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Terrapin X or Leica 3500

U

USMC22

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#1
I’ve been searching the web and forums. My old range finder died on me.

These are the two I’m really looking in to. Leica seems like the firmware is easy to update with your cell phone but the Terrapin X seems to integrate with other apps on cell phones so I’m assuming it would be easy as well?

I’ve got kestrels and other Applied Ballistic products but am not married to the idea they must integrate. My previous range finder was a Gunwerks G7 BR2500.

Budget it 2k or less.
 
#2
I think Terrapin X is the best LRF for civilian shooters. This is civilian version from Vectronix. Vectronix rangefinders are the best.

There are rangefinders from Vectronix and all other brands.
 
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#3
alex2x2 said:
I think Terrapin X is the best LRF for civilian shooters. This is civilian version from Vectronix. Vectronix rangefinders are the best.

There are rangefinders from Vectronix and all others brands.
Click to expand...
Leaning towards the Terrapin X… haven’t seen one in the wild though so I’m relying on what I’ve read
 
#6
3DA5C2EA-D2EC-4459-9DA6-8AE8B4170A6A.png
 
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#7
these are a bit outside your price window...

IMO this is the best one today for my shooting habits (I haven't considered the Vector 21)

www.bisontactical.com

Steiner M830r LRF 1535nm Laser Rangefinder Binoculars with Reticle

Buy the Steiner M830r LRF 1535nm, one of the most powerful laser rangefinding binoculars available to civilians. Integrated with Kestrel 5700 Ballistics
www.bisontactical.com www.bisontactical.com

The 1535nm lasers just seem to be able to range farther through more stuff, and consistently return a range... (the reason the old PLRF 15s etc were so great).

However I have now been eyeing the Wilcox Ratpar...
 
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#13
Fred @ Bison Tactical said:
The Steiner's range out to around 8000 M or so, and have an etched reticle as well (and covered under the famous Steiner warranty)...
Click to expand...
Ive got a set of these. I ranged a boat offshore of the Outer Banks at 9104 yds. Used a tripod and it was overcast but that's over 5 miles. I've got the USB dongle on order so it'll link to my Kestrel. IMO they are really impressive.
 
#16
The issue is that the field moves so quickly - as soon as someone does a solid test, new version are released making the old test data pretty obsolete. (New Sig Kilo's and New Leica's for example)...

I know that Nick tried to give us a methodology to compare apples to apples Laser devices. However without someone doing continuous testing it makes it really difficult to compare laser devices.

Also, from what Nick said the Raptar is a 1550 nm device - as an aside.

I think most of those tested by PRB are 905nm with the exception of the PRLF 15's which means it should be putting out a lot more energy - thus getting a lot more range (just better signal / noise ratio).

Generally I would expect most of the recent 905nm laser devices to be pretty comparable in their capabilities, with the differences being more along the features like integration, and potentially better / worse software determining what target your actually pointing at.

I really liked the 3D feature on the old Terrapin which allowed you to see if there were multiple targets identified in the ranging path, rather than the software just picking the best single choice...
 
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#17
You guys are killing me… I WANT those Steiners… but my lunch money says if I want to eat than I better save a bit longer and don’t want to be without a rangefinder in the interim
 
#18
deersniper said:
How do ya figure?

precisionrifleblog.com

Pocket Rangefinder Field Test Showdown

Over the past few months, I’ve been testing several high-end pocket laser rangefinders, like the ne...
precisionrifleblog.com precisionrifleblog.com
Click to expand...

I've tested Terrapin X vs Original Terrapin (PLRF 05)

Original Terrapin outperform the new Terrapin X

www.snipershide.com

Terrapin X vs Terrapin PLRF 05

Hi guys! My English is not good. I use google translator. I've recently purchased A Terrapin X rangefinder. After reading the laudatory reviews and all kinds of video reviews forums and sites. One of the most famous comparison tests was here...
www.snipershide.com www.snipershide.com
 
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#19
Here comes a voice from the poors.........someone must speak for them.

My Bushnell Conx I bought on the PX for about $300 communicates with my Kestrel that was designed to pair with it and it does okay for my .308 Winchester ranging duties.

But those Steiners do look sweet.
 
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#20
pmclaine said:
Here comes a voice from the poors.........someone must speak for them.

My Bushnell Conx I bought on the PX for about $300 communicates with my Kestrel that was designed to pair with it and it does okay for my .308 Winchester ranging duties.

But those Steiners do look sweet.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I cannot believe a terrapin x is settling. Craziness. I’ve got a nice truck but if I posted it someone would probably tell me it’s no Land Rover lol
 
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#21
pmclaine said:
Here comes a voice from the poors.........someone must speak for them.

My Bushnell Conx I bought on the PX for about $300 communicates with my Kestrel that was designed to pair with it and it does okay for my .308 Winchester ranging duties.

But those Steiners do look sweet.
Click to expand...

but you only need out to 800 yards...isnt that when the 308 falls straight to the ground or so ive heard :p
 
#22
brianf said:
but you only need out to 800 yards...isnt that when the 308 falls straight to the ground or so ive heard :p
Click to expand...
w/ a 20” barrel, TBAC Dominus SR Suppressor with Federal Gold Medal Match 168’s @ 2566 FPS (from a magnetospeed, 20 shots average, SD 15 FPS) and ~ 500 FT density altitude my kestrel was saying 675 was where I was going transonic. Tried truing at 650… meh. I can say that with MY setup and ME, I’m really lobbing them when I reach 1,000 yards.
 
#23
After having used a lot of different rangefinders, I really prefer the 1500 nm range vs 900nm range (so PLRF 15 and up, Raptars, Steiner M830 1535, Vector etc).

The real issue as I understand it comes down to energy. Every 900nm LRF I have used performs well during optimal conditions (perfect darkness) but struggles with real world conditions that include non-reflective targets, stuff obscuring the laser path, and lots of extra light (bright sunlight and lots of reflective surfaces). So, when a rangefinder is supposed to range to 3000 yards, but I struggle to return a range from 1200 I got frustrated.

After a long hard thought process weighing the cost of going the expensive route, I made the decision to buy into the 1500nm range and have never had a problem getting a range back since from under 2000 yards (never...). It totally took the question out of the equation.

I know not everyone can afford these, but the ability of the 1500nm lasers to put out so much more energy, and thus be much more likely to get signal returned is the main difference between them and the 900nm spectrum. This is also why the cost is so much higher (there are so many more 900nm lasers available and thus lower cost to manufacture).
 
#24
Fred @ Bison Tactical said:
After having used a lot of different rangefinders, I really prefer the 1500 nm range vs 900nm range (so PLRF 15 and up, Raptars, Steiner M830 1535, Vector etc).

The real issue as I understand it comes down to energy. Every 900nm LRF I have used performs well during optimal conditions (perfect darkness) but struggles with real world conditions that include non-reflective targets, stuff obscuring the laser path, and lots of extra light (bright sunlight and lots of reflective surfaces). So, when a rangefinder is supposed to range to 3000 yards, but I struggle to return a range from 1200 I got frustrated.

After a long hard thought process weighing the cost of going the expensive route, I made the decision to buy into the 1500nm range and have never had a problem getting a range back since from under 2000 yards (never...). It totally took the question out of the equation.

I know not everyone can afford these, but the ability of the 1500nm lasers to put out so much more energy, and thus be much more likely to get signal returned is the main difference between them and the 900nm spectrum. This is also why the cost is so much higher (there are so many more 900nm lasers available and thus lower cost to manufacture).
Click to expand...
After a BR2500 going down on me I’m just not sure I could swallow one of those going down… the electro-optic warranty on steiners (looked yesterday) was 2 years, maybe 3… I had the BR2500 from 2018-2021. Way to short of a lifespan for the money it cost me but I bought it from a vendor who warranties all products for the life of them… brownells. That’s the only thing saving me right now. If I knew, without a doubt that I could buy a pair of steiners and would NEVER have issues or them taken care of QUICKLY without dumping money in them I would.
 
#25
I have a PLRF 25C and it works great. If they would have had not been discontinuing the PLRF10 and PLRF15 I would have gotten one of those. Have the 25C for about 6 years never regretted getting it. I shoot ELR and do need to range targets out passed 4k yards and small targets out passed 2k yards.
 
#26
USMC22 said:
After a BR2500 going down on me I’m just not sure I could swallow one of those going down… the electro-optic warranty on steiners (looked yesterday) was 2 years, maybe 3… I had the BR2500 from 2018-2021. Way to short of a lifespan for the money it cost me but I bought it from a vendor who warranties all products for the life of them… brownells. That’s the only thing saving me right now. If I knew, without a doubt that I could buy a pair of steiners and would NEVER have issues or them taken care of QUICKLY without dumping money in them I would.
Click to expand...

I heard through the grape vine that somehow whenever the Stiner Electronics fail somehow the optics seem to also fall off a cliff or something. Then they are replaced under the Steiner Heritage warranty that covers the entire unit as a replacement, fully transferable while Steiner is in business....

It was however just a rumor I heard...
 
#29
USMC22 said:
w/ a 20” barrel, TBAC Dominus SR Suppressor with Federal Gold Medal Match 168’s @ 2566 FPS (from a magnetospeed, 20 shots average, SD 15 FPS) and ~ 500 FT density altitude my kestrel was saying 675 was where I was going transonic. Tried truing at 650… meh. I can say that with MY setup and ME, I’m really lobbing them when I reach 1,000 yards.
Click to expand...

With 175s and my M40A1ish

1632329377288.png


Im pretty solid out to 750. At Sig the next bump is 1000 and thats where hit percentages drop.....but......that steel plate is scared.

But I never have to squeeze a man bun through the back of my ball cap.
 
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