Rangefinder Recommendations...

[Infinity]

Hola,
I'm interested in a rangefinder for bow hunting and for shooting out to 1k yards. Please let me know your opinions on what is the best value. Thanks,
Adam

 

[Eric B.]

I have the Bushnell Fusion Mile LRF 10 X 42 binoculars. That way I have both binos and a rangefinder in one piece of gear good to 1,600 yds./meters.
For the money you can't find better, both for the quality of the glass and the great functionality of the laser rangefinder.

Yes, there are LRF binos with better glass. Yes there are LRFs with better distance. But not for anywhere near the money. You can get the binos for around $750. -$800. The Bushnell Elite monocular LRF costs less.

 

[--BLACKOUT--]

I have the Bushnell Fusion Mile LRF 10 X 42 binoculars. That way I have both binos and a rangefinder in one piece of gear good to 1,600 yds./meters.
For the money you can't find better, both for the quality of the glass and the great functionality of the laser rangefinder.

Yes, there are LRF binos with better glass. Yes there are LRFs with better distance. But not for anywhere near the money. You can get the binos for around $750. -$800. The Bushnell Elite monocular LRF costs less.

Are you talking about the 1 mile binos for 750-800? Where?

 

[hk401]

1 vote for Leica 1600B

 

[bh-ltr]

Vectronix Terrapin. After trying quite a few other range finders its just satisfying knowing that they are simply going to work. A lot of my friends when we're trying to determine a range to something always wonder if they are going to be able to range it when they put the thing up to their eye. For me if its within 2 miles I'm fairly certain I'll get back an accurate number. If its within 1 miles I'm positive its going to be reading the range. Its not cheap but its tough as nails and just flat out gets the job done.

~Brett

 

[The King]

Man...

Fuck. Again? Really. Damnit. This is the terrapin.

Other lasers remind you of Taiwanese transexual hookers. They are great until you need something from them.

 

[Captain Kirk]

I have been using a Bushnell 1600, it does well out to 1k or so, anything beyond that it can be picky. It pretty much needs to be a mirror to get a reading at anything above 1500, but the price is right. I got the chance to use a Terrapin last weekend, I was hitting random objects out to 2800+ yds with ease, its now on the list of must have items in my match pack.

 

[msmith64]

So do ou guys thing the terrapin is a better option over a gseven br2? I find myself thinking the additional features might make it worthwhile. I wold be ranging from 600 to 1200 yds max I think probably under 1000 yds

 

[Captain Kirk]

So do ou guys thing the terrapin is a better option over a gseven br2? I find myself thinking the additional features might make it worthwhile. I wold be ranging from 600 to 1200 yds max I think probably under 1000 yds

If that's all you are doing, I would get the Leica 1600Bs, Bushnell Fusions, or even the Bushnell Elite 1600s. The Terapin or BR2s would be gross overkill.

 

[bh-ltr]

The Terrapin in general is a gross overkill. There are not many of us shooting as far as it can range. Hell there are not many of us who even own guns that CAN shoot as far as it can range let alone the number of us that are actually using said weapon if we owned it. However that being said there is something to be said for a machine that no matter how screwed up the conditions are you're going to get a range when you need it. Also if you bump or bang it around a bit its still going to hold together and be just fine and do its job.

~Brett

 

[JByrd]

The Terrapin in general is a gross overkill. There are not many of us shooting as far as it can range. Hell there are not many of us who even own guns that CAN shoot as far as it can range let alone the number of us that are actually using said weapon if we owned it. However that being said there is something to be said for a machine that no matter how screwed up the conditions are you're going to get a range when you need it. Also if you bump or bang it around a bit its still going to hold together and be just fine and do its job.

~Brett

CONDITIONS.... No matter what target what conditions the terrapin delivers. Leica 1600 very distant 2nd

 

[msmith64]

If that's all you are doing, I would get the Leica 1600Bs, Bushnell Fusions, or even the Bushnell Elite 1600s. The Terapin or BR2s would be gross overkill.

Thanks I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I also realize that if I follow the logic of overkill or not overkill, I might as well give up my $4k rifle $2k scope etc.

i like to buy the best I can afford the first time around and then grow into it, so that I am not constantly upgrading. The br7 is a bit cheaper but most importantly I like that it corrects for angle temperature and pressure etc. but if those features don't really work well or the ranging sucks I might just do the terapin. The other thing to consider is the br7 does spit out firing solutions in moa my current scope is mil dot but I might switch to moa when I upgrade. But even without the mil based firing solution it does spit out corrected ranges which I can then go to the ballistics card with.

 

[Bounce]

I was ready to pull the trigger on a Leica 1600B due to its small divergence beam, good magnification and ballistic and angle adjustments; however, those adjustments only work out to 800 yards max, despite its ranging capability. The BR simply has too broad of a divergence beam for my likening. That reduces the options to the Terrapin, though I doubt I'll be taking any shots past 1200 yards. I really wish that it had an angle adjustment, but I'm saving my pennies anyway.
Skip

 

[Strykervet]

I'm looking at a Terrapin or a 7x50 binocular Newcon Optik LRF with 4000m range, whole host of features. But I need one that goes out there, and those are the smallest bino LRF's they have, yet more than adequate. I know Army uses their larger LRF's, those ones that go out to 29,000 or 30,000+ meters.

 

[Chiller]

Terrapin
Swaro
Leica

About in that order.

 

[The King]

The big newcon binos are nothing like the lrb4000.

 

[mjh30]

Infinity, good value for money the Zeiss for your application bow hunting and less than a 1000, Swaros are also excellent.

 

[braso]

For bow and shooting the Swarovski monocular is a great choice. For shooting, the Swarovski 10x42 ranging binos are the hot ticket, they will do incline correction but won't hit the close targets for bow hunting. My binos have proven themselves side by side with the terrapin on several occasions inside of 2k but don't know if they can keep up beyond that

 

[Blackstone]

I don't know what is required for bow hunting but I assume the target will be fairly close.
For shooting targets of varying sizes of varying degrees of reflectivity, under varying atmospheric and lighting conditions over varying terrain, your options are few:Terrapin, Swaro, Leica, in that order.

 

[BobD]

I'm also going to suggest the Fusion Binos... If you can get a good price on the 1 mile version even better. Ive had the 12x50 fusions for a while now and am very happy. Its nice having the combo. It also incorporates hold overs in moa or inches and an angle range compensator. It has several modes including a set one for bow use. There are some great deals out there. 12x is a handy magnification to get on target.

Good luck,
Bob-

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ring]

I was ready to pull the trigger on a Leica 1600B due to its small divergence beam, good magnification and ballistic and angle adjustments; however, those adjustments only work out to 800 yards max, despite its ranging capability. The BR simply has too broad of a divergence beam for my likening. That reduces the options to the Terrapin, though I doubt I'll be taking any shots past 1200 yards. I really wish that it had an angle adjustment, but I'm saving my pennies anyway.
Skip

I have the 10x 1600 fusion arc binos... At 25y the beam measured .5wX2h inch...
So at 100 should be 2x8" thats .55mills wide by 2.3 mills tall ish... same as the Terrapin

 

[Bounce]

I have the 10x 1600 fusion arc binos... At 25y the beam measured .5wX2h inch...
So at 100 should be 2x8" thats .55mills wide by 2.3 mills tall ish... same as the Terrapin

The Bushnell manual does not reveal the beam size, and other than your posts, I can find no actual measurements or reliable data. Bushnell manual for the 1600 fusion arc does, however, state that the 1600 yd ranging capability is for larger, highly reflective, objects and that for smaller, less reflective, objects, accurate ranging is 1000 yds or less. The Terrapin's beam is actually .4 mils x 2 mils, not .55 x 2.3. I'm sure that the new Bushnell is a great LRF, but I don't believe that it is the Terrapin's equal.

 

[BobD]

The Bushnell manual does not reveal the beam size, and other than your posts, I can find no actual measurements or reliable data. Bushnell manual for the 1600 fusion arc does, however, state that the 1600 yd ranging capability is for larger, highly reflective, objects and that for smaller, less reflective, objects, accurate ranging is 1000 yds or less. The Terrapin's beam is actually .4 mils x 2 mils, not .55 x 2.3. I'm sure that the new Bushnell is a great LRF, but I don't believe that it is the Terrapin's equal.

I may be mistaken but...
I'm pretty sure the beam divergence on the Arc Fusions is a fairly large 2x4 mils. I've found that figure several places. Either way, regardless of having a larger divergence than Terrapin, Zeiss and Swaro, they still work very well. The most discerning may require a higher performance but I haven't personally felt unsatisfied or underwhealmed with their ability to range distances and objects that are relevant for the majority of users. I also havent heard anyone who was restricted from shooting or other activity because they couldnt reach or obtain accurate readings. Im aware their are conditions where there is limited surface area to range but I feel it handles most circumstances very well. They may not suit those in the most barren environments.

I firmly believe the Fusions and the 1mile models are (close to) as much as you can get in that price range

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ring]

I may be mistaken but...
I'm pretty sure the beam divergence on the Arc Fusions is a fairly large 2x4 mils. I've found that figure several places. Either way, regardless of having a larger divergence than Terrapin, Zeiss and Swaro, they still work very well. The most discerning may require a higher performance but I haven't personally felt unsatisfied or underwhealmed with their ability to range distances and objects that are relevant for the majority of users. I also havent heard anyone who was restricted from shooting or other activity because they couldnt reach or obtain accurate readings. Im aware their are conditions where there is limited surface area to range but I feel it handles most circumstances very well. They may not suit those in the most barren environments.

I firmly believe the Fusions and the 1mile models are (close to) as much as you can get in that price range

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

i measured it with a set of NV on a grid.... its not 2x4

 

[BobD]

I stand corrected then. Thanks for the info.

I dont know where that figure originates. Sounds like it may have had a decimal changed through the grapevine.

That might explain how they are still able to perform at distance.

Is it possible that the 2x4 figure represents the divergence between all of the pulses it emmits for a reading? ie. The entire spread it sends out. or possibly the widest section of each pulse..? As I understand the pulse is football shaped, accounting for the rise and fall time of each signal making the narrower front and back section.

I stood behind them even under the impression the divergence was larger.

They work, they're fast with convenient features and well built.

I don't believe the arc fusions or the 1 mile have any competition at their price point.

There are rangefinders with better glass, display etc.. (like te PRF), but none incorporated into binos unless you spend at least another thousand dollars. I considered the compact Zeiss and Leica models but I'm happy with my decision.


Bob-
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

 

[phreakmode]

I have owned and used all mentioned in this thread so far, for your use I would suggest the Leica 1600B for 3 primary reasons: 1. Fastest range response of the LRFs suggested 2. Lightest weight of the LRFs suggested 3. Most compact of the LRFs suggested.

 

[lowfill707]

Vectronix VECTOR 23 Rangefinding Binocular 906098 for sale! - EuroOptic.com buy once cry once right?....just kidding. i have a little ziess prf and it works great. you can also get them used or demo models for really reasonable, like in the under $500 range.

 

[Playerz1337]

I'm happy with Swaro monocular LRF and it's a good value for the $ (about 750 used). Out to 1500/1600 it ranges great but might need new batteries to get to a mile. Then again you said 1k...

 

[6.5x47]

Hola,
I'm interested in a rangefinder for bow hunting and for shooting out to 1k yards. Please let me know your opinions on what is the best value. Thanks,
Adam

Gunwerks G7 BR2.

It will range to over 2000 yards. More than you need; for now. It will give you exact dope to to 1400 yards in MOA to include wind dope in 5 mph increments to 50 mph. More than you need; for now. And it will give you short range distances, necessary for your archery shots; also in corrected ranges from steep angles up in a tree stand. Something you will likely need; now.

Alan

 

[Infinity]

Thank you all for addressing this... I checked out for a bit but am back now. I'll let you know what I decide. Thanks again...

 

[Scorpion King]

This thread sold me on the Vectronix Terrapin. Thanks Mile High Shooting.

 

[paramil]

I have a Swarovski 8x30 Laser Guide Rangefinder, even though it goes for $1000.00 it ranges farther than my rifle can shoot. More than I will ever need in an LRF. In my opinion it's the best bang for your dollar. I agree that the Terrapin is overkill, mostly for the cost. I mean you get the ranging capabilities for the money you pay however when will you need to range out to 2,400 meters? Again for the money, the Swarovski does everything I need it for. Just my opinion.

 

[GunMax]

I have the Bushnell Fusion Mile LRF 10 X 42 binoculars. I have nothing by good things to say about them. It was a big purchase for me but I am glad I did it!

 

[Ring]

I stand corrected then. Thanks for the info.

I dont know where that figure originates. Sounds like it may have had a decimal changed through the grapevine.

That might explain how they are still able to perform at distance.

Is it possible that the 2x4 figure represents the divergence between all of the pulses it emmits for a reading? ie. The entire spread it sends out. or possibly the widest section of each pulse..? As I understand the pulse is football shaped, accounting for the rise and fall time of each signal making the narrower front and back section.

I stood behind them even under the impression the divergence was larger.

They work, they're fast with convenient features and well built.

I don't believe the arc fusions or the 1 mile have any competition at their price point.

There are rangefinders with better glass, display etc.. (like te PRF), but none incorporated into binos unless you spend at least another thousand dollars. I considered the compact Zeiss and Leica models but I'm happy with my decision.


Bob-
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

from what i saw with the NVG's, its a bar | just like that that flashed 5 to 8 times i think...

 

[Scorpion King]

I just got my Terrapin and it is awesome have ranged it out to 3867 so far and conditions here is so cal are less than desirable with scattered showers in the area. COnstruction is solid instructions are easily understood and the general operation of the devise is very user friendly. worth every penny and Mile High had it to my door 3 days from me ordering it. Can't wait to put it through the rigors of field use.

 

[SquidHC]

While all these rich dudes enjoy their Terrapins, I only archery hunt and use the Vortex Rangefinder for it. At $350 bucks it rocks socks. I had a Leica 1600B but the pre-programmed trajectory values sucked for me. I'm very happy with the money I spent. As far as shooting beyond 1000, you basically are required to have a tripod for your range finder. Something to keep in mind.

 

[SRSDriver]

I have the Bushnell Fusion Mile LRF 10 X 42 binoculars. That way I have both binos and a rangefinder in one piece of gear good to 1,600 yds./meters.
For the money you can't find better, both for the quality of the glass and the great functionality of the laser rangefinder.

Yes, there are LRF binos with better glass. Yes there are LRFs with better distance. But not for anywhere near the money. You can get the binos for around $750. -$800. The Bushnell Elite monocular LRF costs less.

Are the mile fusions any more visible than the previous 1600 binos? I sold mine because they only work in the grey minnesota sky, not where the sun actually shined. I tried making "dimmer" caps with extra butler creek covers, etc but reading the display was always a problem; Not so for the G7 I use now.

Given an unlimited budget, whatever I'd buy would start with the word "vectronix" but the g7 has served me well for a while now.

 

[Pat M]

I use to have the older Newcon 7x50 rangefinder binos (big , ok glass, ranged great - even hit stuff at 1600yd) , sold it when i got a couple of newer Newcon 7x40 binos, almost 1/2 the size and the glass is very good, also got ranges on treesand houses at 1600yd / all farther than i can shoot = and for $400 BUCKS

I now only use my Leica 1200 if i'm trying to stay light or hunting, and the Newcons stay in the rig

 

[Awesymoto]

We get the vectronix i believe in our optics kit, for work, and boy do they work.... but i'm cheap, and got a Leica 1600 as a personal... Let me explain.

I have used the Bushnell 1600's on a range (at work), and they crapped out after ~400 yards on our targets, white and black steel plates, specifically LaRue steel sniper tgts. My Leica I purchased had similar crap going on in a cornfield past 400. needless to say I was extremely pissed, swapped batteries, and same result. I have relied on Milling targets for the past 2 years, and I will continue to use this skill, as technology fails us. I am very confident in our LRF for work, however I always will know my **** when it comes to milling tgts, and manual range estimation, because though it may be not as accurate as a LRF unless i'm dead, it should work

 

[Blackhorse1108]

Vectronix PLRF15C gets my vote..it's pricey but its well worth it.