My name is Ed & I am a "geardo"

[eddybo]

Okay I have been doing this a few years now, and for some reason my methods and gear are seeming a little antiquaited.......(oh yea see the spelling thread I do not care that it is spelled wrong) . Not talking rifles scopes or binos I am happy with what I have.

What is the best "system" out there. I have been using the following, "system":

Kestral, Swaro, smartphone, exbal.

I am thinking about updating to:

Kestral Blue tooth, PLRF 10 or maybe the binos with the digital compass (I know the compass is not needed but hell it is cool), Nomad maybe with the GPS module, newer version of exbal.

When I started shooting LR I felt like I had state of the art gear, I want that confidence again and also that techno geardo drive to get out and shoot to learn my new toys.

So what is the best sytem out there?

BTW I have shooter for the droid and the Ipod program, but really want to stay with exbal if it has had any meaningful updates. Sorry for the insomniac rambling. I do value yalls opinions.

 

[zuba]

After reading that and your signature I had to smile a plrf 10 would be sweet, I'm going to wait and see how people like the g7 rangefinder aaron davidson is working on. It's fun being a 'gadget guy' ain't it

 

[Broz]

I have been using a Kestrel, Dell Axim with exbal, and a Leica CRF1200 and or a Swaro Laseguide for the last several years. Just in the last few months I have switched to a PLRF10 and I am now using Shooter on a Motorola Droid X.

Here is how I see my switch. I still use the kestrel (2500 NV) but I am looking at the Blue tooth models. Just not sure I need it. It just doesn't take me that long to enter the field conditions and once they are entered for the day changes usually only involve a temp change. The Shooter program has a compass for the azmuth if I choose to include it in the solution, and also a angle indicator. But I will leave the ones on my rifle too. I don't know, there might be better programs out there and I really like Exbal too. But I was able to catch on to the flow of the Shooter program fast and I really like several of its features. The big screen of the Droid lets me read it even with eyes that are not what they use to be. Being able to bump wind up and down with a touch of the +/- and the range too is nice. What I really like about this is the program automatically figures the corrected solution after a change and you don't even have to hit enter. And it is fast!!!

Last but certainly not least. GO FOR THE PLRF10!!!!! This is the one single thing I have done that has made everything about my shooting system more accurate,, and to way out there! I now enter very accurate distances into my program where I only thought I was before. I can range what ever I want over snow or anything with a reading each time and getting 3 consecutive distances fast is easy. Even on a flat ground yote ay past 1000. Antelope at 1500 no problem, Ek at 2500 no problem, my 20" steel at 1 mile in bright sun...Done!! This unit is so good there is no doubt it has enhanced everything from my program to my rifle. It is fun to use and it makes me feel very good also with better results.

I will not say that the system I now use is "the best" but I will say for me it is way better than what I was using before.

Jeff gun)gun)

 

[Broz]

One more thing. There are new RF's on the way. Including a PLRF5. Don't buy any unit regardless of Brand or price untill you look into the size of the beam divergence. I don't care if the RF figures everything, retrieves and field dresses the game and gives back rubs too. If the beam is larger than the PLRF10... I want NO part of it. This IS where it is at!!

Jeff

 

[eddybo]

Thanks for the info. ANybody with any more info on the Nomad? I know I could get by with the droid shooter, but I just do not dig it. Good info on the PLRF10, new range finders were mentioned what are they? I hope they pan out better than the leica 1600.

 

[WildcatB]

If money's no object... move past the PLRF10 to the Vector 21 or Vector 23. The 23 has smaller beam and a bigger price.

 

[Broz]

If money's no object... move past the PLRF10 to the Vector 21 or Vector 23. The 23 has smaller beam and a bigger price.

Yes, smaller in width but a bit taller in height on the 21 and the 23 is very small.

PLRF10 is .3 x 1.5 mil

Vector 21 .4 x .7 mil

Vector 23 < .3

But the vectors range way farther too. I could not afford a vector but even if I could I would have to give the extra weight some thought.

Ed, the RF's coming out I would watch for is the PLRF5. Or also the G7 if the beam is not huge like a Swaro

The 5 is suppose to be under $2000 and range like 1500 to 1800 yards.

So, I guess I haven't heard, what is the problems with the CRF 1600's?? The one I used I thought was good for the $$ spent.

Jeff

 

[WildcatB]

The brochure I looked at listed the beam of the 23 as being smaller than the 21.

Yes, smaller in width but a bit taller in height.

PLRF10 is .3 x 1.5 mil

Vector 21 and 23 are .4 x .7 mil

But the vectors range way farther too. I could not afford a vector but even if I could I would have to give the extra weight some thought.

Ed, the RF's coming out I would watch for is the PLRF5. Or also the G7 if the beam is not huge like a Swaro

The 5 is suppose to be under $2000 and range like 1500 to 1800 yards.

So, I guess I haven't heard, what is the problems with the CRF 1600's?? The one I used I thought was good for the $$ spent.

Jeff

 

[Broz]

The brochure I looked at listed the beam of the 23 as being smaller than the 21.

You are correct. I edited my post to be correct. The 23 has a divergence of <.3 and she ranges to 25,000 meters. WOW! and weighs 3.97 lbs. That sure would be fun to play with.

Thanks for correcting me on that.

Jeff