New And Improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder Review
By Art Caputo
When Len contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing the "improved " G7 BR2 Rangefinder I jumped at the opportunity. Having used the original G7 BR2 for three hunting seasons and having harvested a couple of dozen deer, antelope and coyotes at ranges to 1200+ yards, the G7 BR2 has proven to be a key component in my long range hunting success. When I first acquired my original G7 BR2, I spent a great deal of time during my first hunting season comparing it to my Terrapin using the Kestrel 3500 and Shooter BC, well proven for my brand of long range hunting which is whitetail, mule deer and antelope in the open rolling foothills of the Bighorns and the open farmlands of Alberta. Both habitats have proven to be very challenging for determining accurate ranging on game. My hunting range is 1000 yards or less and dictated by the energy of my 6.5x284, my medium game hunting rifle. I would also include coyote hunting in the same habitat and will take a good shot beyond 1000 yards.
My initial attraction to the G7 BR2 was the on board ballistic calculator. This feature was very attractive in that it would address "time to shot", the factor I felt was the greatest obstacle encountered, particularly with skittish, mature whitetails. Using multiple devices for ranging, atmosphere, cosine, and ballistic calculator to determine a ballistic solution not only took time, but would add distraction to the process that could result in a lost shot opportunity.
Comparison testing on hundreds of different ranging scenarios, as well as successful long range kills during that first season gave me the confidence that the G7 BR2 Rangefinder was a viable approach that made the process more efficient. Ballistic solutions out to the stated maximum of 1400 yards matched those using my Terrapin, Kestrel 3500, and Shooter BC exactly.
Another attribute of the G7 BR2 which came as a surprise was the different approach that Gunwerks incorporated in the ranging philosophy of the G7 compared to the other rangefinders. This had to do with how a larger beam size combined with software control of the unit could be quickly mastered to range difficult targets without the need for a "rock steady" rest required with the smaller beam sized rangefinders. Depending on conditions during the hunt, this can take several tries and still record interferences. Perfectly aligning a beam the same size as a whitetails body at 1000 yards is much harder than it looks.
Like many, I was skeptical at first, but once I understood and became proficient in the use of this very different philosophy, I found that I could range small targets with interferences equal to, or many times faster than I could when trying to center a very small beam on a difficult target. This capability is called TruTargeting. It quickly allows the selection of near/far filters to eliminate interference.
I now prefer and have used the G7 BR2 for hunting since that first season. Depending on your particular style of hunting I think it might be a mistake to immediately rule out the G7 BR2 based on beam size. I would stress that the use of the G7 BR2's TruTargeting modes needs to be understood and used. If the G7 BR2 is used in an aim and shoot fashion as one would with other rangefinders you may be disappointed. Master the G7 BR2 and you will find that it will deliver accurate ranges equivalent to and frequently more efficiently than a smaller beam rangefinder. The G7 BR2 has a unique market position as the only rangefinder that incorporates the ability to program a specific load to produce a ballistic solution.
Impressions of the Improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder
When I was supplied with the new and improved G7 BR2 I was also contacted by Chris Thomas of G7 Operations and Development. Chris is an expert on the G7 BR2, and he and Gunwerks CEO Aaron Davidson made themselves accessible to answer questions and provide insights into various aspects of the G7 BR2's capabilities.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that the improved G7 BR2 now comes with a nicely designed grey Cordura case, a major improvement over the original case for practical carry on a belt. Included is a retractable tether that can remain attached to the case or serve as a tether to the wrist or other connection point. With the exception of orange highlights on the control buttons, the improved unit has an identical appearance to the original. The improvements cited in the promotional literature are:
Gunwerks has clearly been paying attention to the market. Following the posts on this and other sites, the new features address requests coming from shooters concerning the G7 BR2. Probably the most asked for feature is the ability for the G7 BR2 to provide an Mrad based drop solution. This is no wonder with the polls on this site indicating that 25-30% of the long range shooters either use or plan on using Mrad scopes. The menu selection on the improved G7 BR2 now includes Mrad. Make this selection and the output gives the drop solution to .1 mil increments. Other selections include MOA, yardage turret, and inches. The ballistic solutions calculated are accurate when compared with my MOA solutions from both my original G7 BR2 and my Terrapin/Kestrel/Shooter BC system.
According to Chris Thomas at Gunwerks, the new and improved ranging algorithms provide simplified menus and faster ranging/computing at longer ranges under certain conditions, mainly shorter targets like antelope at shallow angles to the ground. During my testing of various targets under these conditions, I was able to experience the faster calculating time of the unit.
A recent observation made on this site had to do with the difference in temperature specs between the original and improved units. I asked Chris about this, the original G7 BR2 having an operating temperature spec of 32º F compared to the new unit's lower designation of 0º F. Chris stated that the old unit and the new unit will both calculate a ballistic solution down to 0º F. The range shown in the original G7 BR2's specification sheet was referring to the temperature range for optimum performance of the LED screen. I had expected that this was an anomaly because I have used my original G7 BR2 at 0º-15º F for a week in freezing Alberta and had no issues with my drop solutions. The LED worked fine at these temperatures. It was nice to resolve this question.
The new G7 BR2 incorporates a smaller beam size, measuring 1.5x3 Mrad compared to 2x4 Mrad of the original unit, a 25% decrease in size. In addition to the beam size being 25% smaller, the aiming point of the improved G7 BR2 is rectangular in shape rather than the original square shaped aiming points of the original. Unlike the original, the new G7 BR2's rectangle visually matches the beam coverage area to the size of the rectangle. This is a nice feature that not only provides a smaller aiming point, but also gives an accurate perspective of beam coverage on the target. I found that this makes it easier to acquire smaller targets at longer ranges. This reminds me of the effect of using the smaller aperture on an AR15's peep sight to improve accuracy at longer ranges.
Compared to the original G7 BR2's aiming square, it seems easier to get accurate ranges at longer range on deer sized targets with the improved G7 BR2, even in difficult to range settings with interferences present. The new G7 BR2's beam matching rectangle and smaller beam size extends this ease to 1400 yards or better, aligning nicely with the calculation limit of the G7 BR2. This improvement complements the use of the TruTargeting modes, which are used to quickly achieve accurate ranges when there are interferences. Like the original G7 BR2, the LED intensity of the square can be changed to accommodate ambient light conditions. While the original unit had different styled aiming shapes, the new G7 BR2 uses the beam matching rectangle only.
By Art Caputo
When Len contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing the "improved " G7 BR2 Rangefinder I jumped at the opportunity. Having used the original G7 BR2 for three hunting seasons and having harvested a couple of dozen deer, antelope and coyotes at ranges to 1200+ yards, the G7 BR2 has proven to be a key component in my long range hunting success. When I first acquired my original G7 BR2, I spent a great deal of time during my first hunting season comparing it to my Terrapin using the Kestrel 3500 and Shooter BC, well proven for my brand of long range hunting which is whitetail, mule deer and antelope in the open rolling foothills of the Bighorns and the open farmlands of Alberta. Both habitats have proven to be very challenging for determining accurate ranging on game. My hunting range is 1000 yards or less and dictated by the energy of my 6.5x284, my medium game hunting rifle. I would also include coyote hunting in the same habitat and will take a good shot beyond 1000 yards.
My initial attraction to the G7 BR2 was the on board ballistic calculator. This feature was very attractive in that it would address "time to shot", the factor I felt was the greatest obstacle encountered, particularly with skittish, mature whitetails. Using multiple devices for ranging, atmosphere, cosine, and ballistic calculator to determine a ballistic solution not only took time, but would add distraction to the process that could result in a lost shot opportunity.
Comparison testing on hundreds of different ranging scenarios, as well as successful long range kills during that first season gave me the confidence that the G7 BR2 Rangefinder was a viable approach that made the process more efficient. Ballistic solutions out to the stated maximum of 1400 yards matched those using my Terrapin, Kestrel 3500, and Shooter BC exactly.
Another attribute of the G7 BR2 which came as a surprise was the different approach that Gunwerks incorporated in the ranging philosophy of the G7 compared to the other rangefinders. This had to do with how a larger beam size combined with software control of the unit could be quickly mastered to range difficult targets without the need for a "rock steady" rest required with the smaller beam sized rangefinders. Depending on conditions during the hunt, this can take several tries and still record interferences. Perfectly aligning a beam the same size as a whitetails body at 1000 yards is much harder than it looks.
Like many, I was skeptical at first, but once I understood and became proficient in the use of this very different philosophy, I found that I could range small targets with interferences equal to, or many times faster than I could when trying to center a very small beam on a difficult target. This capability is called TruTargeting. It quickly allows the selection of near/far filters to eliminate interference.
I now prefer and have used the G7 BR2 for hunting since that first season. Depending on your particular style of hunting I think it might be a mistake to immediately rule out the G7 BR2 based on beam size. I would stress that the use of the G7 BR2's TruTargeting modes needs to be understood and used. If the G7 BR2 is used in an aim and shoot fashion as one would with other rangefinders you may be disappointed. Master the G7 BR2 and you will find that it will deliver accurate ranges equivalent to and frequently more efficiently than a smaller beam rangefinder. The G7 BR2 has a unique market position as the only rangefinder that incorporates the ability to program a specific load to produce a ballistic solution.
The new and improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder is available now in the
Long Range Hunting Store.
Long Range Hunting Store.
Impressions of the Improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder
When I was supplied with the new and improved G7 BR2 I was also contacted by Chris Thomas of G7 Operations and Development. Chris is an expert on the G7 BR2, and he and Gunwerks CEO Aaron Davidson made themselves accessible to answer questions and provide insights into various aspects of the G7 BR2's capabilities.
It was a pleasant surprise to see that the improved G7 BR2 now comes with a nicely designed grey Cordura case, a major improvement over the original case for practical carry on a belt. Included is a retractable tether that can remain attached to the case or serve as a tether to the wrist or other connection point. With the exception of orange highlights on the control buttons, the improved unit has an identical appearance to the original. The improvements cited in the promotional literature are:
- New drop solutions in Mrad and MOA
- New, improved ranging algorithms
- New smaller beam divergence
Gunwerks has clearly been paying attention to the market. Following the posts on this and other sites, the new features address requests coming from shooters concerning the G7 BR2. Probably the most asked for feature is the ability for the G7 BR2 to provide an Mrad based drop solution. This is no wonder with the polls on this site indicating that 25-30% of the long range shooters either use or plan on using Mrad scopes. The menu selection on the improved G7 BR2 now includes Mrad. Make this selection and the output gives the drop solution to .1 mil increments. Other selections include MOA, yardage turret, and inches. The ballistic solutions calculated are accurate when compared with my MOA solutions from both my original G7 BR2 and my Terrapin/Kestrel/Shooter BC system.
According to Chris Thomas at Gunwerks, the new and improved ranging algorithms provide simplified menus and faster ranging/computing at longer ranges under certain conditions, mainly shorter targets like antelope at shallow angles to the ground. During my testing of various targets under these conditions, I was able to experience the faster calculating time of the unit.
A recent observation made on this site had to do with the difference in temperature specs between the original and improved units. I asked Chris about this, the original G7 BR2 having an operating temperature spec of 32º F compared to the new unit's lower designation of 0º F. Chris stated that the old unit and the new unit will both calculate a ballistic solution down to 0º F. The range shown in the original G7 BR2's specification sheet was referring to the temperature range for optimum performance of the LED screen. I had expected that this was an anomaly because I have used my original G7 BR2 at 0º-15º F for a week in freezing Alberta and had no issues with my drop solutions. The LED worked fine at these temperatures. It was nice to resolve this question.
The new G7 BR2 incorporates a smaller beam size, measuring 1.5x3 Mrad compared to 2x4 Mrad of the original unit, a 25% decrease in size. In addition to the beam size being 25% smaller, the aiming point of the improved G7 BR2 is rectangular in shape rather than the original square shaped aiming points of the original. Unlike the original, the new G7 BR2's rectangle visually matches the beam coverage area to the size of the rectangle. This is a nice feature that not only provides a smaller aiming point, but also gives an accurate perspective of beam coverage on the target. I found that this makes it easier to acquire smaller targets at longer ranges. This reminds me of the effect of using the smaller aperture on an AR15's peep sight to improve accuracy at longer ranges.
Compared to the original G7 BR2's aiming square, it seems easier to get accurate ranges at longer range on deer sized targets with the improved G7 BR2, even in difficult to range settings with interferences present. The new G7 BR2's beam matching rectangle and smaller beam size extends this ease to 1400 yards or better, aligning nicely with the calculation limit of the G7 BR2. This improvement complements the use of the TruTargeting modes, which are used to quickly achieve accurate ranges when there are interferences. Like the original G7 BR2, the LED intensity of the square can be changed to accommodate ambient light conditions. While the original unit had different styled aiming shapes, the new G7 BR2 uses the beam matching rectangle only.
New And Improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder Review
I took the opportunity to ask Gunwerks the rationale behind their choice of beam size. As mentioned previously, this is a specification that generally gets major consideration when purchasing a rangefinder. Although the beam size of the improved G7 BR2 at 1.5x3 Mrad, it is still larger than the Leica and Terrapin beam sizes in the .5x2.5 Mrad range. Aaron Davidson, CEO of Gunwerks, explained the rationale of the G7 BR2's beam size. He stated, "The larger beam size yields better ranges in unsteady field use. It also allows additional power output while maintaining Class1 eye safety. The use of the TruTargeting mode eliminates any of the negative potential of the larger beam returning signal from inadvertent targets. We have experimented with smaller beams and beam orientations. This combination seems to give the best balance of ranging performance and ease of use."
TruTargeting Mode in Practice
During the course of writing this evaluation of the improved G7 BR2 it was suggested by Len Backus's son Andy that shooters may be interested in a more detailed explanation of my actual usage of the TruTargeting Mode, understanding interferences and speaking to some actual examples of game taken at long range using the TruTargeting Mode of the G7. First, when using any rangefinder, the shooter should learn to view their target or game in three dimensions. When viewing your target through the rangefinder (or scope, binoculars, spotting scope), you determine whether there are there other objects such as brush, hills, trees or other animals, etc., which are in front of or behind the area of the target that can be captured by the beam of the rangefinder. At this point you note the relative range differences in your mind. If the beam of the rangefinder can reflect off of these non targets, producing an inaccurate range or no range at all, consider these interferences that may need to be dealt with.
Depending on the particular rangefinder, there are ways to get around interferences. One way is to use a beam size small enough to range only the target and miss the interferences. Another way is to rely on software and filtering within the rangefinder to either provide multiple ranges of each of the interferences, as is the case with the Terrapin in 3D mode. Another way is to use software that will signal an interference and allow the user to select filters (modes) to selectively range just the target. This is the case of the G7 BR2's TruTargeting mode. Successful use of the TruTargeting mode requires that you understand how the interferences are affecting your target. Using the modes to filter the interferences allows for a larger beam size, which reduces dependence on a rock solid rest, important with the use of a small beam rangefinder in many hunting situations.
It has been my experience that with mid range use, and unobstructed targets, most of the high end rangefinders will effectively give accurate ranges, and beam size arguments are generally overstated. It's the longer range, obstructed targets that begin to stress the demands of a rangefinder, and whether it's with the use of a small beam or software, or both, ranging becomes more complicated and has to be dealt with to get an accurate range on the target…the foremost goal of the rangefinder.
My early process for ranging with my rangefinders was quite simple. Initially with my Leica then my Terrapin, my approach was to try to find a very solid rest, then to put the aiming point on my target and get a range. With difficult targets that were either too far or obstructed I'd keep taking ranges until two or three matched exactly, and unless it was obvious I was ranging an obstruction, I'd accept that range. If I got no range at all, or the ranges wouldn't match up, I'd have no shot unless I changed location or the animal moved.
When I acquired my original G7 BR2 I was intrigued by the TruTargeting mode. There are four modes: Standard, Continuous, Near and Far. Standard mode emits the most powerful beam strength and is the typical mode for general ranging of unobstructed targets. Continuous mode will take a range every couple of seconds by just holding the fire button. I like this for coyote hunting when they are in constant motion. Near mode ranges the closest object the beam picks up, filtering objects that the beam sees in the background. Far mode does the opposite, ranging the farthest object and eliminating objects the beam picks up in the foreground. If the G7 BR2's beam picks up more than one object, it will give a yardage for the dominant object and show the yardage in brackets, signaling that a mode change is required.
To change the mode you simply press the mode button on the G7 BR2. The mode in use is always indicated on the viewfinder screen. If the interferences are in the background, use Near mode. If the interferences are in the foreground, use Far mode. If the interferences are in both the foreground and background you can use both Near and Far modes to determine the range by observing the common yardage for your target. This will be displayed in either the Near or Far mode when the beam is placed accordingly. I'll explain this a little better in a later example.
My very first deer shot with the original G7 BR2 four seasons ago was a whitetail at roughly 1000 yards. It was standing in front of a stand of saplings at what appeared to be another 100-200 yards distant. My first range on the G7 BR2 was a bracketed 1170 yards. My buddy manning the spotting scope attempted to take a range with my Terrapin as well. He also read 1170 yards. Because I had brackets on my range, I was suspect of the saplings in the background giving a misread. I changed the mode to Near which gave a reading of 998 yards. Being new to this, and just to confirm, I decided to take a range of only the saplings in the background without the whitetail in the beam. This range was 1170 yards, no brackets. I decided to use 998 yards and placed the bullet dead center in the whitetail's chest with my 6.5x284. Two key points: Firstly, my buddy said he could not keep the small aiming circle of the Terrapin on the whitetail, thus missing him with the small beam and ranging only the brush. He did not have a good rest. Secondly, I only ranged one time for each of my three readings, bracing the G7 BR2 against the side of my scope from the prone position. The larger beam size did place less emphasis on having a steady rest.
TruTargeting Mode in Practice
During the course of writing this evaluation of the improved G7 BR2 it was suggested by Len Backus's son Andy that shooters may be interested in a more detailed explanation of my actual usage of the TruTargeting Mode, understanding interferences and speaking to some actual examples of game taken at long range using the TruTargeting Mode of the G7. First, when using any rangefinder, the shooter should learn to view their target or game in three dimensions. When viewing your target through the rangefinder (or scope, binoculars, spotting scope), you determine whether there are there other objects such as brush, hills, trees or other animals, etc., which are in front of or behind the area of the target that can be captured by the beam of the rangefinder. At this point you note the relative range differences in your mind. If the beam of the rangefinder can reflect off of these non targets, producing an inaccurate range or no range at all, consider these interferences that may need to be dealt with.
Depending on the particular rangefinder, there are ways to get around interferences. One way is to use a beam size small enough to range only the target and miss the interferences. Another way is to rely on software and filtering within the rangefinder to either provide multiple ranges of each of the interferences, as is the case with the Terrapin in 3D mode. Another way is to use software that will signal an interference and allow the user to select filters (modes) to selectively range just the target. This is the case of the G7 BR2's TruTargeting mode. Successful use of the TruTargeting mode requires that you understand how the interferences are affecting your target. Using the modes to filter the interferences allows for a larger beam size, which reduces dependence on a rock solid rest, important with the use of a small beam rangefinder in many hunting situations.
It has been my experience that with mid range use, and unobstructed targets, most of the high end rangefinders will effectively give accurate ranges, and beam size arguments are generally overstated. It's the longer range, obstructed targets that begin to stress the demands of a rangefinder, and whether it's with the use of a small beam or software, or both, ranging becomes more complicated and has to be dealt with to get an accurate range on the target…the foremost goal of the rangefinder.
My early process for ranging with my rangefinders was quite simple. Initially with my Leica then my Terrapin, my approach was to try to find a very solid rest, then to put the aiming point on my target and get a range. With difficult targets that were either too far or obstructed I'd keep taking ranges until two or three matched exactly, and unless it was obvious I was ranging an obstruction, I'd accept that range. If I got no range at all, or the ranges wouldn't match up, I'd have no shot unless I changed location or the animal moved.
When I acquired my original G7 BR2 I was intrigued by the TruTargeting mode. There are four modes: Standard, Continuous, Near and Far. Standard mode emits the most powerful beam strength and is the typical mode for general ranging of unobstructed targets. Continuous mode will take a range every couple of seconds by just holding the fire button. I like this for coyote hunting when they are in constant motion. Near mode ranges the closest object the beam picks up, filtering objects that the beam sees in the background. Far mode does the opposite, ranging the farthest object and eliminating objects the beam picks up in the foreground. If the G7 BR2's beam picks up more than one object, it will give a yardage for the dominant object and show the yardage in brackets, signaling that a mode change is required.
To change the mode you simply press the mode button on the G7 BR2. The mode in use is always indicated on the viewfinder screen. If the interferences are in the background, use Near mode. If the interferences are in the foreground, use Far mode. If the interferences are in both the foreground and background you can use both Near and Far modes to determine the range by observing the common yardage for your target. This will be displayed in either the Near or Far mode when the beam is placed accordingly. I'll explain this a little better in a later example.
My very first deer shot with the original G7 BR2 four seasons ago was a whitetail at roughly 1000 yards. It was standing in front of a stand of saplings at what appeared to be another 100-200 yards distant. My first range on the G7 BR2 was a bracketed 1170 yards. My buddy manning the spotting scope attempted to take a range with my Terrapin as well. He also read 1170 yards. Because I had brackets on my range, I was suspect of the saplings in the background giving a misread. I changed the mode to Near which gave a reading of 998 yards. Being new to this, and just to confirm, I decided to take a range of only the saplings in the background without the whitetail in the beam. This range was 1170 yards, no brackets. I decided to use 998 yards and placed the bullet dead center in the whitetail's chest with my 6.5x284. Two key points: Firstly, my buddy said he could not keep the small aiming circle of the Terrapin on the whitetail, thus missing him with the small beam and ranging only the brush. He did not have a good rest. Secondly, I only ranged one time for each of my three readings, bracing the G7 BR2 against the side of my scope from the prone position. The larger beam size did place less emphasis on having a steady rest.
New And Improved G7 BR2 Rangefinder Review
As I became more experienced with the G7 BR2 I found that by carefully observing my target in three dimensions as described previously I could anticipate the mode that was needed. Within a fairly short period of time I began to feel confident in my ability to acquire an accurate range when seemingly difficult interferences were present. If I couldn't acquire a range, I generally couldn't get a clean shot anyway.
A particularly difficult ranging challenge was presented last year in Wyoming while antelope hunting. I spotted a nice buck at about 700 yards in the rolling foothills of the Bighorns. In the foreground about 100 yards in front of the buck was a hill interfering to just below the buck's chest, covering most of his legs. In the background was another hill at what appeared to be a couple of hundred yards distant. My first reading was taken in the Far mode. I had most of the foreground hill in the lower portion of the G7's aiming square and the antelope captured in the top portion of the square. The reading was 727 yards. For the next reading I switched to Near mode. I placed the antelope's body in the lower portion of the aiming square and the background hill in the upper portion of the square. The readout was 727 yards, the same reading. That range proved to be dead on with a good chest shot with the 6.5x284.
I have developed a strong confidence in the use of the TruTargeting capability of the G7 BR2. I think the approach is a viable alternative for the more commonly accepted "small beam" approach, certainly for hunting at ranges to 1000 yards with my original G7 BR2, and I believe further with the improved model. With several animals taken in a wide variety of ranging scenarios, the TruTargeting capability of the G7 BR2 has succeeded in making me a believer in the old adage, "There's more than one way to skin a cat."
Field Testing
Living and working in the Northeast. I was unable to test the unit in my usual hunting habitat on game but felt that I could give it a good workout and use my prior testing experience to determine differences. I compared the original G7 BR2, the improved G7 BR2 and the Terrapin, ranging various target scenarios on a 1500 yard long stretch of power line. This setting provided a wide variety of low reflective targets, many with interferences which could give a good indication of relative performance between the rangefinders.
Additionally, I calculated a drop solution using my 6.5x284 hunting load inputs and compared the three. My targets of choice were sections of 1 foot diameter telephone pole sections oriented horizontally and vertically. This would provide the ability to capture foreground and background interferences. The dull brown low reflective surface, while not exactly the same as an animal's hide, seemed to serve well, particularly since I was comparing performance between the rangefinders. Overall, all three rangefinders performed well, particularly from mid range to 1000 yards. As ranges approach 800 yards, getting a steady rest with the rangefinders is critical in achieving an accurate range. In particular, I would note that keeping the 1Mrad target dot of the smaller beamed Terrapin on target was much more difficult than with either of the G7 BR2's.
When there are interferences, the larger beam of both G7 BR2's gives a bracketed readout indicating an interference. The bracketed readout would dictate a TruTargeting mode change, easily done with a push of the mode button to either Near or Far depending on your visual interpretation of the interference. If the interference is obvious, you can anticipate this before ranging, change the mode and quickly get a good read. Under these same interferences the Terrapin would give a direct reading if the beam was directly on the target. If not, it would produce multiple ranges (3D mode). You would have to determine which range is right, also based on your visual interpretation. In every case an accurate range could be determined with all rangefinders tested.
The improved G7 BR2's new ranging rectangle, combined with a matching, smaller beam size makes ranging deer sized targets at long range seem faster and easier than either the original G7 BR2 or the Terrapin, with its small 1 Mrad aiming point which needs a solid rest to hold on target. The new G7 BR2's 25% smaller beam/aiming rectangle is still large enough to keep on target more easily than the Terrapin, but small enough to improve ranging when compared to the original G7 BR2 past 1000 yards. I think this improvement in the G7 BR2 does a nice job of making ranging easier and more aligned with the 1400 yard calculation limit of the G7.
Here are ranging comparisons with calculated drops showing the BC/drop output of the G7 BR2's compared to the Terrapin.
Any of these three rangefinders will range and provide accurate drop solutions as shown above. The outputs between the three rangefinders are exceptionally close, indicating the use of the same algorithms. Both G7 BR2's provided ballistic solutions within seconds, compared to 15 seconds to 1 minute plus depending on the required inputs into the separate ballistic calculator when using the Terrapin. One of the questions that some are sure to ask concerns spin drift and Coriolis corrections. The G7 BR2 does not accommodate these variables and perhaps it would be a good idea to consider them as a future addition to the product. For hunting under 1000 yards I really don't worry much about Coriolis, and make a simple .5MOA correction in my windage for spin drift. For Coriolis corrections with those rare hunting shots on coyotes and busting rocks past 1000 yards I apply a .5MOA up or down correction if my shooting direction is west/east. This has worked quite well for me. With my ELR shooting I will continue to use my Terrapin/Kestrel/ Shooter BC set up, which is my preferred approach when the shots become much more technical.
For those interested in the ELR capabilities of the G7 BR2 and how the unit performs at the 2000 yard functional (2500 reflective) range spec, I did manage to do a limited amount of testing on some cows in a distant pasture off the highway. I ranged a lone cow with all three rangefinders that registered ranges between 1960 for the improved G7 BR2, 1962 for the original G7, and 1959 for the Terrapin. The maximum ranging spec has not changed with the improved G7 BR2.
Overall, I think the improvements of the G7 BR2 add nicely to what is already an excellent product. Would I like to upgrade from my original unit? Yes, but I wouldn't feel disadvantaged with my original unit given the success I have had over the past few years. I do hope Gunwerks makes the new case available to owners of the original G7. It's quite nice. It certainly seems to me that the designers of the G7 had the practical long range hunter in mind, and have done a nice job achieving this goal.
A particularly difficult ranging challenge was presented last year in Wyoming while antelope hunting. I spotted a nice buck at about 700 yards in the rolling foothills of the Bighorns. In the foreground about 100 yards in front of the buck was a hill interfering to just below the buck's chest, covering most of his legs. In the background was another hill at what appeared to be a couple of hundred yards distant. My first reading was taken in the Far mode. I had most of the foreground hill in the lower portion of the G7's aiming square and the antelope captured in the top portion of the square. The reading was 727 yards. For the next reading I switched to Near mode. I placed the antelope's body in the lower portion of the aiming square and the background hill in the upper portion of the square. The readout was 727 yards, the same reading. That range proved to be dead on with a good chest shot with the 6.5x284.
I have developed a strong confidence in the use of the TruTargeting capability of the G7 BR2. I think the approach is a viable alternative for the more commonly accepted "small beam" approach, certainly for hunting at ranges to 1000 yards with my original G7 BR2, and I believe further with the improved model. With several animals taken in a wide variety of ranging scenarios, the TruTargeting capability of the G7 BR2 has succeeded in making me a believer in the old adage, "There's more than one way to skin a cat."
Field Testing
Living and working in the Northeast. I was unable to test the unit in my usual hunting habitat on game but felt that I could give it a good workout and use my prior testing experience to determine differences. I compared the original G7 BR2, the improved G7 BR2 and the Terrapin, ranging various target scenarios on a 1500 yard long stretch of power line. This setting provided a wide variety of low reflective targets, many with interferences which could give a good indication of relative performance between the rangefinders.
Additionally, I calculated a drop solution using my 6.5x284 hunting load inputs and compared the three. My targets of choice were sections of 1 foot diameter telephone pole sections oriented horizontally and vertically. This would provide the ability to capture foreground and background interferences. The dull brown low reflective surface, while not exactly the same as an animal's hide, seemed to serve well, particularly since I was comparing performance between the rangefinders. Overall, all three rangefinders performed well, particularly from mid range to 1000 yards. As ranges approach 800 yards, getting a steady rest with the rangefinders is critical in achieving an accurate range. In particular, I would note that keeping the 1Mrad target dot of the smaller beamed Terrapin on target was much more difficult than with either of the G7 BR2's.
When there are interferences, the larger beam of both G7 BR2's gives a bracketed readout indicating an interference. The bracketed readout would dictate a TruTargeting mode change, easily done with a push of the mode button to either Near or Far depending on your visual interpretation of the interference. If the interference is obvious, you can anticipate this before ranging, change the mode and quickly get a good read. Under these same interferences the Terrapin would give a direct reading if the beam was directly on the target. If not, it would produce multiple ranges (3D mode). You would have to determine which range is right, also based on your visual interpretation. In every case an accurate range could be determined with all rangefinders tested.
The improved G7 BR2's new ranging rectangle, combined with a matching, smaller beam size makes ranging deer sized targets at long range seem faster and easier than either the original G7 BR2 or the Terrapin, with its small 1 Mrad aiming point which needs a solid rest to hold on target. The new G7 BR2's 25% smaller beam/aiming rectangle is still large enough to keep on target more easily than the Terrapin, but small enough to improve ranging when compared to the original G7 BR2 past 1000 yards. I think this improvement in the G7 BR2 does a nice job of making ranging easier and more aligned with the 1400 yard calculation limit of the G7.
Here are ranging comparisons with calculated drops showing the BC/drop output of the G7 BR2's compared to the Terrapin.
Any of these three rangefinders will range and provide accurate drop solutions as shown above. The outputs between the three rangefinders are exceptionally close, indicating the use of the same algorithms. Both G7 BR2's provided ballistic solutions within seconds, compared to 15 seconds to 1 minute plus depending on the required inputs into the separate ballistic calculator when using the Terrapin. One of the questions that some are sure to ask concerns spin drift and Coriolis corrections. The G7 BR2 does not accommodate these variables and perhaps it would be a good idea to consider them as a future addition to the product. For hunting under 1000 yards I really don't worry much about Coriolis, and make a simple .5MOA correction in my windage for spin drift. For Coriolis corrections with those rare hunting shots on coyotes and busting rocks past 1000 yards I apply a .5MOA up or down correction if my shooting direction is west/east. This has worked quite well for me. With my ELR shooting I will continue to use my Terrapin/Kestrel/ Shooter BC set up, which is my preferred approach when the shots become much more technical.
For those interested in the ELR capabilities of the G7 BR2 and how the unit performs at the 2000 yard functional (2500 reflective) range spec, I did manage to do a limited amount of testing on some cows in a distant pasture off the highway. I ranged a lone cow with all three rangefinders that registered ranges between 1960 for the improved G7 BR2, 1962 for the original G7, and 1959 for the Terrapin. The maximum ranging spec has not changed with the improved G7 BR2.
Overall, I think the improvements of the G7 BR2 add nicely to what is already an excellent product. Would I like to upgrade from my original unit? Yes, but I wouldn't feel disadvantaged with my original unit given the success I have had over the past few years. I do hope Gunwerks makes the new case available to owners of the original G7. It's quite nice. It certainly seems to me that the designers of the G7 had the practical long range hunter in mind, and have done a nice job achieving this goal.
