The Shooting Chrony *** This is the first page ***

     

For over a quarter century the Shooting Chrony has been a budget chronograph serving the common shooter. It is the equivalent to the Linux answer to Windows. It is a feature packed workhorse but it's secrets are hidden within, limited to the prowess and ability of the user. The first Chrony I owned was in the late 80s or early 90s when I ventured into paintball but the fields were primitive and many did not even have chronographs for safety. Those that did, had a big machine sitting on a bench surrounded by shooters with markers frantically tweeking and tuning markers to 330 fps, the limit of the safety equipment. I had an interest in rogue field games but was concerned with the potential risks. I heard about a chronograph that boasted portability and accuracy at regular firearm stores for under $100 made in Canada. I ordered my first chrony. It was a small red, light weight folded box with printed plastic shields and screens. I had also ordered the poly-carbonate shields to keep paint away from the sensors. My little white car became known for the nearby chronograph on a tripod, a first aid kit, and the short CO2 tank covered with a wet towel that I let others use.

     That Chrony was very basic, only having having the ability to measure individual shots only in feet per second and had no expand-ability or accessories other than the carry case. To this date, that chrony still works. However over the years Chronys had two leaps in design. They still retained the folding case but the last had a port on the side for remote controls and printers. These are the packed workhorses I refer to. They are classed as the F1, the Alpha, the Beta, and the Gamma. Each with progressive features and additional shortcut keys. I needed some expanded features so I purchased a Beta only to find that the memory was inadequate for the intended task of proving non refrigerant gas in Tippmann 68 Specials was inadequate for substitution. Something I know, but requires scientific proof and documentation to challenge wishful thinking driven by deceptive modifications that are made to make the 68 Special to outwardly appear to work normally.

     I now have a second hand Gamma that came with a battery trashed printer. The printer was not of great concern as I purchased one when I bought the Beta and the external light kit. I knew the Gamma would work but the instructions, well, lets say that the critics were right as to require an egg head to interpret them. Most of the confusion is the use of a numeric display in place of an alphanumeric display, the user manual makes references that don't readily relate. Despite over decades of existence, not a single internet page covers use or setup other than default. Sadly, default is like any other chronograph on the market. At this time there are plenty of basic use posts so I will start this blog with the programs and button shortcuts as I learn them.

     I found it necessary to mock up the display and program steps to understand the programs themselves along with the button shortcuts. I refer to them as shortcuts as it seems their functions can be performed in the programs as well. 

     Since the company appears to be gone, buying a new chrony is no longer an option. But with the many years of service there is an abundance of used machines available. Unfortunately some of the used ones have issues that would normally be addressed by the manufacturer, however if those issues are from data corruption or accidental system changes that cause malfunctions, system default restoration is possible. Therefore, my first instructional will be the clearing of user memory and restoring defaults. The user memory wipe works with Beta and Gamma and the restoration of defaults works with every model with a 1/8 phono jack on the side. Note that the F-1 machines require a remote switch that can be built or purchased to carry out the reset. The most difficult part of programming your Chrony is that the button presses and displays are two staged, that means when you press the button, you can get a display that you must then determine when to release or continue holding. These direct you through the menus, sub-menus, and selection. The two most important shortcuts using the buttons are holding the FU button and powering up changes between the feet per second and the meters per second. Holding the ST button and powering up starts the Shooting Chrony with sensors off. This allows recorded data manipulation without the Chrony trying to take measurements and risking data corruption.

                                                                                                                              SML
Blogger.com user StrayBlackCatsMeow


Address https://shootingchrony.blogspot.com/
Blog "The Shooting Chrony, behind the hidden door"
Blog Reference page number 01
Title - The Shooting Chrony
Revised - 11/19/23