Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

J

jetmd

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Jan 17, 2010
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Smithville, MO
#1
For those members who own or have FIRST hand use of a Bushnell Elite 1500 or 1600 range finder, would you please give me an honest review of this unit.

I know I can purchase a Zeiss or Swarovski which is better quality and I can also purchase cheaper units, but please if you can give me some input I would appreciate it.

Use will be for informal target shooting on paper and steel. No other use.

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
#2
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I have owned 2 swaro lrf units and spent time behind all the sub 1k units. zeiss , leica , nikon , leupold . bushnell 1500 elite,
1600 arc.
Imho the 1500 is only ok. Its a good bang for the buck. The 1600 arc in either the fusion binos or the arc monocular is very impressive. The ones i have used seem to do as well if not better than the swaro out to about 1750 yds.
 
#3
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Run a search using either the forum software based search on the toolbar above or with the Hide Google Search engine in my sig line. There are numerous first-hand, user reviews/posts on the Elite 1500, Elite 1500ARC and the 1600 models (both the LRBs and the standard LRF).
 
#4
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Hey JetMD

I just bought the Bushnell ARC 1600s and they are well worth the money. They easily get distances out to 1500-1600 yards, I've even hit bushes at 1950y. The 12x binos are great to find targets and give a good field of view. The LRF has two modes, the bullseye mode which lazes a small area/target, or bush mode which will read softer wider targets.

My old LRF was the Leica 1200 which always failed me past 700 yards, esp in bright light. I was looking for something that reliably hit 1300-1600 and this seems to do the trick.

Pros: the laser works REALLY well. Binos are nice to view targets.

Cons: heavier/bulkier than the smaller LRFs. Bino glass has a blue/green tint. The LED readout is hard to read in bright sunlight (this is the one thing that really needs to be fixed)

My conclusion, they are the best sub $1k LRFs you can get.
 
#7
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I have the Bushnell elite 1500, and I have never been able to do 1500 yds with it. I have difficulty somewhat past 5 or 600 yards and even less on game. At the 5 or 600 yard mark my target must be very large and fairly reflective. Tree lines don't seem to be a problem out to about 900 or 1000 yds, which is on par with their specs. Farthest I've been able to range with mine was a bit over 1100 yds on a big white house. I'm starting to wonder if the 1600's are better, since I've seen lots of good reviews, but their specs seem to be the same as my elite 1500, and I'm not sure I can spend that kind of money on something that according to Bushnell I already own.

My opinion is that the beam divergence is fairly large and the glass isn't very good, and I'm looking into getting another rangefinder eventually. In my experience it's a pretty good rangefinder for the money and pretty good for shooting targets within 1000 yds, past that it would seem I would need to be shooting at big white houses. Another note is that I don't get out every day and try to see how far I can use my rangefinder. When I have a good view I do try to range as far as I can.
 
#8
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Just to post as a follow up... I just ordered the Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC unit. (Not the Fusion binocs...)

I also just return the Leica 1600 Rangemaster CRF, because it's pretty much useless in daylight.

The glass is great... and I did check out the Swaroski, but, as many have pointed out, the aiming resticle is pretty difficult to see in bright light.

I noticed that the 1600 Fusion binocs are made in Japan, so I wonder if they have Japanese glass? It is true that the glass is no where as nice as the Leica or Swaroski.

I wonder how the monocular Elite 1600 ARC will stack up? If it sucks, I start looking at low end Vectronix. (sp?)
 
#9
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Chet, I was just post stalking you and saw this. I was actually just looking to see if you posted up pics of your win70 with the new paint job or not. If you ever want to meet up to play with my Elite 1500, gimme a call. It would be a lot easier if the range we go to wasn't flooded out, but we'll get something figured out.

Branden
 
#10
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I own and use the Elite 1500's. I can hit steel out to 950 yds if it's 12"x12" or larger. Treelines are consistent between 900-1000, furthest I've hit is a pick-up truck broad side at 1478 yds. They are a great value for their price point, but leave a bit to be desired on game and smaller objects past 700-800 yds. I would recommend this LRF to any recreational shooter. To get into something better, you have to spend twice the money and will not get double the performance from Leica, Swaro, Zeiss etc...

-SBS
 
#11
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

You should get your hand on the Bushnell 1600 Elite ARC monocular.

I've got done playing with the Swarovski and while I was as to range between the tops of two trees and get a range to a steeple at 1876 yards, it was very poor at dealing with objects outside the aiming reticle.

Even shooting from a micrometer headed tripod, and having it aimed well above the trees, it continuously reported the trees at 450 yard.

It successfully ranged the steeple (white) one time out of 30 tries.

Tomorrow, I'll try the bushnell.
 
#12
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Just got my Elite 1500. Hit a metal building at 1616 yards. Hit my metal targets and found out I had measured them right on the money. Ranged a few other buildings and houses at 12-1400 yards. My problem is I can't hold still enough.. I'm a bit of a shaky person so I had to steady it on stuff... still had trouble with the long range stuff until I got a tri-pod I have for a vid camera out. Need a little tri-pod for this thing. Pretty neat, glass clarity isn't bad. Pretty nice case with it. Using easy to find 9v batteries is a plus. Handy tool.
 
#13
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey JetMD

I just bought the Bushnell ARC 1600s and they are well worth the money. They easily get distances out to 1500-1600 yards, I've even hit bushes at 1950y. The 12x binos are great to find targets and give a good field of view. The LRF has two modes, the bullseye mode which lazes a small area/target, or bush mode which will read softer wider targets.

My old LRF was the Leica 1200 which always failed me past 700 yards, esp in bright light. I was looking for something that reliably hit 1300-1600 and this seems to do the trick.

Pros: the laser works REALLY well. Binos are nice to view targets.

Cons: heavier/bulkier than the smaller LRFs. Bino glass has a blue/green tint. The LED readout is hard to read in bright sunlight (this is the one thing that really needs to be fixed)

My conclusion, they are the best sub $1k LRFs you can get. </div></div>

FWIW,

I don't know anything about all of the different LRF units out there, but I just received a set of the Bushnell 12X50 Arc Fusion 1600 binoculars. As you posted they were absolutely great other than the LED was completely washed out in full sun, even on the #4 setting. It was unreadable even when the clouds came along, just a hint of orange every once in a while. I was going to send them back, but decided to see if I could effect a Rube Goldberg cure since I really wanted to keep them. It worked.

I made an jury rigged sunshade and it got just a little better, so I then made a disc with a smaller opening in it to block some of the light coming into the objective lense on the right side. The smaller I made the hole the better the display got and at 1/2" dia. the display is super readable, every bit as good as it is in low light. The small hole did degrade the clarity in the right side, but with the left lense still open they are good to go. Ended up punching a 1/2" hole in the RH lense cap and when I want to range in the bright sun I just slip it back over the objective and rock on. The glass is super for my level in the pond, and they ranged everything I pointed them at, and would repeat everytime in random order. I know it's a get-by, but until Bushnell decides to correct their design/function, for the $850.00 price point, it's gonna do just fine, for me anyway.

YMMV
 
#14
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gravity_Knight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just got my Elite 1500. Hit a metal building at 1616 yards. Hit my metal targets and found out I had measured them right on the money. Ranged a few other buildings and houses at 12-1400 yards. My problem is I can't hold still enough.. I'm a bit of a shaky person so I had to steady it on stuff... still had trouble with the long range stuff until I got a tri-pod I have for a vid camera out. Need a little tri-pod for this thing. Pretty neat, glass clarity isn't bad. Pretty nice case with it. Using easy to find 9v batteries is a plus. Handy tool. </div></div>

Interesting:

So the 1500 unit uses a 9v battery, not a CR123 or CR2?

The 1600 ARC Elite monocular uses a CR123...
 
#15
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I've had a few 1500's, a Leica 1200, and maybe 6 Swaro's. The 1500's are a great bang for the buck, for sure. The Swaro is better (so is the Leica) but if the 1500 is what you can afford, rock it.
 
#16
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

GBMaryland, did you get the Bushnell 1600 Elite ARC results? I was just curious, mine is set to arrive tomorrow. I am a new member here if you don't recognize the handle. Thanks for the info and your testing.
 
#17
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tex Savage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">GBMaryland, did you get the Bushnell 1600 Elite ARC results? I was just curious, mine is set to arrive tomorrow. I am a new member here if you don't recognize the handle. Thanks for the info and your testing. </div></div>

+1 - Anxious for an update on your impression!
 
#18
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

The unit seems to work well.

It ranges items VERY well, especially items through brush, link fense, etc.

Best I've been able to do is a relative small church steeple at 1801 yards.

Aside from the glass, there is no advantage to getting a higher priced unit, and there are functionally some disadvantages.

(Swarovski has no features, and the Leica has varying degrees of quality control issues.)

Bang for the buck... the 1600 ARC Elite Monocular is a good deal.


I cannot speak for the 1500 unit... as they are not the same.
 
#19
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I know there are many better choices if you can afford them, but my brother and I got consistent 1684-yd readings on a broadside pickup truck. Big shiny target, I know!
 
#20
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Has anyone had problems with the large beam divergence on these rangefinders? I am mostly concerned with being able to range deer and coyotes on relatively flat ground. I know it is cool to be able to range a barn at 1800 yards, but realistically I need accurate readings every time on game out to 800 or so on flat ground. Any suggestions?
 
#24
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Having owned the Bushnell Elite 1500, tried a Zeiss Bino LRF, and a Swaro mono LRF, I can say the Vectronix PRLF05 (Terrapin) that I just got blows them away.
It's clearly in another league.

I have no experience with the Bushnell 1600 line, so that might work better and give you a reasonable performance at half the price of the Vectronix. Not sure, but I myself had it with units that stopped working in broad daylight on small objects like rocks or just plain dirt. Testing an LRF on a metal building is fun and all, but when you get out with your rifle, and need accurate range on the first push of the button, every time, out to 2000 yards and beyond, I would not and did not bet on Bushnell. The Vectro definitely is that unit. Maybe the Bushnell 1600 will work that well,but try it at high noon or when the sun is facing the objective lens and target small natural objects in the field.
 
#25
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cali_tz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Having owned the Bushnell Elite 1500, tried a Zeiss Bino LRF, and a Swaro mono LRF, I can say the Vectronix PRLF05 (Terrapin) that I just got blows them away.
It's clearly in another league.
</div></div>

Any chance you can provide a link to a stocking deal that list prices? I came up short. The only thing I could find was the manufacture's website.
 
#26
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCB</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cali_tz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Having owned the Bushnell Elite 1500, tried a Zeiss Bino LRF, and a Swaro mono LRF, I can say the Vectronix PRLF05 (Terrapin) that I just got blows them away.
It's clearly in another league.
</div></div>

Any chance you can provide a link to a stocking deal that list prices? I came up short. The only thing I could find was the manufacture's website. </div></div>

for which, the Vectronix? There is none that I know of. The price at which I bought the unit for I can state, which is $1995.00. Shipping extra. No sales taxes since I live in CA. This price is from the US distributor/rep for Vectronix, Potomac River Group in VA.

PM me if you need their contact info.
 
#27
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Haha.... No you answered my question... Out of my budget. I'm sure it's tits...

For the record of this thread I have a Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC. I just used it in the Thunder Beast Arms Team Challenge and was thrilled with it. My only other experience was with the 1100 ARC and this is leaps and bounds above the other. The illuminated data screen is real nice, but washed out some in very bright sun and gets a little hard to see. The accuracy was very good but here is some need to change settings depending on target size, angle and distance. Support is required to get an accurate range on small targets outside of 400 yards. The optics are pretty good and with the data display that disappears when not in use it can be used as a wide angle spotting scope that works pretty good. I would consider this a high end hobby/long range hunting range finder. Military quality it's not, but it's exactly what I needed for my shooting for many years to come.
 
#28
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I was going to add that there is no price comparison. The Vectronix is 4 times the price of the Bushnell 1600ARC Elite.

The Bushnell is around $500.00...

I'll call Vectronix, since they're next door to me, and see what they have to to say. I assume you ordered it directly?

In the can of the other common range finders, the only one that had great features that beat the bushnell was the Leica CRF. ...but to range well you need a tripod or something to mount it on, let alone you need to find one without issues.
 
#29
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I got my Elite 1600 ARC for $440 delivered from Amazon.com... I thought it was quite the deal since it's significantly better for my use than the 1100 ARC it replaced that was $300 just a month before. Amazon was willing to take the 1100 ARC back after I was unhappy with the performance. It really wasn't usable past 400 yards.

Yes for the 1600 ARC and I would assume most in that price range you need to be really steady. I found the using a sitting position like you would shooting or prone works well if you can't get down on your pack, a tree or something. The 1600 has a tripod socket so I got a monopod to screw into it and keep it in my field back but I have yet to use it.
 
#30
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

I have massive TVS-5 that I milled a rail for and mounted it on a fluid dampend tripod head... And they gave me a free monopod with it.

I find that it works really well for the 1600 ARC Elite Monoccular.

BTW: the 1600 has a lifetime warranty...
 
#32
Re: Bushnell Elite 1500/1600 Range finder

Folks, the Vectronix requires you to hold it steady as well, esp when ranging out far... the aiming circle is quite small, which is great as you can discriminate what you want to range. The obvious problem there is that if you move around at all the aiming circle moves around too, and any range finder won't know which target you actually have in mind for ranging.

So when I use the Terrapin for far out distances, I prop my elbows up on something quite firm and have practiced on how to hold it steady. That being said, you don't need a fixed mount like a tripod... with a smidge of shaking as long as the circle more or less stays in part on target, it will do the right thing. A tripod could possibly extend max range though... be a fun test to do.

I dont think you can order Vectronix stuff directly... they are a Swiss company and use USA dist/rep like Potomac River Group in VA. I bought mine from PRG. Don't be surprised if you are many weeks or months out on receiving one... they dribble in slowly from Switzerland. I don't think these are stamped out on some Chinese production line.
 
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