New slope range finder question

[petemacsydney]

Hi all,

Prep for my first hunt trip continues...

Looking at a couple of range finders at the moment.

My question is... does it matter if you use a 'slope ranger finder'?

I am using it for shooting and not for bow, but wasn't sure if slope range finders amend range to hori range versus actual point to point distance? Hopefully it doesnt matter and then I can leverage the angle data when i get into bows?

Cheers and thanks!
P

[brett1868]

Slope measurement would only come into real play if shooting over longer ranges or steep up / down targets as ballistic performance changes based on gravity over time / velocity / distance. I use one of therse http://www.lasertech.com/TruPulse-360-R-Laser-Rangefinder.aspx As it integrates with my ballistics computer over Bluetooth and has compass bearings as well. Bushnell have a fairly decent offrering of laser range finders and I've got the model similar to the Elite 1600 version which has been very reliable and accurate. If your not shooting hundreds of meters up or down hill then I'd go a basic rangefinder unless budget allows for a higher spec unit. Always better to have a feature and not use it then to need it later and not have it.

[Westy]

you'll really only need it when shooting a compound @ 275 fps or as Brett stated above!!!! IMHO

[petemacsydney]

thanks guys

i need something to get me through the week after next, so i will probably just get one of these for now and something more serious later on down the road...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HUNTING-LASE ... 3397ed410a

caribou.JPG (153.84 KiB) Viewed 9218 times

[cruze82]

you'll really only need it when shooting a compound @ 275 fps or as Brett stated above!!!! IMHO

or when your shooting your 300 aac with 210 bergers

[brett1868]

I would also like to add that if possible have the LRF on a camera tripod cause it makes aiming just that little bit easier when ranging small targets. Most units have the standard camera type thread on them. That Caribou unit looks ok but check that those batteries are commonly available and I'd see if stretching the budget for a unit capable of at least 1000yds is possible if using more for rifles. Bushnell / TruPulse and Barrett BORS all use CR123a camera batteries so pretty much available anywhere. Initial checking shows the CRA2 battery is 14.75mm x 33.5mm whilst the CR123a is 17mm x34.5 so they probably are NOT interchangeable.

[petemacsydney]

thx Brett, yeah i'm taking a bit of a gamble on this el-cheapo ebay version, but needed something fast and cheap. No plans for anything over 200m at the mo, so if i get a year out of it i'll be pleased.
the battery is wierd, but if it fails i will wire up a different battery to use, as those batts look over priced.

[petemacsydney]

actually scrap that battery comment, just found a bunch online for 5 bucks each. cheap enough for me

[lole]

or when your shooting your 300 aac with 210 bergers

Can you see your target doing that?

Or you just aim at it then raise the muzzle 45° and fire, hoping for the best?

[Westy]

Can you see your target doing that?

Or you just aim at it then raise the muzzle 45° and fire, hoping for the best?

That's how I shoot all the time!!! I just pull the trigger and hope 4 the best!!!!LMFAO Use a mil dot scope and know my equipment,but 300 with 210's is nothing short of a pipe dream but 210's on pigs at the feed lot at 50 well that's the ticket!!!!

[cruze82]

That's how I shoot all the time!!! I just pull the trigger and hope 4 the best!!!!LMFAO Use a mil dot scope and know my equipment,but 300 with 210's is nothing short of a pipe dream but 210's on pigs at the feed lot at 50 well that's the ticket!!!!

Pigs as a feed loot at 50m sounds like a job for the 45/70 with open sights

[Westy]

Pigs as a feed loot at 50m sounds like a job for the 45/70 with open sights

We find a 12 gauge with ossg's works best!!!!!

[lole]

but 210's on pigs at the feed lot at 50 well that's the ticket!!!!

Oooow. 50m.... You sure that's not pushing it?

[Westy]

but 210's on pigs at the feed lot at 50 well that's the ticket!!!!

Oooow. 50m.... You sure that's not pushing it?

Slightly but it sure beats using a compound as I get repeat shots!!!!

[Die Judicii]

Isn't this all a bit rascist ??????????????

[inventurkey]

How did the cheapo ranger go Pete?

[Oldbloke]

How did the cheapo ranger go Pete?

+1 Im also intersted. Let us know after a bit of use.

[petemacsydney]

well picked up the range finder from the post office yesterday and i have to say, i'm pretty impressed (when comparing it to the 250-300 dollar range ones u see in the shooting shops.

i've run a few tests and it fullfill's its accuracy claims +/- 1 meter

the lenses are very clear and it picks up small objects at distance very well.

the material construct looks the same as the 250-300 dollar range in the shops, so all in all.. i'm quite happy...

next test is next week on the hunt!

[kritch]

i've run a few tests and it fullfill's its accuracy claims +/- 1 meter

A whole metre off? That's like 1/10th of a mm off! Rubbish!

[Oldbloke]

How did u test it, over what distance.??

[petemacsydney]

short distances only at the moment. plan to test longer ranges next week

[chacka]

Would be nice to know how it goes on difference surfaces too.

Reflective distance vs normal material.

[petemacsydney]

well i tried on a tree branch about 2-3 inches diameter and it worked fine at 50 meters

will try more and longer next week

cheers
p

[chacka]

Roger.

[petemacsydney]

Nah, Roger's not going this time, but Charlie is.

[chacka]

[tom604]

bought one, best range so far is 245mtr from my letter box to a tree branch about 7-10 inches wide,,better than my bushnell. will put up an update later

thanks for the heads up petermacsydney i needed another one

[petemacsydney]

bought one, best range so far is 245mtr from my letter box to a tree branch about 7-10 inches wide,,better than my bushnell. will put up an update later

thanks for the heads up petermacsydney i needed another one

hey thats gr8 to hear tom. i still havent pushed mine as i havent been to the range and hunting has been close range only.
thx for the deets.

[wayward]

best range so far is 245mtr from my letter box to a tree branch

Ah yes... A very common shooting scenario

[tom604]

best range so far is 245mtr from my letter box to a tree branch

Ah yes... A very common shooting scenario

bravo sir,,made me laugh