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Post by Richard on Aug 25, 2009 21:19:05 GMT -5
Got a new Pact Chronograph last week. I tried it out, but knew I would have problems with sun. I had already formulated a design before I got the unit. This week I put it together and used it at our weekly range session. It worked perfectly. My thought, first of all, was to build a container to hold "everything!". Secondly, I wanted my photo cells to be located down inside the box to protect it from sabot hits and side sun glare. I constructed the box from 1/4" plywood with re-inforcing ribs in order to keep the weight down. To attach the box to my tripod I needed a sturdy fixture that was flush with the bottom. A 1" x 1/4" piece of aluminum was screwed and glued to a 4" x 1" 1/4" piece of aluminum flat stock. The bottom of the base was inleted to allow the square to protrude flat to the bottom. I attached the chronograph by use of a 1/4x20 flat head screw. I made a plate with a backer to protect the rear photo cell. This also holds the chrono box with a leather strap with velcro. Everything fits inside. Today, the chronograph caught every shot. All reliable readings. Richard       |
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Post by kevin k on Aug 25, 2009 21:29:08 GMT -5
nice job Richard by time i get one you will have it all worked out thanks. kevin k
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 25, 2009 23:08:18 GMT -5
Cool looking set up, Rich.  Is that the Model 1 XP chronograph ? I have the Pact XP Pro and so far nothing but trouble with mine.  Almost every time it says fire when ready, I do and nothing happens.  It started to work the other day but then stopped working again.  My cousin had to stop me from stomping it into the soil, lol. Guess I will give Pact a call before I try to use it again.  Bought a bum MLII last year and now a bum chronograph this year.  Excuse me, I need to go find a crying towel.  Glad yours is working though. ;D |
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 26, 2009 2:37:22 GMT -5
That appears to be a little heavy to set atop of a camera tripod. How is it supported?
Doug
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Post by Richard on Aug 26, 2009 20:01:45 GMT -5
Doug...........I had it to the range yesterday on a very light weight tripod and it was just fine. Possibly if it was windy it might cause a problem? I do have a heavy tripod I can use if necessary. Minus the lid, the chrono box and the wires, it weights exactly 8 lbs. 14 oz.
Sag.......yes, that is the 1XP. I was going to get the pro model (by the way, Midway just put the Pro on sale for $204) but the price somewhat deterred me. There are a lot of bells and whistles which I don't REALLY need. I keep a pad next to me when I shoot to record the location of hits and also each bullets velocity. It does have the updated anti-glint photo cells like the pro and it was $100 less!
Using it last week when I first got it (same sun type conditions) without the box, I was having all types of problems capturing speeds. This week??? It never missed any of the 31 shots. I'm happy! ;D
Richard
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 26, 2009 20:37:51 GMT -5
Are those the same shades that came with the chronograph or did you make them also? They appear to be pretty heavy duty.
Doug
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Post by Richard on Aug 27, 2009 8:22:34 GMT -5
Doug.........
They are OEM! (original equipment manufacturer) ;D They also provide some shading from the sun which comes in from the right side. Herman has been having multiple problems with his two chronographs ( a Pact and some other one) so he just bought one of the cheap Chronies (the blue one with no remote?) It started out working OK while the shade from our range house kept the sun out. As the sun moved and it started shinning on the unit?? He began getting no or bad readings. I set him up with a cardboard lying against the two right sun shade supports? This put shade on the photocells..........Worked perfectly.
Richard
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Aug 27, 2009 11:30:29 GMT -5
Richard,
What stops the sabots from hitting the light shield or the legs that hold them?
Years ago, I bent the upright into a 90 degree angle with a sabot strike. My legs were light aluminum from the shootin chrony. Yours looks beefier........
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 27, 2009 12:40:52 GMT -5
Richard, What stops the sabots from hitting the light shield or the legs that hold them? Years ago, I bent the upright into a 90 degree angle with a sabot strike. My legs were light aluminum from the shootin chrony. Yours looks beefier........ Same happened to me so now I buy the thin rods from Home Depot and cut them to length and keep some extra on hand in case I bend another rod. Problem is that my Chrony gives me some weird results sometimes and the problem might be with something that Richard said about the sunlight coming in from the side. I really like those uprights holding the shades. They really do appear as if they could withstand a hit from a fast moving sabot. Or maybe not. Doug |
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Post by Richard on Aug 27, 2009 14:55:21 GMT -5
There is nothing to stop the sabots from hitting those plastic supports! I'll just deal with it when it happens  I usually do not use the sky screens anyway but thought the width of the supports would block some sun. I just might slide a sheet of cardboard down one side to keep the sun out if need be. Richard |
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 28, 2009 10:52:47 GMT -5
Are those the same shades that came with the chronograph or did you make them also? They appear to be pretty heavy duty. Doug Doug, Rich might not agree with me but I have those same sky-screens as he does with my Pact Chronograph. The photograph is deceiving as I think they're cheap plastic crap. (Thumbs Down) They're not "heavy duty" at all; I consider them POS !  I would gladly pay extra for some sturdy metal ones if Pact would make them. |
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Post by Richard on Aug 28, 2009 16:00:52 GMT -5
Sag...........No argument! They are El Cheapo! Maybe because I keep the unit only 10 ft. from the muzzle, that the sabots are still trailing close behind??? A couple of thoughts come to mind. One is to take a piece of PVC (maybe 1/2" water pipe) cut a grove lengthwise (on the table saw) and snap it on the leading edge of the support?? Or, just fabricate new ones out of sheet metal or aluminum? "V-haf-vays" Richard |
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 28, 2009 21:24:25 GMT -5
Rich, Well, get to building them then and let me know how much you want to make me a set. |
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Post by Richard on Aug 29, 2009 18:55:46 GMT -5
I'll probably wind up waiting until I blow one apart! ;D
Richard
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 30, 2009 11:02:38 GMT -5
I'll probably wind up waiting until I blow one apart! ;D Richard Guess I will too, Rich. Sounds like a plan. LOL ;D |
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Post by Richard on Sept 6, 2009 14:07:54 GMT -5
Sag..............I decided to build some guards for the uprights and the screen before I blow them up  . I used 1/2" PVC water pipe. I cut them lengthwise and just slipped them on the leading edges of the two front uprights and the sky screen. They fit really snug and hopefully will deflect the sabot without damage. They definitely add a lot of strength. Richard  |
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Post by sagittarius on Sept 6, 2009 19:09:38 GMT -5
Awesome idea, Rich. Skyscreens built the way they should be ! |
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Post by Richard on Sept 9, 2009 16:49:52 GMT -5
One upright took a hit yesterday and cracked the pvc! Not bad and saved the upright!
Richard
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Post by sagittarius on Sept 10, 2009 10:05:05 GMT -5
One upright took a hit yesterday and cracked the pvc! Not bad and saved the upright! Richard d**n, if it cracked the pvc, think what it would have done to the upright. |
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Post by Jon on Dec 2, 2009 12:43:31 GMT -5
Just a question for anyone How many people shoot without skyscreens?
Jon
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Post by Dave W on Dec 2, 2009 18:50:04 GMT -5
Just a question for anyone How many people shoot without skyscreens? Jon The only time I use mine is if the sun is overhead, which is almost never since I either shoot in the morning or evening. |
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Post by wilmsmeyer on Dec 2, 2009 19:14:45 GMT -5
Never use them
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Post by Richard on Dec 2, 2009 20:24:37 GMT -5
I almost never used them with my old PACT but thought I would try them with this set up. What they do, to some extent if block out some sun which usually comes in from the left. And, I had been getting consistent readings with them on. However this past Monday, I did not put them on and still got good readings. I agree, if the sun is not overhead, they probably do little good Oh, and the light weight tripod has worked out just fine. Richard |
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I usually do not use the sky screens anyway but thought the width of the supports would block some sun. I just might slide a sheet of cardboard down one side to keep the sun out if need be.
. I used 1/2" PVC water pipe. I cut them lengthwise and just slipped them on the leading edges of the two front uprights and the sky screen. They fit really snug and hopefully will deflect the sabot without damage. They definitely add a lot of strength.
