Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph with Digital Link

I've always hated this, and was reminded of it again today at the range. I like the CE Pro Chronograph over my Magnetospeed because you don't have something hanging off the end of the barrel which is tough when trying to do load worksups and PIO/POA analysis. Problem is when the screen locks or times out on my phone, the bluetooth connection to the Digital Link module also dies. So you in effect loose that shot on your phone display. (still captured in the chrono)

All shots show up when you start a new string in the Digital Link app and import everything fresh. But not when you're on the range and your phone times out, or you lock the screen.

Is there a setting I'm missing somewhere to get either the app to keep a persistent bluetooth connection, or a setting in Android 9 that I'm overlooking?

I played with excluding apps from battery saver / sleep mode and that didn't seem to do much.
Anyone else have this issue?

I have that happen sometimes with the Labradar. But, with my Caldwell chrono and app, it never times out. I think the app somehow disables the timeout on the phone.

It's a nice problem to have. Mine just came down with a slight case of lead poisoning.

Toprudder said:

I have that happen sometimes with the Labradar. But, with my Caldwell chrono and app, it never times out. I think the app somehow disables the timeout on the phone.

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Meaning it keeps the screen on, or keeps bluetooth on?
It may be the nature of the beast in this case and I just have to turn off screen timeout, or disable my lock screen at the range each time. Kind of a pita, but maybe the only workaround.
I also emailed CE to ask them if the app is functioning as designed, or if there's a setting somewhere. It may be an Android thing that they can't get around.

Hmmm, I’m on iOS and haven’t had that issue. I really like my CE ProChrono. Honestly it could be that my strings are relatively quick, 10 shots in maybe 15-20sec normally. I guess if you’re shooting a semi and tracking down each piece of brass as it ejects, it could take a couple minutes to do a string.

Jerzsubbie said:

Hmmm, I’m on iOS and haven’t had that issue. I really like my CE ProChrono. Honestly it could be that my strings are relatively quick, 10 shots in maybe 15-20sec normally. I guess if you’re shooting a semi and tracking down each piece of brass as it ejects, it could take a couple minutes to do a string.

Click to expand...

Correct, and in those cases, pistol loads, etc. you;'d never hit it. Even if your shooting slow 15 or 20 seconds per.
Today I was doing some load workup stuff, and trying to space things 60 generous seconds between shots to not cook anything too drastically.

Makes sense. I think I also use my phone as the “display” so I would quickly notice if my phone is off.
I don’t know android at all, can you turn off screen lock? Or is that tied to the energy saver you mentioned?

MDof2 said:

Meaning it keeps the screen on, or keeps bluetooth on?

Click to expand...

The Caldwell uses the audio jack, not Bluetooth. But yes, it keeps the screen on as long as I am in the app.

Yeah, you can easily increase screen timeout or turn off the screen lock in Android.
Maybe just needs to be part of the routine for slow shooting / rifle chrono in this scenario.

Toprudder said:

The Caldwell uses the audio jack, not Bluetooth. But yes, it keeps the screen on as long as I am in the app.

Click to expand...

Interesting. So does the CE. 3.5mm jack to the bluetooth adapter. I believe the newer stuff uses USB now.
Maybe an application thing or something.
Hopefully I'll get some feedback from CE about it. Might just be the beauty of the beast. (or a prod to sell my magnitospeed and CE and get a LabRadar.

FWIW or to anyone else who stumbles across the issue:
Support at Competition Electronics says the mobile app should disable sleep mode when it's running.
They recommended a re-install of the app, or digging around settings within the phone / battery saver / sleep / power management, etc.

MDof2 said:

Anyone else have this issue?

Click to expand...

No.

I have the same model. I use my phone as the display and don’t have any issues. Now, leaving your phone display on and having the brightness jacked up where you can see it will probably cut into your battery life, but I keep a USB battery pack on the bench, so I can recharge the phone.

wsfiredude said:

No.

I have the same model. I use my phone as the display and don’t have any issues. Now, leaving your phone display on and having the brightness jacked up where you can see it will probably cut into your battery life, but I keep a USB battery pack on the bench, so I can recharge the phone.

Click to expand...

Yep. That's kind of what I'm thinking if after a reinstall doesn't keep it alive or I can't find the android setting in my phone to do so.
Screen timeout to none / spare usb battery on the bench if needed.