ANOTHER new BETTER Doppler chrono

[divingin]

I predict an app for a few bucks relatively soon. Problem is, it's such a small, niche audience. If we had more reloaders, we would have had an app that's better than of these years ago, but thinking as an app developer, lot of work, really small, older, generally not as electronically savvy audience so how would you make back your development costs and go into profit?

Given the proliferation of IR cameras (an add-on detector that plugs into the phone's port), it seems that it would be quite doable. That said, the actual emitter/receiver and number crunching would probably have to be in the module, which leads back to where we are now, albeit with a tethered phone.

With the relatively small market that would also means it would likely be quite expensive.

[FNGGlock]

Don't see a phone app alone doing the job. it will need an optical, radar or other detector that can connect via bluetooth or direct to the phone for the app top work. However you just save on the screen, buttons and some processing on the unit itself (don't see those being the most expensive portion of a chrono though).

[Capybara]

Given the proliferation of IR cameras (an add-on detector that plugs into the phone's port), it seems that it would be quite doable. That said, the actual emitter/receiver and number crunching would probably have to be in the module, which leads back to where we are now, albeit with a tethered phone.

With the relatively small market that would also means it would likely be quite expensive.

If there was demand and the opportunity to make a big profit and steal market share from Garmin, Labradar, etc. I bet someone smart would have figured out a way to do it very well, cheaply and efficiently. But it's not a large market. Out of everyone who shoots regularly, how many have chronographs? It's really only reloaders and long distance shooters. "Normal" shooters have no need to want one.

The past few years have shown us, repeatedly, if a healthy sized market and opportunity for profit exists, someone will address it. All of these boxes are $500 and up. A market disrupter at $199 for your phone could dominate and we know the technology exists, it just hasn't been put into action.

[FNGGlock]

If there was demand and the opportunity to make a big profit and steal market share from Garmin, Labradar, etc. I bet someone smart would have figured out a way to do it very well, cheaply and efficiently. But it's not a large market. Out of everyone who shoots regularly, how many have chronographs? It's really only reloaders and long distance shooters. "Normal" shooters have no need to want one.

The past few years have shown us, repeatedly, if a healthy sized market and opportunity for profit exists, someone will address it. All of these boxes are $500 and up. A market disrupter at $199 for your phone could dominate and we know the technology exists, it just hasn't been put into action.

The optic chronos are likely sufficient for most budget users, and address the lower end of the market. The new offerings add a lot of bells and whistles, but focussed on the $500+ end of the market. Realistically knowing muzzle velocity is the most important, the convenience and device safety of not having a unit downrange does factor in. Knowing velocity out to 100yds will likely not get you good BC data, as the margin for error is too high for high velocity high BC bullets at such a short distance. (maybe they prove me wrong, but I really doubt it)

[sigstroker]

Given the proliferation of IR cameras (an add-on detector that plugs into the phone's port), it seems that it would be quite doable. That said, the actual emitter/receiver and number crunching would probably have to be in the module, which leads back to where we are now, albeit with a tethered phone.

With the relatively small market that would also means it would likely be quite expensive.

A camera just has a small detector that uses almost no power. Radar would require a dish antenna that can transmit and receive for 100 yards. It would probably use a ton more power and probably be about the size of the Garmin/Caldwell unit.

[sigstroker]

The optic chronos are likely sufficient for most budget users, and address the lower end of the market. The new offerings add a lot of bells and whistles, but focussed on the $500+ end of the market. Realistically knowing muzzle velocity is the most important, the convenience and device safety of not having a unit downrange does factor in. Knowing velocity out to 100yds will likely not get you good BC data, as the margin for error is too high for high velocity high BC bullets at such a short distance. (maybe they prove me wrong, but I really doubt it)

The huge difference is with a radar chrono, you don't have to go downrange. A public range would have rules about staying behind the firing line, and if you have to monkey with it you have to wait for the next cease fire.

[FNGGlock]

Well on a whim I decided to order the Velociradar. Tried it at a public range this weekend and it didn't provide me with a single reliable reading. It seems very sensitive and tried to read shots from shooters next to me. I tired the recoil sensor, but it didn't work on my 22LR. I also noticed that the peep sights doesn't seem to go straight through, but rather slightly to the left.

Anyway got a support ticket with Caldwell and will see. Was hoping to get some idea of BC on 22LR ammo that have no real listing, but at this point it doesn't even give me velocity.

Oh and the thing is huge.

Hopefully I get a resolution or this going back and I'm getting the Garmin, can use the muzzle velocity and bullet drop to get DOPE figured out. Was hoping for something that at least can give a good indication to save some time and ammo figuring it out from scratch.

At this point I can only recommend for people to stay away, as it definitely doesn't work at a public range.

[Fjold]

Everyone that I know loves the Garmin. It works indoors and outdoors and it reads bullets up to 5,000 fps unlike the Labradar that only goes to 4K.

I sue my Shotmarker electronic target system as it measures velocity at the target as far out as I set it as long as the bullet stays supersonic.

[george223]

Wow well done Labradar!

https://buymylabradar.com/products/l...lx-new-product

Years ago, when I had bigger plans to reload, I was looking into buying an optical chrono but they just seemed to be a pia to set up so I passed on them. I didn't want to be that guy on the range who shot their chrono. Then Magnetospeed came out and ended up buying one. Seemed to work ok for the few times that I used it. Just never did get into reloading like I planned to. Setup was still a pia but not nearly as bad as setting up an optical chrono and was only useful on rifles. Could not be used with handguns. Then, maybe year later, Labradar came out. I really wanted one in the worst way but just couldn't justify it.

Now seeing Labradar V1 on sale for $349, it has me thinking. Seems like a good deal. Other than size, which I don't care about, are there any other deficiencies about Labradar V1 to be concerned about? Whether I reload or not, it sure would be cool to know how fast my bullets are flying with a chrono that is easy to set up. Thanks for posting. It's going to be a restless night thinking about this.