CED M2 Chronograph problems- Help appreciated

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08-13-2009, 01:22 PM
El Paso Mark

CED M2 Chronograph problems- Help appreciated

Greetings all. Took my new CED M2 Chronograph out to the range to try it out, but alas, had problems.

Shooting conditions were: Desert range (Hard packed sand), bright sun to the right (4 o’clock position) relative to the sensors, clear sky, approx. 90 degrees, 5 – 7 mph wind. Fresh, new battery installed.

Rifle: Savage .308 bolt action, factory ammo.

Errors messages (From the manual):
E0 - Front sensor didn't read
E1 - Rear sensor didn't rear

I set the unit up according to the directions with the sensors 10 feet in front of the muzzle. I powered up the unit, shot a round and received an E1 (Rear) error. I couldn’t clear the error so powered down the unit, powered back up, and fired another round, which resulted in another E1 error. I repeated this several times, all with the same result- E1 error that I couldn’t clear. I then switched the input cables, fired a round, and received an E0 (Front) error. I then switched the sensors, insured the input cables were correct for front & rear sensor, fired a round, and received an E0 error. I couldn’t clear the error so powered down the unit, powered back up, and fired another round, which resulted in another E0 error. I again repeated this several times, all with the same result- E0 error that I couldn’t clear. I then switched the sensors again, moved them back to 15 feet from the muzzle, insured the input cables were correct for front & rear sensor, fired a round, and again received an E1 error. Throughout this testing/trouble shooting the constant has been the suspect sensor as it doesn’t read whether or not it’s in the front or rear, or whether the cables are correct in relation to sensor position or switched.

What do you think? Defective sensor? Thanx.

Cheers,

Mark
08-13-2009, 06:50 PM
Bill H

I would call the manufacturer. Why ask for advice from people who may not even know what you have.

I don't recognize the brand name, but any chronograph which uses light screens with photosensors is sensitive to angle of the light, but usually the diffusors will enable the screens to work unless the angle is too low, ie., too early in the morning or too late in the afternoon.
08-14-2009, 02:41 PM
joem

Sun might have been too low for accurate read. Try tilting the sensors more inline with the sun. If that doesn't work possible bad chrono.
08-23-2009, 10:43 AM
El Paso Mark

Thanx guys, I appreciate it. Alas, no matter what I try I keep getting an error from that same sensor. Took it out again Friday morning around 09:00 (Sun was at a low angle to the right front). Tried darkening the bullets with a black magic marker, placing a dark background (My gun case) under the sensors to reduce reflected light, and shaded that particular sensor. Nothing worked. :( Guess I'll call CED tomorrow and see about sending the sensor in for testing/replacement.

Cheers,

Mark
08-23-2009, 01:17 PM
Dan Shapiro

Yep, does sound like either a defective sensor OR a defective cable. No need to put a gun case under. The beam is directed upwards at the sky screen.
08-23-2009, 02:46 PM
John Kepler

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Paso Mark

I again repeated this several times, all with the same result- E0 error that I couldn’t clear. I then switched the sensors again, moved them back to 15 feet from the muzzle, insured the input cables were correct for front & rear sensor, fired a round, and again received an E1 error. Throughout this testing/trouble shooting the constant has been the suspect sensor as it doesn’t read whether or not it’s in the front or rear, or whether the cables are correct in relation to sensor position or switched.

What do you think? Defective sensor? Thanx.

Cheers,

Mark

Possible bad sensor.....but you're way too close to the chrono with a rifle! 10-15 feet is fine for a handgun....but 30 feet is more like it with a rifle! Every chrono I've ever used gave flaky results when the unit was too close (as in less than 30'!) to the rifle!
08-23-2009, 05:11 PM
El Paso Mark

Thanx for the help guys, I appreciate it.

Dave (et al)- Yep, I've concluded it has to be the sensor. Took it out about 2 hours ago to try again, this time with the sun higher in the sky and at a different angle. Same thing, would just not read that one sensor. Brought it home and tried the "Flashlight test" as per the maker's (CED) website- It failed (Sensor error, same sensor). Kinda ****es me off as I've wasted close to $40.00 worth of ammo now testing this unit. Oh well, will call CED tomorrow to see about a replacement.

John- Only has 20 foot cables. CED recommends minimum 10 feet, which I tried. Also tried 12 feet and 15 feet. No luck (Sensor error). I'm only using a .223 and/or .308 and as mentioned above it also failed the makers suggested "Flashlight test" too.

Cheers,

Mark
08-23-2009, 05:20 PM
John Kepler

That's a rap! Bad photo-diode! My guess is that your set-up won't like something like a .300 WTBY or a .338 Lapua AT ALL if the most you can get is 20' from the rifle.

BTW, a spotting scope will make that display as easy to read at 30' as it is on the bench next to you....the cord-length notwithstanding.!
08-24-2009, 03:37 PM
El Paso Mark

Greetings all. Contacted CED this morning about the problem. Instead of just sending the suspect sensor back they wanted both sensors and the processor/display so boxed everything up and mailed it to them. Hopefully it won't take longer than 3 weeks to get a replacement or the repaired unit back. Will post final results/outcome when I receive and test it.

Cheers,

Mark