Break Barrel Chronograph Day, or perhaps more accurately radar day.

[Scriv]

Since it's dead in the water, why not open it up and let us see what's going on inside? Maybe Billm would have some advice for you.

Yeah, thought of that about ten minutes after it died. I'll have to talk to the co owner, and see what he wants to do. After researching the new stuff my vote is to throw it out.

 

[Billm]

Yeah, thought of that about ten minutes after it died. I'll have to talk to the co owner, and see what he wants to do. After researching the new stuff my vote is to throw it out.

Eight screws opens it up, the rf board and antenna is fastened to the back half of the case with four or six screws. The antenna for a microwave unit like that is a simple patch array, which means it’s just multiple patches of copper in a pattern etched into the board (nothing to break). There’s one cable with a push in connector that snaps into the socket on the control board. The unit consists of a control board - not an issue because the lcd is in place, an SD slot, power board - probably not the issue - it powers on. Then the the rf board which contains the antennas and is the largest board in the unit. It does sound like it came loose. Take out the 8 screws holding the case together and you will be able to see if that is the issue. I’ve circled what I assume is the connector and socket. The fact that you say it powers on etc., would make me think it probably is just a loose board.

 

[hameditor]

Eight screws opens it up, the rf board and antenna is fastened to the back half of the case with four or six screws. The antenna for a microwave unit like that is a simple patch array, which means it’s just multiple patches of copper in a pattern etched into the board (nothing to break). There’s one cable with a push in connector that snaps into the socket on the control board. The unit consists of a control board - not an issue because the lcd is in place, an SD slot, power board - probably not the issue - it powers on. Then the the rf board which contains the antennas and is the largest board in the unit. It does sound like it came loose. Take out the 8 screws holding the case together and you will be able to see if that is the issue. I’ve circled what I assume is the connector and socket. The fact that you say it powers on etc., would make me think it probably is just a loose board. View attachment 19658

@Billm Thanks for your outstanding support for a fellow HAMster

 

[Scriv]

Eight screws opens it up, the rf board and antenna is fastened to the back half of the case with four or six screws. The antenna for a microwave unit like that is a simple patch array, which means it’s just multiple patches of copper in a pattern etched into the board (nothing to break). There’s one cable with a push in connector that snaps into the socket on the control board. The unit consists of a control board - not an issue because the lcd is in place, an SD slot, power board - probably not the issue - it powers on. Then the the rf board which contains the antennas and is the largest board in the unit. It does sound like it came loose. Take out the 8 screws holding the case together and you will be able to see if that is the issue. I’ve circled what I assume is the connector and socket. The fact that you say it powers on etc., would make me think it probably is just a loose board. View attachment 19658

Thank you. I appreciate it.

 

[Billm]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

Not a problem. But, I too seize upon opportunities like this to buy something newer lol

 

[Scriv]

I'm thinking the antenna is rolling around in there. The gasket must have a hold on the cover

 

[Billm]

I'm thinking the antenna is rolling around in there. The gasket must have a hold on the cover

It is probably stuck to the plastic over time. Try gently sliding a putty knife or butter knife in between and apply a slight prying action. There may be an adhesive, hit with a blast from a hair dryer just enough to warm the plastic up a little.

 

[Scriv]

It is probably stuck to the plastic over time. Try gently sliding a putty knife or butter knife in between and apply a slight prying action. There may be an adhesive, hit with a blast from a hair dryer just enough to warm the plastic up a little.

Yeah, I got it. There is a screw hidden under a tamper proof seal in the battery compartment. I found it because of the boys over on the sniper's hide forum. They were pissed. They had nothing but hate for lab radar. Seems a bunch of them had the same issue, and now that I recall the rep said that it probably needs a new back cover. Known issue that they won't own up to likely. Anyway, here's what found. Like I said , this has been handled with kid gloves since new, and it literally fell apart.

 

[Grunt64]

Eight screws opens it up, the rf board and antenna is fastened to the back half of the case with four or six screws. The antenna for a microwave unit like that is a simple patch array, which means it’s just multiple patches of copper in a pattern etched into the board (nothing to break). There’s one cable with a push in connector that snaps into the socket on the control board. The unit consists of a control board - not an issue because the lcd is in place, an SD slot, power board - probably not the issue - it powers on. Then the the rf board which contains the antennas and is the largest board in the unit. It does sound like it came loose. Take out the 8 screws holding the case together and you will be able to see if that is the issue. I’ve circled what I assume is the connector and socket. The fact that you say it powers on etc., would make me think it probably is just a loose board. View attachment 19658

Thank you for trying to help, I bought a used one-off E-Bay, I pray nothing happens to it but, with no type of warranty. I would pay you to breathe new life in it.

 

[Scriv]

This one is headed for the dump, I'll get a Garmin.

 

[Billm]

Yeah, I got it. There is a screw hidden under a tamper proof seal in the battery compartment. I found it because of the boys over on the sniper's hide forum. They were pissed. They had nothing but hate for lab radar. Seems a bunch of them had the same issue, and now that I recall the rep said that it probably needs a new back cover. Known issue that they won't own up to likely. Anyway, here's what found. Like I said , this has been handled with kid gloves since new, and it literally fell apart. View attachment 19662View attachment 19663View attachment 19664

Great job, if it was me, I’d just use JB-weld or any other 2 part epoxy and epoxy it in place,

Yeah, I got it. There is a screw hidden under a tamper proof seal in the battery compartment. I found it because of the boys over on the sniper's hide forum. They were pissed. They had nothing but hate for lab radar. Seems a bunch of them had the same issue, and now that I recall the rep said that it probably needs a new back cover. Known issue that they won't own up to likely. Anyway, here's what found. Like I said , this has been handled with kid gloves since new, and it literally fell apart. View attachment 19662View attachment 19663View attachment 19664

This one is headed for the dump, I'll get a Garmin.

I like my Garmin a lot, especially now that they’ve improved the app data and added graphing. If it were me I’d go to Walmart or HD and buy some JB-weld or any 2 part epoxy and glue it back in place. In the Navy we used Room Temp Vulcanizing (RTV) caulking to secure boards into place and provide a little shock absorption. You can get that from Walmart, Lowe’s HD too. You just squeeze some between the board and the case.
That’s obviously poor design and it can’t handle the weight. Sell it, as-is.

 

[Scriv]

Great job, if it was me, I’d just use JB-weld or any other 2 part epoxy and epoxy it in place,


I like my Garmin a lot, especially now that they’ve improved the app data and added graphing. If it were me I’d go to Walmart or HD and buy some JB-weld or any 2 part epoxy and glue it back in place. In the Navy we used Room Temp Vulcanizing (RTV) caulking to secure boards into place and provide a little shock absorption. You can get that from Walmart, Lowe’s HD too. You just squeeze some between the board and the case.
That’s obviously poor design and it can’t handle the weight. Sell it, as-is.

All good ideas I'm sure. I just wouldn't want someone to go through what I just went through. It'll be up to the other guy what he wants to do, but this thing is an ex wife to me, I don't really want to see it again. Hell, even my ex wife lasted longer than a hour

 

[Grunt64]

All good ideas I'm sure. I just wouldn't want someone to go through what I just went through. It'll be up to the other guy what he wants to do, but this thing is an ex wife to me, I don't really want to see it again. Hell, even my ex wife lasted longer than a hour

I’m actually glad I picked up a hard case for mine, because when it’s not locked onto the Caldwell Precision turret it’s going straight back into that case every time. I’ve already had the ex‑wife from hell once, so I’m not looking for another headache like the one you just went through. Keeping it protected seems like the smarter move to me.

 

[Scriv]

I’m actually glad I picked up a hard case for mine, because when it’s not locked onto the Caldwell Precision turret it’s going straight back into that case every time. I’ve already had the ex‑wife from hell once, so I’m not looking for another headache like the one you just went through. Keeping it protected seems like the smarter move to me.

Yup, there is where it's been since day one. Too much for it I guess.

 

[Grunt64]

View attachment 19679
Yup, there is where it's been since day one. Too much for it I guess.

Looking at that picture, I can see how it might’ve gotten bounced around. That orange block sits higher than the unit, so every time the case moved the LabRadar was rocking on that high spot. The imprint in the lid foam shows it was pressing down unevenly. That would definitely flex the back cover over time.

 

[Scriv]

Looking at that picture, I can see how it might’ve gotten bounced around. That orange block sits higher than the unit, so every time the case moved the LabRadar was rocking on that high spot. The imprint in the lid foam shows it was pressing down unevenly. That would definitely flex the back cover over time.

You should probably just stop.

 

[Billm]

As an outsider looking in, I’d say based upon what I see and what Scriv reports hearing from Labradar: It’s a matter of either poor design or wrong type of plastic used or a combination of both. If I had one and it was out of warranty, I’d probably open it up and add a little collar of epoxy around each of those screw posts or like I suggested, put a bead of RTV around them. Just my opinion, but I see no signs of that pelican case flexing the chronograph. If you look at the castcratedotcom site ( I put the dot in there so as not to create a link) you’ll see that I had a side business making mobile live streaming cases. Part of that business was making mobile broadcasting/streaming solutions using pelican style cases. It’s not unusual to have different shaped equipment stored safely in pelican cases. If that compressed foam can stress an injection molded hard case such as the Labrador unit, there’s an issue with the design. I’m going to drop out of the conversation as I don’t want rub anyone the wrong way. I do wonder if the back of the case gets hot when in use. My Garmin does, it’s natural for a transmitter to create a lot of heat. In the summer I’ve had the Garmin overheat in 100f direct sunlight. If it does it’s probably expanding and warping the board enough to stress the mounts. It all just seems like a design flaw.

 

[Scriv]

As an outsider looking in, I’d say based upon what I see and what Scriv reports hearing from Labradar: It’s a matter of either poor design or wrong type of plastic used or a combination of both. If I had one and it was out of warranty, I’d probably open it up and add a little collar of epoxy around each of those screw posts or like I suggested, put a bead of RTV around them. Just my opinion, but I see no signs of that pelican case flexing the chronograph. If you look at the castcratedotcom site ( I put the dot in there so as not to create a link) you’ll see that I had a side business making mobile live streaming cases. Part of that business was making mobile broadcasting/streaming solutions using pelican style cases. It’s not unusual to have different shaped equipment stored safely in pelican cases. If that compressed foam can stress an injection molded hard case such as the Labrador unit, there’s an issue with the design. I’m going to drop out of the conversation as I don’t want rub anyone the wrong way. I do wonder if the back of the case gets hot when in use. My Garmin does, it’s natural for a transmitter to create a lot of heat. In the summer I’ve had the Garmin overheat in 100f direct sunlight. If it does it’s probably expanding and warping the board enough to stress the mounts. It all just seems like a design flaw.

Thank you. I appreciate the input. That would explain why it failed during use, as opposed to transport. (edit) Having slept on your response overnight it makes even more sense. I was testing several spring piston rifles, which, by their very nature, take longer to accomplish a ten shot string. I tested four rifles, with two different pellets each. Ambient temp was 63 degrees F. It was in the shade, but I cannot recall ever having it armed for that long. Thanks again @Billm for helping solve a mystery. May not be definitive proof, but at least provided a plausible explanation. I can let it rest.

 

[FL22]

@Scriv the only thing that I’ve seen so far that you’ve done wrong is that you haven’t introduced it to the business end of a sledgehammer, j.k. , I just wanted to make you laugh .

 

[Grunt64]

You should probably just stop.

What do you mean by that?