rangefinders beyond 1500yards

D.ID

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My range finder works great: out to 1100 every time on about anything and out to about 1300 with a try or two. It's a 1500 and has delivered good service and still does. Beyond 1350 it has no chance and google earth aint cutting it. So.................... What is the most economical machine for getting out to 2K or close to it realistically and reliably?
 
I currently run a bushnell elite 1500. I bought with the expectation of trouble free use out to 1K which it delivered and then some. Are you suggesting there updated 1600 is realistically capable of ranging a mile or more? Sounds like a stretch? Have you used one at those ranges? Don't get me wrong, I will eventually spend whatever I have to, but I would need significant gains over my current model to justify it. Thanks
 
In my opinion you are at the same place many of us have been. Buy a PLRF05 (terripin) and be done with it. Or step up to the PLRF10. The satisfaction of being able to range well past 2500 yards in any light will make you wonder why you didn't do it long a go. Sure they are expensive at just under 2K, but when you look at the price of a rifle to shoot that far why would you hadicap the rifle with a lesser unit with a beam divergenct that is the size of a Mack truck at these distances.

I also want to say I have never used one of the Bushnells, but the first one I can get my hands on will go up against my PLRF10 and then I will know if it is reporting accurate readings at 2000,, or if it is just picking up something out there close. A "close range" at 2000 plus will not cut it. You need an accurate reading as every yard becomes very critical when you go these distances.

Seek out the members here that now own a Vectronix. Ask their opinion and if they would do it again. I sure don't see many used ones for sale and there is getting to be quite a few around these days. The last comment I heard on one was while Shawn Carlock and I were shooting to 2550 yards. Right after ranging the rock he had picked out at 2550 he said with his PLRF10 in hand. " Gosh I love this thing"

Jeff
 
I currently run a bushnell elite 1500. I bought with the expectation of trouble free use out to 1K which it delivered and then some. Are you suggesting there updated 1600 is realistically capable of ranging a mile or more? Sounds like a stretch? Have you used one at those ranges? Don't get me wrong, I will eventually spend whatever I have to, but I would need significant gains over my current model to justify it. Thanks

The Elite 1600 has the same RF device as the Bushnell Fusion 1600 bino, and yes, I've ranged to nearly 1900 yards with my Fusion. The beam divergence is about 10ft tall and 21 feet wide at 1800 yards, so you are not going to be able to range a fly's wisker at 1800 yards, but if you're looking for an economical way to get out that far, then the Bushnell is it. Slightly more money will get you a Leica CRF 1600, which will also get you out that far, and has a bit better beam divergence. If you have the money, then drop $3-4000+ and get a good Vectronix. That is the best of the best, with no competition.
 
if money is an option there is the newcon rangefinders. my buddy has one that is the new 2200 yard model and i have ranged to 2300. i dont know what they retail for, but no more that 6-700$
 
I have range objects beyond 1900 yards with my Leica Rangemaster CRF 1600,

02.jpg


however, accuracy is ...

~ + or - 1 yard up to 500 yards

~ + or - 2 yards up to 1000 yards

~ + or - 5% over 1000 yards
 
+/- 5% over 1K................Holy cow. Is this unique to the leica or is this common.

Not sure but that's what my instruction manual says ...

ScannedImage-5.jpg


Swaro claims ...

3.6. Accuracy
Accuracy is typically ± 1 m/1 yd, both for individual
measurements and also in scan mode. With
large distances and poor targets the measuring
accuracy increases to ± 2 m/2 yds.

Bushnell Elite 1500 claims ...

RANGING ACCURACY
The ranging accuracy of the ELITE® 1500 is plus or minus one yard / meter under most circumstances. The
maximum range of the instrument depends on the reflectivity of the target. The maximum distance for most
objects is 1000 yards / 914 meters while for highly reflective objects the maximum is 1500 yards / 1373 meters.
Note: You will get both longer and shorter maximum distances depending on the reflective properties of the particular
target and the environmental conditions at the time the distance of an object is being measured

Terrapin claims + or - 3 meters @ 2400 meters.

Seems to me that Leica's accuracy claim is more realistic ... but I'm no expert.
 
That is .5% not 5%. The Europeans use commas instead of periods, like we do, for a lot of things. So at over 1000yds that would be 5 yds.
 
The leicas are down to 625 or something and I had one i could get out to 2000 in right light. My Bushnell 1600 is heck of deal and have gotten past the 1600 mark. I try to get everyone i know to buy one. Hands down my Vectronix Terrapin is the best. One night i ranged some trees at 3300 several times and no misses. The problem is its about 1800 on group buys. You will never be sorry buying this rangefinder. They continue to come down in price but it depends on how long you can wait. Leica has a new Leica 1600-B CRF out this June. Don't know specs on it but might be worth looking into and waiting and see how they are.

Save your pennies if you can and go Vectronix.
 
With nothing coming close, the best I have ever used is the Leica Viper. We use them in the Air Force and would consistently range to over 6 miles easily. The coolest thing you can do with these is attach the mil GPS, range your target and it will give you the GPS coordinates of that target. It gives you the angle up or down and also the direction in Magnetic north towards your target. I ordered a pair for my section in 2003 and used to take them hunting to "stay proficient" with their use. :)
 
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