I took a moment to check in on The Hornady Podcast, with Episode #131 – “DEEP DIVE with Garmin Xero Pro C1 Chronograph.” I’ve been using the “pocket radar” for some months since its release. I had a sample here and used another at Range Ready in Louisiana while on a trip for Smith & Wesson and Lipseys.
Easy to carry, easy to set up, at least as accurate as any consumer chronograph of any type – and likely more accurate than many – I was interested in hearing from two members of the team who worked to make this thing a reality. I learned about the device’s comparative accuracy against the industry standard radar unit used by ammo manufacturers – it’s surprisingly close – and how they came up with the idea for the Xero Pro C1 in the first place. Give it a listen.
It’s not the first radar chronograph – it’s the first that’s this compact and easy to use. I’m a huge fan of the device. That’s why this feature by our Managing Editor Paul Erhardt really hit home for me.
I’d already been in contact with Andy Larsson, of Skinner Sights, when word came out about their new product, the Garmin Xero C1 Pro Case. Before the NRA Annual Meeting was over, I had the case with the Garmin radar inside it.
Unlike the light-based chronographs, the Xero Pro C1 is tiny, light and uncomplicated. It’s rechargeable – and I’m noticing the charge lasts a long time. I check it before a range trip and haven’t had it plugged in for months. It cried out for a protective case in which to carry it. Enter Skinner Sights.
As Paul noted in his feature, the case from Skinner Sights is made of Cordura and has a slick interior. It’s lightly padded to protect the electronics and it’s only $20. Available in black, brown and green, it’s a protective case that’s compact and allows you to get that chrono to the range and home without problems.
While I was chatting with Andy, I mentioned another product carried by Skinner Sights that saved a few trips to the range when I needed to move a sight in its dovetail. Absent a way to hold the gun while you manage a hammer and punch, the solutions include carrying a bulky and solid sight pusher – or just get the Wyoming Sight Drifter.
I’ve been using my original sample for around four or five years. It sorted out a few pistols, including my Gen5 GLOCK 19 – and at least one rifle – while at the range when making point of aim coincide with point of impact in terms of windage. Their current version is even better.
Now, the “spring-loaded sight driver” is available with a twist. The brass impact end and the nylon end for brass sights and as a non-marring striking surface both have a flat side. The flat follows the base of the dovetail allowing it to track along the bottom of the sight.
That’s where you need some impact to move the sight to the side. Hold the impact face against the sight low, lining up the impact surface with the dovetail. Draw back on the spring and release, delivering the impact to the sight – and moving it in the required direction.
Made in Montana, USA, it costs $39 on their website. You may never need it – but I have needed it and it’s more than worth carrying it to the range.
— Rich Grassi