Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

A place to discuss and share pictures, reviews, of any accessories you may have.
Post Reply
johnbaz
Plinker
Plinker
Posts:78
Joined:Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:29 pm
Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by johnbaz » Thu Jan 09, 2014 1:52 pm

Hi all

I presume some folk will remember these early Chronoscopes that were made by the airgun tech guru Gerald Cardew??

He also made the Cardew Ballistic pendulum which gave an idea of muzzle energy too..

This Chrono was offered on a lesser known forum that I frequent and was offered for sale with all the appropriate paperwork, the conversion charts that are used in conjunction with the readout on the unit..

The unit was made to take a PP9 battery which I found difficult to locate outside of China so I made a cable up to take two PP3 batteries in parallel, I then found two brand new sealed sealed PP9s at the bootsale for a couple of quid!!

Image

Image

Image

Does anyone else have one??


Cheers, John :P

Certus
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter
Posts:430
Joined:Sun May 12, 2013 9:34 am

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by Certus » Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:42 pm

Hello John,

What a smashing bit of kit and very collectable in its own right. I have always wanted to own a Chronograph that could be used indoors without the fitting of additional lamps etc. The nearest to my requirements was a SKAN which retails at around £200 so was a bit hard to justify. The answer was to form a syndicate of a few similarly minded shooters which meant the cost was justifiable for the limited use each of us would require. So far it has proved to be a very useful tool for pellet selection and more importantly, a means of ensuring power that our rifles remain within the legal limits.

Regards

Brian

User avatar
pmh
Site Admin
Posts:1826
Joined:Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:07 pm

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by pmh » Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:31 pm

An excellent find.

The ballistic pendulums are quite dangerous, as some of the pellet strike is reflected back and I have known of people who have got quite a whack on the eye ball.

I built a similar unit, back in the 1980s, which uses the same principle. The chart is needed stud device merely counts clock pulses. The frequency of the clock determines the resolution of the unit, and the number of pulses at a known frequency can be converted into time via the chart.

I also have a Skan, a Chrony, and a Combro too.

The Chronys can give false readings, dependant upon light, whereas the Skan had performed flawlessly regardless. A bit pricey, but you'll only ever buy one, and you should get most of your money back if you hold onto it for a few years.

Kind regards,



Phil
M0KPH
I now have so many airguns I've had to make a list, which is >>HERE<<
>>North Manchester Target Club<<

johnbaz
Plinker
Plinker
Posts:78
Joined:Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:29 pm

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by johnbaz » Thu Jan 09, 2014 6:24 pm

Hi

I have a Chrony F1 but accidentally shot and fatally wounded it within 24 hours of buying it new!!
I've managed to source a couple of replacement LCD panels but haven't got around to unsoldering then resoldering the 40 pins to connect it!!

I also bought a Combro and er.... shot that too!! :lol: :lol: I used a cleaning rod to align with the bore but forgot to tighten the thumbscrew! Most of it went down the garden!! :whistle:

I sent it off to Robin with a cheque for £7 and it came back as good as new!!

I don't really want to try the Pellet Spy with my track record :snooty:



John :D

User avatar
pmh
Site Admin
Posts:1826
Joined:Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:07 pm

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by pmh » Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:33 pm

Robin charges ridiculously cheap prices for spares, which is good for the consumer and proves he isn't out to make a quick profit.

Quite refreshing really, especially in this day and age.

Kind regards,



Phil
M0KPH
I now have so many airguns I've had to make a list, which is >>HERE<<
>>North Manchester Target Club<<

I.J.
Marksman
Marksman
Posts:101
Joined:Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:00 pm

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by I.J. » Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:14 am

I remember Dennis Hiller having one of these chronos set up at his shop near Chorley. :D He also took it with him to arms fairs and the like, and charged a small amount to test your rifle. I well remember one young lad turning up with a rifle (Meteor?) wanting his gun to be tested and asking "Do I have to put a pellet in it?" :D

ATB
Ian :dance:
Sec/founder Rivington Riflemen. www.rivington-riflemen.eu

Certus
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter
Posts:430
Joined:Sun May 12, 2013 9:34 am

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by Certus » Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:30 pm

Out of interest there is a Cardew Ballistic Pendulum currently up for sale on that well known internet auction site starting at £99.

Image

Regards

Brian

User avatar
pmh
Site Admin
Posts:1826
Joined:Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:07 pm

Re: Gerald Cardew 'Pellet spy' Chrono!

Post by pmh » Fri Jan 10, 2014 6:43 pm

It's only for Webleys and BSA though! :D

Kind regards,



Phil
M0KPH
I now have so many airguns I've had to make a list, which is >>HERE<<
>>North Manchester Target Club<<

Post Reply