Any shooter who takes shooting even a little seriously needs a ballistic chronograph, or if you prefer, a shooting chronograph. Why? The bullet should always leave the barrels at the same and ideal speed if you frequently want to hit the target.
This indicates that measuring the projectile’s speed and adjusting the weapon’s settings under the measurement results is essential.
The LabRadar’s Doppler Technology
What LabRadar is not first. At military ranges, LabRadar Chronograph is different from commercial Doppler radar in that it cannot capture bullet velocity or XYZ coordinates at great distances. The FCC regulates products supplied to the civilian market, which limits broadcasts and, in turn, the sensitivity and radius of any radar we citizens are permitted to acquire. Radars that were FCC-legal and could measure the speed of a baseball pitch, tennis, or golf ball weren’t solid or sensitive enough to be used for shooting. Thanks to some fantastic innovation by Infinition Inc. of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, that has finally changed.
First civilian Doppler radar
LabRadar is the first civilian Doppler radar that complies with FCC regulations and is “cheap” and sensitive enough to record bullet velocity. Since 1996, Infinition has led the field of commercial radar installations using Doppler technology.
LabRadar does not measure velocities by measuring the time it takes a bullet to travel between start/stop sensors spaced at a set distance, unlike electromagnetic systems. Instead, it establishes the moment a shot was fired using an acoustic microphone and then uses Doppler returns reflected off the bullet’s base to extrapolate the velocity back to the muzzle. Since the radar continuously pulses, reflections for each shot start at random distances of 15 to 25 yards whenever the bullet enters the Doppler beam from the side.
Depending on the velocity, returns may be spaced from a foot to a yard. Compared to returns from tiny bore projectiles (with smaller bases), LabRadar can detect reflections from larger-based missiles at distances of up to 100 yards.
Muzzle velocity
This distinguishes this technology from all others in a significant way. With LabRadar Chronograph, many readings are analyzed via complex technology to “predict” the muzzle velocity, in contrast to technologies where you may be sure that the observed rate is close to the mid-point between the sensors.
Through two squares of metal window screen, you would fire. In a large, unsightly box made of sheet metal, analog circuits would illuminate a grid of light bulbs, and a printed sheet attached inside the lid would allow you to calculate the velocity.
We all got trapped with the term “Chronograph” because it was only a way to measure time, and the “Screens” on modern chronographs are just squares of metal window screens. The data it offered was hardly any better than useless. It missed shots and interfered with the bullet’s course to the target by shooting through the screens.
Similar to other chronograph technologies, LabRadar has drawbacks and restrictions. If not mounted on a reliable tripod or set up correctly, it may still miss photos and be impacted by ground clutter, placement, etc. I rapidly figured out how to record accurate muzzle velocities for every endeavor. It is a beautiful addition to our arsenal of range equipment because of its superior technology and potential. I’m still getting used to all of its functions, but after just six sessions, I’ve gone from a skeptic to a devotee, and I plan to keep my LabRadar.
