Rifle Scopes Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

[Hogshooter]

Does anyone have any experience with any of the new rangefiners with angle compensation built in ? Search function turns up lots of info on the non-compensated ones. I currently have a Nikon 800 which does an ok job but I am in the market for one of the newer versions that take into account the angle of the target. Nikons product only goes to 550 yds max. The Busnell 1200 ARC looks interesting. Budget is under $400.

 

[aroth]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

I own a Leupold RX-IV with the internal ballistic calculators for angle compensation. All in all not that impressed with range-finding capability. I have a hard time hitting anything past 300 yards with it. I also have a Nikon IRT scope, which hits everything and is by and far the best laser rangefinder I've owned. I think its rated to 900 but hits everything out to 700 in any light condition and in decent conditions hits out to 1200 easily. My experience with Leica 1200 crf has been poor with difficulty ranging anything past 400 even in scan mode, and if lighting was low that dropped to about 200.

One friend has a Bushnell 1000arc, and he likes it, says he consistently hits the 1037yd gong at his range. I haven't played with it so I can't say for certain.

So, I'd say if your shooting within 400yds, any rangefinder you buy should work. If you're looking for longer ranges see if your local shop will let you step outside to test it. If you can hit power line poles at 600-700 then it should be a good laser. The angle compensator should be secondary behind ranging capacity. I'd say try them out if the shops will let you, ask to try other shooters gear if you can. See for yourself what works.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

I have a Bushnell 1500ARC and it works very well! I have ranged over 1300 yards with this thing when my friends Leica 1200 wouldnt pick up anything over 900. you can get them for about $400 on eGay

 

[Lindy]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

The angle compensation on those devices <span style="font-style: italic">tends</span> to be a simple implementations of the Rifleman's Rule, that is, multiply the actual distance by the cosine of the angle. That's inadequate for steeper angles and longer distances.

What you would be better off doing is just to measure the range, find your dope for that distance, and multiply the dope by the cosine of the angle.

And for seriously long distances and steeper angles, you may also have to compensate for the difference in air density between the upper and lower elevations.

For details, see:

Inclined Fire Explained

So, my recommendation is to just get a good rangefinder, and ignore the angle compensation.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

I have been working with the Bushnell ARC 1200 and ARC 1500 for a review I am planning.

It seems to work as advertised. I hope to wrap up my review by the end of the month.

 

[gugubica]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

I am real happy with my Bushnell Elite 1500 (non-ARC). On really sunny days, I can get a repeatable range on non-reflective targets (trees) up to about 800 yards.

I don't have much use for the angle correction, so no experience there.

 

[Gilly]

Re: Laser Rangefinder w/ angle compensation

Just got the new luepold RX1000 TBR has multiple reticles, I have ranged out past 800 on trees over a 1000 on my neighbors house and got past 550 on some cows so it seems to be pretty good for $400. The features are good on it and there are a lot of them but once you set it up it is easy to use. Has a bow mode and a rifle mode on it, it will show holdover in MOA and/or inches for different rifle groups as well so it seems like a good buy for the money. I was pretty hesitant after reading some bad reviews on other lupey models but this on is good to go so far. The TBR model is the one with the angle compensator, they also make one without so if you want that feature make sure you go with the TBR.