My pops is looking for a binocular range finder. He wanted one with the reticle as well but it seems there’s only either or options. Unless someone came across something we should check out? I was looking through the forum for a specific opinion though. He will use them for extreme long range so really good glass and accurate ranging is the priority. Linking with the kestrel is a huge bonus and maybe the deciding point. My main question though, is do any of you have experience ranging small targets like gophers? I’d like to know if some are better than others for this.
High End Binocular Range Finder Experience
- Thread starter DOA357
- Start date
As vp6111 linked to, the Steiners are currently the only LRF binos with an etched milling reticle. I don't know if the 10x ones can accept the bluetooth adapter that allows them to link to a Kestrel but the 8x ones (830) do. The lasers on the 905nm binos aren't nearly as good as the ones in other current commercial LRF binos (Vortex Fury 5k, Sig Kilo 3 and 10K, etc), the 1535nm laser that you can get in the 830s is awesome but the binos cost upwards of $9k. They're great binos though, I've played around with a buddy's.
I personally have Sig Kilo 3000s and Vortex Fury 5000 ABs which are both great options in different price ranges. I've looked through Sig's latest (the 10k) but the blue tint of the glass is really less than ideal. Personally, I think that the Fury 5000 ABs are the best bang for the buck these days with pretty decent glass, a great laser and a very good ballistic solver (AB). Whereas I pair my Sig 3Ks to my Kestrel, I usually just use my Furys as a standalone ranging/ballistics tool and they give me identical dope to what my Kestrel says. I do wish the Furys had an etched mil reticle and a 1535/1550nm laser but then they would also probably cost $10k, haha.
I personally have Sig Kilo 3000s and Vortex Fury 5000 ABs which are both great options in different price ranges. I've looked through Sig's latest (the 10k) but the blue tint of the glass is really less than ideal. Personally, I think that the Fury 5000 ABs are the best bang for the buck these days with pretty decent glass, a great laser and a very good ballistic solver (AB). Whereas I pair my Sig 3Ks to my Kestrel, I usually just use my Furys as a standalone ranging/ballistics tool and they give me identical dope to what my Kestrel says. I do wish the Furys had an etched mil reticle and a 1535/1550nm laser but then they would also probably cost $10k, haha.
I’ve used the swaro model just before they came out with the new TA model. Needed to upgrade to the ballistics program models of this latest gen.
I now use the Leica geovid pro 10x32. These give nothing away to the 10x42 I used to run. The upgrade to the AB elite program was a no brainer and I use these to shoot out to 1400 m. I believe the ab elite program also pairs with the kestrel. 18” steel at 1400 m is no problem, and you could always range something next to it if required, so what ever range you shoot goffers to should be no problem.
I also have the sig 3000 model, that is for the wife to use with the Bdx scope.
The Leicas are by far a better model, and glass, laser and program over the sig 3000. The 10x 32 are also smaller, lighter, but give nothing up in the optics to the 10x42 model. I did try the swaro 10x42 ta side by side 4 months before I bought the leicas, so I knew what I was getting. Bonus was an open box discount, and that was more timing rather than sway into this model. Dealer may even have a few of these in stock still.
Me personally I think the kestrel is not necessary, as it gives you a reading where you are at, and not where the bullet is going, or the path it takes to get there. The range I shoot at is to 1400 m, and watching the flags up to there, compared to 100m is interesting the amount of wind change that you can get between the distances.
I now use the Leica geovid pro 10x32. These give nothing away to the 10x42 I used to run. The upgrade to the AB elite program was a no brainer and I use these to shoot out to 1400 m. I believe the ab elite program also pairs with the kestrel. 18” steel at 1400 m is no problem, and you could always range something next to it if required, so what ever range you shoot goffers to should be no problem.
I also have the sig 3000 model, that is for the wife to use with the Bdx scope.
The Leicas are by far a better model, and glass, laser and program over the sig 3000. The 10x 32 are also smaller, lighter, but give nothing up in the optics to the 10x42 model. I did try the swaro 10x42 ta side by side 4 months before I bought the leicas, so I knew what I was getting. Bonus was an open box discount, and that was more timing rather than sway into this model. Dealer may even have a few of these in stock still.
Me personally I think the kestrel is not necessary, as it gives you a reading where you are at, and not where the bullet is going, or the path it takes to get there. The range I shoot at is to 1400 m, and watching the flags up to there, compared to 100m is interesting the amount of wind change that you can get between the distances.
well if money is no object, you will want a Trijicon Ventus
Here are my pics of it from my SHOT Show 2020 review
Another cool piece of high tech gear, the new Trijicon Ventus …it uses Doppler LIDAR to measure headwind, tailwind, crosswind and vertical wind components at six different distances up to 5000M and includes a ballistic calculator as well
RL
Here are my pics of it from my SHOT Show 2020 review
Another cool piece of high tech gear, the new Trijicon Ventus …it uses Doppler LIDAR to measure headwind, tailwind, crosswind and vertical wind components at six different distances up to 5000M and includes a ballistic calculator as well
RL
well if money is no object, you will want a Trijicon Ventus
Here are my pics of it from my SHOT Show 2020 review
Another cool piece of high tech gear, the new Trijicon Ventus …it uses Doppler LIDAR to measure headwind, tailwind, crosswind and vertical wind components at six different distances up to 5000M and includes a ballistic calculator as well
RL
Sounds cool but I'm picturing a sizeable price tag.
I'm using the Leica Geovid Pro 10x32 with unlocked AB software and love them.
From what I remember the Swarovski NL Pure Binos are the best bino glass on the market but the Swarovski range finding option is a tier of glass at least one level down from this and the rangefinding function sounded kinda basic (no AB option etc)
I also considered the SIG 10Ks as they have the best bang for the buck range finding capability and the HUD info was pretty slick, I think someone else mentioned in this thread earlier that the glass has a significant blue tint (MANY people have reported this) and supposedly that wasnt by chance (I think I read that SIG made it quite blue on purpose to have greater contrast for the HUD info / make it easier to read).
With this in mind I went with the Leica's and have been very happy. If it helps I dealt with Robbie at the Shooting Warehouse (forum sponsor here) and it was honestly the best sales experience I can remember not to mention his price was great.
A little cautionary tale about Steiner: In my sail regatta days, I bought a used supposedly specially designed Steiner marine binocular from an old pirate whose sea legs had given out, I think they were called the Commander model and were quite expensive. They were as I say especially sold to live aboard boats, no laser range finder but with a built in compass, illuminated on demand, and ranging cross hairs where all you needed was an object of known height to work out distances. This was all packed in a housing that you might have thought would survive the recent implosion of the Titan and I was quite proud of them, got some use from them too, a couple of weeks worth actually, until a young press lady we had on board got seasick and puked on them. I give them a quick rinse over the side and what do you know, they flooded with lake water like a colander would have. Steiner offered to replace them at 'cost' but I'd paid a great price and 'cost' was double that, so I decided not to throw good money after bad. Thing was, I could have rinsed off any ordinary binocular in the same way and they would have been fine. No more Steiners for me if they might get wet.
An earlier model of these without the weird eyecups. Steiner 7x50 c or something like that.
For those who like simpler I run the Leica 2700 HD-R 10x42 and very happy with it. Gives me true horizontal from bow ranges to around 1200. Glass runs with my ultravid HD’s. Finish it off with an fhf harness and Aziak tripod clamp.
I could pull apart a mountain for hours on a tripod with this and it is one of my main requirements of an alpha bino. Read as many comparisons, tests, and reviews as you can. Some will focus more on the actual optical side as of things for true glassing. I wasn’t sure a combo unit could do it but I’m happy now that this thing can actually run neck and neck with my ultravid HD’s. Having that button is just so convenient!
I could pull apart a mountain for hours on a tripod with this and it is one of my main requirements of an alpha bino. Read as many comparisons, tests, and reviews as you can. Some will focus more on the actual optical side as of things for true glassing. I wasn’t sure a combo unit could do it but I’m happy now that this thing can actually run neck and neck with my ultravid HD’s. Having that button is just so convenient!
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I use Sig 3000, and yes on gophers too, works great! The ballistic app is good, bang on to 800yds with proper inputs. Press button, get range & MOA drop, dial and shoot. Under $1500.
Good bang for buck.
Buddy has the Fury's, they are nice - and has had to send them back twice, but as Vortex does, they honour warranty 100%.
Good bang for buck.
Buddy has the Fury's, they are nice - and has had to send them back twice, but as Vortex does, they honour warranty 100%.
