Issues with Shooting Chrony

[Michael in California]

Went out two weeks ago to work up .45 loads.

Got to my heaviest two powder weights. On the next to last string, I got about half ERR 2 and half good results. The last string was mostly ERR2. Shot a magazine of defensive loads to complete and none registered. I figured the lighting changed and gave up for the day.

Went out today near sunrise (well, that wasn't a good idea). Constant ERR2.

Went out again at noon on an overcast, but bright day. Constant ERR2. Even changed batteries.

I'm wondering if the second sensor is toast?

I'll try to call tomorrow, but I suspect I'll have a busy day.

Anyone have tips or a similar experience. Previous outings the unit worked perfectly.

[ptmn]

It has to do with the second sensor. Can be caused by a lot of things, open the manual and it will go over them. Probably not a light/cloud/difffuser issue, since the first sensor was able to clock the bullet. Most likely cause is alignment. You may have fired the bullet directly over the 1st sensor, but it may have gone left or right of the second sensor. This is very common, the bullet must be directly aligned over both sensors. If you fire the round at the same level as the connecting rod joint for the diffusers, it helps the sensors read more easily I've found. Another common problem for that error code is firing too close to the chrony. Sometimes the powder blast and/or unburnt powder can cause the error. Make sure no dust, powder residue or oil has gotten on your sensors, if it has, then remove it. If you still have problems, give chrono a call or email them for suggestions

[stilly]

It has to do with the second sensor. Can be caused by a lot of things, open the manual and it will go over them. Probably not a light/cloud/difffuser issue, since the first sensor was able to clock the bullet. Most likely cause is alignment. You may have fired the bullet directly over the 1st sensor, but it may have gone left or right of the second sensor. This is very common, the bullet must be directly aligned over both sensors. If you fire the round at the same level as the connecting rod joint for the diffusers, it helps the sensors read more easily I've found. Another common problem for that error code is firing too close to the chrony. Sometimes the powder blast and/or unburnt powder can cause the error. Make sure no dust, powder residue or oil has gotten on your sensors, if it has, then remove it. If you still have problems, give chrono a call or email them for suggestions

OP:
Another thing you might try as well is to coat your pills so they are DARK.

Either PC them or go to NAPA and buy some graphite in the spray bottle. You hit the bullets only and it sticks like spray paint, then when you go test, they come out DARK and are easily contrasted over the sensors. I had that issue with some of my stuff and when I started spraying them with graphite, things got better for me. But I have a Competition electronics pro digital chrony or whatever it is called. When I get a mylabradar I just might shoot mine in the face on accident.

Light makes chronies get giddy and stupid sometimes. Once I had some .44 mag that I was testing out at evening time and at one point, EVERY shot I started taking was approximately 50 FPS faster than the previous one. I started at 44 mag 240gr plated pills at 1738 fps and finished with 2144 fps in almost clockwork fashion... I just called it quits for the day...

[slopoke]

Were both sun screens in the shade or in the sun? The only times that I had errors, was when one was in the shade and the other in full light.

[J-cat]

I have found that the Chrony only works well when it is placed in the shade and you are firing from at least 7 yards out. The sky can be clear and blue and the diffusers left off, but it has to be in the shade.

[Michael in California]

Followup:

A new day, a new result. I shot about 50 rounds through the chrony with only about 4 errors and I'd put the blame on my placement for those. It was a sunny, blue sky day. I used the diffusers as normal.

There are no trees or other shade within about 5 miles where I shoot. I might try bringing a ez-up next time and see how the chrony does in shade. Overall I was pleased and I got the results I needed for my .45 workup.

One issue: On my previous outing, I nicked the top of the front face of the chrony apparently. There is a little smile less than 1/16" in depth at the top edge with an associated scratch mark behind it. I must have been a little off on my aim.

Its a borrowed chrony so I'm likely buying a new one for my friend. Fortunately, this is the Beta Master and it is the exact unit I would buy for myself, so I'll keep this one and buy a new one for my friend. Its completely serviceable, but I'll not return it in this condition.

[CSACANNONEER]

LOL. I have no idea why they make chronographs out of magnets that attract lead.

[ojisan]

^ LOL
Got my first Chrony.
Anxious to try it out, I set it up in the backyard and got out my Red Ryder BB gun.
The first shot went perfect, clocking 460FPS or something like that.
Next shot was slower, down in the 300s.
I remembered that I had not shot the Ryder in a while so perhaps it would pick up some speed with a few more shots.
The third shot was aimed true, but the BB left the barrel so slow that I watched it arc down and hit the display dead center, ruining it.
So, it only took three shots to kill my first Chrony.

Anybody killed one on the first shot?