mad as h*ll range finding in the snow

[haywire05]

Does anyone now of a rangefinder that well range in the snow . I hunt in big wide open flat snow covered fields and have tried 3 different range finders the most I can get is about 200 yards and the dogs area about 500 - 800 yards out . Dont care what it costs need to range these dogs and other things out farther any suggestions ?

Thinking it is the reflection of the snow throwing it off or ? Is there a stronger powered laser out there with good magnification as well .

 

[Broz]

What have you tried? I can tell you that I have noticed if you have two the same brand and modle one will be better than the other. Just like scopes and rifles.

Jeff

 

[1eye]

Just was with a guy this weekend had a Swarovski, worked well on snow out to 700 yards might range futher, excellent rangefinder, it better than any Leica

 

[Broz]

Just was with a guy this weekend had a Swarovski, worked well on snow out to 700 yards might range futher, excellent rangefinder, it better than any Leica

Watch out for the swaro's 6' round beam at 1000 yards on flat ground. It will send conflicting ranges. My new 8x30 swaro is acting up too. About 3 times a day I ave to remove the battery and put it back in to get it to come on at all. And yes I have replaced the battery. I am going to buy another Leica 1200 CFR to use while this one gets repaired. Then when it comes back I will use them both side by side the same day on the same objects and see which one I keep. They all make good and bad ones.

JMO

Jeff

 

[haywire05]

I have tried 2 bushnell models the elite arc both models and I believe the other one was an older leica model . Gets real frustrating when there are coyotes out in the field just laying there for 20 min and you cant get a range on them to shoot so you guess and arent even close . makes me mad.


Was thinknig of buing the new swaro as seems to be good reviews on here .

 

[Coyboy]

If you have 20 minutes to shoot, try a mil-dot scope and practice ranging with that. I would think a guy could get pretty good after a dozen close misses

 

[Broz]

Was thinknig of buing the new swaro as seems to be good reviews on here .

Well, sometimes it is one of those "what ever I got is the best things" But the truth is they differ quite a bit and what works for one does not work for another. My biggest bitch about the swaro (well except for the fact it is broke now) is the huge beam devergence. I never had a problem till trying to get it to range a huge WT on flat ground between 950 and 1050 yards. The 6' beam could not give the same reading twice, even off a tripod. It was getting ground, cornstocks, deer and trees behind too.
But if the beam is smaller it will have to be held more solid on target. The Leica 1200 CRF (if I understand what I read correctly) has a shorter beam in height PLUS a much smaller aiming reticle. The swaro seems to range farther but is it as precise?? My swaro worked great ranging into the next side hill on a doe at 1137 yards. One shot dump.
I hope to be able to try all three side by side, the new zeiss, my swaro, and a 1200 CRF Leica. Not just once but for a few days in the field under different conditions. When it's all over I will know what one works best for me, and the other two will be on here for sale..

Jeff

 

[davewilson]

for flat groud you need a coincidence (optical split image) type of rangefinder. they're big and bulky but they'll tell you what that coyote is. of course if money is not an object, get one made by Vectronics. my understanding is they're a Leica on steroids and Viagra.

 

[benlow]

I am interested in this. I tried to range a coyote in a bare plowed field on a bright sunny day about three weeks ago. Could not get a reading on him. So I ranged some bushes about a hundred yards to the north of him. Got 498 yds. I was in a hurry so shot at him for 500. Looked like the bullet went right over his back. I was using a Leica 1200. Broz I will be interested to see what your test results will be when you try all three?????? I am going to start learning to use a scope recticle to range with. I have had too many places that my range finder does not work.

 

[jwp475]

Watch out for the swaro's 6' round beam at 1000 yards on flat ground. It will send conflicting ranges. My new 8x30 swaro is acting up too. About 3 times a day I ave to remove the battery and put it back in to get it to come on at all. And yes I have replaced the battery. I am going to buy another Leica 1200 CFR to use while this one gets repaired. Then when it comes back I will use them both side by side the same day on the same objects and see which one I keep. They all make good and bad ones.

JMO

Jeff

I compared the Leica to the Swarovski side by side for about 3 months and I still have the Swarovski.. Head and shoulders better IMHO

 

[Broz]

I compared the Leica to the Swarovski side by side for about 3 months and I still have the Swarovski.. Head and shoulders better IMHO

Which Leica??

I did it too, but it was the older Leica 1200 LFR SCAN. I agree the newer swaro in better than the old Leica. But I have been around and next to the new Leica 1200 CFR and the new Leica is light years better than the old modle. I am not taking sides, but I will admit I am not as head over heals in love with my Swaro as I was when I got it. And it it slower than the dickens too. I have a hell of a time holding my breath that long in the hills.

Jeff

 

[sscoyote]

I have also had varied results in snowy conditions. IMO, if the laser won't work either get closer or try the reticle-rangefinding system. I have tested RR on deer and antelope and have had great results to about 500 yds. and OK results beyond that. When it comes to reticle-rangefinding the best system u can use is the modified mil-ranging formula that will work with any multi-stadia reticle out there once it's subtension (stadi to stadia measurements are known). Here's the formula in it's most basic form (inches to yds.)--

tgt. size (") x range of reticle subtension measurement (usually 100 yds.) / reticle subtension (") / quantity of "gap" tgt. occupies (decimal equivalent) = range (yds.)

Coyotes in my area of operation measure right around 11" back to brisket (back to brisket is the most consistent presentation you're gonna get on a game animal). So if i'm using my TMR reticle by Leupold that has .2 mil (.72 inch per 100 yds.) subtension units and say the coyote occupies 4.7 of those here's what it calcs out to be--

11 x 100 / .72 / 4.7 =325 yds.

Now here's that particular entry in my ranging sticker that i put into a Butler Creek BLIZZARD objective scope cap cover--

4.7-325

...see how it works? Better practice with it some to see how it works. Remember as range increases so does the error--geometrically, and it all comes down to how well u can guess tgt. size accurately, and how well u can interpolate (guess) between stadia accurately.

 

[haywire05]

looking forward to seeing the review on the range finders.


dont really like the mil- dot idea but sounds like a good thing to practice for when that big one walks out and the finder doesnt work .

 

[haywire05]

for flat groud you need a coincidence (optical split image) type of rangefinder. they're big and bulky but they'll tell you what that coyote is. of course if money is not an object, get one made by Vectronics. my understanding is they're a Leica on steroids and Viagra.

elaborate more on this (vectronics) went to there website just a bunch of ham radio stuff etc. No rangefinder stuff on there website if I am on the right one . Did a goolge search but all radio stuff