Is the Chrony F1 the best chronograph ? Video Review of the F1

[pelletcaster]

I have to say that I chrony ANY airgun when I get it and repeatedly during my tuning process until I find the best set-up and pellet.
This may take measuring 500 to 700 shots sometimes or sometimes even more - I don't care.
Airguns I keep for a longer time will be measured regularly to understand changes and behaviour at differing weather/temperatures conditions. Not only springers but PCP too.


I have been measuring with the Chrony F1 for four years now.
It's not perfect but quite good and it fits my demands nicely.

Light sensible - yes.
Especialy at bright sunny sky the sun shields are a must and sometimes it's even better to provide some (more) shadow by an umbrella or similar.
At dim light you just have to shoot right over the centerline of the lenses about 3 to 4 inches up and it will measure correctly until dusk. Please note - again with the shields up.
It seems that the lenses need the reflection of the bullet against the underside of the shields.
Same accounts for shooting in the badly lit basement where an old style desklight (bulb) positioned about 20 to 25 inch above and centered between the lenses.
Taking care that the batterie isn't weak is favourably.
LEDs work too and are easy to come by.

I like the F1.
I have it on a tripod in front of the shooting table and can change its lateral and horizontal position easily.
The display is sufficient to get nice readings that I write down on a slip of paper and put into my spread sheets later. Admitted - a connection to a note book for automatic registration of every single shot would be an advantage but I got used to the paperwork where I additionaly make my records how the specific pellet fits into the barrel plus how and where it groups.


I tried the Combro 625 once and send it back after some attempts.
Main reason was to have to take the gun back and turn it quite around everytime to get a reading of the single shot was an unacceptable PITA for me.
Plus this device is a joke on spring/Gas Rams especially break-barrels even for sub-12fpe not to mention FAC.
I tried to connect it to my notebook with that special cable but never got it working but that's another story I suppose.
What a rubbish. No - thanks.


And there is that (Poland made?) Air-Chrony.
Excellent readings even in the dark due to its built in IR(?)-lighting and PC-connection.
Please note there is a strong manufacturers advise NOT to measure in the sun and to avoid other strong light emissions too.
Finally I find it really unpleasant to have to shoot through the small tunnel where the surrounding device/construction many times just covers more or less of your target.
Consequently this device furthermore is absolutely inappropriate for measuring at bigger distances while as example trying your own check of BC of a specific pellet.



Oh yes - I know that there are some other makes available but they're all more or less the same as the F1 just mainly more expensive.

So did I mention yet that I like my Chrony F1?!