Bushnell 1 Mile ARC LRF binocular availability

[Eric B.]

Recently I returned my Bushnell FUSION 1600 10 X 42 LRF binoculars to Bushnell under warranty. In the intense Mojave Desert sun I could barely read the red LED or sometimes not at all, even at the brightest setting.

So I called Bushnell customer service and asked what to do. Their recommendation was to send in everything and buy a new 1 Mile ARC version with better readout for an extra $118. So I did.

Upon calling back today to check when they would ship I was told the 1 mile ARC binos were "...on back order until July 15."

So that's it folks. Ya have to wait for the newer version if'n yer gettin' 'em from Bushnell. It may mean that if you can find a pair at a vendor now then you'd better order it because it looks like there will be a dry spell.

BTW, I read here that the 1 Mile ARC version has better glass than the original Fusion 1600 LRFs. Anyone know if that is the case?

 

[0481]

Just got a set from euro optics. Very pleased. The only thing I have to compare them to are my buddy's vectronix such are awesome

 

[BigJimFish]

Recently I returned my Bushnell FUSION 1600 10 X 42 LRF binoculars to Bushnell under warranty. In the intense Mojave Desert sun I could barely read the red LED or sometimes not at all, even at the brightest setting.

So I called Bushnell customer service and asked what to do. Their recommendation was to send in everything and buy a new 1 Mile ARC version with better readout for an extra $118. So I did.

Upon calling back today to check when they would ship I was told the 1 mile ARC binos were "...on back order until July 15."

So that's it folks. Ya have to wait for the newer version if'n yer gettin' 'em from Bushnell. It may mean that if you can find a pair at a vendor now then you'd better order it because it looks like there will be a dry spell.

BTW, I read here that the 1 Mile ARC version has better glass than the original Fusion 1600 LRFs. Anyone know if that is the case?

I have been playing with some 1 Mile ARC's for review. I do not think you will have a problem reading the display in the bright sun. Pity about the wait but I think you will probably be well worth it.

 

[ccoker]

Is the glass better?
I was impressed with the range finder in the ARC 1600s but didn't really like the binos themselves.

They had a weirdd blue tint and to my eyes were just harder to use for extended periods of time.

My Nikon Monarch 8.5x56 were much easier to use.

I am running Meopta HD 10x42s and really like them!

The appeal of a combo range finder and good binos is certainly appealing.

 

[BigJimFish]

Is the glass better?
I was impressed with the range finder in the ARC 1600s but didn't really like the binos themselves.

They had a weirdd blue tint and to my eyes were just harder to use for extended periods of time.

My Nikon Monarch 8.5x56 were much easier to use.

I am running Meopta HD 10x42s and really like them!

The appeal of a combo range finder and good binos is certainly appealing.

I have not used the ARC 1600 but, given the way you describe them, I would have to say the fusion 1 miles are much better. Depending on exactly which Monarchs you have, the fusions 1 miles might well be better. I think they are a good bit better than most of the Monarchs out there. Really, until this years Monarch line I was never very impressed with that offering.

Don't expect the fusion 1 miles to compete with current binos aimed at birdwatchers. They do not have the edge to edge clarity or field of view for that. However, the center of field is quite good and I think they are better than many binoculars geared to hunters from just a few years ago.

 

[ccoker]

I have a set of Monarch 8.5x56 that are very good binos. Got them about 5 years ago after a hog hunting trip with Bill Wilson who used and recommended them for hog hunting at night.

Anyways.. Thanks..

 

[Jon Lester]

Fusion 1 mile binocs are much better products than the 1600. Brighter read outs and no blue tint is enough to sell them.

 

[ccoker]

Yeah, I saw the brighter readout at SHOT
Definetly much improved and needed.

 

[Eric B.]

UPDATE:

Bushnell cust. svc. now says not until the end of July.

Like the HDMR/H59 scopes W/ Z-Lock - end of July. Hope that boat from Japan makes it without incident!

 

[--BLACKOUT--]

Yea, buddy! Just in time... saved up some loot and I will be snatching a pair of these up. I have a deer and elk hunt that they will be used on. I'm excited to get my first rangefinder. Now, if I could just get some damn bullets!

 

[Jrb572]

I got a pair ealier this year. I like them a lot.

 

[Coloradocop]

I have been playing with some 1 Mile ARC's for review. I do not think you will have a problem reading the display in the bright sun. Pity about the wait but I think you will probably be well worth it.

Thanks for the review. That's Alum Creek Dam (Columbus, OH) you were visiting for the review, wasn't it? I moved to Colorado from Ohio about a decade ago, but spent quite a bit of time in the Alum Creek area when I was living in C-bus. I've hunted up on the north end of the lake, kayaked and fished the lake, and walked that levy about a million times... so, I'm pretty sure that's the pictures shown in the review. Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[BigJimFish]

Thanks for the review. That's Alum Creek Dam (Columbus, OH) you were visiting for the review, wasn't it? I moved to Colorado from Ohio about a decade ago, but spent quite a bit of time in the Alum Creek area when I was living in C-bus. I've hunted up on the north end of the lake, kayaked and fished the lake, and walked that levy about a million times... so, I'm pretty sure that's the pictures shown in the review. Correct me if I'm wrong!

You've got it, pretty good call given the pictures in this review. They don't even show any of the really obvious features. There aren't many places around Columbus with much in the way of long unobstructed views or elevation. I guess I could call up the folks at SWACo and ask if I could use garbage mountain on the south side of the city. It is the highest place in the Columbus area.

 

[Coloradocop]

You've got it, pretty good call given the pictures in this review. They don't even show any of the really obvious features. There aren't many places around Columbus with much in the way of long unobstructed views or elevation. I guess I could call up the folks at SWACo and ask if I could use garbage mountain on the south side of the city. It is the highest place in the Columbus area.

Yeah, Ohio definitely lacks the open expanses of land that you get out here in Colorado. I lived pretty close to Hoover Reservoir when I was in Columbus, so I'd have probably done such a test at one of those two places myself. Like I mentioned, I've walked or ran that damn more times than I can count... the final clue for me was the power poles in the background of the picture (the big ones that run out near I-71 just north of town).

I do miss Ohio from time to time, but must admit that it is REALLY nice to have the availability of places to shoot long distance out here, and the wilderness/mountains are hard to beat!

 

[Foweis]

In thinking hard and long about getting one in a 10x. Oh god I can't decide.

 

[Sako man]

In thinking hard and long about getting one in a 10x. Oh god I can't decide.

Yeah no shit! It's one of those or a Vectronix for me, but yeah the delta being $700. I still can't decide.

 

[Ring]

"I found the Fusion 1 Mile ARCs to range soft, man-sized targets to 600 yards, and tree lines out to 1,200:"....

thats odd.... and thunder valley i can range the 1760 target on a grass hill with no issues, with the 1600 fusion's



thats the last hill on the right in this pic..



zoomed in

 

[Sako man]

"I found the Fusion 1 Mile ARCs to range soft, man-sized targets to 600 yards, and tree lines out to 1,200:"....

thats odd.... and thunder valley i can range the 1760 target on a grass hill with no issues, with the 1600 fusion's




thats the last hill on the right in this pic..



zoomed in


That may be true but your ranging a highly reflective metal target. There is a big difference between lazing metal and soft fleshy targets. As well atmosphere and sun direction plays a big part is beam dispersion. Like all optics you want your LRF to work in all shitty conditions and not just a nice clear day.

Very jealous! We don't have shooting ranges that nice in CA.

 

[Ring]

it was the grass hill i ranged, at the time it only had a 12" plate on it... on the tree line, it would range to just over 1800+

not my vid, but this what sold me on them before i bought

Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC - YouTube

mine range as easy as these do in the vid...

also, i the Beam Divergence note, I have the 10x 1600 fusion arc binos... At 25y the beam measured .5wX2h inch...
So at 100 should be 2x8" that .55mills wide by 2.3 mills tall ish...

tested with NVG's ....

 

[MedinaM40]

it was the grass hill i ranged, at the time it only had a 12" plate on it... on the tree line, it would range to just over 1800+

not my vid, but this what sold me on them before i bought

Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC - YouTube

mine range as easy as these do in the vid...

also, i the Beam Divergence note, I have the 10x 1600 fusion arc binos... At 25y the beam measured .5wX2h inch...
So at 100 should be 2x8" that .55mills wide by 2.3 mills tall ish...

tested with NVG's ....

ive used this as well, same results i have seen..

 

[BigJimFish]

"I found the Fusion 1 Mile ARCs to range soft, man-sized targets to 600 yards, and tree lines out to 1,200:"....

thats odd.... and thundervalley i can range the 1760 target on a grass hill with no issues, with the 1600 fusion's

As sako man mentioned, background, target, and atmospheric conditions have a great effect on what can be ranged and I gave the rangefinder all I could for difficultly in my testing in an effort to establish the minimum performance under a variety of difficult conditions. As an example, the soft targets where ranged on the perfectly flat, level, top of the dam with no background to aid reflection and under the noonday sun. This ensured that only the target was participating in the ranging and that it was under difficult lighting. I am pleased at the excellent performance you were able to achieve in your application. I have no doubt that you were able to range a nice sharp backstop at that distance and I am happy to have you contribute as I did not have the opportunity to range a feature like this in the course of my review. The video you have linked to is also an excellent addition to the information available to readers on this product.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Eric B.]

OK, Bushnell now sez that I should recieve my 1 Mile ARC 10X LRF binos ( garantee replacement) by Aug. 23. This is the 3rd date extension. Hope it's the last.

BTW, I have ranged large casino signs to 1,700+ meters (not yds.) and buildings to 1,800+ meters with the earlier Fusion 1600s. Now we'll see how it does on mule deer in October. But 600 meters is a long shot anyway, even with .300 Win mag 180 gr. Hornaday SST Superformance rounds.

 

[Eric B.]

Big Jim,

Thanks for the very comprehensive review and follow up photo commentary. The hide needs more reviews like this on new gear. People here trust the reviewers on SH.

BTW, I just took delivery on Bushnell's ERS 3.5 - 21 X 50 scope with H59 reticle. VERY good glass and excellent construction. Never thought I'd be getting Bushnell glass of any kind but now they have given us a lot for the money. In my judgement Bushnell keeps costs down by using very good glass and coatings but not ED glass. Most of us here, I'll bet, do not use optics long enough in any given day to warrant needing ED glass to prevent eye strain.

Evidently Bushnell is going back to its Bausch and Lomb level of quality control. Of course today's scopes are better than even B&L of the '60s and '70s what with better glass, coatings, mechanisms and CAD/CAM design and manufacturing. For the unwashed, Bausch & Lomb was easily the equal of Leupold back then. Bushnell bought out B&L (in the late '70s I believe).

 

[mouse07410]

...if you had a rangefinder capable of ranging a man-sized target at 1000 yards, you would also need a firm tripod if you intended to do that.

First, thank you for a great and detailed review! But I have a nit to pick with the above quote. Vectronix Terrapin (at less than $2K ) ranged man-sized soft targets for me at 1000+ meters. Weather moderately decent, no tripod, the unit was placed on a flat guardrail surface and held steady. I think I recall ranging those same targets without support other than keeping my elbows on that guardrail, but I'm not sure of that.

So there are rangefinders capable of ranging man-sized targets at 1000+ yards (since at least one - and not the most expensive one - did it at a longer distance), and while it's great to keep them on tripods - if worst comes to worst, any decent support will do.

 

[cordoba]

how many ranges can you get without needing to replace the batteries on this new Bushnell LRF?

 

[JC Steel]

Bought mine at Eurooptics.com from Jason. They are good to go and offer a great product

 

[elevendysixty]

I had a pair of the fusion 1600 briefly then stumbled into the opportunity to get the new one mile version. I'm by NO means an expert, but I can tell you all what my observations are. I'm very pleased with the bino and rangefinder aspects. The read out is much easier to see in moderate to bright light, and no blue tint. I have ranged tree lines out to 1725 off hand with repeated readings in a row. Although not every press was a return, but probably 8/10. So far I've been able to range a deer at 740, and turkeys at 950-995. There was a tree line at the edge of the field where the turkeys were for a bit of a confirmation on distance. I can get every time repeats on a telephone pole with a transformer on it at 754.
Glass wise they are nicer than Leupold bx-3's and Nikon monarch 5's. The next better pair of binos I had the opportunity to compare with are a pair of leica 10x laser bino's. Not in the same neighborhood as expected as far as glass is concerned. However, the Bushnell's do out perform as a rangefinder.
Ranging capacity is great. The only complaint is that the beam must be centered high in the reticle. Using the intersection of the vertical stadia and the aiming circle as your "crosshair" the one miles produced ranges very close to the terrapin time after time. I compared to a terrapin on a tripod and the one mile's on a tripod. The Bushnell's were within 0-5 yards out to about 900 which was the farthest steel target that afternoon.
Going price of 1100 bucks for the 10x42's, I'd do it again!

 

[jlpier01]

I guess I am settling for less performance according to these posts, but a sporting goods chain had the 1600's on clearance (and may still be) and I picked up the 12X version for $565! I couldn't justify the price difference just comparing them against the 1 mile in the store. I may regret it some day, but I should get most of my money back if I end up hating them.

 

[Ring]

how many ranges can you get without needing to replace the batteries on this new Bushnell LRF?

ive had mine 2 years now... same batt, in now 1 notch down from full... i use them all summer, 2 to 3 days a week... 30 to 50 times a day