Rangefinder: Line of Sight or Angle Compensation Mode for ballistic drop charts?

[Seeking_Coyotes]

When using a target turret and a ballistic chart, which range finder mode should be used for the most accuracy; line of sight or angle compensation? I am asking from the perspective of dialing for distance on a target turret. If anyone wants to answer for using scope ballistic type reticles, that is great too as I suspect the answer could be different from using target turrets and dialing based on a drop chart. Thank you for your help.

 

[Macht]

IMO it depends on whether you just want drop data, or you're concerned with drop and wind both. If you only care about drop, the angle compensated range will be more accurate. When talking about wind though, your bullet is influenced for the entire LOS distance, and using that would be more accurate.

 

[Darkside-Six]

Which range finder are you using? I always do adjusted drop (angle compensation). It just eliminates another step. Obviously you want to know how to do it correctly if you have an equipment malfunction and need to go old school.


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[Seeking_Coyotes]

I just picked up a Vortex Ranger 1000 range finder after having lost my Leupold DNA which had worked great until its dumb user (me) abandoned it somewhere in the bush! When I was setting up the Vortex it had me pick between these two options as my default and the question popped in my head. Of course you can go back and fourth between either method when/if desired.

 

[Seeking_Coyotes]

Also wondering if the angle compensation distance given on a range finder is basically the same thing as using line of sight distance and an angle cosine indicator? Are both basically giving the shooter the same data, distance, etc.?

 

[dgheriani]

Also wondering if the angle compensation distance given on a range finder is basically the same thing as using line of sight distance and an angle cosine indicator? Are both basically giving the shooter the same data, distance, etc.?

Yeah, it's the same thing. The LRF has an inclinometer in it so it does the math for you (LOS distance X cosine of the angle of incline).

 

[sheepdog697]

+1 for adjusted angle,... i use a sig kilo 2000 and a kestrel 4500 AB. I usually get good results

 

[FourT6and2]

I use angle compensated. Why? Because if I use LOS, I still have to plug in the angle in my ballistic app anyway. Might as well eliminate a step by just having the rangefinder do it for me.