I hate my Pact Mk IV

[MoNsTeR]

It seems like the bullet has to fly within a pair of imaginary goalposts an inch apart to get a reading. Out of every 10 shots I typically get a beep on only 4-6, and 1-2 of those will be a false reading (<= 200fps).

I'm setting the start sensor about 4 paces from the bench. Using the skyscreens when its sunny and taking them off when it's cloudy. When I shoot I try to set the front sight directly over the sensors.

Is there some technique I'm just missing, or is this typical? Are other makes/models of chrono easier to use?

[Chris Keen]

Have you checked the sensors to see if they are dirty? That could cause errors and false readings.

[gmantwo]

Try setting the screens in the shade. I've only got a MK1 but it works every time. And I always use the screens, but I'm always in the shade too. A call to PACT sounds in order

[Flatland Shooter]

How high above the screens are you shooting?

Try 8" to 12".

Bill

[richbug]

4 out of 10 is way better than my MKIV will do. When it works it works really well(it has worked really well once). 95% of the times when I try to use it I get " no stop signal" message. I called Pact and was told to clean the sensors. I'd send it back but I suspect it would come back exactly as it currently is, and I'd be out $25 in shipping( $10 to them, and they charge $14.99 return IIRC).

Maybe you could sacrifice some chickens over it, while you do a rain dance around it.

My other thought was to build a 12V DC light box for it.

The timer function is great other than the size.

[Pat Miles]

I could tell you stories about the Pact chrono I had. Went back to Pact three times. The last time it came back it had instructions to put the head in a box and bury the cables from the sky screens while using it. I gave it to a friend with the appropriate disclaimers. He threw it away about 3 months later.

Adios,

Pat

[edwin garcia]

I could tell you stories about the Pact chrono I had. Went back to Pact three times. The last time it came back it had instructions to put the head in a box and bury the cables from the sky screens while using it. I gave it to a friend with the appropriate disclaimers. He threw it away about 3 months later.

Adios,

Pat

I heard the older ones we're really built like a tank and the later versions were POS.

Mine did work for +/- a month. It now works as a practice timer.

[BayouSlide]

Best said, it's a good timer with the possibility of chrono function. I've had a reasonable amount of success with it, but the track record isn't 100 percent.

Definitely works 100 percent better in shade than direct sun in my experience. I use the skyscreens even in shade. Direct sun is really iffy based on the light angle. And I recently lost an entire string in the memory by unplugging the sensor wires before turning it off...sure wasn't expecting that!

The timer/chrono unit works best if shielded from the sound of muzzle blast (I use a padded case from a portable CD player). Seems to be sensitive to the position of the sensor wires as well: don't cross them over, keep 'em parallel.

I love the sensors separated from the head unit...I've hit sensors in the past. All that being said, I find it frustrating enough that I've bought a CE Prochrono Digital to see if it worked a little more consistently. Unfortunately, without an expensive add on, I won't be able to retrieve info and reset from the bench like I could with the Pact.

Curtis

Edited: 'cause I hate typos!

Edited October 20, 2009 by BayouSlide

[richbug]

I could tell you stories about the Pact chrono I had. Went back to Pact three times. The last time it came back it had instructions to put the head in a box and bury the cables from the sky screens while using it. I gave it to a friend with the appropriate disclaimers. He threw it away about 3 months later.

Adios,

Pat

I heard the older ones we're really built like a tank and the later versions were POS.

Mine did work for +/- a month. It now works as a practice timer.

mine is an older one, Circa 1996 or so IIRC

[samdraper]

Brian,

What gives?

I'm trying to decide between the Club III and the MKIV but the comments on this forum make me question whether to get another timer. What is the best, reliable timer out there?

Sam Draper

[fred fague]

I have a Pact chrono which works well. When I tried it the first time it was placed on the table next to me while I was shooting. I got nothing but wierd readings. I moved the control head to the next bay and it gave good readings.

[BSeevers]

I find cables need to not cross or loop, and unit be as far downrange as possible.

[MoNsTeR]

Interesting. I probably did have the cables laying on each other, or even twisted. At one point I flipped the sensor bar around front-to-back and that seemed to improve things, but maybe I just un-tangled the cables. Next time I take it out I will pay more attention to the cables and proximity of the control unit to muzzle blast.

[MoNsTeR]

I placed the sensors in the shade, took care to separate the cables, and shield the control unit from blast. I got a reading on 26 out of 40 rounds, with one of those being bogus. Not fantastic, but enough of an improvement that I'm no longer itching to buy a new chrono.