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Garmin Killer? Athlon Rangecraft Velocity Pro chrono review

Moondog

Active member
📝 Contributor
Messages
136
[video=youtube_share;Ab8uJGKMUek]

Back in January, I got a chance to see a pre-release sample of the Rangecraft Velocity Pro at Athlon’s booth. Athlon had planned to release the Velocity Pro in early April for a price of $350. Unfortuantely, nobody knew that the Trump Administration would be imposing over 100% tariffs on Chinese made products. Nor that this would cause widespread parts and shipping delays.

Some folks online were posting negative comments about Athlon; butthurt because the chrono didn’t ship the first week of April and the price had gone up to $399 (which is only about 10%). Retailers started getting their shipments at the very end of April and customers were getting their orders in the first week of May. I was pleasantly surprised to get a Velocity Pro from Athlon to test with such a backlog of orders. Often when a company has such high demand for a new product, they skip the gun-tubers until after they get their 2nd or 3rd shipments from the factory.

The Velocity Pro looks strikingly similar to the Garmin Xero. It is slightly larger in size with a slightly bigger display screen. The Velocity Pro has 2 additional control buttons on the top and has its menu arrow buttons on the side of the unit. Its physical dimensions are only slightly larger than the Xero and it also has a slightly bigger and brighter LCD screen. The Velocity Pro’s tripod base is heavier providing a more stable platform against high winds.

Comparing the two at the range, the Velocity Pro showed slightly faster readings on average to the Xero. The difference between the two chrono’s was less than 1% which is neglibable. While testing a pistol shooting in rapid fire, the Xero could not keep up with the Velocity Pro. The Xero would miss recording shots if there was less than a 1.5-2 second delay between shots. The Velocity Pro’s more reliable sensors, better menu layout and contols, and with less than a 1% difference in readings made the Rangcraft the better chrono.


SPECS
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion

Battery Life: 6 hrs

Display Size: 2.4”

Display Resolution: 240 x 320

Radar Type: Dopler

Velocity Range: 65-5000 FPS

Velocity Accuracy: +/- 0.1%

Connector: USB-C

Weight: 4.7 oz
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[video=youtube_share;Ab8uJGKMUek]

Back in January, I got a chance to see a pre-release sample of the Rangecraft Velocity Pro at Athlon’s booth. Athlon had planned to release the Velocity Pro in early April for a price of $350. Unfortuantely, nobody knew that the Trump Administration would be imposing over 100% tariffs on Chinese made products. Nor that this would cause widespread parts and shipping delays.

As always, you did a great job with this review! I look forward to all of your posts!
 
Does the Athlon work well at a busy indoor range?
Yes, unless there is another radar chrono nearby like the Labchrono which has been known to interfere since they are both broadcast radar signals.
 
So the Athlon doesn't misread other lane shootings?
Nope, no problem. The Athlon has to be pretty close (within 10" of your muzzle) to get a reading. That's closer than shoulder-to-shoulder distance.
 
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