seem like 1950's tech.
 

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