PRODUCT REVIEW: CHECK YOUR SPEED

Created on 18th May 2009

MARK CAMOCCIO tries out a new chronograph: the Alpha Chrony

WHEN I first became hooked on airguns, back in 1979, something of an obsession with maximum power seemed to abound. Marketing at the time seemed to re-enforce this, giving the customer what they thought they wanted. Remember Webley's campaign for the little Vulcan - claiming it to be as powerful as the law allows? Marvellously aggressive advertising, and as the proud owner of one such rifle, I can vouch for its near defiance of the laws of physics. Yet I've long since learnt that the old adage ‘power is nothing without accuracy' holds true. Competition shooting especially relies upon optimised accuracy, and to this end, the use of specialised accessories can be of significant advantage. Best practise can involve many routines and processes, all intended to fine-tune performance, and with it bring home the silverware.

One such accessory that I now consider to be vital is the chronograph, or chronoscope to the pedants among us. Being able to keep a careful eye on fluctuating performance is an invaluable asset in the quest for accurate shooting. Velocity variation, either from batch to batch or recorded with different types of ammunition, needs to be noted and acted upon. Add to this the duty that befalls all of us to keep the antis at arm's length and ensure that our guns remain within the statutory legal limits, and it soon becomes clear that ownership of one of these electronic devices is all but a pre-requisite to enjoying our sport.

The Alpha Shooting Chrony is one such device, and a particularly fine example too. A red metal box forms the main body, which has two hinged halves. Once opened out, this becomes the base, with a sensor at each end, approximately 1ft apart. The box measures 7.5"x3.75"x2.5" when closed, so is well proportioned.

The standard principle of the projectile passing over the first sensor (starting the clock), then passing over the second (effectively stopping the clock) applies here, and a large LCD display sits at the front, which relays calculated velocity directly in either fps or mps. In addition, the unit comes complete with two diffuser screens - easily snapped together and pushed into place. The theory is that the screens will block ultra bright sunlight from the sensors, as it could prove detrimental to performance. In practice, in reasonably bright conditions, I found the unit could be used successfully even without the screens in place, which of course speeds up the preparation of the device and makes it super fast, and therefore more enjoyable to use.

Its functions include recording a 32-shot string; showing lowest, highest and average velocity; extreme spread; standard deviation; number of shots fired and more.

Other slightly more advanced models are available if a greater shot string memory is required, for example. Chronographs can be notoriously awkward to use where varying light conditions occur, but this unit played ball in dull conditions and direct sunlight. The Chrony is suitable for airguns, archery, live ammo, shotguns and even muzzle loaders if appropriate precautions are taken to protect the sensors from dirt and fall-out. The instructions are quite comprehensive with regards to taping over the sensors, and maintaining minimum shooting distances if other weapons are used. Shotguns should be shot tested from a distance of 5ft for example, to allow for the spread/wad etc.

A very worthwhile add-on is the Ballistic Printer, looks like a calculator complete with the paper roll, yet is somewhat more sophisticated. This gizmo is connected to the main unit via a stereo jack plug and 16ft lead, and can then be used as a remote control, replicating the Chrony controls, and prints as shots are taken or from stored memory data. All very slick, and when you consider the other optional accessories, the package is comprehensive indeed. A programmable shot speed timer, an indoor shooting light, a camera-style tripod, a carrying case and dedicated compatible software are all available to enhance the Alpha Chrony as a quality aid to any enthusiast.

Accuracy is claimed to be better than 99.5%, and when I tested it against my Combro and a self-testing Daystate MVT rifle, the fps figures came in within 2fps all round. With velocity readable from 30fps to a claimed 7,000fps (I didn't have anything to hand to check this!), the Alpha Chrony is a delightfully neat and versatile device, which I highly recommend.

The Alpha Chrony costs £99, and the Ballistic Printer about £80. Check out www.shootingchrony.com for more details or contact Theoben on 01487 740744.

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