Laser Rangefinder Guide

[mchees1]

Here is a more recent review of laser range finders that the PRS shooters use:

Best Rangefinder – What The Pros Use

This article covers the rangefinders the top precision rifle shooters in the country carry in long-...

precisionrifleblog.com

Totally unbiased reporting by Precision Rifle Blog. Highly recommend checking out the site for very good information on all things related to precision shooting.

 

[SmokinAces69]

I have the Swarovski EL Range 10x42mm Range Finding Binoculars and pick up 1500 yards all day long and when conditions are good have reached out to 2000 yards, for hunting you can't beat the bino and range finder.

 

[CaptainMal]

Adding the Vortex 4000. Had a failure of my Sig Kilo 2000 and they refused to repair or replace. Bought the Vortex and literally "blown away".

Fast and easy to focus clearly, unlike the junk Sig. Instant response way out to over 1,500 yards on cows. Instant on thin tree tops way over 1,000 yards. Tree lines over 2,000 yards easily ranged. A sign on the interstate at 2,650 yards read back repeatedly.

Those are the longest I have found to try. What a shock to experience such quality response. Less than $500, it comes with a lifetime warranty. Why use any other?

 

[jpx2rk]

Adding the Vortex 4000. Had a failure of my Sig Kilo 2000 and they refused to repair or replace. Bought the Vortex and literally "blown away".

Fast and easy to focus clearly, unlike the junk Sig. Instant response way out to over 1,500 yards on cows. Instant on thin tree tops way over 1,000 yards. Tree lines over 2,000 yards easily ranged. A sign on the interstate at 2,650 yards read back repeatedly.

Those are the longest I have found to try. What a shock to experience such quality response. Less than $500, it comes with a lifetime warranty. Why use any other?

Did you try it on small critters and such in the 500 yd or less range?

 

[CaptainMal]

Did you try it on small critters and such in the 500 yd or less range?

No.

Did take it to the 600 yard range at Manatee. It was during a steel plate match. I could range an 8" gas gun plate that was about 3 yards in front of the backstop. Do not remember if I tried the 5" benchrest plates. Handed it to the main range RSO and administrator who stopped by to BS. He ranged a tree tip barely visible above the 600 yard backstop at 1,121 yards. That was the same range I got on that treetop. Surprised it could pick that thin thing out at that range.

Next question would be... "How small is small"? Doubt it would pick up a single prairie dog at 500 yards. It is a 7X magnification. You can look at the specs on the internet to see just what the beam convergence is at 500 yards.

Will put it in a motorcycle I expect to ride today. There is a huge farm field near me with cows and small things. Going to look around and see how big or small it can range an object at 500 yards.

 

[CaptainMal]

Did you try it on small critters and such in the 500 yd or less range?

Yes. Not critters but small watering, circular pots or food pots or??? About the size of a 5 gallon bucket, I lasered them out to over 1,000 yards, or did I? Wife and I stopped to use the Vortex 4000 to give you an answer. The answer is..."I don't know".

Before you say ..."What the heck"?... we chose a spot that was near on the same level as potential targets. To look down on them would give you a measure of the ground distance in the target area. Well even on a level basis with the target I always got returns way out. Just do not know if it was the target or the ground and vegetation around the target. My targets were between 450 and 600 yards, which I thought were relevant to your question.

Playing around I went to one cow in a bunch (herd?) way out there. 1500+ yards instantly. Picked up a small shed just over 2,000 yards. Played with lots of stuff, including some pink thing in a field about 700 yards out. Wife spotted it near a couple Sandhill Cranes. Instant readings. Gave the laser to her and she also got near the same reading. Now know this - at age 75 she can still screw up a wet dream. The Vortex 4000 just works and works easily.

Those Cranes were easy birds to laser. As they moved around and apart I was convinced I got a fast reading each time. Only thing is what I said earlier. Am I measuring the bird or the ground around the bird?

 

[jpx2rk]

Yes. Not critters but small watering, circular pots or food pots or??? About the size of a 5 gallon bucket, I lasered them out to over 1,000 yards, or did I? Wife and I stopped to use the Vortex 4000 to give you an answer. The answer is..."I don't know".

Before you say ..."What the heck"?... we chose a spot that was near on the same level as potential targets. To look down on them would give you a measure of the ground distance in the target area. Well even on a level basis with the target I always got returns way out. Just do not know if it was the target or the ground and vegetation around the target. My targets were between 450 and 600 yards, which I thought were relevant to your question.

Playing around I went to one cow in a bunch (herd?) way out there. 1500+ yards instantly. Picked up a small shed just over 2,000 yards. Played with lots of stuff, including some pink thing in a field about 700 yards out. Wife spotted it near a couple Sandhill Cranes. Instant readings. Gave the laser to her and she also got near the same reading. Now know this - at age 75 she can still screw up a wet dream. The Vortex 4000 just works and works easily.

Those Cranes were easy birds to laser. As they moved around and apart I was convinced I got a fast reading each time. Only thing is what I said earlier. Am I measuring the bird or the ground around the bird?

Thanks for taking the time to do the "test", and post your opinion. Appreciate it. Hope you had a good ride as well.

 

[ISS]

I have had almost identical preliminary results with mine. I have a steel panel gate that is exactly 1100 yards from a feeder where I shoot. It told me 1101 yards, but that could have been the 10"x10" Railroad Tie the gate was hanging from. It was a bit cloudy that afternoon. I am very happy to have it.