Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph at S&S Archery

[BBob]

Did anyone receive their order yet? I am just waiting on a few more good reviews to decide between garmin/athlon.

Mine is fine, it works. Within a couple FPS on the bow as my LabRadar. FPS on a bow to me is an ego thing. I set my sights up shooting and not based upon a speed. Yeah it's a nice to know thing but in reality not even needed. As to a rifle: I did not directly compare Athlon to LabRadar at the range as I don't care if they are exactly the same or not. It read within the realm of past results of the LabRadar. I personally could care less about a 10-15 FPS difference on a rifle. I've never fully hung my hat on chronograph results/data, the target matters more to me. Just an old farts opinion

 

[TheCougar]

Mine is fine, it works. Within a couple FPS on the bow as my LabRadar. FPS on a bow to me is an ego thing. I set my sights up shooting and not based upon a speed. Yeah it's a nice to know thing but in reality not even needed. As to a rifle: I did not directly compare Athlon to LabRadar at the range as I don't care if they are exactly the same or not. It read within the realm of past results of the LabRadar. I personally could care less about a 10-15 FPS difference on a rifle. I've never fully hung my hat on chronograph results/data, the target matters more to me. Just an old farts opinion

I get it… but then what exactly did I pay that money for? I’ve gotten by this far without a good chrono… I didn’t need one, as it’s a luxury: I verify my dope for my rifles and my tape for my bow. I expect it to very tight, otherwise what’s the point? I can get pretty close on my own without spending $350.

 

[BBob]

I get it… but then what exactly did I pay that money for? I’ve gotten by this far without a good chrono… I didn’t need one, as it’s a luxury: I verify my dope for my rifles and my tape for my bow. I expect it to very tight, otherwise what’s the point? I can get pretty close on my own without spending $350.

Why is the Garmin's speed deemed to be correct? How do we know the Athlon is not? No freaking chronograph has ever been an absolute. I've always considered them to be a roughing tool to get you close and you go from there. Pact, Oehler, LabRadar, Garmin and now Athlon have never made my drop tables perfect. They always, always need tweaking. The only thing that has changed (IMO) is the ease of use and small form factor.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I posted this on the other thread:

I’m not satisfied with the unit. I took it to the range and had it next to 2 other garmins, swapping sides, moving around positions - the Athlon consistently read high by 10-15fps average. The garmins were showing right around the dope that I have verified for my rifle (we shot out to 900). It also read 10fps fast on my bow for the cold bow challenge. I didn’t have anything to check it against, but I know my bow isn’t pushing 296fps+. Last I checked it was mid 280s.

I’ll buy if from you for $199

 

[TheCougar]

Why is the Garmin's speed deemed to be correct? How do we know the Athlon is not? No freaking chronograph has ever been an absolute. I've always considered them to be a roughing tool to get you close and you go from there. Pact, Oehler, LabRadar, Garmin and now Athlon have never made my drop tables perfect. They always, always need tweaking.

My dope agrees with the garmin, and so does my sight tape - and the the garmin has been vetted by lots of guys. There is a growing body of evidence that these Athlons read fast. I get that the difference is pretty much insignificant for rifles - we are talking about 1 click at 1000 yards. For bows, not so much. Like I said, these units are a luxury - but I expect them to be very tight, otherwise what’s the point in buying one? Does it work for the purpose - yes, for rifles. For bows, I would say no.

 

[TheCougar]

I’ll buy if from you for $199

Wait by your computer until I send a PM.

 

[cuerro viejo]

Wait by your computer until I send a PM.

I’ll have to remember that one.

I would PM Athlon and see if they could send a software update. I’m sure it’s a simple calibration on the Archery side.

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

I’ll have to remember that one.

I would PM Athlon and see if they could send a software update. I’m sure it’s a simple calibration on the Archery side.

Just tested the first firmware update. The archery side is a bit better (15fps fast instead of 20fps, still not acceptable for archery) and will test the rifle side this weekend.

 

[HighUintas]

I happily saved $260 by buying the Athlon and maybe it will read 15fps high. I think it's a good trade off.

 

[the_young_gun]

Just tested the first firmware update. The archery side is a bit better (15fps fast instead of 20fps, still not acceptable for archery) and will test the rifle side this weekend.

Really appreciate the archery specific updates! Seems like you guys are some of the only ones around to be raising the point (and testing) that 15fps difference out of a bow might make a bigger difference than a 3k fps rifle. Keep them coming

 

[TheCougar]

From Athlon:

Hello there,
We are currently investigating the potential issue with this. Thanks for reaching out!

Warm regards,
Steve S.
Technical Support
855-913-5678
Ext 2982

 

[Turkeytider]

Mine is fine, it works. Within a couple FPS on the bow as my LabRadar. FPS on a bow to me is an ego thing. I set my sights up shooting and not based upon a speed. Yeah it's a nice to know thing but in reality not even needed. As to a rifle: I did not directly compare Athlon to LabRadar at the range as I don't care if they are exactly the same or not. It read within the realm of past results of the LabRadar. I personally could care less about a 10-15 FPS difference on a rifle. I've never fully hung my hat on chronograph results/data, the target matters more to me. Just an old farts opinion

“ The target matters more to me. “ My approach exactly as I shoot with my new Athlon . I’ve found that I usually have to tweak a click or so, depending on the day, no matter what data I get from a chronograph or calculator. Just too many variables, not the least of which is the idiot pulling the trigger!

 

[43.6N]

Another data point for those interested. (I received my rangecraft from S&S last week, see tikka velocity post above)
Took my 6.5prc and 16” AR out to chrono loads.

The 6.5prc is a 20” m24 5R barrel on a seekins action. Previous dope at 989yds and 1301yds gave me an estimated velocity of 2830 using the AB custom drag model. No modification on my end to the drag profile. (I typically will get calipers out to measure height over bore, as well as zero offset on the 100yd target so that I have accurate input data for truing velocity at distance).

Today I shot factory 147 ELDM. Had 8 left in the box from another range session.
Average Velocity today from Athlon Rangecraft: 2828.8 for 8 shots. Did not use a suppressor.

16” AR15 shooting Winchester 62gr green tip 5.56.
Over 40 rounds, averaged 2968.9 fps.


I am happy with the device, and was pleasantly surprised with how close my real world data has matched up to what the Athlon has been reporting.

 

[Turkeytider]

Why is the Garmin's speed deemed to be correct? How do we know the Athlon is not? No freaking chronograph has ever been an absolute. I've always considered them to be a roughing tool to get you close and you go from there. Pact, Oehler, LabRadar, Garmin and now Athlon have never made my drop tables perfect. They always, always need tweaking. The only thing that has changed (IMO) is the ease of use and small form factor.

I agree and that’s not a knock at any chronograph. I find I need a click or so adjustment from day to day, even shooting the same factory load. The fact that I might have to do that with elevation settings based off of chronograph data, particularly with the variance inherent with factory loads, shouldn’t be surprising. We’re not talking about having to adjust several MOA here.

 

[TheCougar]

Just tested the first firmware update. The archery side is a bit better (15fps fast instead of 20fps, still not acceptable for archery) and will test the rifle side this weekend.

What firmware update is this? I’m showing 1.40.61. AFIK, that’s what it has been seen I got the chrono.

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

What firmware update is this? I’m showing 1.40.61. AFIK, that’s what it has been seen I got the chrono.

The newest firmware that i have seen is 1.40.63

When you connect the chrono to your Athlon Ballistics app, it shows you if there is a firmware update.

 

[TheCougar]

The newest firmware that i have seen is 1.40.63

When you connect the chrono to your Athlon Ballistics app, it shows you if there is a firmware update.

I’ve done that twice. It shows no update available. I haven’t tried reinstalling the app. That’s the only other thing I can think of. I downloaded it for the first time a few days ago. It should have had the update.

 

[BBob]

I’ve done that twice. It shows no update available. I haven’t tried reinstalling the app. That’s the only other thing I can think of. I downloaded it for the first time a few days ago. It should have had the update.

This is the first I’ve seen the .63 mentioned. I’ve been following quite a few and all I’ve seen reported and in the wild is the .61

@S&S Archery (Rob) did you get the update automatically through the app or did you get an industry insider special?

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

This is the first I’ve seen the .63 mentioned. I’ve been following quite a few and all I’ve seen reported and in the wild is the .61

@S&S Archery (Rob) did you get the update automatically through the app or did you get an industry insider special?

Ha! IDK! maybe?? Honestly i was logged in under my personal account, so there isn't anyway they could have known it was me. But i was looking 1-2 times a day for updates. Could be that they pushed it out, and then pulled it. That would be my guess.

 

[Schmo]

@S&S Archery (Rob), is there any update on the next shipment of these?