BulletSeeker (Speedtracker) Mini Doppler Chronograph -The Firearm Weblog

Do you need to get extra out of taking pictures? Have you ever thought-about getting a chronograph? Measuring the muzzle velocity of your projectiles is useful, particularly for load growth and calculating bullet drop at distance. Effectively, I purchased the Bulletseeker Mach4 chronograph and have been utilizing it this previous yr so I’ll share my expertise with you.

Chronographs @ TFB:

Bulletseeker Mach4 Doppler Chronograph

I bought the Bulletseeker final December for 2 causes. The primary purpose is because of my goof in taking pictures my FX Pocket Chrono with the GR-1 Anvil. 391 grains touring at nearly 300 fps can wreck a chrono if it will get in the best way.

The FX chrono prices round $300 so if I used to be going to exchange it I figured I might use that cash in the direction of an actual chronograph as a substitute. The FX chrono is just good for as much as 1200 FPS. Whereas I favored the pocket chrono, I wanted to measure muzzle velocity out of my centerfire rifles greater than subsonic pistol ammo or rimfire.

I had a Magnetospeed earlier than and so do my pals. Nonetheless, setting it up and getting the magneto rail/bayonet arrange correctly is a ache within the rear. I offered it off. A few of my pals have the LabRadar and I used to be tempted to get one after promoting the Magnetospeed however I realized it has its personal points.

So after I shot my pocket chrono, I talked to my pal Kythe and requested him what I ought to get to exchange the FX Pocket chrono. He had simply bought the brand new mini Doppler chronograph by Longtracker referred to as the Bulletseeker Mach4. Similar to my pocket chrono, the Bulletseeker doesn’t have any onboard screens. It makes use of an app to show the velocities it measures.

The Bulletseeker isn’t low cost. In reality, it prices greater than the LabRadar however what makes it probably higher is the very fact it continually emits the radar pulse. LabRadar makes use of triggers to detect the shot after which emits the radar however typically it may well trigger it to overlook a shot if the set off doesn’t choose up the sound of the shot.

One other problem with the LabRadar is aiming it. I’ve seen hacks like taping a straw or individuals 3D printing a Picatinny rail to mount a crimson dot on it. The Bulletseeker has a Picatinny rail grabber to connect it on to your firearm.  So I ordered one and on the time Longshot Goal Cameras was working a sale. It was $100 off for the vacations.

Bulletseeker Picatinny rail grabber

Apparently, the Bulletseeker that Kythe and I received is a more moderen model. It has a QD lever for the rail grabber. The earlier variations used screws and required instruments to put in and take away it. However as quickly as I received my Bulletseeker, I eliminated the rail grabber to see the way it was hooked up. I had plans to improve it with one other rail grabber that may mount to ARCA and Picatinny. Within the picture under, I positioned the Magpul QR Rail Grabber simply to see how it might look.

Upgrading the Bulletseeker

I reached out to my pal Eric of Echo Arms and he stated he may assist make me a 17S adapter for the Bulletseeker. That is what he made. It has two countersunk screw holes to mount the adapter to the chrono and one other pair of threaded holes to mount any 17s suitable rail grabber of your selecting.

Initially I had deliberate to make use of the Magpul QR Rail Grabber because it was cheap and will seize ARCA in addition to Picatinny. Nonetheless, there was an oversight on my half. I didn’t ship the rail grabber to Eric when he designed the adapter for me. The Magpul QR grabber has these protrusions at each ends. They intervene with the adapter for the chrono. So I needed to pivot and order an RRS BTC-Professional rail grabber.

Right here is the manufacturing unit mount eliminated.

My adapter put in on the chrono.

And its closing type with the RRS BTC-Professional.

I truly just like the RRS greater than the Magpul rail grabber. The Magpul designed their grabber in order that each angled clamping jaws would seize ARCA or Picatinny. However this requires a variety of motion to go from the narrower Picatinny to ARCA. The RRS has two units of clamping jaws. The Picatinny one is recessed. So if you wish to go from ARCA to Picatinny or vice versa, you do not need to open and shut the RRS BTC-Professional that a lot. It’s simply sooner and simpler to make use of.

Right here it’s mounted to the ARCA rail on my Desert Tech SRS A1.

Utilizing the Bulletseeker Mach4

Once I received the Bulletseeker Mach4 I introduced it to the vary to chrono my Desert Tech in 6.5 Creedmoor. My pal Kythe was there so we in contrast our mini Doppler chronographs. One thing appeared off with Kythe’s chrono. Utilizing the identical gun and similar ammo, his Bulletseeker was solely giving him double-digit detections.

Screenshot of Kythe’s Bulletseeker

You’ll be able to see the distinction between Kythe’s Bulletseeker and mine under.

Screenshot of my Bulletseeker

Kythe reached out to Longshot Goal Cameras, whom he purchased the chrono from, and instructed them the discrepancy he was getting in comparison with mine.  They changed it for him.

Whereas Kythe’s chrono had points, mine didn’t appear to have another than after I tried to measure 5.56 out of my ARs. It will miss pictures typically. The chrono comes with a parabolic cone that’s supposed to assist improve detection in addition to assist decrease false readings from different shooters on the vary. One thing that may occur with the LabRadar.

One other problem Kythe and I observed is after we use a suppressor. You should transfer the Bulletseeker nearer to the muzzle. The producer provides you an adapter that has a single-slot Picatinny rail and V-shaped trough on the opposite facet. So that you clamp the chrono to the adapter and use rubber bands to mount it to one thing cylindrical like a barrel or suppressor. Nonetheless, because the adapter is polymer, I don’t suggest utilizing it for prolonged durations, particularly on a suppressor.

Kythe ended up mounting his chrono to a Picatinny/ARCA plate after which mounted it to a small desk tripod.  Now he can place the chrono nearer to the muzzle even when he’s taking pictures suppressed.

The draw back to doing that is now it’s a must to intention the Bulletseeker to match what you’re taking pictures at.

We did expertise one other problem after we tried utilizing it with the Noreen ULR Mini .50BMG. We aren’t certain if the recoil or muzzle blast shockwave broken it however we solely received one velocity studying after which it stopped working. The producer of the Bulletseeker doesn’t point out any caliber restrictions. Nor may we discover any point out of such data from third-party sources like Longshot Goal Digital camera. So Kythe despatched his chrono again in and it received changed. This time he received the newest iteration referred to as Speedtracker Mach4. You’ll be able to see the barrel/suppressor mount within the picture on the field under.

Longseeker added an LED on the rear of the machine. Earlier than it solely had an LED on the high of the machine the place the button was to show the chrono on and off. In addition to enabling Bluetooth connection.

Again in Could, my Bulletseeker began to have points. It now not measured previous 1,000 FPS. Here’s a screenshot from after I was making an attempt to measure .308 out of my EBO SAR8 HK91 clone.

I reached out to Longseeker and after sending them information from the App they processed a substitute. I too received the newer Speedtracker Mach4.

Due to the assistance of my pal Thomas, he designed and printed a Picatinny rail that may slide over the Speedtracker physique.  I shall be testing this the subsequent time I hit the vary. For now, I mounted it to my gun and did a converging zero with my scope at 100 yards. This fashion when my pal Kythe or I must measure the muzzle velocity with a suppressor, it will likely be a lot simpler aiming the Speedtracker on the similar goal because the gun after we tripod mount it.

Remaining Ideas On The Bulletseeker

My pal Kythe has been utilizing his chrono extra steadily than I’ve and has been monitoring numerous shooters who’ve been utilizing them. All of them appear to have comparable points as we have now had relating to using suppressors. Kythe and I are slightly dissatisfied in these points because the machine prices $1,000. Proper now Longshot Goal Digital camera has them on sale for $850. We nonetheless maintain utilizing it and to this point it retains working.

There’s now a brand new model referred to as the Speedtracker Mach 4++.

I reached out to Longseeker and so they instructed me it is a new model that shall be launched subsequent month. It will likely be showcased at King of The Mile. Listed here are some highlights they shared with me:

• Capturing speeds from 213 fps – 4,000 fps (65 m/s – 1200 m/s)
• Arca Rail Adapter
• Firmware replace
• App doesn’t change
• Totally computerized

I’m not certain what that final half means however we are going to study extra when it’s launched. I hope there may be assist for early adopters to improve theirs to the newest iteration. It appears like we have now been beta testers however paid full worth. The vacation low cost wasn’t a lot of a reduction since they’re being offered for lower than what we paid.