Bear Creek Arsenal rangefinders and spotting scopes

[Small_Arms_Collector]

I recently discovered that Bear Creak Arsenal makes laser rangefinders and spotting scopes, while their reputation for QC isn’t exactly great for their rifles, the feature set they advertise for the range finder is intriguing at the price point and likewise the price on the spotting scope is attractive, but does any of it actually work? Is it a viable entry level option?

They advertise the range finder as being good to 1500 yards (which I read as 750) and having an integrated ballistics calculator that runs off a smart phone (I.E. it gets the range via bluetooth than spits out a solution) and some kind of a weather input too. I don’t know what kind of calculator it uses but I know the name of the app starts with AB, is it using Applied Ballistics? I also don’t know how the weather function works, I assume that it just imports data from the nearest weather station, but can it be linked to your own weather meters like a Kestrel or Weather Flow? Will it link to other ballistic apps too like Geoballistics?

Obviously working off of a phone makes the ballistic computer function less convenient, but it also keeps the cost down, I don’t personally mind, I’m already using a weatherflow vs a Kestrel because I couldn’t justify an extra $700 for convenience, so I already run off the phone.

As for the spotting scope, I have no illusions that the glass is great, but how bad is it? Is it usable to 1000 yards at least?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I have no direct experience with BCA, but I've used a not small quantity of scopes, rangefinders, and spotting scopes in my time and I can tell you that there's no free lunch when it comes to any of it. Bear Creek isn't making these themselves, the LRF is a reskinned Heinrich Tech Tomahawk LRF and the spotting scope is likely a branded China OEM spotting scope.

That being said the LRF appears to pair with the Applied Ballistics Synapse app but I can't find any reviews on the LRF other than manufacturer reviews and the lack of info on either site is off putting and doesn't instill confidence. There are some good options for around the same money from Sig and Vortex that I'd take over the BCA option in a heartbeat. Like this one for example:

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/sig-sauer-kilo3k-laser-rangefinder-brown?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CGoogle%7CNMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20038500600&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3OjGBhDYARIsADd-uX7iHjHKzqGtli598ZO-MKYKsDAVHlIIssSMUguU-CJgYtGp6s_ZwgEaAioLEALw_wcB

I also doubt that a $60 20-60x spotting scope would be satisfactory, in fact it's probably dogshit with significant image degradation at higher mag, cromatic aberration all over, and stupid short eye relief. I've seen those qualities in spotting scopes costing significantly more and in my experience unless you're spending multiple hundreds if not thousands on a spotter stay away from the 60X top end spotters. You'll find yourself living around 20X just to have a workable field of view and image quality. Instead, look for options that have a lower top end in the 30-40X range like this Vortex:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1848366-REG/vortex_cf_50s_12_36x50_crossfire_hd_spotting.html

It's still a budget option but I have more confidence in it providing adequate performance for spotting duties than the BCA option, long story short I'd steer clear of BCA anything. It's advice for life like not marrying strippers or taking candy from strangers.

 

[db2000]

Yeah, just get the Sig Kilo 3K with Applied Ballistics. It’s about the same price. I’d rec the BCA LRF for $150ish probably

 

[Sgp12345]

I have no direct experience with BCA, but I've used a not small quantity of scopes, rangefinders, and spotting scopes in my time and I can tell you that there's no free lunch when it comes to any of it. Bear Creek isn't making these themselves, the LRF is a reskinned Heinrich Tech Tomahawk LRF and the spotting scope is likely a branded China OEM spotting scope.

That being said the LRF appears to pair with the Applied Ballistics Synapse app but I can't find any reviews on the LRF other than manufacturer reviews and the lack of info on either site is off putting and doesn't instill confidence. There are some good options for around the same money from Sig and Vortex that I'd take over the BCA option in a heartbeat. Like this one for example:

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/sig-sauer-kilo3k-laser-rangefinder-brown?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CGoogle%7CNMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20038500600&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3OjGBhDYARIsADd-uX7iHjHKzqGtli598ZO-MKYKsDAVHlIIssSMUguU-CJgYtGp6s_ZwgEaAioLEALw_wcB

I also doubt that a $60 20-60x spotting scope would be satisfactory, in fact it's probably dogshit with significant image degradation at higher mag, cromatic aberration all over, and stupid short eye relief. I've seen those qualities in spotting scopes costing significantly more and in my experience unless you're spending multiple hundreds if not thousands on a spotter stay away from the 60X top end spotters. You'll find yourself living around 20X just to have a workable field of view and image quality. Instead, look for options that have a lower top end in the 30-40X range like this Vortex:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1848366-REG/vortex_cf_50s_12_36x50_crossfire_hd_spotting.html

It's still a budget option but I have more confidence in it providing adequate performance for spotting duties than the BCA option, long story short I'd steer clear of BCA anything. It's advice for life like not marrying strippers or taking candy from strangers.

I dunno, it sure sounds good! “The BCA Telescope reaches out to extreme distances with the kind of resolution, contrast, and color fidelity you need to find game in any conditions. Even in low light, our 20-60x60mm spotting scope achieves a level of visual detail that's a major advantage in the field. With unmatched clarity, rugged construction, lightweight design, tripod ready, and at a price that won't break the bank you can't go wrong with the BCA Telescope.”

Jk. It looks like a toy.

 

[carbonbased]

Yeah, OP sounds like yet another bot.

 

[Small_Arms_Collector]

Yeah, OP sounds like yet another bot.

I’m very much real, but I lack thousands of dollars of extra money and am trying to find actual affordable entry level gear. Entry level does not mean $1000 for this $3000 for that $800 for this and $2000 for that ect. It means a few hundred all togethor.

 

[Sgp12345]

I’m very much real, but I lack thousands of dollars of extra money and am trying to find actual affordable entry level gear. Entry level does not mean $1000 for this $3000 for that $800 for this and $2000 for that ect. It means a few hundred all togethor.

A $60 spotting scope is going to be garbage. I guess it might be better than nothing, but you really outta save a few more dollars and get something a little better.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I’m very much real, but I lack thousands of dollars of extra money and am trying to find actual affordable entry level gear. Entry level does not mean $1000 for this $3000 for that $800 for this and $2000 for that ect. It means a few hundred all togethor.

Despite appearances you aren't the only one in that boat, believe me.

 

[supercorndogs]

I’m very much real, but I lack thousands of dollars of extra money and am trying to find actual affordable entry level gear. Entry level does not mean $1000 for this $3000 for that $800 for this and $2000 for that ect. It means a few hundred all togethor.

Jumping straight from 60 bucks to 3000. Seems like there would be middle ground.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Jumping straight from 60 bucks to 3000. Seems like there would be middle ground.

Stop it

 

[Small_Arms_Collector]

Jumping straight from 60 bucks to 3000. Seems like there would be middle ground.

Then please suggest one. One thing I have noticed here is the seeming notion that everyone drives a Maserati has three houses and a trophy wife and won’t blink at dropping thousands on only the best of the best even if something perfectly acceptable were available for 10% the cost but is 1% less good. I’m looking for entry level shit, not the very best, damned the price. I don’t want crap but surely there is something between crap and the best of the best that is still affordable. I’m a person that needed to save for months just to afford a used RPR, think I can drop a grand or more on a high end Vortex spotting scope? I can’t.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Then please suggest one. One thing I have noticed here is the seeming notion that everyone drives a Maserati has three houses and a trophy wife and won’t blink at dropping thousands on only the best of the best even if something perfectly acceptable were available for 10% the cost but is 1% less good. I’m looking for entry level shit, not the very best, damned the price. I don’t want crap but surely there is something between crap and the best of the best that is still affordable. I’m a person that needed to save for months just to afford a used RPR, think I can drop a grand or more on a high end Vortex spotting scope? I can’t.

You've been given some recommendations for a LRF and spotting scope that are better than the BCA options, both of which were about $200 each. No one in this thread has told you that you have spend thousands of dollars on equipment, in fact, by SH standards I'd say the responses have been pretty measured and reasonable. Plenty of other members have had to do side gigs, scrimp, save, and even sell off some stuff to get something that we wanted or pay off medical bills or do car repairs, you're not the only passenger on the struggle bus.

What are some other things that you need to outfit yourself, perhaps we can come up with some budget friendly options.

 

[Mike Casselton]

You'd be miles ahead of that spotting scope by doing something like this.

It's useful and fairly inexpensive.

My question to you is why do you need a spotting scope.
It doesn't do you any good trying to spot for yourself.

If you're spotting for friends, just set you rifle scope to no more than 20x and spot while holding your rifle.

I gave up on spotting scopes a few years ago.
Until recently, I've used the Bushnell 15 Forge with great results. It just needed a reticle.

So, I saved up my pennies and dimes.
When the wife and I passed through Lander, WY a couple of weeks ago we stopped in to see the fine folks at Maven Optics.
We left there with a pair of 18x binos with the mil reticle.
With the military discount and the current Florida outdoors tax savings, we were able to get our daughter a nice pair of 8x32 for about $100 over the normal cost of just the 18x pair.

I know they are above your budget.
I'm just trying to help you not throw good money away on complete garbage.

 

[db2000]

Hell there’s a 15-60 Vortex Golden Eagle in the PX. You’d get a scope and spotting scope w/ a reticle. It’s MOA so perfect for you.