Chrony Master Beta problems

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:53 pm

Just got a Chrony Master Beta and am wondering if it's me, or a defective unit. I've read and reread the booklet several times to be sure I'm not missing a step. I admit to not exploring all the options until I can get readings from this dern thing. I've set it up under gray skys (like today) and as the book says, it doesn't require the diffusers in this kind of light. But each time I shoot over it, 2"-4" over the base, it reads and ERR 1. Diffusers didn't help.

The book says the first unit isn't capturing the bullet passing by. Only one shot did it show ERR 2. I've tried this with a .177 pellet pistol (maybe too small?), 9mm, .45, and a .20 pellet rifle. I brought out the pellet guns thinking a slower bullet might be captured. I've also shot close and out to 10' from the firearm to see if distance makes a difference. No change.

What I'm wondering is, is there a setting that isn't factory default that I need to set to get beyond ERR 1, or is this unit defective? I like the remote display as I shoot at a public range and it keeps me from going into the firing line.

Did I choose poorly? Should I have picked a better brand? If I return it I'll get a different one if need be. I just want one that works, but the label isn't important (as I don't know better).

Thanks all for your help.

Steve

View · by **old guy** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 8:40 am

It could be there is not enough lite on these cloudy days, my 40 year old custom chronograph needs a lot of lite or it won't read, I also need to shoot higher than 3" or 4".

John

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:04 am

Get a Millenium II, WITH the IR skyscreens. You can shoot it at midnight and it will work flawlessly. Also, the electronics and all the expensive stuff are back on the bench with you, so the worst you can do is shoot out a skyscreen. The other thing about the Millenium is that the area of the triangle of the support struts and skyscreen is HUGE, and about 3 times the area of a Chrony or anything else.

View · by **LarryFlew** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:06 pm

Sorry I can't help - got bumped back to grade school and got fixated on "master beta"

View · by **OldmanFCSA** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:09 pm

Take the skyscreens off except in very bright sunlight.

Use a black Sharpie to blacken the bullet so the skyscreens have a better chance of finding the projectile.

Works for my Chrony Beta Master.

View · by **wasfuzz** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:06 pm

LarryFlew wrote:Sorry I can't help - got bumped back to grade school and got fixated on "master beta"

hehehehe he said " master beta"

View · by **45Badger** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:15 pm

wasfuzz wrote:
LarryFlew wrote:Sorry I can't help - got bumped back to grade school and got fixated on "master beta"

hehehehe he said " master beta"

He's a master debater and a cunning linguist.

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:19 pm

It's what the box says on it! Honest.

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:20 pm

Thanks for the ideas.

View · by **gaberelli** on Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:53 pm

My Shooting Chrony worked great until it developed a .277" hole in it... Now I am saving for a Magnetospeed V3

Heinous typos thanks to autocorrect.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:29 pm

Also, Master Beta is NOT to be confused with the process of blending 10 - 20 pounds of a single kind of powder for bench rest shooting to assure complete uniformity throughout the whole batch. If you do this, then you are a Master Batcher!!!

View · by **RAGGED** on Wed Dec 17, 2014 5:58 pm

Seismic Sam wrote:Get a Millenium II, WITH the IR skyscreens. You can shoot it at midnight and it will work flawlessly. Also, the electronics and all the expensive stuff are back on the bench with you, so the worst you can do is shoot out a skyscreen. The other thing about the Millenium is that the area of the triangle of the support struts and skyscreen is HUGE, and about 3 times the area of a Chrony or anything else.

This, had tons of issues with my Shootin Chrony, not to mention when it did work I think it was wrong as my feild data at long range did not coincide with the FPS readings. Got a Millenium with IR and all issues went away.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:26 am

As Tim Warner once said, "a Millenium is the chrono you always wind up with if you are unlucky enough to buy another brand first..."

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Thu Dec 18, 2014 9:14 am

Thanks. Chrony is heading back.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:42 am

Note on the Millenium: It uses 9V batteries, and has space in the keypad unit for a spare battery. In cold weather the battery life is less, so make sure you ALWAYS have a spare 9V in the case!! If the voltage goes down, a flashing battery icon starts showing up on the screen.