Xcortech X3200 MK3 Chronograph: How to Use and Features

This time, I'll be reviewing the Xcortech X3200 MK3, a chronograph that's an essential item for custom builds.

This is an essential tool for anyone who customizes their guns to affect their performance. It's a must-have tool if you're even slightly modifying your gun. For example, even light tuning like replacing the hop-up bucking or inner barrel will change the muzzle velocity, so be careful.

While it's not as common now, occasionally some overseas products have muzzle velocities that don't meet Japanese regulations, so even if you don't customize your guns, if you prefer to buy overseas products, this is an item worth having.

Furthermore, the product I'm introducing today is probably one of the cheapest chronographs available.

Perhaps for that reason, it's used for measuring initial velocity in many fields. This product has become a standard, and I'll review it while explaining how to use it. The instruction manual is too brief, so I'll also explain all the functions and how to use them.

appearance

Let's start by looking at the outer box.

Open the package and check the contents.

This includes the instruction manual and the main unit. Batteries are sold separately and require two AA batteries.

Next are the front view and approximate dimensions.

These are the dimensions when viewed from the side.

This is the top view.

This is the bottom side. There's a screw for an optional tripod and a battery box cover.

The battery goes in as shown in the following picture.

Here are the details of the bullet measurement unit.

Finally, let's look at the back. It can also be powered via USB.

It weighs approximately 200g, making it quite light and compact.

It's a size that's not too difficult to carry around.

Features

Now, let's look at functions other than the main function of measuring bullet velocity.

The power button, which also functions as the ENT button, is located next to the display on the front. Below that are the arrow buttons (UP, DOWN).

When you turn on the power, you will see the following screen.

In this state, you can take a measurement by shooting a bullet into the hole. We will explain the measurement process later.

Pressing the DOWN button on this screen will open the menu.

Now, let's go over each function. SHOT MEMO will be introduced later.

Setting the weight of the ammunition to be used

Use the UP and DOWN buttons to select AMMO, then press ENT.

Pressing this will take you to the next screen.

You will have to choose from three options: 0.2g, 0.25g, and 0.28g.

Most people will be fine with just these three types, but it's a tough choice for those who use heavy ammunition.

However, this setting is only used to calculate kinetic energy J and kinetic energy/area, so it's not a problem as long as you know the regulated initial velocity for each weight.

Even if the settings here are not perfect, the initial velocity will still be displayed, so it's okay (though it's inconvenient).

Display unit settings

From here, we will introduce the important units for initial velocity and cycles.

First, select UNIT from the menu.

Pressing the ENT button here will take you to the next screen.

ROF (rate of fire) represents the firing cycle, and you can choose between RPM (rounds per minute) or RPS (rounds per second). Most people will choose RPS (rounds per second) (number of rounds fired per second).

The SPEED setting allows you to select the unit of initial velocity, choosing between MKS (m/s) and the American-style FEET/S. Most Japanese people will likely need to use m/s.

The initial settings for these units seem to vary from batch to batch, so we recommend that customers who have purchased this product reset them to a unit that is more convenient for them.

Time setting until automatic power off

This product features an automatic power-off function, allowing you to select the time until the power is cut off after a period of inactivity.

Select the APO option in the menu.

Pressing ENT here will take you to the next screen.

You can choose from 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes.

I usually use a 5-minute timer, but if you want to save the memory measurement results while customizing, it's a good idea to set it to a longer duration.

Backlight brightness adjustment

Next, we'll adjust the backlight brightness.

Select BACK LIGHT on the menu and press ENT.

Press ENT to proceed to the next screen.

The adjustment options include turning the backlight on or off and adjusting the brightness in three levels: HIGH, MIDLLE, and LOW.

REV stands for Reverse, and when turned on, it works as follows:

I don't think many people will use it.

コントラスト調整

The last step is adjusting the contrast.

Adjust the menu to match the contrast.

As usual, pressing ENT here will take you to the next screen.

The contrast can be adjusted in 0 to 20 steps.

I think it's probably fine to leave it as the default.

That concludes our introduction to all the features.

We will now proceed with the actual measurements.

Measuring the initial velocity of an airsoft gun

We will actually measure the initial velocity.

This product has two types of screens for displaying initial velocity.

デフォ

Pressing the UP button will switch to the next mode.

To revert to the default settings, press the DOWM button.

As most people probably know, you hold the muzzle of the airsoft gun very close to the hole, almost straight on.

I used the VFC MK18mod 1, which I've also introduced on this blog. I'll be using this for the measurements.

It measures in semi-automatic mode.

In addition to the initial velocity, the data also shows which shot it is and the value in J/cm^2.

Incidentally, the legal limit for initial velocity is 0.989 J (at a temperature of 35°C), and the limit for J/cm² is less than 3.5 J/cm².

I won't go into detail, but Japanese regulations are derived from the requirement that the kinetic energy per unit area at a distance of 1m from the muzzle be less than 3.5 [J/cm^2], and for a diameter of 6mm, the regulated kinetic energy in J is calculated to be 0.989J.

Therefore, exceeding the initial velocity by about 0.1 m/s when measured at the muzzle does not constitute a violation,This law was established through the efforts of past generations of people, fans, and those involved, so it is natural to keep the muzzle velocity within the legal limits as per convention. Some fields have muzzle velocity limits that include a safety margin beyond the regulations, so you should basically follow the instructions of the field (e.g., less than 95 m/s, less than 90 m/s).

Changing the display mode of this data will result in the following:

It simply displays the cycle rate and initial velocity.

Next, we will measure the launch cycle.

A rate of fire of 26PRS simply means 26 rounds per second.

Next, let's use Shot Memo to look at past data.

Select SHOTMEMO from the menu.

Pressing the ENT button here will display the previous data.

Pressing the UP and DOWN buttons will bring them up even further.

However, it can only record about 20-30 data points, and the data will be lost if the power is turned off, so be careful.

Also, the data is only displayed on the screen shown above, so the J rating and bullet weight are not shown.

By the way, I sometimes play around with seeing how far the cycle will be displayed by rapidly pressing the semitone button.

Since I'm an older guy, my average rate was 6.44 rounds/second, and my maximum was 10 rounds/second.

Turning off the power completes the measurement.

I've now covered all the usage instructions and functions.

So next, I'll summarize the good and bad points of actually using it.

By the way, the airsoft gun used for this measurement is a VFC MK18 mod1 with a brushless motor and a high-cycle custom setup. I've written an article about it, so please take a look if you're interested.

Strengths and weaknesses

Good point

The best thing about it is that essential measuring instruments for customization can be purchased for as little as 5000 to 6000 yen.

It's surprising, considering that a digital chronograph used to cost at least 1 yen.

Furthermore, it's compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry, and since it can be powered via USB, it can be used outdoors for extended periods (it can also be powered by a mobile battery).

I think this is a really great product. I believe this is why it's being used by so many field teams.

Notes

There is a large variation in initial velocity among individual units.

For example, I was surprised to find that when I measured the initial velocity at home at 92 m/s (0.2g), it was just barely 97 m/s (0.2g) when I measured it at Person A's field using the same product. Conversely, I also had an instance where I measured 94 m/s at home, but it was 92 m/s (0.2g) at Person B's field using the same product.

It seems there's quite a bit of variation, whether it's due to the production lot or individual products, so I think it's safer to avoid setting the parameters too close to the limit when measuring with this product, just to be safe.

Also, the muzzle velocity will be higher as the battery level decreases. As a general guideline, the battery indicator is already starting to malfunction when it drops to one bar, so it's best to change the battery sooner rather than later.

Now for the points of dissatisfaction.

Dissatisfaction

The measurement response is not great, and there are many errors unless the muzzle is perfectly straight. It's especially frustrating with handguns.

As I will explain later, I believe the reason is the small number of sensors.

Next, the initial velocity measurement result in full auto mode doesn't show which bullet's initial velocity it represents (I think it's probably the last shot). It only shows the rate of fire and initial velocity, so it's not very helpful. Ideally, I'd like to be able to see the initial velocity of each bullet fired in full auto mode as it progresses.

I've mentioned a few points to be aware of and some drawbacks so far, but considering that a chronograph with all these features can be purchased for only around 5000 to 6000 yen, I think it's a fantastic product.

If you're not aiming for the ultimate in customization, such as simple modifications, incredibly high rate of fire, or ultra-high precision, then this product is highly recommended.

Xcortech X3200 MK2 Chronograph
It's on Amazon for around 5300 yen, which is cheap. You might be able to find it for around 5000 yen if you look around.

Xcortech MK3 Chronograph with tripod
Some models come with a tripod for an extra 500 yen. Personally, I don't see the need for a tripod, so I think the cheaper option is better.

From here on, we will explain the measurement mechanism for those interested in measurement.

Measurement mechanism

I had expected it to be a measurement method that used light, and after examining the product, it turned out to be optical after all.

First, upon closer inspection of the hole through which the bullet passed, I found an element that emitted light.

There are about seven relatively small elements lined up side by side (with wide spacing between them).

There should definitely be a light-receiving lens on the opposite side, but it wasn't visible from the outside.

The light-receiving part is exposed to external disturbances such as outside light, so it seems that a dark area has been created and it has been recessed to avoid these disturbances (a very reasonable design choice).

I tried to photograph it with my camera, as it should be using an infrared LED for measurement, but I failed.

To put it simply, based on this, we create two curtain-like structures using light, and when a bullet passes through the first curtain of light, we detect that the light has been blocked by the bullet and start the timer (start of time measurement) (the inability to receive light acts as the timer's start switch).

The timer stops when it detects that the curtain has been blocked after the bullet passes through the second curtain of light.

This allows us to measure the time Δt (delta t: transit time) it takes for the bullet to pass between the two curtains.

The distance between the two curtains is determined by their position on the base, so if we consider it a constant x, then the velocity is determined by the formula: velocity = distance x ÷ time Δt.

This calculation can be done by adding logic circuits or a simple arithmetic unit (this product should have an arithmetic unit included).

This is the basic measurement mechanism.

I'm guessing that the response and accuracy of the initial velocity meter depend heavily on the placement and number of light-emitting and light-receiving elements.

Of course, using high-performance, expensive components and computing devices will easily improve performance, but that's pointless if they're too expensive to afford. Improving performance even with inexpensive components through clever component layout is where a designer's skill truly shines.

Next time, I'll compare it with a slightly more advanced chronograph, so please wait for that (the methods of design are different).

I've installed the ACETECH AC6000BT. Please take a look if you're interested.