Garmin Xero Chrono Test

[Cyclone]

My Garmin Xero arrived at the beginning of the month (thanks Corinium!) but yesterday was the first opportunity I had to try it out.

I strapped my Magnetospeed V2 to the moderator on my .308, set the Garmin alongside and shot five groups of five rounds each.

The first two groups compared reasonably well, then it started to go wrong. The differences between the two devices started to open up and on groups #3 and #5 the Garmin didn't register the last shot.

Not sure what to make of this so I'll have to repeat the test. Is it possible that the Garmin doesn't respond well to a moderator?

Mike

GROUP​	GARMIN​	MAGNETOSPEED​	DIFFERENCE​
#1​	​	​	​
1​	2583.5​	2585​	1.5​
2​	2592.4​	2593​	0.6​
3​	2602.1​	2602​	-0.1​
4​	2593.9​	2597​	3.1​
5​	2600.6​	2601​	0.4​
​	​	​	​
#2​	​	​	​
1​	2593.8​	2596​	2.2​
2​	2600.8​	2604​	3.2​
3​	2600.1​	2602​	1.9​
4​	2612.6​	2615​	2.4​
5​	2607.3​	2612​	4.7​
​	​	​	​
#3​	​	​	​
1​	2599.5​	2602​	2.5​
2​	2591.4​	2605​	13.6​
3​	2611.7​	2594​	-17.7​
4​	2593.8​	2608​	14.2​
​	​	2598​	​
​	​	​	​
#4​	​	​	​
1​	2596.9​	2600​	3.1​
2​	2607.2​	2615​	7.8​
3​	2597.3​	2601​	3.7​
4​	2606​	2610​	4.0​
5​	2618.2​	2619​	0.8​
​	​	​	​
#5​	​	​	​
1​	2577.6​	2586​	8.4​
2​	2585.3​	2587​	1.7​
3​	2598.5​	2596​	-2.5​
4​	2580.9​	2586​	5.1​
​	​	2596​	​

 

[Eric the Red]

Your worst variance is 0.7% - and your ES is way worse - I really wouldn't sweat it. Garmin is radar - has nothing to do with moderator (although shadowing from muzzle blast is a factor).

 

[Cyclone]

OK but why would the Garmin not register a shot (twice)?

Mike

 

[Envillegc1]

I have just got one and for the price point its brilliant.

I think if you are going down a PRS route the kit you would invest in would be many fold this.

Its the same in golf you can get a garmin unit Mezo or GC Quad the latter will set you back £20k

 

[Malxwal]

I have just got one and for the price point its brilliant.

I think if you are going down a PRS route the kit you would invest in would be many fold this.

Its the same in golf you can get a garmin unit Mezo or GC Quad the latter will set you back £20k

People spend that on golf ???

 

[Eric the Red]

OK but why would the Garmin not register a shot (twice)?

Mike

There are of course lots of potential answers to this and without being there, almost impossible to say. I would comment that both instances would appear to be the fifth shot in your string - so did you do something different? The radar needs to pick up the bullet within the 'cone' of its waves - perhaps the unit was knocked slightly - perhaps you were right on the edge of the cone and it couldn't get enough readings to give a meaningful measure (This may also be part of the answer to your variations in relation to the MS3. Bear in mind also the MS3 is measuring the speed over an incredibly short distance which will by its very nature give rise to variances). Perhaps you shifted position.

I would ensure that the Garmin sits on the same line as the muzzle on a stable surface within the ranges they recommend. Just behind the line of the moderator seems to work well. It's still a 92% success rate on a very small sample.

 

[Malxwal]

I currently have a Garmin on loan, and whilst the compact nature of the unit is fantastic, the tripod feet and overall weight might lend itself to the unit shifting on a smooth surface under recoil ?

 

[Cyclone]

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. I saw a YouTube video comparing the Xero with a MS and the differences were smaller than I'm seeing. I'm planning to sell the MS and wanted to make sure the Garmin was working, but your point about the MS sensors being close together is a good one.

I was on Century range at Bisley and the Xero was on the grass firing point. I suppose I could have disturbed it between groups because I saved each as a session which involved several button presses. The reason for doing this and also the small group sizes was to become familiar with the Xero's operation and save ammunition. However I didn't disturb it between shots 4 and 5.

Next time I'm on the range I will shoot longer strings.

Mike

 

[nun_hunter]

I saw a YouTube video comparing the Xero with a MS and the differences were smaller than I'm seeing. I'm planning to sell the MS and wanted to make sure the Garmin was working,

Might be a stupid question but how do you know the Mas is more accurate other than the Garmin missing a couple of shots which sounds most likely due to movement?

I've got a MS Sporter that seems really good. I've never compared it to something more scientific so have no idea how accurate it actually is.

 

[Cyclone]

I have no idea which is more accurate. I was attracted to the Garmin for its ease of use and to eliminate any possible impact the MS may have on group sizes.

Mike

 

[mealiejimmy]

Garmin claim an accuracy of +/- 0.1% for the Xero
At 3000fps that means the actual speed is within +/-3fps of the displayed speed
They are taking the **** by displaying the speed to the nearest 0.1 fps

Cheers

Bruce

 

[Cyclone]

Garmin claim an accuracy of +/- 0.1% for the Xero
At 3000fps that means the actual speed is within +/-3fps of the displayed speed
They are taking the **** by displaying the speed to the nearest 0.1 fps

Cheers

Bruce

Agreed.

Mike

 

[BLUEROLL]

Hmm might hang on to my MS V3 then. Had considered selling it but not sure if my Garmin would work when placed on the ground and me shooting off sticks which I can do with the MS.

 

[Envillegc1]

People spend that on golf ???

Yes and more.

 

[Cyclone]

I was disappointed to find that the mobile app doesn't provide remote control for the chrono. That would avoid disturbing it while saving sessions.

Mike

 

[Rory]

I was disappointed to find that the mobile app doesn't provide remote control for the chrono. That would avoid disturbing it while saving sessions.

Mike

You really don't need to worry about disturbing it - it is not like the Labradar which needs sighting in and leaving lest you move it a fraction of a degree.
With the Xero just plonk it down 5-15" distant from the barrel and 5-15" back from the muzzle, generally square to the target and go for it. It is really simple to use and I have found it reliable in recording shots.
A big plus is it is located behind the muzzle, so it shouldn't be disturbed by muzzle blast (unless you are using a muzzle brake).

 

[markyw]

I have had the chance to try the Garmin in several settings now.
1. Placed between 2 shooters on a prone firing point outdoors, taking it in turns to shoot a target. All shots captured. No projectile weight entered, so results possibly slightly out, but did show obvious differentiation between the 2 calibres being shot.
2. At our indoor range, testing with air rifles, air pistols, small bore and full bore rifles and pistols. All shots captured. Projectile weight entered and not entered (different strings) and didn't seem to make that much difference over a short range.
3. Placed next to (either on the prone point or on the bench) a shooter on an outdoor range. All shots captured and again no projectile weight entered.

Under no circumstances did the Chrono move, even when placed quite close to an AI AX MC with a muzzle break!

The only noted oddity to capture was in scenario 2 above then the chrono was placed on the ROs bench, off of the firing pioint, it sometimes triggered and registered "movement", even though not specifically pointed in teh correct direction. Speeds were obviously a lot lower than if correctly placed.

I also noted that it was not too far out from the quoted round speeds on GRT, which is useful. If you only want to devleop loads, then I think a consistent way to capture muzzle velocity is all you need. If you want to calculate BC, stick with a Labradar.

Regards

Mark

 

[Cyclone]

You really don't need to worry about disturbing it - it is not like the Labradar which needs sighting in and leaving lest you move it a fraction of a degree.
With the Xero just plonk it down 5-15" distant from the barrel and 5-15" back from the muzzle, generally square to the target and go for it. It is really simple to use and I have found it reliable in recording shots.
A big plus is it is located behind the muzzle, so it shouldn't be disturbed by muzzle blast (unless you are using a muzzle brake).

That's how I set it up. The two missed shots are a bit of a puzzle. I have a muzzle brake but don't use it as the ASE moderator gives better groups at 1,000 yards.

Mike

 

[NullMac]

I also noted that it was not too far out from the quoted round speeds on GRT, which is useful coincidental

Fixed it for you

 

[Cyclone]

2. At our indoor range, testing with air rifles, air pistols, small bore and full bore rifles and pistols. All shots captured. Projectile weight entered and not entered (different strings) and didn't seem to make that much difference over a short range.

Regards

Mark

The projectile weight is only used for calculating kinetic energy, it doesn't affect the velocity readings.

I tested my Xero today with a Glock 17 CO2 BB gun firing steel balls weighing 5.3gn. It captured every shot and showed a pretty constant velocity and kinetic energy for 50 shots, after which it fell off a cliff as you would expect.

Mike