NewCon LRM3500M (35BT) LRF First Impressions

Man, big thanks for being the 1st one to test one of these! I'd been looking at 'em for several years now, but the construction of their IR lasers turned me off and the people that spent the money on 'em said they were shit. Their higher end LRF's were $27,000 and definitely looked to be military grade shit, but I still wasn't sure about the others.

I'd like one but I don't have the coin and I lucked out on an older military unit for $400. Metal shock absorbing housing or not, they're still sorta fragile devices. I'd imagine the newer technology to be a lot more sturdy inside than the older stuff for sure.

That "Phoenix" arrow in the picture, is that an old US Air Mail marker? Never seen one with the name spelled out and no tower.
 
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Supposedly a Boy Scout was given a project to do and he chose to make that Phoenix marker. Internet claims it dates back to WW2

I’m not familiar with NewCon beyond the LRM. Every review I read, which there we’re pretty much none, pointed me to avoid them. After talking to their Executive VP/COO via email for a few weeks I decided to trust them. They had all the specs I wanted. Hell all the specs anyone would want out of an ELR LRF.

I imagine once Frank puts his review out, people will learn to trust them. I’m just happy it does what it says it can do and more importantly, I’ve validated it with map data.

All too often does guys get on the Hide and claim they can range their budget
LRF at such and such distance and not once do they back their claim up with some sort of reference to ensure the accuracy.

Take Black 4k LRF for example. Everyone was so excited about it and then there was people selling it because it didn’t live up to the hype at the time. (Maybe it’s improved since then.)

With every post showing the LRMs performance, I chose to let pictures do the talking. Far too often do guys get on here and like to hear their self talk.

Given the price of the unit, the last thing anyone wants from me is to hear a bunch of fluff words. They should expect proof and if I’m to respect everyone on here, that’s what I’m to provid.
 
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this looks like an interesting new option; for years I've been thinking about buying a lower-end Newcon LRF, but was never quite convinced of the quality/performance. I always thought 8x magnification would be better, but maybe that's not mechanically/optically feasible. I prefer Newcon's all-black reticles; I can't see a red LED against a light background.
 
this looks like an interesting new option; for years I've been thinking about buying a lower-end Newcon LRF, but was never quite convinced of the quality/performance. I always thought 8x magnification would be better, but maybe that's not mechanically/optically feasible. I prefer Newcon's all-black reticles; I can't see a red LED against a light background.

The black reticle is very nice and easy to reference an approximate target size in MOA. And I agree, having a center dot makes it easier than trying to see a red reticle on a bright day.

If you ever range a target and the ranged display is washed out because of the sun, put your hand over the objective. Sometimes the Arizona sun can be too much for the output display.
 
The 1550 laser won’t work on snow if I am ranging a coyote on snow then I know I am actually getting a range off the yote
So any 1550 shouldn’t have the issues that any of the “cheaper” LRF have when it’s snowing or raining somewhat hard and reports backs a range in the 40s when your target is actually 200 or so?
 
What hype? I’m literally the only person actively reviewing it lol
Frank will have a follow up review but I’m the only person talking about it and showing it off

up to 8 K and you are the first to mention whether or not it will range a coyote. Many of us are only interested in fur and cannot get out game to wear a highly reflective sign around their neck. I would not buy one on theory but only on someone proving the distances they returned the distance on game, not the tree or hill nearest them. The Vectronix will get them almost to 2K. Please post any impressive long range successes on fur that you have made personally.
 
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This is truly great news for anybody shooting long (1500+). I've had/have two Vectronix Terrapins, Sig 2400ABS, and the Nikon 4K (picked that up new for $349). Only the original Terrapin delivers the distance and not only are they no longer made, but I too have heard horror stories about getting them serviced took months and cost nearly as much as the PLRF05 did originally. One guy I know at the mere mention of any word beginning with v (and can you imagine?) he goes apoplectic and the rant begins anew... To the point; Newcom may capture the market for top RFs available to civilians. I'm definetly following this post. Very well done.
 
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Someone please explain the FOS (fall of shot) functionality for the NSN numbered unit $6200 vs $5668 35BT unit

I have an idea but am quite ignorant regarding the specific capability and benefits derived from FOS

Thanks
 


Someone please explain the FOS (fall of shot) functionality for the NSN numbered unit $6200 vs $5668 35BT unit

I have an idea but am quite ignorant regarding the specific capability and benefits derived from FOS

Thanks

FOS is something my JTACs use when adjusting artillary misses. They range a target and then range the miss and it gives you the corrections. A civilian does not need that feature.

Also from what I gathered you’d need a DAGR GPS to use FOS which shouldn’t be accessible to civilians. Military satellites provide a much lower FOM and lower CEP when triangulating a position.

The 35BT will have an integrated GPS as the other will not.
 
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This is truly great news for anybody shooting long (1500+). I've had/have two Vectronix Terrapins, Sig 2400ABS, and the Nikon 4K (picked that up new for $349). Only the original Terrapin delivers the distance and not only are they no longer made, but I too have heard horror stories about getting them serviced took months and cost nearly as much as the PLRF05 did originally. One guy I know at the mere mention of any word beginning with v (and can you imagine?) he goes apoplectic and the rant begins anew... To the point; Newcom may capture the market for top RFs available to civilians. I'm definetly following this post. Very well done.

Thanks. As you’ve probably seen many LRF reviews, people always claim a distance they can range and never back it up with any data to prove the accuracy of their claims. I tried my best to prove its performance even though most of the ranging was off a cheap tripod.
 
That is wh
Thanks. As you’ve probably seen many LRF reviews, people always claim a distance they can range and never back it up with any data to prove the accuracy of their claims. I tried my best to prove its performance even though most of the ranging was off a cheap tripod.
thanks for the explanation. We really appreciate your reports!
 
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How is the glass in this thing? Is it sharp enough to take advantage of the small beam divergence? Bushnell or Leica glass quality?

Also, how well aligned is the beam to the reticle? Is it a horizontal beam?
 
How is the glass in this thing? Is it sharp enough to take advantage of the small beam divergence? Bushnell or Leica glass quality?

Also, how well aligned is the beam to the reticle? Is it a horizontal beam?

Post #3 explains the beam divergence. The dimensions are posted. BxH

All the pictures show the glass quality. I can take a pic through the glass at 4-5k yards and you know exactly what I’m looking at. If it was shitty glass, that wouldn’t be possible.
 
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Are you having a bad day? I asked simple questions because I couldn’t get the answer by reading your post. Your pics aren’t clear enough to demonstrate the resolution of the glass. And you didn’t talk about the beam alignment.
 
Are you having a bad day? I asked simple questions because I couldn’t get the answer by reading your post. Your pics aren’t clear enough to demonstrate the resolution of the glass. And you didn’t talk about the beam alignment.

I gave simple unenthusiastic responses. That has no bearing on if I’m having a good day lol. I’m having a fine day. My first day off from from supporting a few operations so all is good. Tone the sensitivity down.

As far as beam alignment, I have no sceinentic way to test with 100% certainty. I can hit a 1moa target from 3k yds. That’s good enough for me. NVGs won’t work with this laser so that’s out of the question. You can self align the laser but that’s in the owners manual that is back in the states.

Glass is fine. It’s as good as my S&B PM2 glass.
 
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Three questions: Will the Kestrel's (5700 Elite w/Link) data show in the Newcon 35BT's screen? Or; does the 35BTs' data show up in the Kestrel's and provide the solution (s) as the Terrapin X's does? Are there any ballistic solvers available now that include or are unique to the 35BT? Thank You
 
Below in the pic answers your apps questions.

When you link the LRM 35BT to your Kestrel AB, it will feed the distance, angle, and bearing automatically into the solution when you range your target. So your firing solution will be real time as soon as you range the target.

The information of what you ranged will be displayed inside the LRM display and it will also be stored in the last 10 ranges menu screen.

I’ve returned from Afghanistan so I can show you screen shots and pics if needed.
 

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Below in the pic answers your apps questions.

When you link the LRM 35BT to your Kestrel AB, it will feed the distance, angle, and bearing automatically into the solution when you range your target. So your firing solution will be real time as soon as you range the target.

The information of what you ranged will be displayed inside the LRM display and it will also be stored in the last 10 ranges menu screen.

I’ve returned from Afghanistan so I can show you screen shots and pics if needed.
Your response--as has been the case throughout--is timely and well received. Any information, photos, etc. you'd care to share is surely most welcome to me and I'm quite sure, many others. I'm sincerely targeting this LRF; with any luck I'll have my own 35BT this year (using my original Terrapin presently). However, this means a most substancial purchase as I'm on a fixed income. So I must sell off things to get the 35BT and therefore want to be as sure as possible on this deal. I don't need yet more evidence supporting "there's no fool like an old fool!" Thank You
 
Your response--as has been the case throughout--is timely and well received. Any information, photos, etc. you'd care to share is surely most welcome to me and I'm quite sure, many others. I'm sincerely targeting this LRF; with any luck I'll have my own 35BT this year (using my original Terrapin presently). However, this means a most substancial purchase as I'm on a fixed income. So I must sell off things to get the 35BT and therefore want to be as sure as possible on this deal. I don't need yet more evidence supporting "there's no fool like an old fool!" Thank You

Thanks. I’ve attaced some images to show the menu screens of recalling ranges and Bluetooth connection with the Kestrel AB

Recall last 10 ranges
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Turning on Bluetooth with the LRM. You’ll notice the little Bluetooth symbol on the DAI(Distance, Azimuth, and inclination) screen.
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You can see the ranged information is transmitted to the Kestrel and matches the LRM’s display. I selected the actual target A to also display the inclination as it doesn’t appear in the regular ballistic output screen.
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And finally a neat feature. The LRM will display your firing solution based off the settings menu - “time ind”. It’ll display for so many seconds. As you can see the LRM displays the firing solution to an extra decimal place.

I live in a HOA so none of my ranges are far. I don’t want to scare the neighbors so all my ranges were from my “backyard”
 

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Thanks so much; this seals it. So, "let the scheming begin!"

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The guys at NewCon are quick to respond. I’ve emailed them over 50 times asking them questions before I purchased so I’d say their customer service is adequate. I’ve emailed them a dozen times after purchasing as well so I know for sure they won’t forget about you even after the purchase is made.
 
Beautiful. It would be nice if some sort of "Newcon Auxillary" could form up; encourage greater participation from both private and DOD people and stimulate Newcon to continue their current state of PR.
 
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The guys at NewCon are quick to respond. I’ve emailed them over 50 times asking them questions before I purchased so I’d say their customer service is adequate. I’ve emailed them a dozen times after purchasing as well so I know for sure they won’t forget about you even after the purchase is made.
I think my wife hates you now--she caught me drooling and pasting cut-outs of 35BTs' on my dungeon walls--again...
 
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Beautiful. It would be nice if some sort of "Newcon Auxillary" could form up; encourage greater participation from both private and DOD people and stimulate Newcon to continue their current state of PR.

NewCon was awarded a contract for the Canadian JTACs.

The PLRF25c is in the current inventory for our DOD JTACs. I don’t foresee our AF TACP JTACs, AF CCT JTACs, and the very slim Army, Navy, and Marine JTACs needing anything else.
 
Wow! That’s is a great setup! What are the details on that tripod? I’d love to set my gear like that.

Tripod, Leveling base, and arca clamp:
- BENRO C474T 100mm video bowl
- RRS TA-4 leveling base (100mm video bowl)
- RRS B2-LLR-II Lever-Release Clamp (80mm).

Attaching hardware:
Henderson Precision:
- OMP-Optics Mounting Platform
- Universal 3 inch 1.5 "D" RAIL

I like the setup and it’s stable for shooting off of. I’ve used RRS tripods in PRS matches, the BENRO is half the price and does exactly what it needs to. I’m not mad about my setup and I desire no more than this.
 
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JBIC - Still working well. Looking to pick one up this week.

I’ve been using it for PRS matches so I haven’t stretched it out like before but I haven’t had any issues. I was supposed to have my ELR rifle already but it’s still at the smith so whenever I get the rifle I’ll have more hands on at farther distances than what a PRS match has.

I certainly feel it a much better value than a PLRF25c. I met a guy at a PRS match that paid around $8k for his PLRF25c and we ranged some stuff side by side and there wasn’t anything I could see that made the PLRF a better option.
 
I’m out practicing for a PRS match coming up and ranged a telephone pole. It’s a metal gray cylindrical pole so it’s not ideal for reflectivity. The sun is shining on it so I had to range it two-three times to get a good reading. I ranged it multiple times just to verify. It’s satisfactory in my opinion. Keep in mind the map data can be off a few percentage. So if the map data is close then 7yds at 3160yds isn’t bad I’m willing to bet there’s at least 2-5% error in the civilian map data. Also there’s an 1.8 degree incline and I’m not willing to do the math to see how much that will alter the measurement when compared to a flat map. But for those that want to do geometry, it’s all yours
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Do you have the option of illuminating the reticle? You need an illuminated reticle in low light....

because you asked this, I’m going to assume you didn’t look at any of the pics on the first page. Zoom in on those pics and you’ll see an illuminated reticle. There are different reticles to choose from.
 
Thanks again for taking the time to report your findings and answer questions. Newcom should hire you to do a complete video tutorial . It would be money well spent on their part

I think they’re busy with the Canadian military contract. They haven’t been active with the civilian market.
 
What JB.IC said and you definitely want the 3500BT; not the M or the C. When you get them let us all know...

Can anyone explain why you definitely want the BT model? Reason I ask, would it be advantageous to look at the C model for RS-232 cable connection and more hard cable options? Still has BT.
 
Can anyone explain why you definitely want the BT model? Reason I ask, would it be advantageous to look at the C model for RS-232 cable connection and more hard cable options? Still has BT.
If I recall and get it right the B connects to the Kestrel 5700 Elite whereas the C has the standard generic BT capabilities. Seems there's some form of protocal in BT connections/connecting. I think there's something else too, but can't remember. Do recall that while the M is less expensive than the B the C is more costly. I suggest conferring with Newcom and as many dealers as will discuss the various nuances of each model.
 
If I recall and get it right the B connects to the Kestrel 5700 Elite whereas the C has the standard generic BT capabilities. Seems there's some form of protocal in BT connections/connecting. I think there's something else too, but can't remember. Do recall that while the M is less expensive than the B the C is more costly. I suggest conferring with Newcom and as many dealers as will discuss the various nuances of each model.
Thank you, I appreciate the info. Unfortunately, I have reached out to Newcon and have had little success. It took forever to get a response (finally via email) and then the info. wasn’t great. Maybe someone has a better suggestion for comms?
 
I just visited this site: http://www.newcon-optik.com/products/laser-rangefinders/lrm-3500m-35bt/ and it appears that that things have changed--for the better--in the Newcon 3500 family; more connectivity with both the 3500M and 3500BT. The 3500C is pretty much a military unit using specific--and restricted--connection protocalls. I might suggest visiting this site (you probably have already so sorry, don't mean to demean...) Better yet maybe you can connect up with JB.IC as he has the 3500BT and is the author of that review on this site. When I checked with Europtic last they had no Newcons at all. But, things are always changing. I have a feeling that Newcon got swamped with orders and is still digging out.