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I went out to test the Garmin chrono today just to see how it would perform and how easy it was to setup/save/export sessions. You have to set up an account with Garmin when you install the app on your phone and then try to use it to connect to the chrono the first time. I just leave the app logged in after that and it will automatically connect when the app is opened and they are both turned on. It will update for about 5-10 minutes the first time and after that it will update on each new startup by itself. The phone app updated to 3.06 the first time and it is on 3.11 version now. The other updates were instant.
I took a couple of auto pistols that I wanted to test ammo for reliable cycling to see how the chrono would perform.
I shot 2 groups each of .380 and 9mm. On the first session I shot over the top of the chrono like it says to do with pistols and then on the 2nd session of each caliber I shot to the side of the chrono like I was shooting a rifle. I was intentionally trying to get the chrono to screw up and miss shots on the second group of each session. It didn't miss any shots.
You have to export each session separately as it doesn't list all of the sessions in one file like Magnetospeed or Labradar. It will let you rename each session using the phone(which does not transfer with the file but stays on the phone) and add notes with the phone(which does stay with the session .csv file when you export). You cannot name any files using the chrono as it doesn't have a built-in keyboard. You also do not have to have the chrono turned on to access the session files from your phone. When you end a session the phone automatically updates with the new completed session and then you can go in and rename the title and add notes. I use an iPhone so I do not know how an Android phone will be.
It performed so good and was so easy to set up that it is boring. It just works correctly. It did not hesitate once to pick up a shot. You just plop it down toward the target, setup your session then start shooting. It did not miss any shots(or have weird high or low velocities) or do anything stupid to try and piss me off so it is a keeper. I like the white background better as I can see it better.
If you want to see what the menus look like here is the Garmin page. Just scroll down to see the different pages.
Edit: One thing that you can't do is setup/start a new session from the phone. That is one thing I wish that you could do.
I took a couple of auto pistols that I wanted to test ammo for reliable cycling to see how the chrono would perform.
I shot 2 groups each of .380 and 9mm. On the first session I shot over the top of the chrono like it says to do with pistols and then on the 2nd session of each caliber I shot to the side of the chrono like I was shooting a rifle. I was intentionally trying to get the chrono to screw up and miss shots on the second group of each session. It didn't miss any shots.
You have to export each session separately as it doesn't list all of the sessions in one file like Magnetospeed or Labradar. It will let you rename each session using the phone(which does not transfer with the file but stays on the phone) and add notes with the phone(which does stay with the session .csv file when you export). You cannot name any files using the chrono as it doesn't have a built-in keyboard. You also do not have to have the chrono turned on to access the session files from your phone. When you end a session the phone automatically updates with the new completed session and then you can go in and rename the title and add notes. I use an iPhone so I do not know how an Android phone will be.
It performed so good and was so easy to set up that it is boring. It just works correctly. It did not hesitate once to pick up a shot. You just plop it down toward the target, setup your session then start shooting. It did not miss any shots(or have weird high or low velocities) or do anything stupid to try and piss me off so it is a keeper. I like the white background better as I can see it better.
If you want to see what the menus look like here is the Garmin page. Just scroll down to see the different pages.
Edit: One thing that you can't do is setup/start a new session from the phone. That is one thing I wish that you could do.
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