Bushnell G-Force 1300 ARC?

[nations1017]

Looking to upgrade to a better rangefinder and curious about the Bushnell G-Force 1300 ARC. Thoughts? Reviews? I'm on a budget and don't have the money to get Zeiss PRF or Leica CRF. I need something that allows me to range deer out to 500+ yards because I like the long range hunting. I'm also a big bow hunter too so want something that is universal and has ARC capability. I've looked at the Vortex Ranger as well but just wanted some opinions/reviews on the Bushnell or any other recommendations.

Thanks.

 

[Masked]

I have one -- I was actually really impressed with it.

The bow information is really spot on, especially by lbs and arc.

The gun information is pretty spot on as well...Not exactly something I'd rely on but, it's +/- 5yds for me at 1k.

I haven't had to hit anything beyond 1k so, I can't answer to that but, I'm very pleased with it thus far.

 

[nations1017]

Thanks, Masked. What is the furthest you have ranged an animal? 600 yds would be the furthest I would be able to shoot at a deer. Just looking for something that will range a deer accurately and consistently out to that distance.

 

[Masked]

To be 100% honest I'm not a hunter, I actually got it at such a deal I just pulled the trigger.

On darker objects, I'd say you're safe up to 900 beyond that, it'd have to be shiny...

So far 1150 is my max but, that was a shiny target...So, I could not attest to a deer at that distance.

 

[Sniper1*]

We bought three of these to try out for some of the guys on our team... I used one while teaching at the last advanced school we had... I was able to range large shiny objects in excess of 1300 and was able to range two legged quarry at 900+... The ballistic info is not something I would rely on too heavily unless it just happens to work for your system...

I also used this unit during some of my hunting trips this year... I will say, in most situations it worked well... The cons I noticed- It has three (I think) maybe 4 brightness settings... When it is getting dark (early dawn and dusk) the lowest setting still bleeds out the background and it is hard to see... In the daylight the lowest setting is difficult to see... So, I often found myself switching settings during one hunting day... I also used it on a very foggy day... I know a lot of LRFs won't work well in the heavy fog, but, I could see trees within 40-70 yards and could not get a reading... That disappointed me... I hadn't had those issues with my Leicas or even my Nikon.

Overall, I like the size and quality and for most days it will work very well... I wish there was an auto brightness setting to the display and as far as the fog... well, good luck....

 

[nations1017]

Thanks for the input Sniper. Obviously isn't the best rangefinder on the market. My buddy bought a pair of the Fusion 1600 ARC binoculars and he loves them. It has similar set up on the rangefinder part of the binoculars so I thought maybe the 1300 ARC or Elite 1600 rangefinders might be worth looking at. Maybe I should save up for the Leica.

 

[MilDot1960]

I have ranged small trees out to 1196yds in bright sunlight amd sheep out to 881yds, I have done test with it and its software will work beyond 800yds depending what rifle you use, It worked fine in high mirrage with 25mph winds and changing light, all in its way better than most people expect, its surposed to range trees at 900 well I got 1196/1197 and on Deer its surposed to range them at 600yds well I was getting sheep at 881, so it will perform about 25 to 33% better than they claim on the box according to specs and there is over 1887 bullet choices for you to choose and it gives you a choice of MOA,Mills, Inches and CMs and theres not many out there that can compete with it Value wise, its made out of solid Alloy and water and shock proof, personally this is a Perfect hunting LRF But for anything else the G7 and the Terrapin are the way to go,

just my 2c,,,

John

 

[nations1017]

Thanks, John. I think I'll try it out. Worse case, if I don't like it I can always sell it.

 

[MilDot1960]

Thanks, John. I think I'll try it out. Worse case, if I don't like it I can always sell it.

I thought about loads of times since Ive owned it and I cant believe it can do what it does,,, Yes its very neat and robust but for something so small its surprizing, and pricewise, says it cant but it can and does do all Ive asked of it so far.


John