LRF reliability, I've had bad luck

[TimK]

I own two higher end LRF's, both from big respected names. Prices were $1,000 and $2,400. Both failed to the point where they couldn't be repaired. In both cases, the manufacturers treated me really right and replaced the failed units with new ones under warranty.

Still, it has me jumpy. The warranties aren't going to last forever. Did I just get unlucky, or are LRFs in general unreliable? What's your experience?

 

[KYpatriot]

Did you drop them? The collimating is critical and sensitive. About the only thing that bothers me about the terrapin is the lack of any shock absorption case available for them. They ought to come with a rubber case or armor for them.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Did you drop them? The collimating is critical and sensitive. About the only thing that bothers me about the terrapin is the lack of any shock absorption case available for them. They ought to come with a rubber case or armor for them.

Agreed. I'm about ready to buy some silicone like they use in phone cases and just wrap it around and secure with duct tape. I'm paranoid about that thing especially with it being discontinued.

 

[PowerstrokeOBX]

LRF reliability, I've had bad luck

Did you drop them? The collimating is critical and sensitive. About the only thing that bothers me about the terrapin is the lack of any shock absorption case available for them. They ought to come with a rubber case or armor for them.

I was worried about breaking my terrapin as well. My worries were relieved when I watched it get run over by a crew cab f150 only 3 days after getting it. It still functions 100%. I was going to send it back because I only had it 3 days but it still functions fine 1 year later.

 

[TimeWillTell]

I was worried about breaking my terrapin as well. My worries were relieved when I watched it get run over by a crew cab f150 only 3 days after getting it. It still functions 100%. I was going to send it back because I only had it 3 days but it still functions fine 1 year later.

Really? Wow that's great! Gives me some relief knowing.

 

[TimK]

Neither is a Terrapin, and neither was dropped.

 

[KYpatriot]

I was worried about breaking my terrapin as well. My worries were relieved when I watched it get run over by a crew cab f150 only 3 days after getting it. It still functions 100%. I was going to send it back because I only had it 3 days but it still functions fine 1 year later.

Getting run over is one thing, it is a strong metal case. Drop it 4 ft onto a hard surface and I'm nit so sure things would turn out as well.

 

[Assault116]

I've dropped my Leica 1600B from roughly waist level or better onto concrete along with numerous shorter drops on dirt, rocks, etc and while it's got some scars, it's still working great. (Pretty sure Tim watched me do it too hahahaha)

That said, It's the only decent LRF i've owned so it's anecdotal at best.

 

[IW21]

Neither is a Terrapin, and neither was dropped.

What are they? Are you afraid to throw the name out there? I'm in the market for a new one. It would help people if they actually new what you were talking about......lets have the names

 

[SOC308]

well.... you can just range everything w/ your reticle.

 

[Ranger822]

One thing to keep in mind is that Vectronix just up'ed their warranty for the Terrapin and other discontinued PLRFs to 5 years. It tipped me overview the edge. I may regret it a little later if something newer comes out but knowing I have 5 years of warranty feels pretty good right now. I can't imagine what will provide anything more feature or function-wise and at such an attractive price point. We'll see.

 

[deersniper]

I left a Leica 1200 or 1600 on my hood in its soft case. Flew off at 50 mph and hit my mirror then asphalt. Works fine years later.

 

[wigwamitus]

Another strategy might be not to get a "high end" LRF, to reduce the risk of breaking something with a higher investment level.

I'm currently using a POS Bushy 1600 "arc "elite" which are generally not looked at as being worth the trouble by most forumites ... but I use it a lot these days. The farthest I've ranged with it is some trees on a hill top at 1827yds. I do have trouble ranging items low to the ground at over 300yds. The way I have it set up now it returns the lowest value of the set of pulses between the button push and the release, so you have to make sure you don't bounce a pulse off intervening ground. Practice will make perfect. I paid about $350 for it, so if breaks, I'll probably just get another similar one.

These days I mostly use it at night, one handed (other hand on my rifle) at ranges between 100 and 500yds while shooting unknown distance practice. I do a minimum of 2 lases of each target and keep lasing until I get either a repeat result or until I get two results within about 1% of each other with respect to the distance reading. So like 488yds and 493yds for a position near 500yds. Goal is to generate an accurate reading within 10s, counting time removing LRF from belt pouch. I wear a dual mount with two 14s and flip up the right side 14 and place the LRF against the mount and left 14 to steady it and get it close to my right eye. Then view the ir laser pulses from the LRF with the left 14. I go for 3 pulses then read the distance with right eye, then repeat. One advantage of lasing at night with the 14 is that I can see exactly where the pulses are hitting so I know what I'm ranging off of. Sometimes I can't get a reading off the spot I want to, so I have to lase something nearby and guesstimate the difference.

I've dropped it in the pasture and worse, dropped heavier things on it, like target boards, but it hasn't busted yet. It is mandatory equipment in the belt pouch these days.

 

[RobertB]

I've had great luck with all my LRF's. I started out with a Lupy RX1000 and it worked fine for what it is for a year or two, then bought a Leica 1200 many years back and it is still going strong. Bought a terrapin when they first came out and love it more every day. So my experience has been they hold up well. I hope yours does too.

Yeah, ranging at night is a whole different ballgame. I have a terrapin for most uses but my old Leica 1200 is what I use for my night time. It has a faster refresh on the laser and the way its shaped works better as well. I find it does much better at night on ranging and I don't have to shoot as far at night either so it works out pretty well. And being lighter and smaller helps since there is more gear to carry anyway.

 

[LawnMM]

Steiner has a 7 year warranty on their LRF binos for the electronics, the glass and mechanical is warrantied for life