New Nikon 4K LRF Reviews

[Ledd Slinger]

I think Nikon may have just raised the bar with an absolute beast of a rangefinder called the Black RangeX 4K.

The new offering is nearly as compact as the Leica LRFs, has red LED readout...and over a 2 mile ranging capability rated at 4000 yards!!!
No ballistics calculator in it that I'm aware of, but I ever use those things in LRFs anyhow so missing that feature isnt a big deal to me personally.

Best part is Nikon employs target priority ranging. This is where my Leica LRFs have always failed me. Cannot use the Leica in any sort of precipitation or fog.

I owned a Monarch 1200 years ago and it was a very solid and reliable LRF. Always performed well within or beyond its specifications. Could range trees out to 1300 yards on a cloudy day and good atmosphere.

With the new Nikon Black RangeX 4K priced at only $449 and carrying a 5 year warranty, I decided to take a shot on it. Should be at my house in a week, but i wont be home from working overseas until June 15th. I'll let you all know how it performs when I get the chance to test it. So excited to try out this monster


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/878972/nikon-black-rangex-4k-laser-rangefinder-6x-21mm-black

 

[22DASHER]

Well if these work at half of that distance I will be owning one.... but not until some positive reviews come out!

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Here's some reviews I found on Optics Planet that I checked out before purchasing. Looks like the rated capability is no joke.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-nikon-black-rangex-4k-rangefinder.html

 

[Ledd Slinger]

There's another in depth personal field review by Thomas Gomez, a writer for Guns America. In the "Final Test" portion of his review, he was able to range a vehicle at 3,971 yards and buildings at 4,100 yards.

In the review, he even makes a little comment how the Nikon performed better than the Vectronix LRFs he tested previously. Here's the link to his review.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/nikon-black-rangex-4k-review/

 

[Tommie]

I’m interested but skeptical. If this thing really can accurately range a medium sized game animal in the field at that distance then we have a game-changer here. Would be interested to see how it performs on field rodents. I’m assuming it can be mounted on a tripod.

 

[VaRandy]

I’m interested but skeptical. If this thing really can accurately range a medium sized game animal in the field at that distance then we have a game-changer here. Would be interested to see how it performs on field rodents. I’m assuming it can be mounted on a tripod.

I agree. For those of us not shooting trees, barns, or vehicles why would we care about those metrics. How far will it range a deer? A coyote? Groundhog? In what sun conditions. Hope it is 8 power.

 

[xring]

I agree. For those of us not shooting trees, barns, or vehicles why would we care about those metrics. How far will it range a deer? A coyote? Groundhog? In what sun conditions. Hope it is 8 power.

No such luck , it's a 6X . I wondered about the Magnification too . Maybe a consequence of the low MSRP . If it works as suggested by the above evaluations , there will be a lot of older LRFs for Sale.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Nikon also has a new Monarch 3000 yard LRF on the market with Image Stabilization technology. I believe it came out a in March of this year. However, reviews on that unit are not nearly as favorable for ranging non-reflective targets. Reviews regarding reflective targets are good and the unit will reach it's stated rating of 3000 yards. The Image Stabilization feature would be awesome on a compact LRF, but if the unit doesn't like to range over 1200 yards on every day field objects, I personally don't have much use for it. The Black RangeX 4K appears to be a lot more capable on non-reflective targets in it's initial reviews which make it more applicable for field use.

 

[VaRandy]

No such luck , it's a 6X . I wondered about the Magnification too . Maybe a consequence of the low MSRP . If it works as suggested by the above evaluations , there will be a lot of older LRFs for Sale.

I am betting it does not even stack up to the Sig 2000 or 2200. I love mine but have additional needs so have ordered the new Vectronics for June 1 delivery.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I am betting it does not even stack up to the Sig 2000 or 2200. I love mine but have additional needs so have ordered the new Vectronics for June 1 delivery.

If you read the review I posted from Guns America, you'll see he was comparing the Nikon 4K to a Sig Sauer Kilo 2000. The Nikon blew the Sig out of the water. He even states that it performed better than the Vectronix he has tested in the past with the same conditions.
https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/nikon-black-rangex-4k-review/

Of course it doesn't take much to outperform the Sig Sauer rangefinders in my opinion. I bought a Sig Kilo 2200MR last year. Piece of junk. Sold it the following spring. My Leica 1600 ran circles around the Sig in all kinds of performance tests I put them both through.

Don't bother calling Sig if you have issues either because they won't stand behind their product when it doesn't even come close to matching claimed performance. Farthest reading I was ever able to get in any lighting or atmospheric conditions was 1368 yards with the 2200MR on a massive reflective target. Even tested it on a tripod and changed batteries multiple times. Still wouldnt range anything further than that. Manual states up to 3400 yards on reflective. My Leica 1600 will pick up NON-reflective targets like trees and such at over 1900 yards on a regular basis...When I finally called Sig customer service and explained the issue with the LRF's lack of stated performance, they basically told me to take a hike. Didnt even offer for me to send it in for testing. Due to the horrible customer service, I'll never buy another Sig Sauer product again.

 

[VaRandy]

I would need more than 1 review to believe what I read. If the NIKON registered metal buildings at 6k would that make it a better unit. How so if you don't shoot 6K? The realtime feedback of the Sig helps me with furry critters because I can swing it across the target and see distance read far, near, and far again. The 7 power eyepiece is better than most of the bargain priced brands. My Sig, Vectronix, and Optical Barr & Stroud will cover my hunting needs pretty well.

 

[micmac]

Reviews by tacticool crowd at Snipers Hide are not too flatering and so far all resoulted in ither units going back for refund or for sale in adds

Will be testing multiple units ucluding whole sig lineup and both nikons in next two weeks .

I had so many bad experieces with LRFs that i am honestly looking at Vectronix new Terrapin to be done with the chicom crap braded under US brands

 

[Delfuego]

Reviews by tacticool crowd at Snipers Hide are not to flatering and so far all seroulted in ither units going back for refund or for sale in adds

Most of those guys couldn't range their ass with 2 hands.

I like that they are in the game and they surely have the brains and ability to build nice products. However they put a sub-par laser in their new Bino-LRF. If they would build this improved laser into their binoculars, I would buy some right away! A 4000 yard laser range finder in a tiny 6x handheld unit is just bad design.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Micmac, please be sure to post your results and thoughts after the tests. Thanks man

The guys hating on the Nikon always make me laugh. Sitting around passing negative judgement on something they have zero experience with and know nothing about. I like to actually get my hands on new optics and test them. Not just sit around an Internet site guessing about what an optic might or might not be like. I figure if I don't like it, I'll just send it back for a return.

 

[micmac]

Used the Nikon Monarch 3000 on IWA , optics were definetly a step up from SiG but who ever designed optic with only 6x and extremely coarse reticle needs an ass whooping as these two features ruin the LRF for smaller targets.

A Nikon Black is on its way so will be able to test it together with Nikon Monarch 3000 and bunch of other LRFs against practical sized metalic targets not barn doors , cars or houses. So far few LRFs can work practical sized targets past 1000y ,So its quite disapointing to chase right unit around , i am on 4th looking for 5th LRF in last 3 years and looks like Vectronicx Terrapin X might be it (its around 2k$ , but worth it if it can preform as advertised)

My previous test of number of Kilos 22000 ,Leica 2700 and a noname chicom LRF bino optic sold in US under brands snypex and Rudolph was quite dismal , all units tested from a tripod at 2x2 sized target metalic white target at cca 1160y , and bunch of smaller targets 800-1100y. Overcast no direct sunlight ,should be near optimal for LRF ranging

One kilo 2200 gave out at 900 , second Kilo 2200 couldn't measure the 1160 could measure a tree cca 50Y ahead of the target , Leica 2700 worked well on all targets but couldn't read a red target around 900y that is due to laser wavelenght no name chicom LRF bino rated 1800 easily measured all targets even off hand. Kilo 2200 also had beams aimed quite a bit of center reticle (before long range test i tested each LRF to see where the laser is aimed so could do a fair test. Many Lrfs dont have laser centered in reticle so often you can find a spot in reticle giving much more consistent reads meaning that laser beam i likely aimed there .

Other thing is batteries , start with fresh set , the battery that comes with LRF might no be on full charge , and in all LRFs so far battery power had considerable influence on ranging .

I courently own a Sig Kilo 2200 but have seen Sig QC is not good ,as multiple units vary a lot in preformance Some units bradishing 2200 would be better of with 1250 label

Am not expecting much of Nikon Black 4K as it has the same low magnification and reticle as Monarch 3000 , and Sig Kilo 2200 is optimisticaly sold with maximum 3200Y range against reflective target so 4000y might not be such a step up.

LRF manufacturers in china(Nikon is Philipines) are playing with Laser grades , jump in preformance comes from two fields , going from 1M to 3R laser rating (how potentialy damaging it is to eyesight of anyone lased) adds up ro 20% more range the other is tweaks in wavelenght to have less interference by sunlight but that is no free lunch and will not add range in many conditions that is what Nikon is sellling so i expext it to range well only in specific conditions.

So far Leica is by far the best LRF and that is while using 1M eyesafe rated laser

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Thanks micmac. Great input. Sounds like your experience with Sig matched mine. A 1250 rating for the 2200 would be exactly right because they aren't much good past that range.

I also agree that the Leica LRFs are hard to beat. I love my Leica 1600. Has always performed well beyond the stated ranging ratings in the owners manual.

I never did like the thick reticles on the Nikon's and I'm not sure why they didn't add a little extra magnification...Just have to see how I like it when I get my hands on it. If I don't care for it, I return it and fall back on the trusty Leica 1600. No damage done.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I have one of the older nikon 1200 something. works good but the rated distance is on reflective targets. it'll range a stop sign if you can hold it at 1200yds but it cuts back to about 6-800 on brown fur. it'll range white spray paint on a gong at 1000. i have no issues with nikon rangefinders.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Back when I had my Nikon Monarch 1200 LRF years ago, I dropped it on a concrete floor from shoulder height. It smacked the floor REALLY hard. The kind of whack that just makes you cringe! Wouldn't range over 250 yards after that. I called Nikon customer service and told them it wasn't ranging properly. They didn't ask what happened so I didn't mention I dropped it. It didn't break the casing or crack the glass so there wasn't any external evidence of the impact. They sent me a box with a paid shipping label. Mailed it to them and a few days later they received it and called to tell me it was not repairable. Had a brand new rangefinder at my house abother few days later later free of charge. That was my one and only experience with Nikon CS and it was excellent. Not sure if they would have replaced it if they knew I dropped it, but I don't give answers for questions that are not asked of me

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Back when I had my Nikon Monarch 1200 LRF years ago, I dropped it on a concrete floor from shoulder height. It smacked the floor REALLY hard. The kind of whack that just makes you cringe! Wouldn't range over 250 yards after that. I called Nikon customer service and told them it wasn't ranging properly. They didn't ask what happened so I didn't mention I dropped it. It didn't break the casing or crack the glass so there wasn't any external evidence of the impact. They sent me a box with a paid shipping label. Mailed it to them and a few days later they received it and called to tell me it was not repairable. Had a brand new rangefinder at my house abother few days later later free of charge. That was my one and only experience with Nikon CS and it was excellent. Not sure if they would have replaced it if they knew I dropped it, but I don't give answers for questions that are not asked of me

they know now and youre on the list.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

they know now and youre on the list.

Well damnit! Guess I'm gonna have to delete this whole thread...