24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
I've had my Labradar for about two weeks now. I thought I'd share some impressions after a couple of trips to the range in case some of you are considering purchasing one, as I know there aren't that many reviews out there yet. For some context, I'm a devoted Oehler guy and an avid handloader. I've had an Oehler 35P for several years, and I've used it a lot.

If you're a Magnetospeed fanboy, fear not! I won't be casting aspersions on your beloved device (though you can count me among the folks who don't want anything touching the end of their barrels).


POSITIVES

- There have been several write-ups on Labradar precision vs. the 35P, but suffice it to say I took several known loads in three different rifles to see if I got similar numbers, and I most certainly did. Even the standard deviations where in-line with previous results. I'm using Firmware v1.1.3, which is the most current.

- Once I got the settings and positioning of the device correct, I had ZERO dropped shots or shots that failed to read. Position of the radar relative to the muzzle is critical, especially with regard to fore and aft placement. On my first trip, I had the muzzle way too far forward of the device, and it wasn't picking up shots when triggering by microphone (it worked fine when trigger was set to "doppler," but that's NOT the way you want it set, as it's then sending RF energy out constantly and eating your batteries much faster). After a call to Richard at Labradar, and a pleasant 20-minute conversation in which he answered all my questions, he got me straight, and I had no more issues triggering by microphone.

- It's easy to set up. Did I mention that it's easy to set up? If you've used a chronograph at all, you know that setup is the WORST thing about them, and the Oehler is the absolute worst of them all (despite being the most reliable and precise of the bunch). If it weren't for setup, most serious reloaders would have their chrono at every range session. Well, with the Labradar, you can have it at every range session, as it takes only a minute to set up, and no tripod is required if you have the table-top stand (which I highly recommend).

- I fired dozens of shots from my AR-15, and it registered every single shot. The new firmware release addressed an issue in which .223 caliber bullets were often missed/dropped by the radar. It seems to work great now.

- Customer service is GREAT. The trouble is, the tech support phone number is almost impossible to find on the website until you click "BUY NOW" and scroll all the way down to the page footer for the 6-point font. Call the number, however, and you'll be transferred to one of the most helpful technicians with whom I've had the pleasure to work with (Richard).


NEGATIVES

- It eats AA batteries. In all fairness though, it's a freaking radar powered by AA batteries (what do you expect)? I strongly recommend you pick up a USB power pack and run it off that. I have a Mophie Powerstation Duo, and it went all afternoon without losing a bar's worth of juice. Get something like this, charge it before heading to the range, and it'll be a non-issue.

- The user manual is in its infancy, and it could stand some improvement. The flow charts that show how to navigate back and forth between modes might as well be written in Cyrillic, but the truth is that the device isn't that hard to figure out even without it. There's a learning curve, so you shouldn't expect to power it on and begin cranking out shots immediately. There are quite a few options that aren't explained as thoroughly as I'd like, so don't be surprised if you still have questions after digesting the guide. 20 minutes reviewing the manual would be time well spent though, and I'm a guy who normally skips the instructions.

- The table-top stand came with a very "jenky" swivel head affixed, and mine wouldn't tighten properly. Frankly, it was crap. They must know it too, because as soon as I mentioned that it wasn't working to Richard, he said he'd be sending me a replacement. The gen 2 head that I received is a big step up in beefiness and quality, and it's a quick change out. If you'd prefer to run this thing via a tripod, that'll work just as well and won't require the table-top stand.


CONCLUSION

All in all, I couldn't be happier with this thing. The "negatives" I listed above are trivial. The Labradar works as advertised, and I love it. Buy one, or buy my used 35P, as I won't be needing it anymore. This thing is going to change the way I use chronographs, as there is no going back to skyscreens, tripods, and paper rolls.

Last edited by richardca99; 03/13/16.

Chris
HR IC

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,612
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,612
Great review.


Gerry.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,451
N
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
N
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,451
I got mine a couple of weeks ago and my experience parallels those above. I also missed a few shots when I had it too far back from the muzzle and last week was chronographing handguns along with rifles and missed a few shots when I forgot to switch from handgun mode to rifle and vice versa.

I too, tried the doppler mode and it didn't miss any shots but you're right it does use up batteries pretty quickly that way.

I don't know which base model I got but the ball joint tightens down well and holds the unit steady.


NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 585
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 585
Timely review, thanks. I was looking for reviews earlier today and ordered (pre-ordered) one earlier today. Just hope it doesn't take months to get.


Do or do not, there is no try.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,041
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,041
Thank you.

IC B2

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
P
prm Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
P
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Thanks for the write up. No problems on an indoor range?

Edit: according to their site, other shots are not a problem.

Last edited by prm; 03/13/16.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 203
P
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 203
Thanks for the report - nice to see the pro's and con's presented. I've got one on order and looking forward to not ever having to set up a chronograph again!

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Originally Posted by prm
Thanks for the write up. No problems on an indoor range?

Edit: according to their site, other shots are not a problem.


I haven't tried it on an indoor range yet. I had no problem picking up other shots, but I haven't had it on a super crowded range yet.


Chris
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,101
A
Campfire Ranger
Online Content
Campfire Ranger
A
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,101


Thanks for the report. Very interesting chrono......


Casey


Casey

Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively...
Having said that, MAGA.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,468
B
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
B
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,468
Does the unit measure actual BC?

IC B3

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
A
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
A
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
I've had one since last fall.

How did you get the 223 bullets to register?

No trouble with 243/105's and up.

The BC can be calculated as the unit gives velocities at several points along its path, then can be back-engineered to get a BC, easy with the aid of a ballistic program.

Concur with everything the OP stated.

Last edited by Axtell; 03/14/16.
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Originally Posted by Axtell
How did you get the 223 bullets to register?


Honestly, I pulled the trigger. No problems whatsoever. Are you running the latest firmware?


Chris
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 624
O
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
O
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 624
Bryan Litz had some issues getting his early unit to track .223 FMJs about a year ago. He attributed it to the non-flat base of the bullets. He changed to some boat-tail .223s that actually had a flat base on them and got good results.

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,451
N
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
N
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,451
I had no problems last weekend getting readings on 50 gr. Ballistic Tips doing 3700+ from a 22-250

Last edited by navlav8r; 03/14/16.

NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
A
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
A
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
The 'radar is about 6 months old, use 75 gr A-Max's. It will pick up the velocity rarely.

How do I get the latest firm ware?

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,898
M
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
M
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,898
Anybody try one with .17 and .20 caliber bullets?


“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,145
Originally Posted by Axtell
The 'radar is about 6 months old, use 75 gr A-Max's. It will pick up the velocity rarely.

How do I get the latest firm ware?


Go to mylabradar.com and click on the "downloads" link. There's a hyperlink to download firmware v1.1.3, which I'm betting is one later than what you have. There are instructions there and in your manual that tell how to upload it to your device.

Last edited by richardca99; 03/15/16.

Chris
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
A
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
A
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 708
Originally Posted by richardca99
Originally Posted by Axtell
The 'radar is about 6 months old, use 75 gr A-Max's. It will pick up the velocity rarely.

How do I get the latest firm ware?


Go to mylabradar.com and click on the "downloads" link. There's a hyperlink to download firmware v1.1.3, which I'm betting is one later than what you have. There are instructions there and in your manual that tell how to upload it to your device.



Thanks , I'll try that .

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Campfire Ranger
Online Content
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Anyone tried 17 caliber bullets with it.

I have heard these are hard to pick up


https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com
μολὼν λαβέ

"Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 203
P
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 203
Originally Posted by Fotis
Anyone tried 17 caliber bullets with it.

I have heard these are hard to pick up


Mine shipped yesterday - will try some .17 HMR and .223 Remington when I take it out for its "maiden voyage". Hopefully the learning curve is not too steep.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
698 members (160user, 12344mag, 12308300, 17CalFan, 16Racing, 1234, 65 invisible), 2,732 guests, and 1,280 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,621
Posts18,398,558
Members73,817
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.171s Queries: 15 (0.004s) Memory: 0.9008 MB (Peak: 1.0574 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 14:58:02 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS