BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

[Eric B.]

Bushnell's Fusion 1600 laser rangefinder binoculars (true binos) seems to be just one more indication that Bushnell is taking quality of its top end products very seriously.

Imagine, a binocular laser rangefinder that can range to 1600 meters on a reflective target. That should mean fairly reliable readings at 1200 meters for a target with low reflectivity.

Bushnell has offered me about 50% off on these binos B/C my current Yardage Pro 1000 has failed (and bakes batteries HOT!)

So I may just get them. Two items in one for elk hunting seems a good idea, especially when sucking air at 9,000 ft.

Anybody tried these?

 

[Shoottothrill]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I've never tried them, but have heard nothing but good things from guys on the hide. The LRF works very well.

 

[calling4life]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

What??

Has anybody tried them... Of course, do a search and you'll come up with enough reading material to last you until death.

The rf/bino combo didn't just arrive yesterday.

I have the 1600arc mono, they aren't presumably reliable to 1200 on less reflective objects, they are very reliable on trees/brush to 1500+.

I've hit single trees over 1500, treelines to 1800.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't hesitate, but do a search and read for yourself.

 

[Jerrrrstanley]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I have used a pair. A friend has a set and brought them up one day. Shot a single pine tree at 1501 yards with ease. I didn't try them any farther than that. I used them to spot for him at 800 yards and they were very clear and easy to focus. The only down side I found was the led was hard to see it was so bright out. The reticle and reading were weak but still visible. If I had the money I would have me a pair!

 

[hunter121]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I had a pair and they worked great, with help from a car door to keep me steady I ranged a vehicle at just a touch over one mile. I also cut through some snow/fog to hit 610yds when the Leicas and swaros there at the range would not even read. The only reason I sold them is that I wanted something smaller so I got the Elite 1600s.

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: litehiker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bushnell's Fusion 1600 laser rangefinder binoculars (true binos) seems to be just one more indication that Bushnell is taking quality of its top end products very seriously.

Imagine, a binocular laser rangefinder that can range to 1600 meters on a reflective target. That should mean fairly reliable readings at 1200 meters for a target with low reflectivity.

Bushnell has offered me about 50% off on these binos B/C my current Yardage Pro 1000 has failed (and bakes batteries HOT!)

So I may just get them. Two items in one for elk hunting seems a good idea, especially when sucking air at 9,000 ft.

Anybody tried these?</div></div>

Buy them! You will be happy with them! I have pair and so do about 4 or 5 of my friends.. They are great for the cash.. Everything I have ranged has been spot on too. I also like the "bow" mode. When I am in my tree stand it will calculate the actual yardage to a deer.. The glass is clear- kind of has a slight bluish tint, but clear.. It never bothered me in the least bit. Nice to have a range finder and good binos all in one. If you can get 50% off you better jump on it.

 

[Victor Co Heather]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I have them and love them. They work MUCH better than anything else I've used.

 

[Eric B.]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

@ calling 4life,
I should have made my question read "Has anybody tried the Fusion 1600s?"

I know that maybe 10 years ago Lieca or Ziess came out with the first pair of rangefinding binocs. They were huge, top quality, but also $2,000. and 1,000 meters was there absolute limit (claimed)

Thanks for the positive comments about them. I'm getting a pair.

***So my next question: Are the Fusion 1600s good when being used merely as a binocular? I doubt if the have ED glass but maybe so at that price. I'll talk to Bushnell customer service again.

<span style="font-weight: bold">UPDATE:</span> I talked to a Bushnell customer service rep and he said that the Fusion 1600 ARC RF binocs <span style="text-decoration: underline">are</span> ED glass. Guess I'll buy 'em and sell my 8X42 Pentax DC WP binocs.

 

[Six Feet Under]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: litehiker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">@ calling 4life,
I should have made my question read "Has anybody tried the Fusion 1600s?"

I know that maybe 10 years ago Lieca or Ziess came out with the first pair of rangefinding binocs. They were huge, top quality, but also $2,000. and 1,000 meters was there absolute limit (claimed)

Thanks for the positive comments about them. I'm getting a pair.

***So my next question: Are the Fusion 1600s good when being used merely as a binocular? I doubt if the have ED glass but maybe so at that price. I'll talk to Bushnell customer service again.</div></div>

They are for sure good enough to use as plain binoculars... You will find yourself ranging dumb stuff all of the time just because you can... Mine are 10 power and look great for the money.. I'm not sure where you have to order them from, but if you can you might want to order them from SWFA.. Don't they have that policy if you don't like them, you can return them???? not 100% sure

 

[Beamer Girl]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

We have used them here at Rifles Only, the binos as well as the monocular. Very impressive...especially for the price!! We liked them so much we started carrying them in our proshop. As some of you know, we only try to carry equipment that we would use and not just "gear". If any of you have the chance to check out the ARC 1600 you should. The only issue that we have seen with them is if you try to look through them with polarized glasses you will have a hard time reading the screen. Other than that we have had no issues with them.

 

[T302]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I have had a pair for a couple of years now. Buddy and I have gotten them to range out to 2000 yards on groves of trees. I won't say they are the best out there but they are the best for the money. I like that it is one package.

 

[KHill3611]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I have a pair & the only promblem I have is they want open wide enough for my eyes. But my wife & daughter love them.

 

[kujo929]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Anyone who has used both, do the elite 1600 range as well as the fusion.

 

[Ring]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

the glass is good in the binos, it has a green tint, but other then that, its real close to my luppy binos

 

[LawnMM]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I have a monocular with the same internals and ranged a ridge at the 2012 Cup other guys that spent more on other brands were having trouble hitting. Right about 1410yds as I recall.

If you are going to shoot ELR a terrapin might be worth the investment, anything out to probably a mile and I can't see putting your money somewhere besides bushnell.

 

[ashland]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Lisa, are you able to get readings on your steel plates out to 1,000 yds? I can get decent readings off of large objects at distance but its the smaller objects that my LRF will not read. Of course I've got an older Bushnell Elite 1500. I was thinking of buying a terripin if it gets better readings on smaller objects out to 1,000.

 

[calling4life]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

It has been said before, it will be said again.

The 1500's are not the 1600, I've ranged small yard lights over 1,000 with no problems, again, I have the 1600arc mono.

I can't see steel targets being a problem at all, they give a better surface than these little lights.
I must say, I'm now wondering if I should pick up the bino's, would be one less thing to pack.

 

[ashland]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Yep, got those 1500s about 8 yrs ago. They were pretty good back then but now they aren't doing what I need. I just didn't want to buy the 1600s and them not be able to pick up the smaller steel targets. Thats pretty much what I shoot most of all.

 

[nohair]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Tag for more interest

 

[Ledzep]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I own both the Bushnell Elite 1500 7x26 monocular LRF, and more recently the 10x42 Busnhell Fusion 1600 ARC LRF binos.

Last December, I used my grandfather's 1600 fusions while out riding 4-wheelers and observing the landscape and wildlife around the Black Hills of SD. I noticed then that they had a blue/green tint to the lenses, but it was nothing horrible, and they were very clear, and seemed to range further than my 1500 back home. I didn't do any real serious testing with them, but the inclinometer was enough to get my mind ticking about whether or not I needed a pair.

Fast forward to June this year, and I went back to go on a fishing trip to Canada. I stayed before and after the trip to hang out with my grandparents because I'd only seen them twice in about 10 years. This time, however, I brought along my 1500 elite LRF, and took it and my Gpa's 1600 Fusions to a hilltop overlooking a valley and the town of Blackhawk, SD. I gave both units a pretty thorough run through, and here's my results.

1500 Elite:
Grass- 900-1000yd with reliable, quick readings. 1200-1300 with delayed readings or trying several times
Large rocks/tress- 1300-1400yd fairly reliably, some took 2-3 attempts.
Cliff faces- 1500-1600 occasionally, if I got lucky. Not reliable.

1600 Fusions:
Grass- 1300-1400 quick reliable readings. Often out to 1500-1600 would work, also, but not 100%.
Large rocks/tress- 1500-1650 pretty reliably, didn't struggle too much until around the 1700yd mark. Even then it worked more often than not
Cliff faces and buildings- 1700-1850yd. I think 1856 was the farthest I got.

Basically, almost anything closer than 1700yd, they ranged it. May have taken 2-3 tries but they got it. Mostly the first try.

Don't forget, they're also 10x binoculars, and tell you the incline/decline very accurately. Again, you notice the blue tint, but it's nothing horrible.

That test was enough to motivate me to buy a pair. The set that I got has performed almost identically to my grandfather's. I'm stationed in DC (3000ft lower with much more humidity), and still get hits on buildings just over 1800yd, hits on grass to 1200-1400yd etc. These things are awesome, IMO, and worth every penny to the long range shooter/hunter. From the few times I've used them in low-light conditions, they've performed great. Much better than the elite 1500, however, I don't have any comparable stand-alone binoculars to compare them to.

 

[SVG308]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Any other comparisons of the 1600 elite arc monos vs the 1600 fusion? Are the internals the same? I would like to be able to range steel to at least 1300 yards or so. How far could you range a 20" steel target that is painted white??

 

[ashland]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Good write up Ledzep. I've gotten mile readings with my 1500 but it was a rare occasion. I'm like SVG308 though, how small of a target will it give readings on at distance. What I don't want to do is spend half the money and buy a fusion and find out that a terripin would be what was needed to do the job.

I've got a closet full of stuff I went the cheaper route on. Made lots of mistakes to find out what I really need.

 

[blksno]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

if you're looking to just hit a mile, the Fushion are fine and dandy. I have hit LOTS of targets of varying sizes beyond 1800 yds and it seems that number is pretty common, (see Ledzep's farthest)

Now, if you want to hit a plate or if you want to hit an animal beyond a mile...you better just pony up the dough and upgrade to the Terripin.

For me, the 1600 Fusion are the perfect set up. It's in my budget, has dual functions so I don't carry two units. MUCH more stable than a monocular. Ranges farther than I need to range accurately.

If I build a rifle capable of 2000+ in the future (which I plan soon), I'll consider upgrading. Until then, these are the cat's pajamas.

(I only wish I would have gotten the 12x50's)

 

[ashland]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

I would be happy with readings on plates or animals out to 1,000 with it.

 

[OdellJym]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

Been using my Fusion 10x for about 6 months now for coyote hunting. Works great out here in the Texas panhandle sun and sand. I wouldn't hesitate to take Bushnell up on their offer.

Jym

 

[threetrees]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

well. from what i see the competitors (zeiss, leica, swaro) offer supposedly 'better' items. but it's for you to decide whether a factor of >2 in price outweights claimed additional properties (transmission, clarity, sharpness, suitability for dusk/dawn, ...)

if i could just get my hand on a bushnell here and test for a dusk/dawn session ... but noones selling them

 

[blksno]

Re: BUSHNELL FUSION 1600 LRF

My testing on dusk/down showed zero issues. The illuminated "reticle" or LED or whatever in the lens has 4 brightness settings.
The lowest is great all the way down to zero visibility. The maximum brightness level works well in the snow covered "top of the day" sunshine following a South Dakota blizzard. Easily the hardest conditions I've tried to view the reticle and yet it still ranges excellent.