Weapons mounted LRF W/ballistics

[Dphung1]

Looking at WMLRF w/ ballistics. I’ve done a little research but wanted some real reviews before I bite the bullet. I’ve see vortex impact 4000 is reasonably priced. I’ve also been eyeing the Mars-Mc for a little bit more. Any real reviews on pros and cons either or maybe an another option? Thanks

 

[vanrichten]

Where are you seeing the Mars-Mc for just a little more than the Impact 4000? The vortex is like 2k, the Mc is pushing 7k.

I'm personally waiting on the Tango Fire 4000 and the, probably vaporware, Magpul before I pull the trigger on a WMLRF.

 

[Dphung1]

My bad I shouldn’t have said a little more ; those are the 2 options I am looking at.

 

[vanrichten]

If the Vortex used AB I would already have one. Everything else I use is in the AB ecosystem. Why I'm hopeful specifically for the Tango Fire. If you aren't using AB already, the Vortex should be fairly good for you. I've read some negatives about them but overall they seem like a good product.

 

[Rodney65]

If the Vortex used AB I would already have one. Everything else I use is in the AB ecosystem. Why I'm hopeful specifically for the Tango Fire. If you aren't using AB already, the Vortex should be fairly good for you. I've read some negatives about them but overall they seem like a good product.

FWIW I am new to Geoballistics but I find that firing solutions match up very close with Applied Ballistics. Also the user interface is quite easy to figure out with some cool features like a target map.

 

[CSTactical]

Where are you seeing the Mars-Mc for just a little more than the Impact 4000? The vortex is like 2k, the Mc is pushing 7k.

I'm personally waiting on the Tango Fire 4000 and the, probably vaporware, Magpul before I pull the trigger on a WMLRF.

Or you can get an Impact 4000 from us for $1,499

 

[Dogtown]

Vortex Impact 4000 is good for most situations. It's chunky AF and works as advertised, but the display is LCD so it can be a fail point in very cold weather and is too bright in dark night conditions even on the lowest setting.

MARS-mc is smaller and lighter, has a much better display that wont crap out in the cold and is totally useable in the darkest of night. The surface of the display is pretty smooth so there are edge cases where it can be hard to read on a sunny day if the angle of incidence is just right (I just shield the display briefly in those cases). I also think the MARS-xx is overall easier to use in general with a much better interface and workflow, but that's subjective so YMMV.

MARS-mc is 980nm and MARS-c & lc are 1550nm - and neither has issues ranging past a mile, from my experience. The only thing that really disappointed me is the MARS-c illuminator/pointer - it feels anemic compared to similar civ-class LAMs. The interface and way you dial beam divergence is really nice, but run next to a MAWL-C1+ or a RAIDXe civ, the MARS-c LAM just isn't as strong as you would expect.

 

[rlsmith1]

Vortex Impact 4000 is good for most situations. It's chunky AF and works as advertised, but the display is LCD so it can be a fail point in very cold weather and is too bright in dark night conditions even on the lowest setting.

MARS-mc is smaller and lighter, has a much better display that wont crap out in the cold and is totally useable in the darkest of night. The surface of the display is pretty smooth so there are edge cases where it can be hard to read on a sunny day if the angle of incidence is just right (I just shield the display briefly in those cases). I also think the MARS-xx is overall easier to use in general with a much better interface and workflow, but that's subjective so YMMV.

MARS-mc is 980nm and MARS-c & lc are 1550nm - and neither has issues ranging past a mile, from my experience. The only thing that really disappointed me is the MARS-c illuminator/pointer - it feels anemic compared to similar civ-class LAMs. The interface and way you dial beam divergence is really nice, but run next to a MAWL-C1+ or a RAIDXe civ, the MARS-c LAM just isn't as strong as you would expect.

I also know a guy with a MRF for silly cheap right now!!

 

[Stag556]

And now enter Sig to the picture. Looks bulky like the Vortex but display seems better. Don’t have any other photos except this one from the web at SHOT.

 

[ReturnFire]

I also know a guy with a MRF for silly cheap right now!!

Do tell…

 

[rlsmith1]

Do tell…

@Dogtown had one up a couple days ago not sure if it’s still there

 

[6x45]

I have been looking at WMLRFs for a while. I recently picked up a MARS-Mc. I’m quite pleased with it performance and have been impressed with its features and usability. It ranges fast and accurate and the solutions have been spot on. I also love how everything can been programmed from the unit without a special phone app.
It was a huge investment, but when hunting at night its nearly indispensable.

 

[A&8's]

I’m happy with my Tango Fire4K only had it a few weeks, but I have used it daily checking things out and getting used to it.

Impact 4K’s eat batteries like candy

 

[Maurygold]

I’m happy with my Tango Fire4K only had it a few weeks, but I have used it daily checking things out and getting used to it.

Impact 4K’s eat batteries like candy

I’ve made at least 4 range trips with my impact on the same battery. So That’s not true.

Also the tango cannot - change profiles, update enviro or change wind without a phone. It’s an extremely overpriced range find that happens to display some ballistic info

 

[A&8's]

I’ve made at least 4 range trips with my impact on the same battery. So That’s not true.

Also the tango cannot - change profiles, update enviro or change wind without a phone. It’s an extremely overpriced range find that happens to display some ballistic info

Not going to argue with you about battery life, but check any of the competitors at this years Mammoth. Every one of them said their battery last less than 15mins. Even pulling the battery after each stage and putting it in their pocket, they ate batteries like candy. My teammate found this in Alabama at Chaos Concepts this year, as well as at least one other team, I’m aware of.

True, the Tango doesn’t have onboard sensors. That’s where a Kestrel comes in. The best phone out there doesn’t stand a chance at accurate reading compared to a Kestrel. As to changing profiles: If the unit was a stand alone unit or attached with a QD, yeah, that may make a difference. But it’s not. To me, that’s like saying you can’t switch rifles with 1 scope because you have to rezero each time. Turn your phone or kestrel on, push 2 buttons and you’re done.

Over priced?! It’s $500 cheaper than an Impact.

Sorry, I’m just not a Vortex Fanboy!

 

[Maurygold]

Not going to argue with you about battery life, but check any of the competitors at this years Mammoth. Every one of them said their battery last less than 15mins. Even pulling the battery after each stage and putting it in their pocket, they ate batteries like candy. My teammate found this in Alabama at Chaos Concepts this year, as well as at least one other team, I’m aware of.

True, the Tango doesn’t have onboard sensors. That’s where a Kestrel comes in. The best phone out there doesn’t stand a chance at accurate reading compared to a Kestrel. As to changing profiles: If the unit was a stand alone unit or attached with a QD, yeah, that may make a difference. But it’s not. To me, that’s like saying you can’t switch rifles with 1 scope because you have to rezero each time. Turn your phone or kestrel on, push 2 buttons and you’re done.

Over priced?! It’s $500 cheaper than an Impact.

Sorry, I’m just not a Vortex Fanboy!

That’s from the cold dropping voltage - not the unit consuming a lot of power. The rechargeable are largely resolving these issues from what I have seen.

Impact street price is $1500 and you know this. The tango is an overpriced range finder that happens to display ballistics.

The impact is the only vortex product I own - if there’s fanboy concerns.

 

[GenericBadGuy]

Nothing screams useful like here let me pay $1300 for a weapon mounted laser rangefinder only to have to use your phone or a kestrel for it to work. So dumb. I would just rather use a laser rangefinding binoculars.