I bought a G2 not long after it came out. I got mine on sale for a good bit less than MSRP but even at full price I think it's a good value. The chronograph has worked well for me so far. The supplied tripod is "light duty" but I replaced the top with a "ball mount" that is a little more sturdy and it makes leveling the chronograph (I set the tripod on the ground at an outdoor range) quick and easy. The free app has worked very well. Being able to clock my loads makes me feel like a handloading stud. In all seriousness the published velocities for both factory ammo and handload data is, at best, an approximation. Now I KNOW what my ammo is doing. Thanks for posting this review. In the world of shooting sports media (print, internet and RUclips) there are a handful of content producers I trust to bring honest information. Gavin is one of those.
I've had my G2 for a couple of years now and find it to be the best optical chrono on the market. Set up is really easy, but I tend not to use the tripod. If you invert the base plate it's nice and flat so you can ground it and shoot prone really easy. The G2 accounts for the velocity loss between the muzzle and the chrono, as long as you tell it how far away it is. The app is faultless, iPhone and Android. So so good. You can store templates, share the data wirelessly, remove any errors from the shot strings, and even add photos to your string data. I use it with air rifles, rimfire and centrefire, and it captures all speeds really well, up to 3000fps no issues. Just beware of one pitfall when shooting standing. The angle at which you shoot through it tends to vary, which alters the length of the bullet path, and therefore the V0 reading. This probably accounts for your SD problem. Using your new pistol grip for testing should alleviate that. Hi buy one I say, unless you can afford a Doppler, then it's no contest..
Since the Magnetospeed is on the gun and the Caldwell is stand mounted they wouldn't interfere with each other if both were used simultaneously. That would be interesting to validate both chronographs and to see which if any have any quirks or weak spots in different situations. Of course that assumes either a rifle barrel and a handgun with a suppressor are available due to the Magnetospeed mounting location.
I'd love to see a chronograph show down like the single press one you had. Would have helped me make my decision. Ended up buying both a v3 and magnetospeed due to indoor shooting. Haven't tested them out yet.
Bought one two years ago. I love the barometric pressure , elevation, bullet weight options that give you all the info you could possibly want. And I can read my iPad better than my phone and I can't be interrupted by a call if I'm using the iPad.
Is there a guide to the mobile application and data processing? For example, I could not set the air temperature. After entering the weight of the bullet or the ballistic coefficient, the True MV value changes quite a bit ...
Like the idea of no cables running off the chronograph. Too many times I have seen someone including myself trip and watch iPad or PC fall and/or the chronograph.
I used this one for about a year, it works great, the app on an iPad works great. That said I went to labradar this year, I’ll never go back to optical .
I'll be using a chrono inside a dimly lit 30x40 bldg so the built in illumination is an added bonus. Otherwise I would have had to set up additional lighting which I hadn't considered before this video. For measuring my pistol loads for IDPA I just couldn't justify $600 on a Labradar so this is perfect.
I really like the idea that a Chronograph can be wireless at the range AND be used with pistols and bows too. I was wanting a magneto speed, but I shoot handguns and bows as well as rifles. I think I will give this one a go. Thanks, once again, Gavin for bringing reviews of useful options for shooting and reloading.
This might be a good option. The magneto speed- no go for handguns and if I’m also doing load development I don’t want another possible variable on the end of the barrel. The Labradar isn’t cheap and seems fussy for how it’s aimed and positioned and I’d worry about the muzzle blast messing with it.
Hello! Thank you for your review. I just bought a G2. And like you (I can see that on your phone screen) the temperature and pressure fields do not show anything apart N/A. Do you have a fix? Kind regards
It seems you were a bit close. Mine says to be about 15ft away but I have the older version. It really is nice to see if I'm making PF with my reloads. Great video!
I still have the Oehler P35 chronograph from almost two decades ago. I separated the three sky creeens by four feet, for a total of eight feet; of course you have to adjust the dip switchs for that. Been thinking of getting the doplar radar chronograph my self.
I also wanted to be able to do both rifle and pistol and went with the baby brother due to cost. Bad decision. I am going to give you a couple months of showing this one off before I jump, but this seems like it solves all the issues I am having except the crappy tripod. Mine finally broke on the 3rd trip out so I am in the market for a new tripod for it anyway. I can move that over instantly if I end up getting this one. I love the app, but getting the thing to actually record was my biggest issue. I could only get it to work 1 out of 3 trips. Not great odds. The rechargeable battery and inverted light bars I think is going to give this one better results. Keep the videos coming with this so I can see normal use and make my decision. As always, great and pertinent content!
Hi Gavin, could you please do some more side by side comparisons with this and the magnetospeed unit. would be great to see how well the accuracy is between the two before i go out and buy one of them. There are a lot of comments on the internet that this isn't consistently accurate with either factory or hand loaded ammo.
Curious, can it accurately detect a 12 ga round? Maybe if I stand close enough, before the wad starts separating from the pellet group, maybe I can get some good data? I have some 12 ga reloads that I use for trap shooting, but curious if the actual fps is close to the published data. Cheers!
I've had bad luck with two of them in the last month. Both reading over 1000 fps higher than they should. Also picking up rifle in next lane and showing anywhere from 2888 -4200 fps. This is ridiculous. I tried experimenting with the first one with different distances and with and without the led on and didn't work for my I wound up shooting the display on a second shot trying to get closer to the screens. I got the new one in this week and having the same issues as the first one. Wish I would have just order a new bluetooth adapter for my ProChrono. If I can't resolve the issue in the next few days its going back.
I took aluminum tape and taped the inside of the light shades and pointed led flash lights at each end up at the reflective tape. I was able to get readings in the dark, so then i used two red lazer diodes took the lens off each so the light is wide took the Chrono apart and installed the diodes drilling two small holes and using the extra 9v battery spot. Also if u take it apart clean the lens there where fingerprints on every lens inside. After all that i do now have a Chrono that reads shots. oh i have the cheap model i may add.
You are the first to review this device. I have one too but haven’t used it yet. I will give you information about my experience with it though. The assembly is strategic forward and it goes together easily. Yes I would use a heavier tripod but that is up to you. I find if you use sand bags it works out better for your pocket book as well. Try the sand bags first.
Can you do a video on reloading with different lengths of bullets? I have some 55 grain Hornady bullets with a bullet length of 0.734 inches and some 55 grain Nosler bullets with a bullet length of 0.805 inches that I am reloading to fire out of an AR-15.Do I need to adjust the seating depth of the Nosler bullets to get an overall case length of 2.200 inches, or do I need to worry about increased chamber pressures due to seating the Nosler bullets deeper in the casings? Can you make a video on seating bullets of different lengths in cartridges and the implications of seating bullets of different lengths in the same cartridge?
I own one! Great that you did a review but I own one. Looks e we both have good taste in equipment. Have been looking at the radar device but feel that it’s too advanced for my liking. Things can go wrong with it and I don’t know enough about that science to know good from bad data. You do, still know what we needed to do our own work.
I have a The Beta Master Chrony, actually 2 of them. My problem with them is I have accidentally shot the arms holding the plastic cover pieces. That can be expensive. 😀. The unit you tested looks expensive if there is a hit on the unit. What is your assessment of this possibility?
It looks a little fragile. I will have to look at the price and see if there are comparable products. Do you need accurate bullet speed for ballistic calculations or is this just FYI? Forgive my ignorance, I am new to rifle shooting and reloading. I have begun to tinker with both for retirement entertainment . Thanks for another interesting and informative video. I don't miss a single one. Always entertaining. I would give anything to live in a place like you and be able to open the shop door and perform a test fire demonstration. I'm appropriately jealous.
Bruce Rank you do need as accurate data as you can get. The best way to learn what the differences in FPS, elevation, temperature make is to plug them into the programs and see. Then you can decide the level of accuracy you would be satisfied with.
hmm i like that they added the LED bar's on the bottom. but i love my labradar, but having problems with it while using a suppressor but i think the microphone adapter will fix that problem.
Perfect timing! I have been thinking about a chrono for a while now and have been waiting for a wireless type unit. How does it perform in the weather? Is it water/snow proof, or simply resistant??? Looking forward to seeing your next video on this unit!
Aren't you supposed to be at least 10 - 15 ft. away? I was thinking of buying this, but if I have to shoot my pistol from 15 ft away I'll end up putting a bullet in it by accident....
Worked great the first few times, get a new phone and now it won't connect. Tried everything and bti tech support can't figure it out either. Now it's a $200 paper weight.
Must be a reset. Some how. I had a similar issue with some headphones. Wouldn't connect to the new phone cause it would only recognize the old one. I reset it and it worked afterwards. I imagine the chrony would have a BT reset method.
The app is a little buggy for us european guys. Eg. App crashes when setting from ZIP Code to GPS! Its possible to change the settings from imperial to Metric but not all units are changed. Eg. distance from muzzle is still feet, you cant change it. No critical Bug but easy to fix. I wrote Caldwell a year ago.....
I have the shooting chrony brand and its a pain to get to read right with lighting issues so I got a magneto speed and its the best. The only complaint I would have with the magneto speed is I cant use it on my handguns or muzzleloaders.
As a shooter who has used a chronograph for about the last 15 years I have some observations which should be relevant. I like the built in illumination, one of the biggest problems I have run into is lighting conditions causing problems with the chrono, the built in illumination should eliminate that problem. OK there are some big problems IMHO, I've seen too many shot up chronos, I will never have a chrono where the brains are anywhere near the bullet path, there shouldn't be anything but inexpensive to replace sensors downrange, I've personally had to replace two sensors that got shot, but that was a lot cheaper than replacing the entire chrono, I have collected a ton of photos of people who have shot up their chronos by accident and had to replace them. The built in illumination may help with that since you shouldn't be looking for a 'sweet spot' but still rifles like the AR15 pose a problem since there is so much difference in the line through the sights and the line of flight of the bullet close to the rifle, that's where a lot of them get shot up and where my sensors got hit. The problem is most commonly people shooting low, so in this case the lighting might be the most likely thing to be hit, but its still out of business till you get parts, that is IF you can still get parts for it 5 yrs from now, how much are you willing to bet? Caldwell discontinues stuff all the time, they are in the accessory business not the chronograph business.
![This New Chronograph is a Gamechanger...[Caldwell Velociradar]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/H9mbqGChpro/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought a G2 not long after it came out. I got mine on sale for a good bit less than MSRP but even at full price I think it's a good value. The chronograph has worked well for me so far. The supplied tripod is "light duty" but I replaced the top with a "ball mount" that is a little more sturdy and it makes leveling the chronograph (I set the tripod on the ground at an outdoor range) quick and easy. The free app has worked very well. Being able to clock my loads makes me feel like a handloading stud. In all seriousness the published velocities for both factory ammo and handload data is, at best, an approximation. Now I KNOW what my ammo is doing. Thanks for posting this review. In the world of shooting sports media (print, internet and RUclips) there are a handful of content producers I trust to bring honest information. Gavin is one of those.
Please PM me a price on you G2 unit. Thanks in a
Advance
@@mark120371 I don't sell them, I just own one. Amazon's price today is $182.50; you might find it for less on sale.
Trying to get app connected to IPhone but it won’t. Any suggestions?
I've had my G2 for a couple of years now and find it to be the best optical chrono on the market. Set up is really easy, but I tend not to use the tripod. If you invert the base plate it's nice and flat so you can ground it and shoot prone really easy.
The G2 accounts for the velocity loss between the muzzle and the chrono, as long as you tell it how far away it is.
The app is faultless, iPhone and Android. So so good. You can store templates, share the data wirelessly, remove any errors from the shot strings, and even add photos to your string data.
I use it with air rifles, rimfire and centrefire, and it captures all speeds really well, up to 3000fps no issues.
Just beware of one pitfall when shooting standing. The angle at which you shoot through it tends to vary, which alters the length of the bullet path, and therefore the V0 reading.
This probably accounts for your SD problem. Using your new pistol grip for testing should alleviate that.
Hi buy one I say, unless you can afford a Doppler, then it's no contest..
Thanks for the tip about inverting the base mine comes next week and I was woundering how to shoot through it prone
I can’t get temp or BP to populate on my iPhone. Any ideas?
Since the Magnetospeed is on the gun and the Caldwell is stand mounted they wouldn't interfere with each other if both were used simultaneously. That would be interesting to validate both chronographs and to see which if any have any quirks or weak spots in different situations. Of course that assumes either a rifle barrel and a handgun with a suppressor are available due to the Magnetospeed mounting location.
Best reloading channel ever. Thanks man!
I'd love to see a chronograph show down like the single press one you had. Would have helped me make my decision. Ended up buying both a v3 and magnetospeed due to indoor shooting. Haven't tested them out yet.
Was about to buy one but has horrible reviews on the caldwell website. I think im leaning towards the Prochrono DLX
I’d like to see how it does in sunlight, and close to dark.
Bought one two years ago. I love the barometric pressure , elevation, bullet weight options that give you all the info you could possibly want. And I can read my iPad better than my phone and I can't be interrupted by a call if I'm using the iPad.
I just bought one after I saw your review
Thank you for the great information!
Is there a guide to the mobile application and data processing? For example, I could not set the air temperature. After entering the weight of the bullet or the ballistic coefficient, the True MV value changes quite a bit ...
How is the reliability of the chronograph in different lighting conditions? Cloudy vs sunny? Direct vs indirect sunlight?
Im looking forward to a direct comparison between this and your Magnetospeed with regard to captured velocities and spreads
Like the idea of no cables running off the chronograph. Too many times I have seen someone including myself trip and watch iPad or PC fall and/or the chronograph.
I used this one for about a year, it works great, the app on an iPad works great. That said I went to labradar this year, I’ll never go back to optical .
I'll be using a chrono inside a dimly lit 30x40 bldg so the built in illumination is an added bonus. Otherwise I would have had to set up additional lighting which I hadn't considered before this video. For measuring my pistol loads for IDPA I just couldn't justify $600 on a Labradar so this is perfect.
I really like the idea that a Chronograph can be wireless at the range AND be used with pistols and bows too. I was wanting a magneto speed, but I shoot handguns and bows as well as rifles. I think I will give this one a go. Thanks, once again, Gavin for bringing reviews of useful options for shooting and reloading.
Patrick Schultz if you haven’t bought one yet, look at Labradar. Buy once cry once.
Logan Downer Labradar is garbage.
Any updates toward Gavin?
This might be a good option. The magneto speed- no go for handguns and if I’m also doing load development I don’t want another possible variable on the end of the barrel. The Labradar isn’t cheap and seems fussy for how it’s aimed and positioned and I’d worry about the muzzle blast messing with it.
Hello! Thank you for your review. I just bought a G2. And like you (I can see that on your phone screen) the temperature and pressure fields do not show anything apart N/A. Do you have a fix? Kind regards
It seems you were a bit close. Mine says to be about 15ft away but I have the older version. It really is nice to see if I'm making PF with my reloads. Great video!
I still have the Oehler P35 chronograph from almost two decades ago. I separated the three sky creeens by four feet, for a total of eight feet; of course you have to adjust the dip switchs for that. Been thinking of getting the doplar radar chronograph my self.
I also wanted to be able to do both rifle and pistol and went with the baby brother due to cost. Bad decision. I am going to give you a couple months of showing this one off before I jump, but this seems like it solves all the issues I am having except the crappy tripod. Mine finally broke on the 3rd trip out so I am in the market for a new tripod for it anyway. I can move that over instantly if I end up getting this one. I love the app, but getting the thing to actually record was my biggest issue. I could only get it to work 1 out of 3 trips. Not great odds. The rechargeable battery and inverted light bars I think is going to give this one better results. Keep the videos coming with this so I can see normal use and make my decision. As always, great and pertinent content!
Tommy, glad you found it helpful! More G2 content coming (just was filming with it today!)
Any updates to add
What happened to the CED M2 that you reviewed a few years back?
What would you recommend for shotguns
Can you bypass charging the battery with ac adaptor or phone charger device instead of the on board battery if it goes bad?
Looks like a pretty sweet chrono
I bought one I've had it about 6 months I got it because I wanted to shoot rifle and handgun so far so good
Hi Gavin, could you please do some more side by side comparisons with this and the magnetospeed unit. would be great to see how well the accuracy is between the two before i go out and buy one of them. There are a lot of comments on the internet that this isn't consistently accurate with either factory or hand loaded ammo.
Curious, can it accurately detect a 12 ga round? Maybe if I stand close enough, before the wad starts separating from the pellet group, maybe I can get some good data? I have some 12 ga reloads that I use for trap shooting, but curious if the actual fps is close to the published data. Cheers!
Thanks for the informative video
Hello Gavin, has this chronograph serve you well till now. Do you use for rifle loads?
thanks
Just bought G2 for $100 CAD delivered 👍🇨🇦
I've had bad luck with two of them in the last month. Both reading over 1000 fps higher than they should. Also picking up rifle in next lane and showing anywhere from 2888 -4200 fps. This is ridiculous. I tried experimenting with the first one with different distances and with and without the led on and didn't work for my I wound up shooting the display on a second shot trying to get closer to the screens. I got the new one in this week and having the same issues as the first one. Wish I would have just order a new bluetooth adapter for my ProChrono. If I can't resolve the issue in the next few days its going back.
I took aluminum tape and taped the inside of the light shades and pointed led flash lights at each end up at the reflective tape. I was able to get readings in the dark, so then i used two red lazer diodes took the lens off each so the light is wide took the Chrono apart and installed the diodes drilling two small holes and using the extra 9v battery spot. Also if u take it apart clean the lens there where fingerprints on every lens inside. After all that i do now have a Chrono that reads shots. oh i have the cheap model i may add.
Nice set up.
Thanks Joe!
You are the first to review this device. I have one too but haven’t used it yet. I will give you information about my experience with it though. The assembly is strategic forward and it goes together easily. Yes I would use a heavier tripod but that is up to you. I find if you use sand bags it works out better for your pocket book as well. Try the sand bags first.
Could the small difference in velocities between it and the V3 be due to the distance the G2 is from the muzzle?
Thanks for the review!
Can you do a video on reloading with different lengths of bullets? I have some 55 grain Hornady bullets with a bullet length of 0.734 inches and some 55 grain Nosler bullets with a bullet length of 0.805 inches that I am reloading to fire out of an AR-15.Do I need to adjust the seating depth of the Nosler bullets to get an overall case length of 2.200 inches, or do I need to worry about increased chamber pressures due to seating the Nosler bullets deeper in the casings? Can you make a video on seating bullets of different lengths in cartridges and the implications of seating bullets of different lengths in the same cartridge?
Your SD numbers probably came from shooting really fast. Takes a few seconds for the air around you settle back from being disturbed
I own one! Great that you did a review but I own one. Looks e we both have good taste in equipment. Have been looking at the radar device but feel that it’s too advanced for my liking. Things can go wrong with it and I don’t know enough about that science to know good from bad data. You do, still know what we needed to do our own work.
What chronograph do you like the best and use on a regular basis?
Anyone know if it will work with Gordon's Reloading Tool?
I have a The Beta Master Chrony, actually 2 of them. My problem with them is I have accidentally shot the arms holding the plastic cover pieces. That can be expensive. 😀. The unit you tested looks expensive if there is a hit on the unit. What is your assessment of this possibility?
It looks a little fragile. I will have to look at the price and see if there are comparable products. Do you need accurate bullet speed for ballistic calculations or is this just FYI? Forgive my ignorance, I am new to rifle shooting and reloading. I have begun to tinker with both for retirement entertainment . Thanks for another interesting and informative video. I don't miss a single one. Always entertaining. I would give anything to live in a place like you and be able to open the shop door and perform a test fire demonstration. I'm appropriately jealous.
Bruce Rank you do need as accurate data as you can get. The best way to learn what the differences in FPS, elevation, temperature make is to plug them into the programs and see. Then you can decide the level of accuracy you would be satisfied with.
Thank you Kurt. I can see that it can be complicated. @@kurtjanzen7391
hmm i like that they added the LED bar's on the bottom. but i love my labradar, but having problems with it while using a suppressor but i think the microphone adapter will fix that problem.
With my silencers, I put it slightly forward of the muzzle and turn up the sensitivity, works great.
@@mrhangfire1 thank you I'll have to try that next time when I go out 🙂
@@sebalHP Make sure you are keeping the pistol/rifle settings correct if you are shooting subs or not.
Gavin I see in your video that the temp humidity inputs on the app were blank. Did you ever get them to work? If so how.
Thanks
That chronograph is very nice... may i have your hand me down now?
Nice
Perfect timing! I have been thinking about a chrono for a while now and have been waiting for a wireless type unit.
How does it perform in the weather? Is it water/snow proof, or simply resistant??? Looking forward to seeing your next video on this unit!
Aren't you supposed to be at least 10 - 15 ft. away? I was thinking of buying this, but if I have to shoot my pistol from 15 ft away I'll end up putting a bullet in it by accident....
5ft minimum is recommended. dont shoot targets though it just focus on velocity testing.
Worked great the first few times, get a new phone and now it won't connect. Tried everything and bti tech support can't figure it out either. Now it's a $200 paper weight.
Must be a reset. Some how. I had a similar issue with some headphones. Wouldn't connect to the new phone cause it would only recognize the old one. I reset it and it worked afterwards. I imagine the chrony would have a BT reset method.
The app is a little buggy for us european guys. Eg. App crashes when setting from ZIP Code to GPS! Its possible to change the settings from imperial to Metric but not all units are changed. Eg. distance from muzzle is still feet, you cant change it. No critical Bug but easy to fix. I wrote Caldwell a year ago.....
Why don’t you just get a LabRadar? I have a macro that you can use to get all your info for analysis
LabRadar has a limit of 3900 FPS. It makes it pretty worthless if you are loading for fast varmint rounds.
My question has to be why did it display no foot pounds?
I didn't set that up, I'll have to give that a go!
Once you input the bullet weight, it is a simple pull down to change between energy & PF.
I have the shooting chrony brand and its a pain to get to read right with lighting issues so I got a magneto speed and its the best. The only complaint I would have with the magneto speed is I cant use it on my handguns or muzzleloaders.
Lights are not required for operation
"i've kinda of put it thrugh it's basic paces"
ya went a little Scottish there friend
300 blackout going only 1000 fps out of an AR?? hmmm. seems amiss
Hint: Speed of sound.
@@Ultimatereloader subsonic stuff. (still seems amiss to me lol though I know its a thing)
As a shooter who has used a chronograph for about the last 15 years I have some observations which should be relevant. I like the built in illumination, one of the biggest problems I have run into is lighting conditions causing problems with the chrono, the built in illumination should eliminate that problem. OK there are some big problems IMHO, I've seen too many shot up chronos, I will never have a chrono where the brains are anywhere near the bullet path, there shouldn't be anything but inexpensive to replace sensors downrange, I've personally had to replace two sensors that got shot, but that was a lot cheaper than replacing the entire chrono, I have collected a ton of photos of people who have shot up their chronos by accident and had to replace them. The built in illumination may help with that since you shouldn't be looking for a 'sweet spot' but still rifles like the AR15 pose a problem since there is so much difference in the line through the sights and the line of flight of the bullet close to the rifle, that's where a lot of them get shot up and where my sensors got hit. The problem is most commonly people shooting low, so in this case the lighting might be the most likely thing to be hit, but its still out of business till you get parts, that is IF you can still get parts for it 5 yrs from now, how much are you willing to bet? Caldwell discontinues stuff all the time, they are in the accessory business not the chronograph business.
Bluetooth connectivity is nonexistent with anything beyond iPhone 5. Battery life with the lights on is at best 3-4 hrs and 4 is pushing it.
Bryan- where did you get that info? My iPhone 8+ works great with it... :)
@@Ultimatereloader works flawlessly with my iPhone 6.
My G2 works well with my iPad mini (running iOS 12.x) and with a Samsung tablet. Bluetooth connectivity has worked for me every time.
The app has been extremely disappointing. It does not work with the latest updates for Android.
That was definitely some weak 40
bru I have a nerf gun that shoots just as hard
Can’t be any worse than the POS Labradar