The Best Chronograph?

[Matt]

So I'm looking at purchasing a new chronograph and reading up on the various options available out there. I've used the "Chrony" brand chronographs you can buy in gun stores or sporting goods stores. These are accurate and cheap, but the only downside is they need a light source. I've also used the Mad Bull Version1.

I know that Guarder makes one too, the Guarder Speeder Chronograph, and I've heard of a couple other brands as well. I'm looking at either the Mad Bull Version2 or the Guarder as an option, but I don't want to overlook something else if there's another (better) option.

Hoping to get some feedback from the retailers and game hosts out there on newer models and their experience with those. Need something reliable, durable, quick to use and preferably tri-pod mountable. Doesn't have to work for real firearms, just Airsoft.

Thoughts?

[Seagreen]

We've been using a self contained model at S4 for over a year daily without issues. I don't remember the manufacturer, but this has been the best chrono we've purchased.

[slipstream]

We've been using a self contained model at S4 for over a year daily without issues. I don't remember the manufacturer, but this has been the best chrono we've purchased.

I believe that is the Xcortech model: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=30446

[Jewish Ninja]

I'd trust the reading on a chrony over the Xcortech. Every gun I've run through a Xcor has been alot lower than a Chrony.

[Matt]

There's always going to be a variation. That Xcortech read my JG M4A1 at 410-415 at CEIV, while the Mad Bull and Chrony brand models read it at 399-405.

I'm reminded of that review in Airsoft International that stacked up many of the popular chronographs. The Mad Bull V1 earned high marks. The reviews I can find on the Version 2 say nothing about comparing it to other models or accuracy tests. Anybody have actual experience with the Madbull V2?

[CommieHunter]

AONW has the MadBull V2. Really the biggest difference is just the rechargeable battery instead of the 9v.

[Seagreen]

That's the one.

Jew, we benchmarked the Xcor, Madbull, and Chrony. The Xcor and Chrony were the most consistent, but the usability of the Xcor is superior. The madbull read low consistently (25fps) so we removed it from the running due to player safety concerns.

[Matt]

I read a customer review on a website that said the same thing about the Madbull. His read about 35 fps low.

Also - Apparently the Guarder Speeder runs assuming you are using a .10 gram projectile so you have to double it's reading to know the actual reading. That's ghetto.

[~Thunder~]

There's always going to be a variation. That Xcortech read my JG M4A1 at 410-415 at CEIV, while the Mad Bull and Chrony brand models read it at 399-405.

Obviously, back-to-back fps trials will show differences from the maker/brand chrono unit...
For those fps variations on different days though, i'm curious, could outside variables cause different fps?
Specifically, i'm wondering if, say, a cold morning shot would read higher fps as colder air is more dense in the cylinder? Or is that not an issue with Airsoft stuff?
Sorry for the thread jack pondering.

[Matt]

You make a very good point. My variations were NOT found on the same day, with the same weather, same BB brand, same hopup setting, etc. Although variations in temperature don't effect the velocity of electric guns very much, how your hopup was set could make a major difference. What brand of BBs you had loaded could make a difference too (surface tension). Of course I'm a proponent of measuring velocity with your hopup dialed, that is how you are going to shoot other people, that's how you should always test it.

It would be cool to have all of the major chronograph brands at the same place, same time, with the opportunity to test all of them with several different AEGs, rifles, and sidearms.

[CommieHunter]

Temperature and Humidity do change velocity. All comparisons should be done at the same time for best results.

[Nec]

It's very interesting to here that many of you have had low readings from the Madbull. I can recall a few times that I've gone to a 1st-sword event where they use their Madbull (believe it's the version 1) to chrono everyones guns and going home and after the game and using my own Shooting chorny beta model and getting a reading of 30-40 FPS more than what 1st-swords Mdabull said.

[Matt]

Certainly seems like a lot of evidence is piling up. That could potentially cause some headaches for people who buy it in hopes of being able to chronograph before a big game, but realizing they are shooting 30 fps hotter on the game host's chronograph.

If the Xcore came in consistent with the Chrony F1, I think I'm leaning in that direction. Those Chrony brand chronographs are guaranteed 99.5% accurate.

Could be a quality control issue as well with the Mad Bull, perhaps some people don't have the same problem.

[Jester316]

I would think that the distance between the sensors plays a big part in it. Yes, they can correct for that, but I think that would throw it off. The sensors on the Chrony are what, 9"-12" apart (I can't remember exactly), and the madbulls gotta be 1" or less.

It's the same reason you count a pulse for 15-30 seconds instead of 5-10. It's more accurate.


Although I could be way off on this one...

[Nec]

Certainly seems like a lot of evidence is piling up. That could potentially cause some headaches for people who buy it in hopes of being able to chronograph before a big game, but realizing they are shooting 30 fps hotter on the game host's chronograph.

If the Xcore came in consistent with the Chrony F1, I think I'm leaning in that direction. Those Chrony brand chronographs are guaranteed 99.5% accurate.

Could be a quality control issue as well with the Mad Bull, perhaps some people don't have the same problem.

Matt, one thing you need to keep in mind; The Shooting Chorny (and other brands such as ProChrono) are meant for real steel guns. Where 30 FPS deviation between readings isn't that much as far as being a big deal but in airsoft it's a huge deal!

Personally my favorite airsoft chronograph is the Xcortech because from what I've seen compared to Madbulls they are less pleauged by inconsistent readings.