Bushnell 1600 ARC Fusion Range Finding Binoculars
So, I was happily surprised today to discover that my package was going to be delivered early. Eager for its arrival, I met my local UPS driver en route before work so I could get my hands on them.
Incidentally, it had snowed the night before and was still coming down as I got my hands on and opened the package. So, I was able to see briefly how it faired in those conditions (this is where I was able to notice the blue tint). The white background seems to make the tint more apparent. I did not find it bothersome, distracting or detrimental to its viewing quality. With only a brief amount of time with them, I brought them with me to work, to look at in between breaks and show a few coworkers.
**One word from me at the moment... "Exceptional"
From two coworkers that hunt often... "Best I've ever seen" (just the glass)
I know they have not had the opportunity to look at some of the finer offerings like Swarovski, Zeiss etc... And, they are certainly no critics, but I assure you they will astound the average Joe. They have exceeded my expectations so far. Again, I've had them for less than a day but I was expecting run of the mill Bushnell glass. For the money, I don't know how anyone could be disappointed. The stand alone rangefinder in this series is over $400. I assumed that for only a couple hundred more dollars you would have to associate at least$150 of the extra cost to the added (combined) convenience leaving little money to dedicate to the glass, prisms and rest of binocular construction. I could not have been more wrong.
I'd like to say that I'm no binocular connoisseur. I'm sure their are plenty of models that trump this in image quality but either way I am pleasantly surprised.
I'm sure someone who has experience with a large variety of models can chime in and put them in their respective rank. I'm fairly certain that some purists would be offended by the tint but I can not think of any situation where it would negatively impact my personal needs for either target acquisition or ranging.
I was under the impression that this was going to be merely a helpful 2 in 1 product. After viewing a good handful of Leupold, Nikon etc... I firmly believe that not only is the combo a convenience but the idea takes range finding to a new level in my eyes. Twice the magnification, with both eyes...It's a completely different experience. The downside to this type of product is the inherent size and weight which may limit this combination for certain situations.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 12x
Objectives lens size: 50mm
Prism Type: Roof/Bak 4/PC-3 Phase Correction/XTR Coated
Lens Coatings: XTR Fully Multi Coated, RainGuard HD
Length:
Weight: 32.7oz (927g)
Battery: 1) 3V CR123
MFG Claim Range Capability: 10-1,600 yards
Minimum Capabilities (users have reported further* see posts below)
*Deer- 500 yards
*Trees- 1,000 yards
*Reflective- 1,600 yards
Field of View at 1,000 yards/meters: 252ft/77m
Minimum Focus Distance: 10.5ft/3.2m
Focus Placement: Front center dial, eye twist diopter for display focus
Eye Relief: 16mm
Exit Pupil Size: 4.2mm
Accuracy: +/- 1 yard
Other Noted Features:
-Waterproof
-Fogproof
-Posi threaded aluminum battery compartment
-(NOT) Tripod mountable
-Bushnell's ARC (Angle Range Compensation) from -90° to +90°
-VDT™ (Vivid Display Technology) - enhances display readout
-Selective Targeting System - Automatic SCAN, BullsEye & Brush modes
-Selective Ballistic Calculations
-Bow Mode - provides line-of-sight, angle, and true horizontal
distance from 10-99 yards/meters
-Rifle Mode - provides line-of-sight, angle, and bullet drop/holdover
up to 199 inches
-VSI™ (Variable Sight-In) - allows sight-in distance options of 100, 150, 200, or 300 yards sight-in distance when in RIFLE mode
Trajectory Compensation
Bushnell has incorporated a simplified ballistic program that feeds off from the Sierra Bullets’ ballistic program. The implementation of Angle Range Compensation (ARC) allows the user to select from a list of ammunitions which are then assigned to a letter in the Binoculars menu. Once this is established, there is an option of displaying holdover information based upon the loads ballistic curve (which are grouped to some averages). There is additional information for muzzle loaders (2 dedicated ballistic selections) and a separate menu option for bow use.
Holdover information can be displayed in MOA, inches and centimeters. Line of sight, or the angle which the target is above or below the shooter is also accounted for. Also, cycling through the menu is easy. If you are with a group and are aware of the different ballistics, you could obtain information for multiple rifles. They are of course averaged, but when assigned only a letter it's a quick process. This information is optional and will not be displayed on the screen unless you select it, once done it will appear each time you range.
Bushnell claims that the heart of their speed in range finding display and calculations comes from a combination of an advanced digital microprocessor and an 'Application-Specific Integrated Circuit' (ASIC).
There are ballistic charts for the following ammunition manufacturers and include a wide selection of munitions, velocity, shape, coatings, charges and other variables that effect its category. If you hand load or use a different manufacturer than below you can choose which most closely matches what you are using. It's certainly not the most advanced program but it's a nice touch added to the product.
List of manufactures (once clicked on a list is created of ballistic information for the different loads to choose from with the associated letter for the program):
Barnes, Berger, Black Hills, Combined Tech, Federal, Hornady, Lapua Lazzeroni, Norma, Nosler, Pmc Powerbelt, Remington,
RWS-Dynamite Nobel, Sierra, Speer, Swift, Weatherby, Winchester
*Note* this program works more than just by caliber information, it does take other variables into account-
This is a portion of the most noteworthy calibers from their list:
.17 HMR, 204 Ruger, 218 Bee, 22 Hornet
5.6x50,52,57 R (magnum)
220 Swift, 22-250, 222 Remington, 224 Weatherby
5.56, 223,WSSM
225 Win, 240 Weatherby, 243, 25-06, 257 Weatherby
264 Win Mag, 270 Win, WSSM, WSM
280 Rem, 284 Win
6.5-284, 6.5-55 Swede
7mm Win Mag, STW, -08, WSM, Mauser
30-30 Win, Krag
7.62x39
30-06 Sprg, 30-378 Weatherby
308 Win
300 H&H, 300 Win Mag, 303 British
8mm Mouser, 325 WSM
338 Win, Win Mag, Lapua, -06, -378
340 Weatherby, 356 Win, 358 Win
375 Win, H&H Magnum, Weatherby, 378 Weatherby
416 Weatherby, 460 Weatherby
Whole Package- Binos and strap come wrapped individually. Warrantee and Registration card, instruction manual, 1 Cr123 lithium battery, detachable eye cup protectors, (detachable option)flip down objective lens covers, magnetic closing carry case with loop on back, lens cloth
There are two buttons to operate the range finding components conveniently located closely on each side of the unit for easy and seamless operation for any hand size
This front posi-trac tube is aluminum and houses the single battery for display
I will follow up when I get some more time using the rangefinder and anything else pertinent I discover. Hopefully they will continue to impress-
So, I was happily surprised today to discover that my package was going to be delivered early. Eager for its arrival, I met my local UPS driver en route before work so I could get my hands on them.
Incidentally, it had snowed the night before and was still coming down as I got my hands on and opened the package. So, I was able to see briefly how it faired in those conditions (this is where I was able to notice the blue tint). The white background seems to make the tint more apparent. I did not find it bothersome, distracting or detrimental to its viewing quality. With only a brief amount of time with them, I brought them with me to work, to look at in between breaks and show a few coworkers.
**One word from me at the moment... "Exceptional"
From two coworkers that hunt often... "Best I've ever seen" (just the glass)
I know they have not had the opportunity to look at some of the finer offerings like Swarovski, Zeiss etc... And, they are certainly no critics, but I assure you they will astound the average Joe. They have exceeded my expectations so far. Again, I've had them for less than a day but I was expecting run of the mill Bushnell glass. For the money, I don't know how anyone could be disappointed. The stand alone rangefinder in this series is over $400. I assumed that for only a couple hundred more dollars you would have to associate at least$150 of the extra cost to the added (combined) convenience leaving little money to dedicate to the glass, prisms and rest of binocular construction. I could not have been more wrong.
I'd like to say that I'm no binocular connoisseur. I'm sure their are plenty of models that trump this in image quality but either way I am pleasantly surprised.
I'm sure someone who has experience with a large variety of models can chime in and put them in their respective rank. I'm fairly certain that some purists would be offended by the tint but I can not think of any situation where it would negatively impact my personal needs for either target acquisition or ranging.
I was under the impression that this was going to be merely a helpful 2 in 1 product. After viewing a good handful of Leupold, Nikon etc... I firmly believe that not only is the combo a convenience but the idea takes range finding to a new level in my eyes. Twice the magnification, with both eyes...It's a completely different experience. The downside to this type of product is the inherent size and weight which may limit this combination for certain situations.
Product Specs:
Magnification: 12x
Objectives lens size: 50mm
Prism Type: Roof/Bak 4/PC-3 Phase Correction/XTR Coated
Lens Coatings: XTR Fully Multi Coated, RainGuard HD
Length:
Weight: 32.7oz (927g)
Battery: 1) 3V CR123
MFG Claim Range Capability: 10-1,600 yards
Minimum Capabilities (users have reported further* see posts below)
*Deer- 500 yards
*Trees- 1,000 yards
*Reflective- 1,600 yards
Field of View at 1,000 yards/meters: 252ft/77m
Minimum Focus Distance: 10.5ft/3.2m
Focus Placement: Front center dial, eye twist diopter for display focus
Eye Relief: 16mm
Exit Pupil Size: 4.2mm
Accuracy: +/- 1 yard
Other Noted Features:
-Waterproof
-Fogproof
-Posi threaded aluminum battery compartment
-(NOT) Tripod mountable
-Bushnell's ARC (Angle Range Compensation) from -90° to +90°
-VDT™ (Vivid Display Technology) - enhances display readout
-Selective Targeting System - Automatic SCAN, BullsEye & Brush modes
-Selective Ballistic Calculations
-Bow Mode - provides line-of-sight, angle, and true horizontal
distance from 10-99 yards/meters
-Rifle Mode - provides line-of-sight, angle, and bullet drop/holdover
up to 199 inches
-VSI™ (Variable Sight-In) - allows sight-in distance options of 100, 150, 200, or 300 yards sight-in distance when in RIFLE mode
Trajectory Compensation
Bushnell has incorporated a simplified ballistic program that feeds off from the Sierra Bullets’ ballistic program. The implementation of Angle Range Compensation (ARC) allows the user to select from a list of ammunitions which are then assigned to a letter in the Binoculars menu. Once this is established, there is an option of displaying holdover information based upon the loads ballistic curve (which are grouped to some averages). There is additional information for muzzle loaders (2 dedicated ballistic selections) and a separate menu option for bow use.
Holdover information can be displayed in MOA, inches and centimeters. Line of sight, or the angle which the target is above or below the shooter is also accounted for. Also, cycling through the menu is easy. If you are with a group and are aware of the different ballistics, you could obtain information for multiple rifles. They are of course averaged, but when assigned only a letter it's a quick process. This information is optional and will not be displayed on the screen unless you select it, once done it will appear each time you range.
Bushnell claims that the heart of their speed in range finding display and calculations comes from a combination of an advanced digital microprocessor and an 'Application-Specific Integrated Circuit' (ASIC).
There are ballistic charts for the following ammunition manufacturers and include a wide selection of munitions, velocity, shape, coatings, charges and other variables that effect its category. If you hand load or use a different manufacturer than below you can choose which most closely matches what you are using. It's certainly not the most advanced program but it's a nice touch added to the product.
List of manufactures (once clicked on a list is created of ballistic information for the different loads to choose from with the associated letter for the program):
Barnes, Berger, Black Hills, Combined Tech, Federal, Hornady, Lapua Lazzeroni, Norma, Nosler, Pmc Powerbelt, Remington,
RWS-Dynamite Nobel, Sierra, Speer, Swift, Weatherby, Winchester
*Note* this program works more than just by caliber information, it does take other variables into account-
This is a portion of the most noteworthy calibers from their list:
.17 HMR, 204 Ruger, 218 Bee, 22 Hornet
5.6x50,52,57 R (magnum)
220 Swift, 22-250, 222 Remington, 224 Weatherby
5.56, 223,WSSM
225 Win, 240 Weatherby, 243, 25-06, 257 Weatherby
264 Win Mag, 270 Win, WSSM, WSM
280 Rem, 284 Win
6.5-284, 6.5-55 Swede
7mm Win Mag, STW, -08, WSM, Mauser
30-30 Win, Krag
7.62x39
30-06 Sprg, 30-378 Weatherby
308 Win
300 H&H, 300 Win Mag, 303 British
8mm Mouser, 325 WSM
338 Win, Win Mag, Lapua, -06, -378
340 Weatherby, 356 Win, 358 Win
375 Win, H&H Magnum, Weatherby, 378 Weatherby
416 Weatherby, 460 Weatherby
Whole Package- Binos and strap come wrapped individually. Warrantee and Registration card, instruction manual, 1 Cr123 lithium battery, detachable eye cup protectors, (detachable option)flip down objective lens covers, magnetic closing carry case with loop on back, lens cloth
There are two buttons to operate the range finding components conveniently located closely on each side of the unit for easy and seamless operation for any hand size
This front posi-trac tube is aluminum and houses the single battery for display
I will follow up when I get some more time using the rangefinder and anything else pertinent I discover. Hopefully they will continue to impress-
