I am looking into getting a rangefinder and binocular combo and would like some suggestions. My requirements are reliable ranges out to 1 mile max for target shooting a .260 in Colorado altitude. The majority of the shooting will be target shooting and competition within 1000y. I have held the Bushnell 10-42 1mile fusion, the Leica 10-42, and the Swarovski. The Bushnell is good, I like the display and the fact that it gives you the range, angle and cosine corrected distance all at once. The Leica glass was very noticeably better than the Bushnell, the display was great; but it only gave you the angle and not the corrected distance after the angle cosine adjustment like the Bushnell. The Swarovski had good glass, but I found the ranging use horrible when the angle was not horizontal. The Swarovski is defiantly out of the running for me and the using the above observations on the Bushnell ($1200) and the Leica($3000); what else would you guys recommend?
Rangefinder and Binocular combo, any ideas?
- Thread starter alman1531
- Start date
If you want to reliably and consistently range 1-2 moa target size objects out to a mile, get a Vectronix PLRF 10
I have the Leica Geovids and have used the Bushnell fusions. You may get lucky with an accurate reading every now and then beyond 800-900yds but if you're looking for reliability, you'll likely be disappointed. Trucks, houses etc sure. Target size objects, no.
I have the Leica Geovids and have used the Bushnell fusions. You may get lucky with an accurate reading every now and then beyond 800-900yds but if you're looking for reliability, you'll likely be disappointed. Trucks, houses etc sure. Target size objects, no.
The new leica hdb gives full range, angle corrected range, angle, temp and barometer correction with your custom drop table generated from their website. I have a pair and they give full atmospheric corrected drop for my rifle out to 1000 yards. The drop correction is in mils, inches or MOA and is as accurate as my smartphone ballistic app. They consistently range to 2000 yards in overcast conditions, and 1500-1700 yards in bright sun.
The bushnells are a good value, but there is no question that the leica has them beat. And yes, I own and use both. The bushnell is nice, but the leica is a different league.
The bushnells are a good value, but there is no question that the leica has them beat. And yes, I own and use both. The bushnell is nice, but the leica is a different league.
The new leica hd-b's seem better than the older ones and the corrected angle and other environmentals and even ballistics are appealing, but you will pay an extra $1000 for them and arguably have a not-so-good RF.
If all you want is an excellent range finder and good binocular take a hard look at the new Steiner 8x or 10x RF bino's. They are getting really popular here in Colorado as word spreads. As far as JUST range finder these seem to be the best you can get short of a Terrapin, or PLRF-10 and the bino glass is excellent. Call Scott at Liberty Optics about them. Guys at Steel Safari were getting ranges at 1500 yards+ off hand, I'm sure you could get to a mile off a tripod.
Some reading:
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...teiner-10x-military-rf-binos-vs-terrapin.html
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...devices/256041-vectronix-plrf-leica-hd-b.html
If all you want is an excellent range finder and good binocular take a hard look at the new Steiner 8x or 10x RF bino's. They are getting really popular here in Colorado as word spreads. As far as JUST range finder these seem to be the best you can get short of a Terrapin, or PLRF-10 and the bino glass is excellent. Call Scott at Liberty Optics about them. Guys at Steel Safari were getting ranges at 1500 yards+ off hand, I'm sure you could get to a mile off a tripod.
Some reading:
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...teiner-10x-military-rf-binos-vs-terrapin.html
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...devices/256041-vectronix-plrf-leica-hd-b.html
I'm not sure about the Leica HD-B LRF binos, but the Leica CRF-1600B provides range, station pressure, temperature, and inclination.
After I got mine, I sold my Kestrel.
When I saw the reviews the Steiner LRF binos have been getting, I started thinking about selling off my 1600B and maybe my binos and getting a pair, but losing all the atmospheric info the Leica provides is a concern for me.
The Steiner LRF performance is pretty enticing, though.
After I got mine, I sold my Kestrel.
When I saw the reviews the Steiner LRF binos have been getting, I started thinking about selling off my 1600B and maybe my binos and getting a pair, but losing all the atmospheric info the Leica provides is a concern for me.
The Steiner LRF performance is pretty enticing, though.
I agree, the Bushnell's are a good value up to a point, but the RF is lacking for them past 900 yards or so, especially in bright sun or on smaller targets.
Based on my research it comes down to what you want to do with it, you can have several combinations of features but not all at this point.
If you want pure ranging awesomeness: a Vectronix Terrapin(if you can find one) or PLRF 10. $2k-$3k. Magnification is too low to accomplish everything in a match setting, you will need bino's.
For a combo unit that does everything including ballistics, ranging, and environmentals the Leica's, especially the new ones seem nice. Their range finder will NOT get you to a mile though from what I understand. Verdict is out on hot/sunny conditions and ranging for the new ones, but the older ones don't seem to perform well enough in those conditions for my comfort level especially spending $3000. Again, the new ones may have better performance with the RF.
For a combo unit of excellent ranging and "glassing" the Steiner's are fast becoming the favorite here in CO. If you will run a Kestrel/phone for dope anyways, these are hard to beat for my needs. Can be had for under $2000 too. These are what I will be getting, IN ADDITION to a Terrapin. I just want all the ranging ability I can get since I shoot 338's at ELR. If I didn't have a 338 I would do a Steiner RF bino and not worry about the Terrapin because it will reach anything you need to 6.5, 308 distances (which I would say is 1500 yards for practical purposes, even in CO.)
Based on my research it comes down to what you want to do with it, you can have several combinations of features but not all at this point.
If you want pure ranging awesomeness: a Vectronix Terrapin(if you can find one) or PLRF 10. $2k-$3k. Magnification is too low to accomplish everything in a match setting, you will need bino's.
For a combo unit that does everything including ballistics, ranging, and environmentals the Leica's, especially the new ones seem nice. Their range finder will NOT get you to a mile though from what I understand. Verdict is out on hot/sunny conditions and ranging for the new ones, but the older ones don't seem to perform well enough in those conditions for my comfort level especially spending $3000. Again, the new ones may have better performance with the RF.
For a combo unit of excellent ranging and "glassing" the Steiner's are fast becoming the favorite here in CO. If you will run a Kestrel/phone for dope anyways, these are hard to beat for my needs. Can be had for under $2000 too. These are what I will be getting, IN ADDITION to a Terrapin. I just want all the ranging ability I can get since I shoot 338's at ELR. If I didn't have a 338 I would do a Steiner RF bino and not worry about the Terrapin because it will reach anything you need to 6.5, 308 distances (which I would say is 1500 yards for practical purposes, even in CO.)
Was this pair you were using new? This is the first I've heard of issues and just curious. Sounds like there may have been an issue with them...
Rangefinder and Binocular combo, any ideas?
I've hit 2007 yards with my Swaro binos. They will hit 1500 yards all day. 1760 usually not a problem. I really like them. Inclination doesn't kick in until 30 yards so that is a let down if you want one device for bow hunting too. I used them at steel safari a few years ago without issue and even dropped them on the rocks when picking up my gear....no issues.
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I've hit 2007 yards with my Swaro binos. They will hit 1500 yards all day. 1760 usually not a problem. I really like them. Inclination doesn't kick in until 30 yards so that is a let down if you want one device for bow hunting too. I used them at steel safari a few years ago without issue and even dropped them on the rocks when picking up my gear....no issues.
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Very happy with my Bushnell Fusion 10 X 42s. I've gotten consistent, repeatable hits from soft objects out to 1300 yards. As long as they are kept reasonably steady, ranging target-sized objects isn't an issue. The beam width is such that target placements partially obscured by foliage are problematic, but that's pretty much par for the course at this price point. A bit bulky, but that's my only complaint.
I'm in the exact same boat. My plan is to spend about 2k on a good pair of LRF bino's, I was gonna get a Terrapin but the 5x turned me off. I want a pair of 10x bino's with the best rangefinder available. It's probably going to be the new Stiener's which I can get in a 10x for about 2400 or the Lieca HD-b 10x which I hope I can find for less then 3k. Problem is I really want to range to 2k yards. I'm sure I'm dreaming, but if either come close I will be happy. Other suggestions?
Mile High has a great price on the HD-B's. With the ballistics and environmentals working pretty well in those they are pretty tempting at this price. The Steiner's seem like the best RF short of a Terrapin.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...geovid-10x42-hd-b-rangefinding-bino-sale.html
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...geovid-10x42-hd-b-rangefinding-bino-sale.html
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