Best Range Finding Device? Spotting scope, RF, or GPS?

[TwoNiner]

How are you guys accurately measuring your range shots that are 1000-1500 yards out? I imagine your average range finder maxes out around 500-600 (The one I had would only range to 200 yards). Any luck with a GPS phone app?

Now that I've secured a long range rifle I'm trying to see if I can kill a couple of birds with one stone, as far as range equipment goes. Rather than buying a range finder I figure I could use some type of GPS app for my android phone. Since I will be placing my metal targets out in the desert I can log the coordinate after the target it set up, then input the FFP, and with some math get the distance between them.

 

[Lukas Koukal]

If you´re able to mark the target as well as the shooting position, then there´s no problem with using that. Another way is using a google maps distance measuring app, you won´t be off by more then a few meters which shouldn´t matter that much at big distance.

Don´t think there´s a substitute for reticle/rangefinder in unknown conditions, set up competition etc.

 

[Redmanss]

If you're working a static range, then utilizing a good GPS will work just fine and should be very accurate to include the ability to calculate incline/decline angles if your altitude is accurate enough. High quality LRFs are best for unknown distance shooting with a combination of map measurements and range estimation with a mil reticle as a backup. Really it comes down to not relying on one technique alone, and a combination of all methods will produce the best result.

 

[varmint slayer]

Another way is using a google maps distance measuring app, you won´t be off by more then a few meters which shouldn´t matter that much at big distance.

It's going to matter more than ever at long distance. Range estimation errors by a mere 10 yards at 1500 plus and depending on the caliber, can result in a miss. If you are just shooting and waking your shots in and don't care about being accurate then by all means just wing it but if you want to be as accurate as possible and be on target in as few shots as possible then accurate data from range to atmospheric conditions, to load data really counts.

 

[StrayDog]

At those ranges (500-1500), get a Vectronix Terrapin.
I had a Leica 1600 that would struggle past 900 or so, but the terrapin doesn't struggle much past 2K yds, if even.
With a tripod attachment for precision aiming, like a PRS medium tripod rifle cradle, with several other of their clamp attachments so you can screw them onto your terrapin, spotting scope, etc. And you can pack it all down small.
You wont be disappointed! For example, with the terrapin I could always laze my MGM 18"x24" steel at @ 1100+ yds first time every time from a steady position.
But i couldn't always hit it first time with my .308!
Just seems easier and quicker to go with a better LRF than to fiddle with phone maps, unless you wanna.
Also mentioned above, your ammo recipe and dope are additional variables, so you might as well use a good LRF to minimize the distance margin of error.
Buy once, cry once, right?
Nice singletrack you got out there.

 

[VKC]

Terrapin is expensive but will with it if you frequently shoot pass 1000 yards

 

[fw707]

It's going to matter more than ever at long distance. Range estimation errors by a mere 10 yards at 1500 plus and depending on the caliber, can result in a miss.

Yep.
Just as a "for instance", Shooter shows my .260 dropping 20 inches between 1500 and 1510 yards.
Get the Terrapin if you're going to be shooting the long stuff. Mine will hit a 12x17 plate every time (and read the same number every time) at a mile.

 

[Lukas Koukal]

Yep.
Just as a "for instance", Shooter shows my .260 dropping 20 inches between 1500 and 1510 yards.
Get the Terrapin if you're going to be shooting the long stuff. Mine will hit a 12x17 plate every time (and read the same number every time) at a mile.

No denying that. Thing is, measuring the distance with a GPS module in a cell phone won´t yield much more accurate results, so the methods are comparable. Both should take you close enough to the target so that you make the last correction based on hit observation. If the OP wants certainty of first round hits, there´s no cheap way around a precise LRF and perfect ballistic calculations.

 

[LastShot300]

No denying that. Thing is, measuring the distance with a GPS module in a cell phone won´t yield much more accurate results, so the methods are comparable. Both should take you close enough to the target so that you make the last correction based on hit observation. If the OP wants certainty of first round hits, there´s no cheap way around a precise LRF and perfect ballistic calculations.

+1 well said!

 

[TwoNiner]

$2000 is a tad over my rangefinding budget I will have to stick to GPS and paper maps then. I did download a great GPS app for my android phone the other day that seems to work pretty well, and also includes an angle calculation.

 

[rookie26]

hey guys, would appreciate any info on where to get a vectronix . hopefully someplace that is customer friendly to the underinformed. thanks !!

 

[StrayDog]

Eurooptics was smooth and helpful for mine.

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

IIRC you can do it with a Surveyor's Transit, or a REAL accurate compass(preferably in a set of binos), break out the calculator, & do the math.

 

[B3dlam]

One other option is to use a lower end range finder to hit something half way between you and the target then walk to that point hit your target and add the two together not ideal but its another method that can help if you cant get into the $1900 Terrapin.