rangefinder

[Oldbloke]

So what's the difference between the cheap golf range finders and the hunting range finders. For ocassional use the cheapos look attractive.

you may not get the angle measurement with the golf one but if it can see a flag at a par 4 it should have no problems seeing a goat/deer/rabbit

That's sort of what I mean. Some are under $100 and if it's fairly accurate to 300 meters that's all I need. And my guess is it would be OK in most hunting situations.

[Oldbloke]

At this price you have to wonder....

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=golf ... p0QgjYInAY

[bigfellascott]

The other thing to look for with rangefinders is to get one with illuminated reticle and readout, the ones that only have the black displays are useless in low light conditions, very hard to read at times I've found, much easier to read the illuminated info.

[albat]

Looked through atn x sight with built in rangefinder auto adjusts your reticule with 2 clicks on the button plus a load of other features decent glass as well costs a grand but if you are buying a half decent rangefinder for $400 etc might be a good option saves carrying more stuff around

[bigfellascott]

So what's the difference between the cheap golf range finders and the hunting range finders. For ocassional use the cheapos look attractive.

you may not get the angle measurement with the golf one but if it can see a flag at a par 4 it should have no problems seeing a goat/deer/rabbit

That's sort of what I mean. Some are under $100 and if it's fairly accurate to 300 meters that's all I need. And my guess is it would be OK in most hunting situations.

Buy a half decent one mate, cheapy ones are sure to s**t emselves eventually and generally don't work that well and can be a bit limiting in some ways, will it work in low light or night? - you don't have to go over the top price wise but leave the $20 ones where they belong, in someone elses kit broken and useless. Personally I'd just save up some $$ and buy a decent 2nd hand one for around $400 say, should get you something decent and reliable and you'll probably have it for life.

This one would probably be ok, not sure what the features are on it but might be worth further investigation but definitely get one with illuminated readout, better to use IMHO.
https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=92999

[bladeracer]

Looked through atn x sight with built in rangefinder auto adjusts your reticule with 2 clicks on the button plus a load of other features decent glass as well costs a grand but if you are buying a half decent rangefinder for $400 etc might be a good option saves carrying more stuff around

I like what the ATN stuff is claimed to be capable of, but I don't like all the bad reviews about their quality - don't waste your money until they get them properly sorted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pGUcpda64M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftftACwa0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V00EDw7OV0U

[wade06]

I picked up a Simmons LRF 600 tilt range finder from the US for about $110 delivered last month (refurbished model but looks brand new). Accuracy is great out to about 300m or so. Took a good month to get here.

[1sikxt]

I got a bushnell elite 1500 and I've ranged out to 900 metered

[Oldbloke]

So, what do you blokes recommend for a usable but cheap range finder?

It depends on what you call cheap, I use a Nikon Prostaff 7i around $300- $400 depending on who sells them

I saw these on special for $28 delivered, I have ordered stuff from these people delivery can take up to 4 weeks everything I ordered has arrived, the only whinge I have with them is the time it takes to deliver products with this $1 postage deal.
No Idea on the quality-
http://www.shoppingsquare.com.au/p_4009 ... added_case

Yeah, not really looking to buy one but tempting to try one at that price.

[bigfellascott]

Looked through atn x sight with built in rangefinder auto adjusts your reticule with 2 clicks on the button plus a load of other features decent glass as well costs a grand but if you are buying a half decent rangefinder for $400 etc might be a good option saves carrying more stuff around

I like what the ATN stuff is claimed to be capable of, but I don't like all the bad reviews about their quality - don't waste your money until they get them properly sorted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pGUcpda64M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftftACwa0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V00EDw7OV0U

I was using one of there https://www.atncorp.com/x-sight2-hd-day ... cope-5-20x on the weekend, it was ok but honestly for the $2k it cost to buy and then upgrade the other bits plus the batteries that aren't cheap and the night blindness I got everytime I looked through the view finder and the difficulty in finding the animals you knew were there I certainly won't be rushing out to buy one, this one had Wifi Capability, so you could watch the action on your Iphone as someone was taking the shot etc which was good and much better than looking through that bloody viewfinder and the image quality was a lot better too I found, it also had GPS so tracked everywhere you went and it also had a rangefinder thing built in but it was a dick around to use to my way of thinking basically you had to put in the height of the animal and it would work it out from there from memory.

I know of 2 people who have the same setup and they love it and It definitely has some advantages over the spotlight (being stealth and animals unaware that you are there and even when they are they aren't overly concerned and tend to hang around)

I reckon in 5yrs these things will be very good but for now it's not something I'm interested in at all, I'd rather use the good ol spotlight until such time as this gear improves.

[brett1868]

My favourite is the TruPulse 360R but they are expensive....

[sandgroperbill]

Apparently, the hdII has sorted the firmware issues the original had. However, this is from retailers, so grain of salt and all that. I find it quite tempting. I reckon it would be great for fox whistling at night.

[duncan61]

I took a ranging at 1100 meters plus but it was a big water tower across a Valley and I had a table to rest on

[bigfellascott]

Apparently, the hdII has sorted the firmware issues the original had. However, this is from retailers, so grain of salt and all that. I find it quite tempting. I reckon it would be great for fox whistling at night.

I'd suggest you try before you buy that way you can see the shortfalls and good points and work out if it's truly for you. It will cost up around $2k+ with the good batteries and upgraded IR Torch according to my mate, not cheap and didn't do much for me with the issues I had using it and it's fooking heavy too with all the gear hanging off it so not really usable off hand as such not that that's a major drama if you are happy to use a mono pod or bipod sticks or or tripod or possibly a bipod if the terrain allows.

I think my mates locked up once or twice too but a quick shut down and wait the 10sec or so for it to fire back up again and it was good to go again.

I think there is a group on FB dedicated to the ATN gear so might be worth checking out there and see what the good and bad is too.

[sandgroperbill]

The weight is the main thing putting me off it, by the time I attach it tl the hmr, my light foxing rifle ain't so light anymore. Add that to the occasional crash, the battery life and the weak USB port, and you have the reasons I'm leaning against it. If they improve things in the third version I may well jump on it.

I'm still tempted by it, though

[bigfellascott]

The weight is the main thing putting me off it, by the time I attach it tl the hmr, my light foxing rifle ain't so light anymore. Add that to the occasional crash, the battery life and the weak USB port, and you have the reasons I'm leaning against it. If they improve things in the third version I may well jump on it.

I'm still tempted by it, though

Have u used one?

[sandgroperbill]

Nope. Try before you buy is virtually impossible over here. One of the lgs' has one fitted to their personal rifle, so got to handle ot a bit during the day, but its heavy and really throws the balance of the rifle out.

Add to that brett's experiences with the first generation and the general reviews and feedback, and I'm not sure its for me in the current form.

I love what it aspires to be, but not sure it'a there yet. And for that sort of coin, you want to be sure

[bigfellascott]

Nope. Try before you buy is virtually impossible over here. One of the lgs' has one fitted to their personal rifle, so got to handle ot a bit during the day, but its heavy and really throws the balance of the rifle out.

Add to that brett's experiences with the first generation and the general reviews and feedback, and I'm not sure its for me in the current form.

I love what it aspires to be, but not sure it'a there yet. And for that sort of coin, you want to be sure

Yeah that's the conclusion I came to as well - one day I'm sure it will suit my needs but definitely doesn't do anything for me in its current guise.

[brett1868]

I had a ATN X-Sight and after a few months of various problems I got onto the Australian importer and got a refund. The US support guys are next to useless but the local importer is a good guy and getting a refund wasn't a problem so for that reason alone I'd consider them again in the future.

[Slant225]

Hey,
I picked up a Kogan 800m Rangefinder for $120 on special (from perhaps $185) with free shipping. I finally got the opportunity to use it down at the range. The optics are 6x25 with 7deg field of view. It seemed to measure the different target distances to within a couple of metres of what I expected. I think the spec sheet says tolerance error is the greater of +- 1m or +-0.1%. Some have rightly mentioned that the non illuminated eyepiece displays are difficult to read in lower light situations and I found this to be the case with the Kogan unit. The reading stays on the display for a second or so I found by looking at the sky or something brighter I could make a reading.
At this moment I'm extremely happy with the purchase. If it continues to work it should fulfill the need I had for it which was to help me learn to better estimate or judge distances.
I understand that it isn't a $5000 industrial measuing laser nor is it a $500 brand name shooting rangefinder so it met my $120 expectations
Sadly, last I looked they were sold out but if you don't need one immediately they may restock? I'd been watching them for a bit the were on and off sale a couple of times before I bought mine.
Goodluck!