Garmin changed the game with the Xero C1 chronograph, released in the fall of 2023. Up until then, chronographs were cumbersome, finicky, and often unreliable in bad weather. The Xero C1 was none of those. It single-handedly changed how shooters thought about chronographs. I picked one up in January 2024, and it’s been with me at every range visit since. As a shooter, it’s an essential piece of kit. And it’s foolproof. It’s worked in every scenario I’ve tested.
Now, it’s even better with the introduction of the Xero C2.
SPECS
The Xero C2 builds on the C1, with newer, faster processing and improved connectivity with other devices. The new upgrades are as follows.
- Rapid-fire support: Track up to 10 shots per second, depending on projectile velocity.
- Applied Ballistics connectivity: Transfer muzzle velocity straight into the Applied Ballistics solver for long-range shooting solutions on a compatible smartphone.
- Resume session: Switch between different firearms or test multiple bows or arrows and view data for each dedicated session.
- Smartwatch integration with the Tactix 8-Cerakote edition.
- Updated ShotView features let users manage and track projectile and load data for firearms and bows. And during a shooting session, if more than one Xero C2 is paired to the ShotView app, marksmen can conveniently start a session on one chronograph and continue it on another.
FEATURES
At its core, Xero C2 brings faster processing to the firing line, unlocking features like rapid-fire tracking and resume session, which means less fiddling and more shooting. That speed also opens the door to Garmin smartwatch integration and Applied Ballistics connectivity, quietly turning this pocket-sized chronograph into a hub for serious ballistic work.
Despite its compact footprint, Xero C2 covers an impressive range, accurately measuring projectiles from 100 to 5,000 feet per second, whether you’re shooting bullets, arrows, slugs, or even airsoft BBs. The reinforced housing shrugs off recoil when mounted to a firearm, the IPX7 water rating keeps weather from ending a session early, and the sunlight-readable, high-contrast display stays clear on bright range days.
Power comes from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery good for up to 2,000 shots or six hours, making Xero C2 as practical as it is capable when it arrives January 23, 2026, at $699.99.
ZOOMING OUT
This Garmin Xero C2 is the next step forward from the C1 chronograph. While other companies work to catch up by releasing similar models, Garmin keeps moving forward by adding new, more distinctive features to make the Xero C2 stand out. For me, I’m excited to get my hands on it.
