LMBR Chronograph

› Shooting airguns has to be enjoyable and fun, first and foremost, and an army of plinkers is a testament to the sport’s continued appeal across the generations. But with an abundance of more sophisticated, high-quality kit appealing to a new breed of shooter, the requirement for a chronograph to keep tabs on performance has never been greater.

Monitoring/testing
It is, of course, the individual’s responsibility to ensure their gun stays below the legal power limit, and that’s a key reason in itself to own a chronograph. But legalities apart, just being able to check a gun’s consistency using particular ammunition or how the power fluctuates with different pellets requires a reliable electronic power-checking device to do the job properly.
Several different models are available, and for those who love their phones, there are app-based chronos. Some use radar, and some even use electromagnetic sensors. However, being somewhat old-school and considering the extensive testing I conduct professionally, I wanted a robust, free-standing unit that was easy to use and built to last. I still own a Combro, which is brilliant and great value but a bit fiddly and reliant on good light. I also have a Shooting Chrony—it’s given me good service, but once again, it relies on the level of daylight being just right. I bought a highly regarded Skan unit, which is not at all fussy on lighting, but it relied on shooting through a small plastic tube. I was assured the shooting tube was nearly indestructible, but then I proceeded to shoot it and break it! So, the search went on.

LMBR
Well, I’m pleased to announce that my search appears to have come to a close, as the chronograph on test here is my latest purchase. Welcome to LMBR, which makes chronographs in Poland. And I have to say, they are produced to a very high standard.
There are three main models they make: the R2, which is a small, compact box with a central opening; the R2A, which is an open-sided unit; and then my model, the R2H. I’ve opted for the R2H since it has a much larger opening to shoot through, and whilst it comes recommended for airguns and firearms, the difference in price is negligible, given how easy it is to use.

Robust
First impressions of the LMBR are that it is a super-robust machine. An all-metal construction, except for the small plastic plate covering the base, means it should last for years. But the other key feature that hits home is that, with only one side support to worry about, it’s pretty difficult to damage anything whilst shooting through the unit. As mentioned, the R2H model is the largest of the lot, and the extra height means an even larger shoot-through area. In short, you would have to be very careless to damage the unit, which is a relief!

Features
The R2H is powered by two AA (alkaline or rechargeable) batteries, and these are stored in the base block. Just unscrew the four small screws, and the base plate slips off. Look to the back of the unit, and there’s the on/off switch, as well as a serial port for computer connection. This unit features a backlight, so viewing the display in daylight is easy, but this feature can be switched off.
Three push buttons control functions and menus, and the unit comes with a flowchart to illustrate what’s what. You can choose between imperial and metric figures, and velocity can be switched to show joules or fps. Also, the pellet weight can be grams or grains. To set the pellet weight, for example, press the left button, which shows the existing pre-set weight, then use the middle button to lower the displayed figure or the right button to increase it.
This unit has a memory of 500 shots, and these can be stored on the computer if required. During a shooting session, while the unit remains on, press ‘S2’ (the middle button), and shot information can be cycled through, such as average energy, average velocity, minimum velocity, maximum velocity, and standard deviation. All this information can be stored if required as well.

So easy
Plenty of information at our fingertips, then. However, for me, the huge draw of this R2H model is the sheer ease of use. It has a nice amount of weight in the base and four rubber feet, so it’s free-standing and stable. Obviously, a safe backstop is a basic consideration when using a chronograph, but otherwise, this LMBR is refreshingly straightforward. Just grab it, stand it where needed, and you’re ready. Switch it on, and it shows velocity and energy after each shot. It also seems to work in any lighting, which is brilliant and in stark contrast to many rivals. No sky screens are needed here!
You’ll notice two slots cut into the base, which serve as the sensors. The pellet passes through the first one to start the clock and then the second, which stops the clock. I tend to use a large, fairly firm cushion to rest a gun on when shooting through a chronograph, as I carry out regular testing, and this setup works perfectly. The key requirement is to shoot straight through the sensor area and not off at an angle. That said, I haven’t had a single shot fail to register since I’ve had the unit, which suggests it isn’t picky or overly sensitive in use, making it hard to fault.

Verdict
There are many reasons for owning a chronograph, and for those who take their sport seriously, it has to be a vital accessory. I mentioned the port at the back of this chrono so it can be linked to a computer for more in-depth analysis, but it can also link up via Bluetooth. It’s even threaded underneath so that the unit can be mounted onto a camera tripod. All bases covered, then, allowing shooting enthusiasts to indulge themselves in more detail if they so wish. Either way, the LMBR tested here is a superb tool and the best chrono I’ve owned. Easy to use, super robust, and designed to give years of reliable service. GM