Garmin released their tiny chronograph that uses Doppler radar in 2023. Intrigued by the size and lack of all the “stuff” one normally needs to set up to gather bullet velocities, I remember talking about it with my friend Tank Hoover and wondered how anyone would compete with such a handy-sized device. “Someone will make it cheaper,” he opined.
Well, I shouldn’t be surprised that Tank was exactly right. Recently Athlon Optics brought out their version of the compact chronograph with an MSRP of $499.99 which is a Benjamin less than the competition. As this is written, they are available for $399.99 on various websites, saving shooters a significant amount of cash.
I’ve been using the Rangecraft Velocity PRO Radar Chronograph (RVPRC) for several weeks and it is certainly worth talking about. I’m not sure how they trimmed the cost down, but it did not affect the quality and usefulness of this equipment.
Compact Size, Full Functionality
The name of this little contraption is longer than the chronograph itself! The RVPRC measures just 3.5 inches long, 1.2 inches wide, and 2.7 inches high. It weighs just 4.7 ounces.
Instead of cluttering paragraphs with all the specifications, we’ve included Athlon Optic’s spec sheet so that you can see for yourself. This chronograph is simple to use and easy to set up.
Simple Operation, No Tech Expertise Required
The RVPRC is made for guys like me who have no interest in learning the intricacies of multifunctional electronics. Just five buttons are needed to simply operate the fundamentals of the chronograph.
Shooters wanting to utilize Athlon’s Ballistic App to share information with their cell phone can certainly do that. The chronograph gives me the information I want right there on the easy-to-read screen by showing me the velocity of the shot, the average of the combined velocities in that shot string, and even the minimum and maximum velocity from the string.
Multi-Platform Support: From Rifles to Archery
When setting up for a chrono session, you choose rifle, pistol, archery, air gun, or other, depending on what you are shooting. I wonder what “other” is for? The Doppler radar will read velocities from 65 fps to 5000, so that covers plenty of territory.
You enter the bullet weight, velocity range, and get to shooting. The user’s manual fits neatly in the carry case with the chronograph, and it is also downloadable on their website.
Durable Accessories for Field Use
The Velocity Pro comes in a neat carry case that keeps what you need together and protected, including the tripod that mounts easily to the chronograph.
My friend Randy Arndt makes heavy-duty tripods out of aluminum for these chronographs that provide even more stability to the setup. This can be especially handy on a windy day!
Final Verdict: A Reliable, Budget-Friendly Chronograph
Compact, easy setup, simple to use, reliable, and budget-priced. If you are in the market for a chronograph, you need to try the Athlon Optics Rangecraft Velocity PRO, I think you’ll like it.
