Setting up a chronograph

[ibehiking]

I got a chronograph for Xmas. I'm looking for help/advice on setting it up and using it. The actual assembly seems straight forward enough, but shooting through it gives me a very wide range of numbers. Is there an optimum distance to shoot from? Is closer ( 5 feet or less) better than farther (more than 15 feet)? Does height above the unit matter, as long as it is between the rods?

When it registers on both sensors and gives a reading what can cause it to be below 100 fps on one shot and over 180 on the next? I presume that the extremely low readings are due to the first sensor being triggered by the point of the arrow and the second sensor by some other part of the arrow.

Anyway, I'm looking for any advice. Thanks in advance for your comments.

[Ray_G]

Are you shooting indoors?  They make indoor kits that go on top of the guides that form the V above your sensors.  Indoor lighting or the lack of enough of it, will cause speed errors.  

The farther back from the unit, the lower your speed will be.  If you are looking for what speed your bow produces, 5' would be more appropriate.  Keeping your arrows inside the height of the V should give you good readings in proper light.

[akdd]

Indoors and bright sunlight both can have an effect on them. They seem to work best outdoors on cloudy days. Like Ray_G said for indoors you can get a lighting kit for it.

[redant 60/65]

I use mine all the time indoors, with the indoor lighting set up. I stand back about a arrow length, works great, have had it for little more than two years. I also have used it out doors with the sun sheilds that came with it, early mornings or cloudy days.

[JRY309]

I shoot through mine roughly from 2-3 ft.

[Pete W]

Use the light kit inside, and also turn off any florescent lights. Bright sun can also give strange readings.
 Eratic readings can come from several things ,a very weak or stiff arrow that is not going straight, or if you shoot crooked thru it.
 Weak battry's also cause grief, so a plug in is better.
 The consistant area should be about 4" directly above the traps.
 There are tutorials on line for setting them up,lighting etc, just google it.
 Many often find they vary up to 20 fps when shooting. A chrono is a great teaching aid for a clean consistant release.

[Mike Most]

I use mine outdoors, In bright, but not in direct sunlight. A consistent release is the biggest variable in inconsistent readings. (for me anyway).

Good Luck

MM

[ckanous]

I shoot mine in the basement directly under a regular incandesant lightbulb. I stand back like most at 5' and let her fly.

[ishoot4thrills]

If it's the "Shooting Chrony" brand, I've seen the same thing happen sometimes with those. Don't know why but some of them seem to give erratic readings. My guess is it's the lighting. You should be getting variations of 3-5 fps at the most between shots, unless you're using different weight arrows or short drawing/over drawing your bow just before release.

I have a Kintronic ProChrono chronograph and have used it for many years. It runs on a 9 volt battery and works with firearms and bows. But, it is somewhat sensitive to the light. It likes cloudy days or shade and is very consistent with it's readings when used in those conditions. I stand back about 3 feet or so. Don't get too far back, or you could very easily shoot your chronograph! I've seen the results of that, and it ain't purty!        :eek: