Cold weather and rangefinders ..

[4066.5]

Just turned back in the 3500.COM , there was a host of bugs that comes with any new device, you can see those in my other thread. That's fine, I know most all of those problems could/ will (hopefully) be fixed with a firmware update.

I drew the line today when taking it out today in 27° F ambient and it was shutting down intermittently. Best way I can describe it was it was acting like it had a short. I hunt/ shoot for half the year in 0° F to low 20's F , so this is pretty important.

Does anybody have any experience with a rangefinder 4-12 hours at a time in sub freezing down to 0° . More specifically I'm looking at the Terrapin X . I watched @lowlight 's YouTube review but haven't seen if he's tried it out in winter yet. Or maybe I just suck at the search function.

I know battery life will suffer, that's fine, just looking for something I can depend on whether it's 0° for elk and yotes or 105° for Pdogs.

 

[338LMAI]

Just turned back in the 3500.COM , there was a host of bugs that comes with any new device, you can see those in my other thread. That's fine, I know most all of those problems could/ will (hopefully) be fixed with a firmware update.

I drew the line today when taking it out today in 27° F ambient and it was shutting down intermittently. Best way I can describe it was it was acting like it had a short. I hunt/ shoot for half the year in 0° F to low 20's F , so this is pretty important.

Does anybody have any experience with a rangefinder 4-12 hours at a time in sub freezing down to 0° . More specifically I'm looking at the Terrapin X . I watched @lowlight 's YouTube review but haven't seen if he's tried it out in winter yet. Or maybe I just suck at the search function.

I know battery life will suffer, that's fine, just looking for something I can depend on whether it's 0° for elk and yotes or 105° for Pdogs.

I have used my Terrapin (original) down to -40 and it was indeed chilled as it rode in my nine foot trap sled for hours before I deliberately tested it; maybe the photos will give some idea. The caribou shoot took place in -38*F and it was my longest game shot at the time, 810 yards, confirmed via Terrapin before and after. I've got some that I shot through the Terrapin the day I took the first photo you see, but can't find them. When I do I'll post.

 

[NICETRY]

Old school Terrapin I have used down to -15 in Alaska with no issues. Newcon has range finders they claim are good to -40 below.

 

[xdeano]

If you have temp issues you can use a hot hands and a couple of rubber bands to hold it on. I to have terrapin and I was ranging stuff with it today in -15F.

I also have used the hot hands on thermal scopes and calling units to keep them warm.

Xdeano

 

[338LMAI]

Found 'em! The first three photos were taken around -40*F and this was another caribou shoot back in '12. Have to start another reply to show some more that were taken the day of the "sled picture."

 

[338LMAI]

Found 'em! The first three photos were taken around -40*F and this was another caribou shoot back in '12. Have to start another reply to show some more that were taken the day of the "sled picture."

And here's some that were taken the "sled day." I see now why I "lost them;" when editing these through-the-lens photos to enlarge and/or crop a new date is affixed to the file... So, these were actually from 2009, but edited in '12. I think. Either way the original terrapins worked then as they're working now. Never ran the Terrapin X or the Sig 2400ABS in temps below, say, zero, before I sold them.

 

[45.308]

I have seen everything at one time or another go south in the cold. Usually around -30-40° below is the starting temp especially if cold soaked. But, todays product is much better and 27° F is not real cold to effect performance these days. My $25 weather meter works just fine at -30°, turn it on, set in place, check it before, during and after training.

good luck

 

[338LMAI]

I have seen everything at one time or another go south in the cold. Usually around -30-40° below is the starting temp especially if cold soaked. But, todays product is much better and 27° F is not real cold to effect performance these days. My $25 weather meter works just fine at -30°, turn it on, set in place, check it before, during and after training.

good luck

Great point. In March of 2007 there was a Federal Subsistence Season in the Kanuti; first week only. There were 30 registrants; 29 from Allakaket and myself, from Bettles. Only two of us hunted as the temps didn't get above -44*F on the Koyukuk River. I didn't have a rangefinder then, but I took a camera, spotting scope, and GPS during that week (I was especially stupid as I hunted four of those days). Those three items were non-functional at week's end. I lucked out in that I was able to have the scope and camera repaired. A lens broke free of its holding glue inside the scope; the camera's shutter system, although operable after repair, needed assistance to fully open after that. That was the last time I went out on the line below -30*F; it just was too much work as well as costly.